Bernie Tormé
Encyclopedia
Bernie Tormé is a rock
guitarist
, singer, songwriter
, record label
and recording studio
owner.
, Jeff Beck
, Rory Gallagher
and Gary Moore
of Thin Lizzy
and formed his own band at a young age. His first paid performance came when Don Harris, a 14 year old drummer he played alongside when he was 17, secured a gig at the local Girl Guides' dance in Kilmainham
in Dublin. Tormé then played in Dublin band 'The Urge' in the early 1970s before relocating to London
in 1974, where he initially played with heavy rockers
'Scrapyard' (whose bass player, John McCoy
would later be re-united with Tormé in Gillan
), before forming the punk
'Bernie Tormé Band' in 1976. The Bernie Tormé Band toured with The Boomtown Rats
and Generation X
among many others. Tormé has since revealed that he secured the supporting band slot with the Boomtown Rats by agreeing to go around London putting up posters advertising the tour.
In 1977 the band were asked to contribute two tracks to the Live At The Vortex album, "Streetfighter" and "Living for Kicks". This led to them being signed to the Jet Records
label, who "...paid us forty quid
a week each for the next 18 months... Apart from that they just sat on us pretty much, they were more into ELO
."
vocalist Ian Gillan
in 1979 to join his band Gillan
, and it was as part of this band that Tormé is best known.
Over the next four years the group enjoyed three Top Ten UK albums (Mr. Universe
, Glory Road and Future Shock
), in addition to extensive worldwide tours of Europe, Japan, and the United States.
In 1981 Tormé walked out on Gillan, citing lack of money despite touring the world as his reason, and played as a live session man for Atomic Rooster
then Ozzy Osbourne
as the immediate successor of the recently deceased original guitarist Randy Rhoads
. Tormé was hired to play on makeup dates resulting from cancelled concerts after Rhoads' death. After three weeks on tour, Tormé quit to concentrate on his own band Electric Gypsies and was replaced by Brad Gillis
.
with singer Phil Lewis
, formerly of Girl
and later with LA Guns).
Tormé spent several years with the band Desperado
with former Twisted Sister
singer Dee Snider
. Although the record saw limited release, Snider re-used a number of the songs for a subsequent project, Widowmaker (not to be confused with the 1970s English band of the same name
).
Tormé also played guitar on René Berg
's solo album, The Leather, The Loneliness And Your Dark Eyes, released in 1992.
In addition to the continued release of new Tormé recordings and re-issuance of his back catalogue titles, Tormé also became involved with the 'Silver' project, which also included former Michael Schenker Group
vocalist Gary Barden
.
In 2006, Tormé announced the formation of Guy McCoy Tormé
(aka "G.M.T"), with former Gillan bassist John McCoy
and drummer Robin Guy. In 2007, Tormé contributed lead guitar and sitar parts to "Smile In Denial", track #4 of Yoni
, a solo album from Wildhearts
frontman Ginger
.
Tormé also runs his own record label
, Retrowrek Records, and recording studio
s, Barnroom Studios in Kent
, where he lives with his family.
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, singer, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
and recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
owner.
Early career
Tormé, was influenced by Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
, Rory Gallagher
Rory Gallagher
William Rory Gallagher, ; 2 March 1948 – 14 June 1995, was an Irish blues-rock multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and bandleader. Born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland, and raised in Cork, Gallagher recorded solo albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, after forming the band Taste...
and Gary Moore
Gary Moore
Robert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
of Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
and formed his own band at a young age. His first paid performance came when Don Harris, a 14 year old drummer he played alongside when he was 17, secured a gig at the local Girl Guides' dance in Kilmainham
Kilmainham
Kilmainham is a suburb of Dublin south of the River Liffey and west of the city centre, in the Dublin 8 postal district.-History:In the Viking era, the monastery was home to the first Norse base in Ireland....
in Dublin. Tormé then played in Dublin band 'The Urge' in the early 1970s before relocating to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1974, where he initially played with heavy rockers
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
'Scrapyard' (whose bass player, John McCoy
John McCoy (musician)
John McCoy is a British bass guitarist who is best known for his work with Ian Gillan and Mammoth as well as numerous other bands and sessions since the late 1960s. He currently plays in British rock trio Guy McCoy Torme with former Gillan/Ozzy guitarist Bernie Torme and Bruce Dickinson/Sack Trick...
would later be re-united with Tormé in Gillan
Gillan
Gillan was a rock band formed in 1978 by Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan.-History:In 1978 Ian Gillan had become dissatisfied with the jazz fusion style of his band called the Ian Gillan Band and dissolved it, retaining only keyboard player Colin Towns, and formed a new band entitled Gillan...
), before forming the punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
'Bernie Tormé Band' in 1976. The Bernie Tormé Band toured with The Boomtown Rats
The Boomtown Rats
The Boomtown Rats were an Irish punk rock band that had a series of Irish and UK hits between 1977 and 1985. They were led by vocalist Bob Geldof.-Biography:All six members were originally from Dún Laoghaire, Ireland...
and Generation X
Generation X (band)
Generation X was a British punk rock band, formed on 21 November 1976 by Billy Idol, Tony James and John Towe.-History:...
among many others. Tormé has since revealed that he secured the supporting band slot with the Boomtown Rats by agreeing to go around London putting up posters advertising the tour.
In 1977 the band were asked to contribute two tracks to the Live At The Vortex album, "Streetfighter" and "Living for Kicks". This led to them being signed to the Jet Records
Jet Records
Jet Records was a small British record label set up by Don Arden with artists like Electric Light Orchestra , Roy Wood, Gary Moore, Ozzy Osbourne, Riot and Magnum. The first release on the "Jet Records" label was "No Honestly", a UK top 10 for its singer and writer Lynsey De Paul in November 1974...
label, who "...paid us forty quid
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
a week each for the next 18 months... Apart from that they just sat on us pretty much, they were more into ELO
Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra were a British rock group from Birmingham who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones...
."
Career with Gillan
Frustrated by a lack of commercial success, Tormé accepted the invitation of former Deep PurpleDeep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
vocalist Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
in 1979 to join his band Gillan
Gillan
Gillan was a rock band formed in 1978 by Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan.-History:In 1978 Ian Gillan had become dissatisfied with the jazz fusion style of his band called the Ian Gillan Band and dissolved it, retaining only keyboard player Colin Towns, and formed a new band entitled Gillan...
, and it was as part of this band that Tormé is best known.
Over the next four years the group enjoyed three Top Ten UK albums (Mr. Universe
Mr. Universe (album)
Mr. Universe is the second album by the British rock band Gillan, and the first with the classic line-up with Gillan, Towns, McCoy, Tormé and Underwood.Released in October 1979...
, Glory Road and Future Shock
Future Shock (Gillan album)
Future Shock is the fourth album by the British rock band Gillan. Released by Virgin in 1981, it reached number 2 in the UK album chart; this would remain the band's highest placing.The title is taken from Alvin Toffler's book Future Shock....
), in addition to extensive worldwide tours of Europe, Japan, and the United States.
In 1981 Tormé walked out on Gillan, citing lack of money despite touring the world as his reason, and played as a live session man for Atomic Rooster
Atomic Rooster
Atomic Rooster were an English progressive rock band, composed of former members of the The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Throughout their history, keyboardist Vincent Crane was the only constant member, and wrote the majority of their material. Their history is defined by two periods, in the early...
then Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
as the immediate successor of the recently deceased original guitarist Randy Rhoads
Randy Rhoads
Randall William "Randy" Rhoads was an American heavy metal guitarist who played with Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot. A devoted student of classical guitar, Rhoads often combined his classical music influences with his own heavy metal style. While on tour with Ozzy Osbourne, he would seek out...
. Tormé was hired to play on makeup dates resulting from cancelled concerts after Rhoads' death. After three weeks on tour, Tormé quit to concentrate on his own band Electric Gypsies and was replaced by Brad Gillis
Brad Gillis
Brad Gillis is a guitarist most famous for playing with the band Night Ranger. He was in the band Rubicon during the 1970s before Night Ranger. He has also played for Ozzy Osbourne and Fiona, and has released solo albums....
.
Later career
Since 1982 Tormé has led his own band under various names and lineups (including a version of TormeTormé
Tormé were a band featuring Irish guitarist Bernie Tormé, whom the band was named after. Tormé's singer was Phil Lewis, who had previously been in the bands Girl and New Torpedos, and who is now in the version of L.A. Guns featuring drummer Steve Riley...
with singer Phil Lewis
Phil Lewis
Phil Lewis is an English vocalist for the American glam metal band named L.A. Guns, He was born on January 9, 1957 in London, England.Prior to joining L.A. Guns Lewis also worked with Girl , New Torpedos, and Tormé. While temporarily out of L.A...
, formerly of Girl
Girl (band)
Girl were an English glam metal band formed in 1979, who split up in 1982 with band members going on to join Def Leppard and L.A. Guns among others.-History:The band's lead vocalist was Phil Lewis...
and later with LA Guns).
Tormé spent several years with the band Desperado
Desperado (band)
Desperado is a heavy metal band formed by Dee Snider in 1988, after Twisted Sister was disbanded. Besides Dee Snider Desparado Limited Edition was released on April 21, 2009, featuring eleven tracks from 'Bloodied But Unbowed'.-Past members:...
with former Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister is an American heavy metal band from Long Island. Musically, the band implements elements of traditional heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, along with a style that is similar to early glam metal bands...
singer Dee Snider
Dee Snider
Daniel "Dee" Snider is an American singer-songwriter, screenwriter, radio personality, and actor. Snider is most famous for his role as the frontman of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister...
. Although the record saw limited release, Snider re-used a number of the songs for a subsequent project, Widowmaker (not to be confused with the 1970s English band of the same name
Widowmaker (band)
Widowmaker were a British hard rock group, who were active from 1975 to 1977. They were considered by many to be a supergroup and released two albums. Although their influences appeared to offer vast creative possibilities, musical and personality differences lead to their break-up...
).
Tormé also played guitar on René Berg
René Berg
René Berg was an English musician, vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter who recorded and performed in a number of bands starting in the late 70's until his death in 2003...
's solo album, The Leather, The Loneliness And Your Dark Eyes, released in 1992.
In addition to the continued release of new Tormé recordings and re-issuance of his back catalogue titles, Tormé also became involved with the 'Silver' project, which also included former Michael Schenker Group
Michael Schenker Group
The Michael Schenker Group is a guitar-oriented hard rock band formed in 1979 by former Scorpions and UFO guitarist, Michael Schenker. In 1986, Schenker and vocalist Robin McAuley formed the McAuley Schenker Group, which lasted until 1992. After that, the Michael Schenker Group was reformed.The...
vocalist Gary Barden
Gary Barden
Gary John Barden is an English singer-songwriter, best known for his work with the Michael Schenker Group....
.
In 2006, Tormé announced the formation of Guy McCoy Tormé
Guy McCoy Tormé
Guy McCoy Tormé is a British rock band formed by Robin Guy and former Gillan members John McCoy and Bernie Tormé.-Personnel:*Bernie Tormé — Guitar and vocals*John McCoy — Bass*Robin Guy — drums and percussion...
(aka "G.M.T"), with former Gillan bassist John McCoy
John McCoy (musician)
John McCoy is a British bass guitarist who is best known for his work with Ian Gillan and Mammoth as well as numerous other bands and sessions since the late 1960s. He currently plays in British rock trio Guy McCoy Torme with former Gillan/Ozzy guitarist Bernie Torme and Bruce Dickinson/Sack Trick...
and drummer Robin Guy. In 2007, Tormé contributed lead guitar and sitar parts to "Smile In Denial", track #4 of Yoni
Yoni (album)
Yoni is the second solo album to be released by Ginger, main driving force of rock band The Wildhearts. It was released on January 22 2007 and features 12 tracks...
, a solo album from Wildhearts
The Wildhearts
The Wildhearts are a British rock group originally formed in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The band's sound is a mixture of hard rock and melodic pop music, often described in the music press as combining influences as diverse as The Beatles and 1980s-era Metallica...
frontman Ginger
Ginger (singer)
Ginger is a rock guitarist, singer and songwriter, best known for his band The Wildhearts.-Early career:...
.
Tormé also runs his own record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, Retrowrek Records, and recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
s, Barnroom Studios in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, where he lives with his family.
Discography
- With Bernie Tormé Band
- Live At The Vortex Vol.1 (2 tracks contributed to compilation)
- I'm Not Ready (7") 1978
- Punk Or What (recordings from 1976 — 1978 unreleased until 1999)
- Four track EP " Weekend " " Secret Service " " All night " " Instant Impact " with Phil Spalding + Mark Harrison 1979
- With GillanGillanGillan was a rock band formed in 1978 by Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan.-History:In 1978 Ian Gillan had become dissatisfied with the jazz fusion style of his band called the Ian Gillan Band and dissolved it, retaining only keyboard player Colin Towns, and formed a new band entitled Gillan...
- Mr. UniverseMr. Universe (album)Mr. Universe is the second album by the British rock band Gillan, and the first with the classic line-up with Gillan, Towns, McCoy, Tormé and Underwood.Released in October 1979...
(1979) - Glory Road (1980)
- Future ShockFuture Shock (Gillan album)Future Shock is the fourth album by the British rock band Gillan. Released by Virgin in 1981, it reached number 2 in the UK album chart; this would remain the band's highest placing.The title is taken from Alvin Toffler's book Future Shock....
(1981)
- Mr. Universe
- With Atomic RoosterAtomic RoosterAtomic Rooster were an English progressive rock band, composed of former members of the The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Throughout their history, keyboardist Vincent Crane was the only constant member, and wrote the majority of their material. Their history is defined by two periods, in the early...
- Live In Germany In 1983 (released 2000)
- With Electric Gypsies
- Turn Out The Lights (1982) - UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#50 - Electric Gypsies
- Scorched Earth
[ Live 1999-2000]
- Turn Out The Lights (1982) - UK
- With TorméTorméTormé were a band featuring Irish guitarist Bernie Tormé, whom the band was named after. Tormé's singer was Phil Lewis, who had previously been in the bands Girl and New Torpedos, and who is now in the version of L.A. Guns featuring drummer Steve Riley...
- Back to Babylon
- Die Pretty Die Young
- Official Live Bootleg
- Live in Sheffield 1983
- With Desperado
- Bloodied But Unbowed
- With René BergRené BergRené Berg was an English musician, vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter who recorded and performed in a number of bands starting in the late 70's until his death in 2003...
- The Leather, The Loneliness And Your Dark Eyes" (1992)
- With ex-SamsonSamson (band)Samson was a British hard rock band formed in 1977 by guitarist and vocalist Paul Samson. They are best known for their first three albums with future Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson, then known as "Bruce Bruce", and drummer Thunderstick , who wore a leather mask and performed on stage in a...
singer Gary Owen- Demolition Ball
- As Bernie Tormé
- (A project with Anti-Nowhere LeagueAnti-Nowhere LeagueAnti-Nowhere League is an English punk band, formed in 1980 by lead singer Animal , guitarist Magoo , Tony "Bones" Shaw on drums and Chris "Baggy" Elvy on bass.-Early days:...
members Chris Jones and John Pearce)- Wild Irish (1997)
- White Trash Guitar (1999)
- With GMTGuy McCoy TorméGuy McCoy Tormé is a British rock band formed by Robin Guy and former Gillan members John McCoy and Bernie Tormé.-Personnel:*Bernie Tormé — Guitar and vocals*John McCoy — Bass*Robin Guy — drums and percussion...
- Cannonball (2006, EP)
- Bitter And Twisted (2006)
- Evil Twin (2008)