Ian Knight
Encyclopedia
Ian Knight was a British stage designer, best known for his work with the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin
, Genesis
and Rod Stewart
. He developed effects, including using lasers and large-screen projections, for concerts at Knebworth Park.
in the late 1960s, as well as designing for London clubs Middle Earth, UFO
, and Implosion. He staged many concerts at the Roundhouse
in Chalk Farm, including the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix
, The Doors
and Elton John
. From 1968 on, he helped stage a number of free concerts in Hyde Park, including the Rolling Stones, and a performance at the Royal Albert Hall
including The Who
and Chuck Berry
on the same day. Festival work followed. In 1971, he oversaw the stage rebuild and further work for the new Rainbow theatre (formerly the Finsbury Park Astoria).
Knight moved to Los Angeles, USA, and did stage design for Led Zeppelin, Genesis and Wings
. He provided art direction and lighting design for Led Zeppelin's film The Song Remains the Same
in 1976, in which he also appeared.
Work with Genesis pioneered the use of the VL1 computer-controlled moving spotlight. In 1981, Knight worked on Ronald Reagan
's inaugural ball, at which he surreptitiously introduced a troupe of transvestite trapeze artists. In the mid-1980s, Knight worked within Rod Stewart's design team, including devising storylines in collaboration with Stewart.
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
and Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
. He developed effects, including using lasers and large-screen projections, for concerts at Knebworth Park.
Biography
Knight was raised in Eastcote and attended Harrow Art School. He worked as a stage designer at the Yvonne Arnaud theatre (Guildford, Surrey) and the Belgrade theatre (Coventry), before becoming freelance, working out of central London from 1964. He worked with Soft MachineSoft Machine
Soft Machine were an English rock band from Canterbury, named after the book The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs. They were one of the central bands in the Canterbury scene, and helped pioneer the progressive rock genre...
in the late 1960s, as well as designing for London clubs Middle Earth, UFO
UFO Club
The UFO Club was a famous but shortlived UK underground club in London during the 1960s, venue of performances by many of the top bands of the day.-History:...
, and Implosion. He staged many concerts at the Roundhouse
Roundhouse
A roundhouse is a building used by railroads for servicing locomotives. Roundhouses are large, circular or semicircular structures that were traditionally located surrounding or adjacent to turntables...
in Chalk Farm, including the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
and Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
. From 1968 on, he helped stage a number of free concerts in Hyde Park, including the Rolling Stones, and a performance at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
including The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
and Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
on the same day. Festival work followed. In 1971, he oversaw the stage rebuild and further work for the new Rainbow theatre (formerly the Finsbury Park Astoria).
Knight moved to Los Angeles, USA, and did stage design for Led Zeppelin, Genesis and Wings
Wings (band)
Wings were a British-American rock group formed in 1971 by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney that remained active until 1981....
. He provided art direction and lighting design for Led Zeppelin's film The Song Remains the Same
The Song Remains the Same (film)
The Song Remains the Same is a concert film by the English rock band Led Zeppelin. The recording of the film took place during three nights of concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City, during the band's 1973 concert tour of the United States. The film premiered on 20 October 1976, at...
in 1976, in which he also appeared.
Work with Genesis pioneered the use of the VL1 computer-controlled moving spotlight. In 1981, Knight worked on Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
's inaugural ball, at which he surreptitiously introduced a troupe of transvestite trapeze artists. In the mid-1980s, Knight worked within Rod Stewart's design team, including devising storylines in collaboration with Stewart.
Family
He married and later divorced Anne-Marie Barton. A second marriage followed in 1999 to Ngeon Khprjunklang; they had one son, Alistair.External Links
- Ian Knight obituary in The Guardian
- 26 Kingly Street Environmental Co-operative - IT8 - The vision of the Centre, IT14 - Environmental organisers and light show,
- Gong's total environment mixed media show, April 1968
- Implosion Club at the Roundhouse, 1969