Max Bacon
Encyclopedia
Max Bacon is the former lead singer for 1980s arena rock
supergroup GTR
as well as the frontman for lesser known bands like Moby Dick, Nightwing
, Phenomena
, and Bronz
.
Bacon's one claim to fame in his own right is as the vocalist on the top 40 GTR single, "When the Heart Rules the Mind". GTR's self-titled debut
went gold.
Bacon's 1996 solo album The Higher You Climb included GTR material, and Bacon later sang lead on "Going, Going, Gone" on Steve Howe
's 1999 release, Portraits of Bob Dylan
. There is also a CD of a Los Angeles
GTR performance on King Biscuit Flower Hour, and even a bootleg floating around.
Bacon has also sung lead on Mike Oldfield
's 1987 album Islands
which, in the U.S.
version, featured the minor hit "Magic Touch", and was co-produced by GTR-producer Geoff Downes
. In 2002 another solo album, From The Banks Of The River Irwell, was released, featuring some material composed by Downes previously performed by Asia
during John Payne
's tenure.
An interesting piece of GTR trivia concerns vocalist Max Bacon's almost surreal attempt to relaunch his career following the breakup with an appearance as a contestant on ITV
's vintage talent show New Faces
. Relaunched in the late 1980s, the revamped New Faces was hosted by Marti Caine
and featured judges such as Chris Tarrant
(the nice one) and Nina Myskow
(the nasty one). Max eventually reached the 1988 final and performed a version of "The Hunter", but he ultimately lost the competition. Interestingly, however, no mention was made on the show of his previous GTR success. Max also performed a number he had previously recorded with Mike Oldfield
, again without the show mentioning his earlier career.
Bacon subsequently left the music business and took ownership of a pub
called The Crown in Knaresborough
, North Yorkshire
, England
.
No longer at the pub, Max is believed to have retired to Spain.
2011. Max has returned to his former band Bronz, to play at the Hard Rock Hell festival in Wales in November 2011.
Mike Oldfield
Arena rock
Arena rock is a term used to describe rock music that utilised large arena venues, particularly sports venues, for concerts or series of concerts linked in tours...
supergroup GTR
GTR (band)
GTR were a rock band founded in 1985 by former Yes and Asia guitarist Steve Howe and former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. In comparison to the two leaders' earlier work within progressive rock, GTR's work followed more of an Adult Oriented Rock format. The band was short-lived, lasting for two...
as well as the frontman for lesser known bands like Moby Dick, Nightwing
Nightwing (band)
Nightwing is a British heavy metal band, originally formed in 1978 as "Gordon and Friends" by bassist Gordon Rowley and keyboardist Kenny Newton. Their first release was 1981's Something In The Air on the Ovation Records label and featured three drummers before the band reduced its numbers for the...
, Phenomena
Phenomena (band)
Phenomena is a rock concept around a supergroup formed by record producer Tom Galley, Metalhammer magazine founder Wilfried Rimensberger and Tom's brother, Whitesnake guitarist Mel Galley. Contributors were leading rock musicians such as Glenn Hughes, Brian May, Tony Martin and John Wetton amongst...
, and Bronz
Bronz
Bronz are an English rock band, formed in Bath in the mid 1970s. The band played mainly around the UK and at the 'free festivals' of the time. These included at Stonehenge in both 1977 and 1978, following an appearance at Glastonbury in 1976.-Career:...
.
Bacon's one claim to fame in his own right is as the vocalist on the top 40 GTR single, "When the Heart Rules the Mind". GTR's self-titled debut
GTR (album)
GTR is the 1986 self-titled debut album and sole official studio release from the short-lived supergroup GTR. The album peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 chart, and the single "When the Heart Rules the Mind" reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 single chart. Another single, "The Hunter,"...
went gold.
Bacon's 1996 solo album The Higher You Climb included GTR material, and Bacon later sang lead on "Going, Going, Gone" on Steve Howe
Steve Howe (guitarist)
Stephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
's 1999 release, Portraits of Bob Dylan
Portraits of Bob Dylan
- Musicians :* Steve Howe – guitar, bass, banjo, piano, mandolin, organ, keyboards, lead and backing vocals* Dylan Howe – drums* Geoff Downes – keyboards* Anna Palm – violin* Nathalie Manser – cello* Jon Anderson – lead vocals* Annie Haslam – lead vocals...
. There is also a CD of a Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
GTR performance on King Biscuit Flower Hour, and even a bootleg floating around.
Bacon has also sung lead on Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
's 1987 album Islands
Islands (Mike Oldfield album)
Islands is the 11th album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1987. Guest singers on the album are Bonnie Tyler, Kevin Ayers, Anita Hegerland and Jim Price. A different track list and cover was used for the American edition....
which, in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
version, featured the minor hit "Magic Touch", and was co-produced by GTR-producer Geoff Downes
Geoff Downes
Geoffrey "Geoff" Downes is an English rock keyboard player, songwriter, best known as the keyboardist for the bands The Buggles, Yes and Asia, of which he is the only consistent member. When he was a keyboardist for The Buggles, he played multiple keyboards to achieve a New Wave technopop sound...
. In 2002 another solo album, From The Banks Of The River Irwell, was released, featuring some material composed by Downes previously performed by Asia
Asia (band)
Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a supergroup as it included former members of several veteran progressive rock bands, namely John Wetton , Geoff Downes , Steve Howe and Carl Palmer Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a...
during John Payne
John Payne (singer)
John Payne is a British musician, best known as the lead singer and bassist of Asia from 1992 to 2006 and from June 2007 with ASIA Featuring John Payne....
's tenure.
An interesting piece of GTR trivia concerns vocalist Max Bacon's almost surreal attempt to relaunch his career following the breakup with an appearance as a contestant on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's vintage talent show New Faces
New Faces
New Faces was a British television talent show popular in the 1970s and 1980s, presented originally by Derek Hobson. It was produced by ATV Network Limited for the ITV Network. The first run of the show was from 29 September 1973 to 2 April 1978 and was recorded at the ATV Centre, Birmingham...
. Relaunched in the late 1980s, the revamped New Faces was hosted by Marti Caine
Marti Caine
Marti Caine, born Lynne Denise Shepherd was an English actress, dancer, presenter, singer, writer, and comedienne who gained fame from the television talent show New Faces and became a major variety star....
and featured judges such as Chris Tarrant
Chris Tarrant
Christopher John "Chris" Tarrant, OBE is an English radio and television broadcaster, now best known for hosting the first version of the television game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in the United Kingdom and later Ireland, as the two national versions of the show merged in 2002.Chris...
(the nice one) and Nina Myskow
Nina Myskow
Nina Myskow is a British journalist and TV celebrity who appeared on New Faces and was also a columnist for The Sun and The News of the World under the byline "The Bitch on the box" in the 1980s...
(the nasty one). Max eventually reached the 1988 final and performed a version of "The Hunter", but he ultimately lost the competition. Interestingly, however, no mention was made on the show of his previous GTR success. Max also performed a number he had previously recorded with Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
, again without the show mentioning his earlier career.
Bacon subsequently left the music business and took ownership of a pub
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
called The Crown in Knaresborough
Knaresborough
Knaresborough is an old and historic market town, spa town and civil parish in the Borough of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, located on the River Nidd, four miles east of the centre of Harrogate.-History:...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
No longer at the pub, Max is believed to have retired to Spain.
2011. Max has returned to his former band Bronz, to play at the Hard Rock Hell festival in Wales in November 2011.
Mike OldfieldMike OldfieldMichael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
- IslandsIslands (Mike Oldfield album)Islands is the 11th album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1987. Guest singers on the album are Bonnie Tyler, Kevin Ayers, Anita Hegerland and Jim Price. A different track list and cover was used for the American edition....
(1987) - Earth MovingEarth MovingEarth Moving is the 12th record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1989.- Album analysis :Oldfield used several vocalists on the album, including his then girlfriend, Anita Hegerland. The album's music was performed mainly with synthesizers...
(1989)