Pierre Moerlen
Encyclopedia
Pierre Moerlen was a French drummer
and percussionist, best known for his work with Gong
and Mike Oldfield
.
(Haut-Rhin
) on 23 October 1952, third of five children. His father Maurice Moerlen was a famous organ
ist (one of his teachers was Maurice Duruflé
) and his mother was a music teacher. All five Moerlen children learned music with their parents and all became musicians. Pierre's younger brother, Benoît Moerlen
, is also a percussionist (he worked also with Gong and Oldfield).
Pierre left Colmar for Strasbourg to learn percussions with Jean Batigne, founder of Les Percussions de Strasbourg
. He was also member of two rock and rock-jazz bands, including Asthme Congelateur (with included future Magma guitarist Gabriel Fédérow), whose most notable performance was the opening slot at the Seloncourt Festival in September 1972, headlined by Ange, Genesis
and Robert Wyatt's Matching Mole.
In January 1973, Pierre joined Daevid Allen
's Gong
, debuting on the Angel's Egg album. In June 1973 he was asked by Virgin's boss Richard Branson
to play percussion with Mike Oldfield
for the premiere of Tubular Bells
, to replace the incapacitated Robert Wyatt
. Steve Hillage
, guitar player of Gong, also took part. Between 1975 and 1987, beginning with Ommadawn, Pierre would be Oldfield's percussionist of choice for his albums and his tours.
Pierre left and returned to Gong several times to tour with the Percussions de Strasbourg (he created with them Musik im Bauch
by Karlheinz Stockhausen
and Hiérophonie V by Yoshihisa Taïra
at Festival international d'art contemporain de Royan, 1975), and although he recorded You he left just before the tour promoting that album began. In the summer of 1975, by which time band founder Daevid Allen had left, he was asked to return to co-lead the band with Didier Malherbe and Steve Hillage, who himself left shortly thereafter, only appearing on a couple of tracks on the next album Shamal. Another series of line-up changes resulted in the Gazeuse album (released as Expresso in the US) with Allan Holdsworth on guitar, following which Malherbe left, leaving Moerlen as the only link with the "classic" Gong line-up. He retained the name for the next album, Expresso II, but to avoid confusion the band's concerts were often announced as Gong-Expresso. Since this wasn't clear enough, the name Pierre Moerlen's Gong was used from 1978 onwards.
At this point the band - which included American musicians Bon Lozaga (guitar) and Hansford Rowe
(bass) - were playing jazz fusion
rather than the Canterbury scene
-influenced psychedelia of old. In 1978, PMG were released from the Virgin contract, and signed with Arista, releasing Downwind (1979), Time Is The Key (1979), Live (1980) and Leave It Open (1980). During this period, Moerlen regularly toured internationally with Mike Oldfield.
PMG ceased operations in 1981 following tours of North America and Europe in late 1980. Later that year, Moerlen briefly joined Magma as second drummer. Following Mike Oldfield's 10th Anniversary tour in 1983, he joined the Swedish progressive/symphonic band Tribute (1985-87). PMG reformed for two albums and tours in the late 1980s. After spending several years as orchestra pit musician for various musicals, he returned to active service in 1997 when he joined the British jazz-rock outfit Brand X for international touring in 1997. Later that year, he was asked to rejoin Gong, and toured with the band until 1999. He then concentrated on putting together a new PMG line-up and repertoire, which resulted in the live album Pentanine, recorded in Moscow in 2002.
Pierre Moerlen died unexpectedly on May 3, 2005 of natural causes. At the time of his death he was rehearsing with a new incarnation of Pierre Moerlen's Gong
.
In November 1973, Moerlen participated in a live-in-the-studio performance of Mike Oldfield
's Tubular Bells
for the BBC. It is available on Oldfield's Elements
DVD.
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
and percussionist, best known for his work with Gong
Gong (band)
Gong is a Franco-British progressive/psychedelic rock band formed by Australian musician Daevid Allen. Their music has also been described as space rock. Other notable band members include Allan Holdsworth, Tim Blake, Didier Malherbe, Pip Pyle, Gilli Smyth, Steve Hillage, Francis Moze, Mike Howlett...
and 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...
.
Biography
Pierre Moerlen was born in ColmarColmar
Colmar is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.It is the capital of the department. Colmar is also the seat of the highest jurisdiction in Alsace, the appellate court....
(Haut-Rhin
Haut-Rhin
Haut-Rhin is a département of the Alsace region of France, named after the Rhine river. Its name means Upper Rhine. Haut-Rhin is the smaller and less populated of the two departements of Alsace, although is still densely populated compared to the rest of France.-Subdivisions:The department...
) on 23 October 1952, third of five children. His father Maurice Moerlen was a famous organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
ist (one of his teachers was Maurice Duruflé
Maurice Duruflé
Maurice Duruflé was a French composer, organist, and pedagogue.Duruflé was born in Louviers, Eure. In 1912, he became chorister at the Rouen Cathedral Choir School, where he studied piano and organ with Jules Haelling...
) and his mother was a music teacher. All five Moerlen children learned music with their parents and all became musicians. Pierre's younger brother, Benoît Moerlen
Benoît Moerlen
Benoît Moerlen is a French percussionist, best known for his work in Gong, Pierre Moerlen's Gong and a later off-shoot Gongzilla.-History:...
, is also a percussionist (he worked also with Gong and Oldfield).
Pierre left Colmar for Strasbourg to learn percussions with Jean Batigne, founder of Les Percussions de Strasbourg
Les Percussions de Strasbourg
Les Percussions de Strasbourg is a contemporary music ensemble made up of six percussionists. Founded in 1962 the ensemble is still performing and commissioning music. The current lineup has played together for 15 years....
. He was also member of two rock and rock-jazz bands, including Asthme Congelateur (with included future Magma guitarist Gabriel Fédérow), whose most notable performance was the opening slot at the Seloncourt Festival in September 1972, headlined by Ange, 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 Robert Wyatt's Matching Mole.
In January 1973, Pierre joined Daevid Allen
Daevid Allen
Daevid Allen , sometimes credited as Divided Alien, an Australian poet, guitarist, singer, composer and performance artist is co-founder of psychedelic rock groups Soft Machine and Gong .-Biography:In 1960, inspired by the Beat Generation writers he had discovered...
's Gong
Gong (band)
Gong is a Franco-British progressive/psychedelic rock band formed by Australian musician Daevid Allen. Their music has also been described as space rock. Other notable band members include Allan Holdsworth, Tim Blake, Didier Malherbe, Pip Pyle, Gilli Smyth, Steve Hillage, Francis Moze, Mike Howlett...
, debuting on the Angel's Egg album. In June 1973 he was asked by Virgin's boss Richard Branson
Richard Branson
Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies....
to play percussion 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...
for the premiere of Tubular Bells
Tubular Bells
Tubular Bells is the debut record album of English musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1973. It was the first album released by Virgin Records and an early cornerstone of the company's success...
, to replace the incapacitated Robert Wyatt
Robert Wyatt
Robert Wyatt is an English musician, and founding member of the influential Canterbury scene band Soft Machine, with a long and distinguished solo career...
. Steve Hillage
Steve Hillage
Steve Hillage is an English musician, best known as a guitarist. He is associated with the Canterbury scene and has worked in experimental domains since the late 1960s...
, guitar player of Gong, also took part. Between 1975 and 1987, beginning with Ommadawn, Pierre would be Oldfield's percussionist of choice for his albums and his tours.
Pierre left and returned to Gong several times to tour with the Percussions de Strasbourg (he created with them Musik im Bauch
Musik im Bauch
Musik im Bauch is a piece of scenic music for six percussionists and music boxes composed by Karlheinz Stockhausen in 1975, and is Number 41 in his catalog of works. The world premiere was presented on 28 March 1975 by the Royan Festival. The performance was given by Les Percussions de Strasbourg...
by Karlheinz Stockhausen
Karlheinz Stockhausen
Karlheinz Stockhausen was a German composer, widely acknowledged by critics as one of the most important but also controversial composers of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Another critic calls him "one of the great visionaries of 20th-century music"...
and Hiérophonie V by Yoshihisa Taïra
Yoshihisa Taira
was a Japanese-born French composer.-Biography:"Taira studied at the Tokyo University of the Arts. He arrived in France in 1966 and studied at the Conservatoire de Paris...
at Festival international d'art contemporain de Royan, 1975), and although he recorded You he left just before the tour promoting that album began. In the summer of 1975, by which time band founder Daevid Allen had left, he was asked to return to co-lead the band with Didier Malherbe and Steve Hillage, who himself left shortly thereafter, only appearing on a couple of tracks on the next album Shamal. Another series of line-up changes resulted in the Gazeuse album (released as Expresso in the US) with Allan Holdsworth on guitar, following which Malherbe left, leaving Moerlen as the only link with the "classic" Gong line-up. He retained the name for the next album, Expresso II, but to avoid confusion the band's concerts were often announced as Gong-Expresso. Since this wasn't clear enough, the name Pierre Moerlen's Gong was used from 1978 onwards.
At this point the band - which included American musicians Bon Lozaga (guitar) and Hansford Rowe
Hansford Rowe (musician)
Hansford Rowe is a fusion bass guitarist.Basically a self-taught musician, Rowe played bass in a local New York City band in jazz clubs until he met drummer Pierre Moerlen...
(bass) - were playing jazz fusion
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
rather than the Canterbury scene
Canterbury Scene
The Canterbury scene is a term used to loosely describe the group of progressive rock, avant-garde and jazz musicians, many of whom were based around the city of Canterbury, Kent, England during the late 1960s and early 1970s...
-influenced psychedelia of old. In 1978, PMG were released from the Virgin contract, and signed with Arista, releasing Downwind (1979), Time Is The Key (1979), Live (1980) and Leave It Open (1980). During this period, Moerlen regularly toured internationally with Mike Oldfield.
PMG ceased operations in 1981 following tours of North America and Europe in late 1980. Later that year, Moerlen briefly joined Magma as second drummer. Following Mike Oldfield's 10th Anniversary tour in 1983, he joined the Swedish progressive/symphonic band Tribute (1985-87). PMG reformed for two albums and tours in the late 1980s. After spending several years as orchestra pit musician for various musicals, he returned to active service in 1997 when he joined the British jazz-rock outfit Brand X for international touring in 1997. Later that year, he was asked to rejoin Gong, and toured with the band until 1999. He then concentrated on putting together a new PMG line-up and repertoire, which resulted in the live album Pentanine, recorded in Moscow in 2002.
Pierre Moerlen died unexpectedly on May 3, 2005 of natural causes. At the time of his death he was rehearsing with a new incarnation of Pierre Moerlen's Gong
Pierre Moerlen's Gong
Pierre Moerlen's Gong is a jazz fusion outfit which is very different from the first incarnation of Gong, the psychedelic space-rock act led by Daevid Allen...
.
With Gong
- 1973 - Angel's EggAngel's Egg (album)Angel's Egg is an album by Gong, recorded and originally released on Virgin Records in 1973.It was recorded using the Manor Mobile at Pavillon du Hay, France, and mixed at The Manor, Oxfordshire, England...
(Radio Gnome trilogy, part 2) - 1974 - YouYou (Gong album)You is an album by psychedelic rock band Gong, recorded and originally released in 1974.Recorded at The Manor, Oxfordshire, side 1 was mixed at Pye Studios, Marble Arch, while side 2 at the Manor...
(Radio Gnome trilogy, part 3) - 1975 - ShamalShamal (album)Shamal is an album by Gong, originally released in 1975. The album was written and recorded without the group's founder member Daevid Allen, and consequently sounds different with none of the hippy flavoured eccentricities of the previous albums...
- 1977 - Gazeuse!Gazeuse!Gazeuse! is an album by Pierre Moerlen's Gong, issued in 1976. In the U.S., it was called Expresso.The album is jazz fusion and has little to do with the psychedelic space rock of Daevid Allen's Gong, even though the bands share a common history...
, also known as Expresso - 1977 - Gong est Mort - Vive Gong!
- 1977 - Gong Live EtcGong Live EtcGong Live Etc. is a live album by Gong, recorded between 1973 and 1975 and originally released in 1977. It is a set of live recordings , studio out-takes and BBC session recordings spanning the years 1973 to 1975.- Track listing :Credits to C.O.I.T...
(UK live album) - 1998 - Full Circle / Live 88
with Pierre Moerlen's Gong
- 1976: Gazeuse!Gazeuse!Gazeuse! is an album by Pierre Moerlen's Gong, issued in 1976. In the U.S., it was called Expresso.The album is jazz fusion and has little to do with the psychedelic space rock of Daevid Allen's Gong, even though the bands share a common history...
- 1978: Expresso IIExpresso IIExpresso II is an album by Pierre Moerlen's Gong, issued in 1978.Like the other Pierre Moerlen's Gong albums, the album is predominantly jazz-fusion and has little to do with the psychedelic space rock of Daevid Allen's Gong, even though the bands share a common history.Expresso II is a companion...
- 1979: DownwindDownwind (album)Downwind is an album by Pierre Moerlen's Gong, issued in February, 1979 .Like the other Pierre Moerlen's Gong albums, Downwind is predominantly jazz fusion and has little to do with the psychedelic space rock of Daevid Allen's Gong, even though the bands share a common history...
- 1979: Time is the KeyTime is the Key-Personnel:*Pierre Moerlen – drums, gong, vibraphone, electravibe, marimba, glockenspiel, tympani, darbourka, synthesizers *Hansford Rowe – bass , acoustic guitar , bass synthesizer *Bon Lozaga – guitar with...
- 1980: Pierre Moerlen's Gong Live
- 1980: Leave It OpenLeave It Open (album)-Track listing:-Personnel:* Francois Chausse – percussion* Delmelza – percussion* Brian Holloway – guitar, rhythm guitar* Charlie Mariano – saxophone* Pierre Moerlen – drums, gong, rhythm guitar, keyboards, vibraphone, synthesizer bass, polymoog...
- 1986: Breakthrough
- 1988: Second Wind
- 1998: Full Circle Live '88
- 2002: PentaninePentaninePentanine is an album by Pierre Moerlen's Gong, issued in 2004. The last album in Pierre Moerlen's life was recorded in 2002 at St.Petersburg with Russian musicians.-Track listing:#"Flyin' High" – 5:49#"Airway to Seven" – 4:37...
With Mike Oldfield
- 1975 - OmmadawnOmmadawnOmmadawn is the third record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1975 on Virgin Records. The cover photograph was by David Bailey. It peaked at #4 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was reissued in June 2010 with additional content.- Album history :...
- 1978 - IncantationsIncantations (album)Incantations is the fourth record album by Mike Oldfield, released in late 1978 on Virgin Records.The first Oldfield to be divided into more than two movements, it is the second longest work Oldfield has ever released...
- 1979 - Exposed
- 1979 - Platinum
- 1983 - CrisesCrisesCrises is the eighth record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1983. Oldfield's well known hit "Moonlight Shadow" appears on the album.- Album analysis :...
- 1985 - The Complete Mike OldfieldThe Complete Mike OldfieldThe Complete Mike Oldfield is a compilation album by Mike Oldfield, released on Virgin Records on 1 October 1985. The double album is subdivided into four sections, with The instrumental section and The Vocal section containing shorter pieces, and The Complex section and The Live section containing...
- 1987 - 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....
In November 1973, Moerlen participated in a live-in-the-studio performance of 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 Tubular Bells
Tubular Bells
Tubular Bells is the debut record album of English musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1973. It was the first album released by Virgin Records and an early cornerstone of the company's success...
for the BBC. It is available on Oldfield's Elements
Elements - The Best of Mike Oldfield (video)
Elements - The Best of Mike Oldfield is a video collection by Mike Oldfield released in October 1993. It was released by Virgin Records on VHS and Laser disc...
DVD.
With others
- 1973 - Supersister - Iskander
- 1975 - Steve HillageSteve HillageSteve Hillage is an English musician, best known as a guitarist. He is associated with the Canterbury scene and has worked in experimental domains since the late 1960s...
- Fish RisingFish RisingFish Rising is the debut solo album by English guitarist Steve Hillage, recorded and released in 1975 .The album was recorded just prior to Hillage's departure from the band Gong, and many of the players on this album are from that band: Bassist Mike Howlett, drummer Pierre Moerlen, keyboardist Tim... - 1975 - Slapp HappySlapp HappySlapp Happy was a German/English avant-pop group consisting of Anthony Moore , Peter Blegvad and Dagmar Krause . The band formed in Germany in 1972. The band members moved to England in 1974 where they merged with Henry Cow, but the merger ended soon afterwards and Slapp Happy split up. Slapp...
- Desperate StraightsDesperate StraightsDesperate Straights is an album by British avant-rock groups Slapp Happy and Henry Cow, recorded at Virgin Records' Manor studios in November 1974... - 1977 - Pekka PohjolaPekka PohjolaJussi Pekka Pohjola was a Finnish multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer. Best known as a bass player, Pohjola was also a classically trained pianist and violinist...
- Mathematicians Air Display - 1978 - Thin LizzyThin LizzyThin 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...
- Live and DangerousLive and DangerousLive and Dangerous is a live double LP by Irish band Thin Lizzy, released in 1978. It was recorded in Philadelphia, London and Toronto in 1977, during the tours accompanying the albums Johnny the Fox and Bad Reputation.... - 1979 - Mick TaylorMick TaylorMichael Kevin "Mick" Taylor is an English musician, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones...
- Mick TaylorMick Taylor (album)Mick Taylor is the debut album by former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor. Though the album was acclaimed by critics, the album's blues-based style was somewhat unfashionable at the time of release, when punk and new wave were becoming more popular.... - 1980 - Sally OldfieldSally OldfieldSally Oldfield is a singer-songwriter, and the sister of the composers Mike Oldfield and Terry Oldfield.-Early life:...
- Celebration - 1982 - Philip Lynott - The Philip Lynott AlbumThe Philip Lynott AlbumThe Philip Lynott Album is the second solo album by Philip Lynott, released in 1982.-Track listing:All tracks composed by Philip Lynott, except where indicated.# "Fatalistic Attitude" The Philip Lynott Album is the second solo album by Philip Lynott, released in 1982.-Track listing:All tracks...
- 1983 - Sally OldfieldSally OldfieldSally Oldfield is a singer-songwriter, and the sister of the composers Mike Oldfield and Terry Oldfield.-Early life:...
- Strange Day In Berlin - 1983 - Jean-Yves Lievaux - Transformances
- 1988 - Bireli LagreneBiréli LagrèneBiréli Lagrène is a French guitarist and bassist. He came to prominence in the 1980s for his Django Reinhardt-influenced style on the classical guitar, as well as for being a jazz fusion virtuoso on the electric guitar...
- Inferno - 1995 - Project Lo - Dabblings in the Darkness
- 1995 - Tribute - Breaking Barriers
- 1997 - Brand XBrand XBrand X was a jazz fusion band active between 1975–1980 and 1992-1999. Noted members included Phil Collins , Percy Jones , John Goodsall and Robin Lumley ....
- Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny (Brand X album)Manifest Destiny is a studio album by Brand X after an extended layoff.-Track listing:#"True to the Clik" – 5:31#"Stellerator" – 6:17#"Virus" – 7:56#"XXL" – 5:51#"The Worst Man" – 4:33...
External links
- Biography at Calyx, the "Canterbury Website"
- Pierre Moerlen interview at Calyx