Rachel Fury
Encyclopedia
Rachel Fury is the stage name of Rachel Brennock, an English singer, songwriter and actor most widely known for performing with Pink Floyd
on three world tours from 1987-1989.
.
At the same time, Brennock was building a career as a singer. In 1972, under the name "Weeny Bopper", Brennock recorded the single "David, Donny and Michael", a Pye Records
release intended to capitalize on weenybopper enthusiasm for David Cassidy
, Donny Osmond
, and Michael Jackson
. By 1978, Brennock was an established London session singer, known for a "sassy 'Ronettes' sound."
In the 1980s, Brennock adopted the stage name Rachel Fury, and toured as a backing singer with Howard Devoto
and The Lover Speaks
. She co-wrote the song "When We Dream" with Phil Saatchi for his 1987 album "Wheel of Fortune," and performed vocals on several Saatchi songs. Fury signed on as a backing singer for the Pink Floyd Momentary Lapse of Reason tour after being introduced to the band by her then boyfriend James Guthrie (record producer)
, Pink Floyd's longtime recording engineer.
She sang with Pink Floyd for three consecutive tours from 1987 to 1989, and appears on the concert film
Delicate Sound of Thunder
, the Italian TV broadcast of the 1989 Pink Floyd concert in Venice, and the (bootlegged) MTV taping of the 1987 concert at the Omni in Atlanta. In these live performances, Fury is noted for the opening vocals on The Great Gig in the Sky
and for harmonizing with David Gilmour
on Comfortably Numb
.
After 1989, Fury retired from performing. According to Pink Floyd fan sites, she now lives in London and maintains an interest in animal welfare.
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
on three world tours from 1987-1989.
Biography
Rachel Brennock began her acting career at age ten, appearing in the 1971 British children's movie "Mr. Horatio Knibbles." During the 1970s she played parts in various other TV shows and movies, a number of which were produced, like "Mr Horatio Knibbles", under the aegis of the UK Children's Film FoundationChildren's Film Foundation
The Children's Film Foundation was a non-profit-making organisation which made films for children in the United Kingdom, typically running for about 55 minutes. It was founded in 1951. For 30 years it was subsidised by the Eady Levy - a tax on box office receipts, but this was abolished in 1985...
.
At the same time, Brennock was building a career as a singer. In 1972, under the name "Weeny Bopper", Brennock recorded the single "David, Donny and Michael", a Pye Records
Pye Records
Pye Records was a British record label. In its first incarnation, perhaps Pye's best known artists were Lonnie Donegan , Petula Clark , The Searchers , The Kinks , Sandie Shaw and Brotherhood of Man...
release intended to capitalize on weenybopper enthusiasm for David Cassidy
David Cassidy
David Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and...
, Donny Osmond
Donny Osmond
Donald Clark "Donny" Osmond is an American singer, musician, actor, dancer, radio personality, and former teen idol. Osmond has also been a talk and game show host, record producer and author. In the mid 1960s, he and four of his elder brothers gained fame as the Osmond Brothers on the long...
, and Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
. By 1978, Brennock was an established London session singer, known for a "sassy 'Ronettes' sound."
In the 1980s, Brennock adopted the stage name Rachel Fury, and toured as a backing singer with Howard Devoto
Howard Devoto
Howard Devoto is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter, who began his career as the frontman for the punk band Buzzcocks, but then left to form Magazine, one of the first post-punk bands...
and The Lover Speaks
The Lover Speaks
The Lover Speaks was the new wave duo of David Freeman , and Joseph Hughes . They sang the original version of the song "No More "I Love You's"", covered by Annie Lennox in 1995 on her Medusa album, taking it to #2 on the UK Singles Chart.Freeman and Hughes formed The Lover Speaks The Lover Speaks...
. She co-wrote the song "When We Dream" with Phil Saatchi for his 1987 album "Wheel of Fortune," and performed vocals on several Saatchi songs. Fury signed on as a backing singer for the Pink Floyd Momentary Lapse of Reason tour after being introduced to the band by her then boyfriend James Guthrie (record producer)
James Guthrie (record producer)
James K.A. Guthrie is a British recording engineer and record producer best known for his work with the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, having served as a producer and engineer for the band since 1978...
, Pink Floyd's longtime recording engineer.
She sang with Pink Floyd for three consecutive tours from 1987 to 1989, and appears on the concert film
Delicate Sound of Thunder
Delicate Sound of Thunder
-LP / Cassette:Side 1# "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"# "Learning to Fly# "Yet Another Movie"# "Round and Around"Side 2# "Sorrow"# "The Dogs of War"# "On the Turning Away"Side 3# "One of These Days"# "Time"...
, the Italian TV broadcast of the 1989 Pink Floyd concert in Venice, and the (bootlegged) MTV taping of the 1987 concert at the Omni in Atlanta. In these live performances, Fury is noted for the opening vocals on The Great Gig in the Sky
The Great Gig in the Sky
"The Great Gig in the Sky" is the fifth track from English progressive rock band Pink Floyd's 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon. It features voice instrumental music by Clare Torry.-Composition:...
and for harmonizing with David Gilmour
David Gilmour
David Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
on Comfortably Numb
Comfortably Numb
"Comfortably Numb" is a song by the English rock band Pink Floyd, which first appears on the 1979 double album, The Wall. It was also released as a single in the same year with "Hey You" as the B-side. It is one of only three songs on the album for which writing credits are shared between Roger...
.
After 1989, Fury retired from performing. According to Pink Floyd fan sites, she now lives in London and maintains an interest in animal welfare.