Renaissance are an English progressive rock band from London. Formed in spring 1969, the group originally consisted of lead vocalist Jane Relf, guitarist and vocalist Keith Relf, bassist Louis Cennamo, drummer and vocalist Jim McCarty, and keyboardist John Hawken. The band has been through many lineup changes, and currently includes lead vocalist Annie Haslam (since 1971), guitarist and vocalist Mark Lambert (from 1985 to 1987, and since 2015), keyboardist Rave Tesar (since 2001), drummer and vocalist Frank Pagano (since 2009), keyboardist and vocalist Geoffrey Langley (since 2016), and bassist and vocalist John Galgano (since 2023).

History 1969–1987 Renaissance were formed in the spring of 1969 by former Yardbirds members Keith Relf (guitar, harmonica, vocals) and Jim McCarty (drums, percussion, vocals), who enlisted Relf's sister Jane on lead vocals and percussion, session bassist Louis Cennamo, and former Nashville Teens keyboardist John Hawken. After releasing just one self-titled album, however, the group's lineup fell apart – McCarty was first to leave due to illness, followed by Keith Relf and Cennamo. Hawken and Jane Relf completed Illusion with vocalist Terry Crowe, guitarist Michael Dunford, bassist Neil Korner and drummer Terry Slade. By October, Hawken and Slade had also left the group. They were replaced by John Tout and Anne-Marie "Binky" Cullom, respectively. Annie Haslam took over from Cullom in January 1971.

A few months into 1971, the band's manager Miles Copeland III decided to rebuild Renaissance around Haslam and Tout. Crowe departed and Korner was replaced a number of times, starting with Danny McCulloch, followed by Frank Farrell and later John Wetton. In 1972, Dunford stepped back from performing duty and was replaced by Mick Parsons, Ginger Dixon took over from Slade, and Wetton made way for Jon Camp. Just before recording for the band's next album Prologue began, Parsons died in a car accident and was replaced by Rob Hendry, while Dixon was replaced with Terry Sullivan. Hendry was replaced by Pete Finberg for a string of tour dates, before Dunford rejoined the band in time to record Ashes Are Burning. This lineup remained stable for seven years, releasing five more albums.

After the tour in promotion of 1979's Azure d'Or, Tout and Renaissance parted ways by mutual consent. In response, Sullivan also chose to leave the band. The group briefly disbanded, but returned with Camera Camera in 1981 and Time-Line in 1983, which featured session musicians Peter Barron (drums) and Peter Gosling (keyboards). In 1983, the band expanded again with the addition of drummer Gavin Harrison and keyboardist Mike Taylor, although they were replaced by Greg Carter and Raphael Rudd, respectively, a year later. Camp left in 1985, at which point Haslam and Dunford opted to tour as an acoustic quintet with Rudd, bassist Mark Lambert and percussionist Charles Descarfino. Renaissance eventually disbanded after a final touring cycle which ended in June 1987.

1998 onwards Haslam and Dunford reformed Renaissance in 1998 with former drummer Sullivan and keyboardist Tout, beginning work on new album Tuscany the next year. After the first recording session, Tout was replaced by Mickey Simmonds, who completed the rest of the album. Bass was recorded by guest contributors Roy Wood and Alex Caird. For the album's promotional tour, the group added bassist David J. Keyes and second keyboardist Rave Tesar, before they disbanded for a second time in 2002. In August 2009, Haslam and Dunford announced that Renaissance would be returning for a third time, touring in commemoration of the band's 40th anniversary. The group's lineup for the tour included returning members Keyes and Tesar, as well as drummer Frank Pagano and second keyboardist Tom Brislin.

By October 2010, Brislin had been replaced by Jason Hart. On 20 November 2012, Dunford died after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. Despite the loss of a central member, Haslam assured that Renaissance would continue, and the following February it was announced that Ryche Chlanda would take over as the band's guitarist. Grandine il vento, a new studio album recorded prior to Dunford's death, was released a few months later. In 2015, Chlanda, Keyes and Hart were replaced by Mark Lambert, Leo Traversa and Tom Brislin, respectively. The following year, Brislin was replaced again by Geoffrey Langley. Charles Descarfino replaced Pagano in 2017 for an orchestral tour, although by 2018 the drummer had returned to the band. Later in the year, John Arbo replaced Traversa on bass, but only for shows that year. John Galgano of the band IZZ played bass with Renaissance during Cruise to the Edge in February 2023. He is touring with Renaissance in 2024.

Members Current ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsAnnie Haslamall Renaissance releases from Prologue (1972) onwards, except Live+Direct (2002) and Past Orbits of Dust (2012)Mark LambertRave TesarFrank PaganoGeoffrey Langley2016–presentA Symphonic Journey: Live in Concert (2018)John Galgano2023–present

Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsJohn Hawken1969–1970 Renaissance 50th Anniversary: Ashes Are Burning - An Anthology - Live in Concert (Blu-ray/DVD/2CD Box) (2021)Jane Relf1969–1970Keith Relf1969–1970 Louis CennamobassJim McCartyMichael DunfordTerry Slade1970–1972Illusion (1971) – one track onlyNeil Korner1970-71bassTerry Crowe1970-71 Auction for Terry Crowe Memorial FundJohn Tout Anne-Marie "Binky" Cullom1970noneDanny McCulloch1971 bassFrank Farrell1971 John Wetton1971–1972 Grandine il Vento (2013) – guest appearance on one trackJon Camp1972–1985 Ginger Dixon1972drumsnoneMick Parsons1972 guitarRob Hendry1972–1973Prologue (1972)Terry Sullivan Pete Finberg1973guitarnoneGavin Harrison1983–1984Mike TaylorkeyboardsRaphael Rudd1984–1987 Unplugged Live at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia USA (2000)Greg Carter1984–1985noneCharles DescarfinoMickey Simmonds1999–2002 David J. KeyesTom BrislinJason Hart2010–2015Ryche Chlanda2013–2015noneLeo Traversa2015–2023John Arbo2018none

Timeline

Lineups PeriodMembersStudio albumsLive albumsSpring 1969 – summer 1970Jane Relf – vocals, percussion Keith Relf – guitar, harmonica, vocals Louis Cennamo – bass Jim McCarty – drums, percussion, vocals John Hawken – keyboards, pianoRenaissance (1969) Illusion (1971)Live+Direct (2002) Past Orbits of Dust (2012)Summer – October 1970Jane Relf – vocals, percussion John Hawken – keyboards, piano Terry Crowe – vocals, percussion Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals Neil Korner – bass Terry Slade – drums, percussionIllusion (1971) – one track onlynoneOctober 1970 – January 1971Terry Crowe – vocals, percussion Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals Neil Korner – bass Terry Slade – drums, percussion Binky Cullom – vocals, percussion John Tout – keyboards, vocalsnoneJanuary – spring 1971Terry Crowe – vocals, percussion Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals Neil Korner – bass Terry Slade – drums, percussion John Tout – keyboards, vocals Annie Haslam – vocals, percussionSpring 1971Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals Terry Slade – drums, percussion John Tout – keyboards, vocals Annie Haslam – vocals, percussion Danny McCulloch – bassSpring – June 1971Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals Terry Slade – drums, percussion John Tout – keyboards, vocals Annie Haslam – vocals, percussion Frank Farrell – bassJune 1971 – early 1972Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals Terry Slade – drums, percussion John Tout – keyboards, vocals Annie Haslam – vocals, percussion John Wetton – bassEarly 1972John Tout – keyboards, vocals Annie Haslam – vocals, percussion Mick Parsons – guitar Jon Camp – bass, vocals Ginger Dixon – drumsJune 1972 – early 1973John Tout – keyboards, vocals Annie Haslam – vocals, percussion Jon Camp – bass, vocals Rob Hendry – guitar, vocals Terry Sullivan– drums, percussion, vocalsPrologue (1972)noneEarly 1973John Tout – keyboards, vocals Annie Haslam – vocals, percussion Jon Camp – bass, vocals Terry Sullivan – drums, percussion, vocals Pete Finberg – guitarnoneSpring 1973 – 1980John Tout – keyboards, vocals Annie Haslam – vocals, percussion Jon Camp – bass, vocals Terry Sullivan – drums, percussion, vocals Michael Dunford – guitar, vocalsAshes Are Burning (1973) Turn of the Cards (1974) Scheherazade and Other Stories (1975) Novella (1977) A Song for All Seasons (1978) Azure d'Or (1979)Live at Carnegie Hall (1976) At the Royal Albert Hall (1997) Day of the Dreamer (2000) British Tour '76 (2006) Dreams & Omens (2008) Academy of Music 1974 (2015)1980–1983Annie Haslam – vocals, percussion Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals Jon Camp – bass, vocalsCamera Camera (1981) Time-Line (1983)none1983–1984Annie Haslam – vocals, percussion Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals Jon Camp – bass, vocals Gavin Harrison – drums, percussion Mike Taylor – keyboardsSongs from Renaissance Days (1997)Live in Chicago (2010)1984–1985Annie Haslam – vocals, percussion Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals Jon Camp – bass, vocals Greg Carter – drums, percussion Raphael Rudd – keyboards, harmonicanone1985–1987Annie Haslam – vocals, percussion Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals Raphael Rudd – keyboards, harmonica Mark Lambert – bass Charles Descarfino – percussionnoneUnplugged: Live at the Academy ofMusic, Philadelphia USA (2000)Band inactive 1987 – 19981998–1999Annie Haslam – vocals, percussion Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals Terry Sullivan – drums, percussion, vocals John Tout – keyboards, vocalsTuscany (2000) – two tracks onlynone1999–2001Annie Haslam – lead vocals, percussion Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals Terry Sullivan – drums, percussion, vocals Mickey Simmonds – keyboards, vocalsTuscany (2000)2001–2002Annie Haslam – lead vocals, percussion Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals Terry Sullivan – drums, percussion, vocals Mickey Simmonds – keyboards, vocals David J. Keyes – bass, vocals Rave Tesar – piano, keyboardsnoneIn the Land of the Rising Sun: Livein Japan 2001 (2002)Band inactive 2002 – 2009August 2009 – October 2010Annie Haslam – lead vocals, percussion Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals David J. Keyes – bass, vocals Rave Tesar – piano, keyboards Frank Pagano – drums, percussion, vocals Tom Brislin – keyboards, vocalsThe Mystic and the Muse EP (2010)noneOctober 2010 – November 2012Annie Haslam – lead vocals, percussion Michael Dunford – guitar, vocals David J. Keyes – bass, vocals Rave Tesar – piano, keyboards Frank Pagano – drums, percussion, vocals Jason Hart – keyboards, vocalsGrandine il vento (2013)Tour 2011: Turn of the CardsScheherazade and Other StoriesLive in Concert (2012)February 2013 – spring 2015Annie Haslam – lead vocals, percussion David J. Keyes – bass, vocals Rave Tesar – piano, keyboards Frank Pagano – drums, percussion, vocals Jason Hart – keyboards, vocals Ryche Chlanda – guitar, vocalsnoneSpring 2015 – spring 2016Annie Haslam – lead vocals, percussion Rave Tesar – piano, keyboards Frank Pagano – drums, percussion, vocals Mark Lambert – guitar, vocals Leo Traversa – bass, vocals Tom Brislin – keyboards, vocalsnoneLive at the Union Chapel (2015)Spring 2016 – late 2017Annie Haslam – lead vocals, percussion Rave Tesar – piano, keyboards Frank Pagano – drums, percussion, vocals Mark Lambert – guitar, vocals Leo Traversa – bass, vocals Geoffrey Langley – keyboards, vocalsnoneLate 2017 – mid-2018Annie Haslam – lead vocals, percussion Rave Tesar – piano, keyboards Charles Descarfino – drums, percussion, vocals Mark Lambert – guitar, vocals Leo Traversa – bass, vocals Geoffrey Langley – keyboards, vocalsnoneA Symphonic Journey: Live in Concert (2018)Late 2018 – presentAnnie Haslam – lead vocals, percussion Rave Tesar – piano, keyboards Mark Lambert – guitar, vocals Geoffrey Langley – keyboards, vocals John Arbo – bass, vocals Frank Pagano – drums, percussion, vocalsnone

Notes

References

External links Renaissance official website