Gary Thain

Gary Mervin Thain (15 May 1948 – 8 December 1975) was a New Zealand bassist, best known for his work with British rock band Uriah Heep.

Early life

Thain was born in Christchurch. He had two elder brothers, Colin and Arthur. He was described by a childhood friend as a "quiet and broody". He started performing when he was thirteen and won a talent show in high school by singing "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?".

Career

Early career He recorded three singles in Christchurch with his first band, The Strangers (not to be confused with the Australian band of the same name) with his brother Arthur (vocals and lead guitar), Graeme Ching (rhythm guitar) and Dave Beattie (Drums). At 17, he moved to Australia and joined The Secrets, which dissolved in 1966 after releasing just one single.

Later, Thain was part of the rock trio The New Nadir with Ed Carter on guitar and Mike Kowalski on drums. They were popular in Switzerland and backed female vocal trio The Toys. Along with drummer Peter Dawkins he travelled from New Zealand to London, and once jammed with Jimi Hendrix before the trio split in 1969.

Keef Hartley/Uriah Heep Thain joined the Keef Hartley Band in 1968, performing at Woodstock in 1969. Thain toured with Hartley for four years and played on five studio albums. In 1971, they toured with Uriah Heep; Uriah Heep asked him to join the band (replacing Mark Clarke) in February 1972.

He stayed in Uriah Heep until January 1975, playing on four studio albums: Demons & Wizards, The Magician's Birthday, Sweet Freedom and Wonderworld as well as a live album, Uriah Heep Live. During his last U.S. tour with Heep, Thain was seriously injured when he suffered an electric shock at the Moody Coliseum in Dallas, Texas, on 15 September 1974. Due to his drug addiction he was not able to perform properly, and was fired by the band in early 1975 and replaced by former King Crimson bassist/vocalist John Wetton.

Death Thain was married twice and had two daughters, Karen and Natalie. He died of respiratory failure due to a heroin overdose, on 8 December 1975, aged 27, at his flat in Norwood Green in London.

Albums discography

Champion Jack Dupree Scoobydoobydoo (1969)

Martha Velez Fiends and Angels (1970)

Keef Hartley Band Halfbreed (1969) The Battle of North West Six (1969) The Time is Near (1970) Little Big Band Live at The Marquee 1971 (1971) Overdog (1971) Seventy-Second Brave (1972)

Miller Anderson Bright City (1971)

Pete York Percussion Band The Pete York Percussion Band (1972)

Uriah Heep Demons and Wizards (1972) The Magician's Birthday (1972) Uriah Heep Live (1973) Sweet Freedom (1973) Wonderworld (1974) Live at Shepperton '74 (1986)

Ken Hensley Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf (1973)

Me and the Others / The New Nadir Uncovered (2009)

Singles discography

The Strangers 1963: "My Blue Heaven"/"The Dark at the Top of The Stairs" 1964: "Pretend"/"Alright" 1965: "Can't Help Forgiving You"/"I'll Never Be Blue"

The Secrets 1965: "It's You"/"You're Wrong" 1966: "Me and the Others"/"Love Is Not a Game"

Champion Jack Dupree 1969: "Ba La Fouche" (MT/Jack Dupree)/"Kansas City" (Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller)

Martha Velez 1969: "Tell Mama"/"Swamp Man"

Keef Hartley Band 1969: "Don't Be Afraid"/"Hickory" 1969: "Halfbreed"/"Waiting Around" 1969: "Just to Cry"/"Leave It 'Til The Morning" 1969: "Plain Talkin'"/"We Are All the Same" 1970: "Roundabout"/"Roundabout pt 2" 1973: "Dance to the Music"/"You and Me"

Gary Thain

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