Guy Babylon
Encyclopedia
Guy Babylon was a keyboardist/composer, most noted for his work with Elton John
.
Babylon was born in New Windsor, Maryland
. Growing up listening to the likes of Led Zeppelin
, Yes
and Gentle Giant
, he attended Francis Scott Key High School
and then moved on to the University of South Florida
, earning a BFA in music composition. Upon graduation, he moved to Los Angeles, California. In 1988, he joined Elton John's studio and touring band, appearing on the album Sleeping With the Past
. In 1990, he performed with the group Warpipes, a side project of fellow Elton John member Davey Johnstone
.
Guy Babylon also arranged many Elton John introductions, including those used in "Bennie and the Jets
" and "Pinball Wizard
". 2001 was a good year for Babylon, as he won a Grammy Award
for his contributions on the Elton John / Tim Rice musical Aida
. Babylon also worked extensively on the Elton John / Bernie Taupin musical Lestat
, (based on the Anne Rice novels). Until his death, he lived in Los Angeles with his wife and children, and was a member of Elton John's six-member touring and recording band. He died of a heart attack on September 2, 2009, while swimming in the pool.
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
.
Babylon was born in New Windsor, Maryland
New Windsor, Maryland
New Windsor is a town in Carroll County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,303 at the 2000 census. It is a suburb of Westminster, which is about 6 miles east of New Windsor on Maryland Route 31. It contains many neighborhoods, the most known being the 100-acre Atlee Ridge, or "The...
. Growing up listening to the likes of Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
and Gentle Giant
Gentle Giant
Gentle Giant were a British progressive rock band active between 1970 and 1980. The band was known for the complexity and sophistication of its music and for the varied musical skills of its members. All of the band members, except the first two drummers, were multi-instrumentalists...
, he attended Francis Scott Key High School
Francis Scott Key High School
Francis Scott Key High School is a four-year public high school in Union Bridge in Carroll County, Maryland, United States. The school is located near the west-central section of Carroll County.-About the School:...
and then moved on to the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
, earning a BFA in music composition. Upon graduation, he moved to Los Angeles, California. In 1988, he joined Elton John's studio and touring band, appearing on the album Sleeping With the Past
Sleeping with the Past
Sleeping with the Past is the twenty-second studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released on 29 August 1989. It is his best-selling album in Denmark and is dedicated to his longtime writing partner Bernie Taupin...
. In 1990, he performed with the group Warpipes, a side project of fellow Elton John member Davey Johnstone
Davey Johnstone
Davey Johnstone , is a Scottish rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his work with Elton John.-Career:...
.
Guy Babylon also arranged many Elton John introductions, including those used in "Bennie and the Jets
Bennie and the Jets
"Bennie and the Jets" is a song composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The song is written in the key of G major and first appeared on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album in 1973. "Bennie and the Jets" has been one of John's most popular songs....
" and "Pinball Wizard
Pinball Wizard
"Pinball Wizard" is a song written by Pete Townshend and performed by the English rock band The Who, and featured on their 1969 rock opera album Tommy. The original recording was released as a single in 1969 and reached No. 4 in the UK charts and No. 19 on the U.S...
". 2001 was a good year for Babylon, as he won a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for his contributions on the Elton John / Tim Rice musical Aida
Aida (musical)
Aida is a musical with music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls, and David Henry Hwang, and produced by Walt Disney Theatrical....
. Babylon also worked extensively on the Elton John / Bernie Taupin musical Lestat
Lestat (musical)
Lestat is a Broadway musical inspired by Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles. The score is by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, book by Linda Woolverton and directed by Robert Jess Roth with musical staging by Matt West...
, (based on the Anne Rice novels). Until his death, he lived in Los Angeles with his wife and children, and was a member of Elton John's six-member touring and recording band. He died of a heart attack on September 2, 2009, while swimming in the pool.