Kim Gardner
Encyclopedia
Kim Gardner was a musician
. He was part of the British invasion
of the 1960s, and recorded
more than thirty album
s during his music career.
shared a passion for both art
and music
. They began drawing and playing music together as a teenagers
in Yiewsley
, England
. From their late teens and onward, the focus was primarily on music.
While attending art college together in 1964 Gardner and Wood met Tony Munroe, Ali McKenzie and Pete McDaniels and formed The Thunderbirds. They were signed to Decca Records
at the end of that year, and in 1965 released several singles
, including “No Good Without You Baby” and "Leaving Here
", after a name change from The Thunderbirds to The Birds
.
In late 1965 the Birds left Decca to sign with Reaction Records
, but Gardner and Wood quit the band and joined The Creation
, a mod band popular in Europe
, especially Germany
. In 1967, Gardner recorded some tracks with Jon Lord
, Ronnie Wood and Twink
under the name Santa Barbara Machine Head
. In 1968 at the dissolution of the Creation, Kim Gardner joined with Tony Ashton
and Roy Dyke
to form Ashton, Gardner & Dyke, a jazz-rock band.
By 1971 Ashton, Gardner & Dyke had a hit single
"Resurrection Shuffle". Their second album featured such guest performers as Eric Clapton
and George Harrison
. They disbanded shortly after producing a third album.
He was also a member of “Quiet Melon” with Rod Stewart
.
Gardner moved to Los Angeles in 1974 and spent the rest of the 1970s as both a touring musician and session musician
. During this time he played on twenty-seven albums for such artists as Bo Diddley
and Eric Clapton. He toured with several bands including Pacific Gas & Electric
.
In 1973, while recording an album with Jackie Lomax
and George Harrison in New Orleans, Gardner met his future wife, Paula, a successful entrepreneur in the clothing business. They moved to Los Angeles in 1974, married and had three daughters, Eva
, Ashlee and Camille.
In 1974 Gardner joined Badger
as bassist, a group featuring Jackie Lomax on vocals with drummer Roy Dyke and keyboardist Tony Kaye
(formerly of Yes
) and guitarist Paul Pilnick (formerly of Stealers Wheel
). The band released one record White Lady on the Epic label, produced by Allen Toussaint
. Before the record was released Gardner and Lomax left the band to form White Lady, a short lived effort.
In 1982 Gardner opened a pub in Hollywood, The Cat and Fiddle pub at 2100 Laurel Canyon Boulevard. In 1985 the pub was relocated to 6530 Sunset Boulevard, a larger and more commercial location where it resides to this day.
Gardner’s passion for art was also revived during the 1980s and he became an accomplished painter
, displaying lithographs of his artwork at the Cat and Fiddle.
In the mid 1980s Gardner was a member of Ian Wallace
's Tea Bags group with Jackie Lomax, David Mansfield
, Peter Banks
and Graham Bell
.
Gardner’s last recording was a collaboration with Mitch Mitchell
of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Don Adey. There are several prominent guests featured on these recordings including Carmine Appice
, Bruce Gary
, Mick Taylor
, Jackie Lomax
, Brian Auger
and Ivan Neville
.
Gardner died of cancer
on 24 October 2001. He was 53 years old.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. He was part of the British invasion
British Invasion
The British Invasion is a term used to describe the large number of rock and roll, beat, rock, and pop performers from the United Kingdom who became popular in the United States during the time period from 1964 through 1966.- Background :...
of the 1960s, and recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
more than thirty album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s during his music career.
Career
Kim Gardner and his neighbour Ron WoodRon Wood
Ronald David "Ronnie" Wood is an English rock guitarist and bassist best known as a former member of The Jeff Beck Group, Faces, and current member of The Rolling Stones. He also plays lap and pedal steel guitar....
shared a passion for both art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
and music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
. They began drawing and playing music together as a teenagers
Adolescence
Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development generally occurring between puberty and legal adulthood , but largely characterized as beginning and ending with the teenage stage...
in Yiewsley
Yiewsley
Yiewsley is a place in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Its name derives from the Anglo-Saxon Wifeleslēah: "Wifel's woodland clearing".The nearest places to Yiewsley are Hayes, Harlington, Cowley, Harmondsworth, Sipson, and West Drayton....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. From their late teens and onward, the focus was primarily on music.
While attending art college together in 1964 Gardner and Wood met Tony Munroe, Ali McKenzie and Pete McDaniels and formed The Thunderbirds. They were signed to Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
at the end of that year, and in 1965 released several singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, including “No Good Without You Baby” and "Leaving Here
Leaving Here
"Leaving Here" is a song written in 1963 by Motown songwriters Holland–Dozier–Holland. Written at the beginning of the partnership, it is notable in several recordings...
", after a name change from The Thunderbirds to The Birds
The Birds (band)
The Birds were a popular rhythm and blues band in the United Kingdom during the mid 1960s, although they recorded fewer than a dozen songs and released only four singles. Starting out with a hard R&B sound, they later began infusing it with Motown-style vocal harmonies...
.
In late 1965 the Birds left Decca to sign with Reaction Records
Reaction Records
Reaction Records was an independent British record label, run by music executive Robert Stigwood in 1966 and 1967. Although Reaction released only three albums, one EP and eighteen singles in its brief existence, its roster included two of the most popular British bands of the time, The Who and Cream...
, but Gardner and Wood quit the band and joined The Creation
The Creation (band)
The Creation were an English rock band, formed in 1966. The most popular Creation song was "Painter Man", which made the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart in late 1966, and reached #8 in the German chart in April 1967. It was later covered by Boney M in 1979, and reached the #10 position in the UK...
, a mod band popular in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, especially Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. In 1967, Gardner recorded some tracks with Jon Lord
Jon Lord
Jonathan Douglas "Jon" Lord is an English composer, pianist and Hammond organ player.Jon Lord, also known as 'Hammond Lord', is a classically trained piano player. He is recognised for his Hammond organ blues-rock sound and for his pioneering work in fusing rock and classical or baroque forms...
, Ronnie Wood and Twink
Twink (musician)
John Charles Alder , better known as Twink, is an English drummer, singer and songwriter who was a central figure in the English psychedelic movement, and an actor.-Early life and career:...
under the name Santa Barbara Machine Head
Santa Barbara Machine Head
Santa Barbara Machine Head were a short-lived British electric blues combo that formed and disbanded in 1967. They recorded three instrumental songs together for Immediate Records; "Albert", "Porcupine Juice" and "Rubber Monkey", released in 1968 on the compilation album Blues Anytime Vol. 3...
. In 1968 at the dissolution of the Creation, Kim Gardner joined with Tony Ashton
Tony Ashton
Tony Ashton was an English rock pianist, keyboardist, singer, composer, producer and artist.-Biography:...
and Roy Dyke
Roy Dyke
Roy Dyke , is a rock drummer noted for his playing with The Remo Four, Badger, and Ashton, Gardner and Dyke.He married Stacia Blake, a former dancer with Hawkwind...
to form Ashton, Gardner & Dyke, a jazz-rock band.
By 1971 Ashton, Gardner & Dyke had a hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
"Resurrection Shuffle". Their second album featured such guest performers as Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
and George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
. They disbanded shortly after producing a third album.
He was also a member of “Quiet Melon” with Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
.
Gardner moved to Los Angeles in 1974 and spent the rest of the 1970s as both a touring musician and session musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
. During this time he played on twenty-seven albums for such artists as Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley
Ellas Otha Bates , known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter , and inventor...
and Eric Clapton. He toured with several bands including Pacific Gas & Electric
Pacific Gas & Electric (band)
Pacific Gas & Electric was an American blues rock band in the late 1960s and early 1970s, led by singer Charlie Allen. Their biggest hit was "Are You Ready?"-Career:...
.
In 1973, while recording an album with Jackie Lomax
Jackie Lomax
John Richard 'Jackie' Lomax is a British guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his association with George Harrison and Eric Clapton...
and George Harrison in New Orleans, Gardner met his future wife, Paula, a successful entrepreneur in the clothing business. They moved to Los Angeles in 1974, married and had three daughters, Eva
Eva Gardner
Eva Gardner is an electric bassist from Los Angeles, California. She is a graduate of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where she studied under trumpet player Bobby Rodriguez. She holds a degree in ethnomusicology from UCLA . Her professional credits include teaching stints at...
, Ashlee and Camille.
In 1974 Gardner joined Badger
Badger (band)
-One Live Badger:The band was co-founded by keyboardist Tony Kaye after he left Yes, with David Foster. Foster had been in The Warriors with Jon Anderson before Anderson co-founded Yes. Foster later worked with the band on Time and a Word...
as bassist, a group featuring Jackie Lomax on vocals with drummer Roy Dyke and keyboardist Tony Kaye
Tony Kaye (musician)
Tony Kaye is a British musician.Kaye was the original keyboard player for the progressive rock group Yes from 1968 to 1971, and rejoined Yes from 1983 to 1995...
(formerly of 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 guitarist Paul Pilnick (formerly of Stealers Wheel
Stealers Wheel
Stealers Wheel are a Scottish folk rock/rock band formed in Paisley, Renfrewshire in 1972 by former school friends Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty.The band broke up in 1975 and re-formed without Egan and Rafferty in 2008.-Biography:...
). The band released one record White Lady on the Epic label, produced by Allen Toussaint
Allen Toussaint
Allen Toussaint is an American musician, composer, record producer, and influential figure in New Orleans R&B.Many of Toussaint's songs have become familiar through numerous cover versions, including "Working in the Coalmine", "Ride Your Pony", "Fortune Teller", "Play Something Sweet ", "Southern...
. Before the record was released Gardner and Lomax left the band to form White Lady, a short lived effort.
In 1982 Gardner opened a pub in Hollywood, The Cat and Fiddle pub at 2100 Laurel Canyon Boulevard. In 1985 the pub was relocated to 6530 Sunset Boulevard, a larger and more commercial location where it resides to this day.
Gardner’s passion for art was also revived during the 1980s and he became an accomplished painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, displaying lithographs of his artwork at the Cat and Fiddle.
In the mid 1980s Gardner was a member of Ian Wallace
Ian Wallace
Ian Wallace is the name of:*D. Ian M. Wallace, ornithologist*Ian Wallace , science fiction author*Ian Wallace , pioneer of Vancouver's conceptual art movement...
's Tea Bags group with Jackie Lomax, David Mansfield
David Mansfield
David Mansfield is an American violinist, mandolin player, guitarist, pedal steel guitar player, and composer....
, Peter Banks
Peter Banks
Peter Banks is an English guitarist. He was the original guitarist of the progressive rock band Yes.-Early career:When Banks was a young boy, his father bought him an acoustic guitar...
and Graham Bell
Graham Bell (singer)
Graham Thomas Bell was an English pop and rock singer.-Early career:Bell's father Jimmy, who died in 2010, was a well-known local singer, and his late mother, Leonora Rogers, was in show business prior to marriage after which she was heavily involved in local music and dance...
.
Gardner’s last recording was a collaboration with Mitch Mitchell
Mitch Mitchell
John Ronald "Mitch" Mitchell was an English drummer, best known for his work in The Jimi Hendrix Experience.-Early life and the Jimi Hendrix Experience:...
of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Don Adey. There are several prominent guests featured on these recordings including Carmine Appice
Carmine Appice
Carmine Appice is an American rock drummer of Italian background and is the older brother of drummer Vinny Appice by 12 years. He received a classical music training and was influenced by the jazz drumming of Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa early on...
, Bruce Gary
Bruce Gary
Bruce Gary was best known as the drummer for the music group The Knack. He was nominated for two Grammy Awards as a stage performer, producer, and recording artist....
, Mick Taylor
Mick Taylor
Michael Kevin "Mick" Taylor is an English musician, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones...
, Jackie Lomax
Jackie Lomax
John Richard 'Jackie' Lomax is a British guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his association with George Harrison and Eric Clapton...
, Brian Auger
Brian Auger
Brian Auger is a jazz and rock keyboardist, who has specialized in playing the Hammond organ.A jazz pianist, bandleader, session musician and Hammond B3 player, Auger has played or toured with artists such as Rod Stewart, Tony Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Sonny Boy Williamson, Led Zeppelin, Eric Burdon...
and Ivan Neville
Ivan Neville
Ivan Neville is a multi-instrumentalist musician, singer, and songwriter. He is the son of Aaron Neville and nephew to members of The Neville Brothers....
.
Gardner died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
on 24 October 2001. He was 53 years old.