Leigh Gorman
Encyclopedia
Leigh Gorman is an English
rock music
ian, record producer
, and composer
best known for his work as the bass
player for Bow Wow Wow
.
. He started out playing classical guitar at the age of 12. Graduating to the bass guitar two years later, he developed a unique, classically-rooted, extremely fast and funky style. Leigh made the acquaintance of Marc Bolan
's road manager who gave him free-range to use all of Marc's spare equipment, Leigh was able to play virtually anything he picked up, but quickly found an affinity with stringed instruments. Aside from mastering classical, flamenco, rock and bass guitar, Leigh taught himself to play the sitar, bouzouki, mandolin, and keyboards. Leigh started doing session work at 16 and went on to join a band called 57 Men, the first incarnation of which featured Glen Gregory (who went on to form Heaven 17) on vocals. The band later became Wang Chung
.
of The Vibrators
and asked to audition for Adam and the Ants
. He joined the band in November 1979. At the instigation of their manager Malcolm McLaren
, Leigh and fellow Ants Matthew Ashman
and Dave Barbarossa parted from Adam
to form their own band, Bow Wow Wow
. After a Six month long audition process, they recruited vocalist Annabella Lwin
. Bow Wow Wow's innovative Burundi/Latin/punk fusion soon made them press darlings. In July 1980, Bow Wow Wow released the first ever cassette single, a ditty appropriately entitled "C30, C60, C90, Go". Its release caused a furor in the music industry due to lyrics which seemed to advocate home taping and the fact that the single was released with the reverse side blank. (The controversy of home taping at the dawn of the cassette era parallels the debate about mp3 sharing on the internet today.) The BPI subsequently banished the single from the UK charts. In 1982, however, the group scored two UK Top Ten hits with the singles "Go Wild in the Country" and "I Want Candy
". The latter also made waves on the charts in the United States. The band recorded a total of three albums and toured the world extensively, headlining with Madness
in Japan and trekking across America several times. Life on the road took its toll, and in 1983 the exhausted band broke up.
. After a few months, Gorman and Barbarossa left Chiefs of Relief. After initially trying to form a new band with Barbarossa, doing some work with Lwin, writing new songs, and doing session work, Gorman turned to record production. In 1989, Gorman's production of Silver Bullet
's "Twenty Seconds To Comply" also rose to #11 in the UK singles chart. The Soho
single "Hippychick," which Gorman produced, went Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. The single also went to #1 on both the US and UK dance charts. Gorman received a Gold Record for his work on the track. Gorman subsequently joined Soho and toured the US, appearing on The Arsenio Hall Show
. In the early-90s, Gorman worked with Malcolm McLaren again, for whom he co-wrote and produced the Paris
album, featuring the voice of Catherine Deneuve
. This jazz-influenced album sold well throughout Europe, resulting in an album of Gorman's ambient dance mixes being released. The duo proceeded to collaborate on several high-profile TV commercials and two film scores. Gorman wrote and produced micro-operettas, soundscapes, and hip-hop & soul jams for the small screen for such clients as Coca Cola, Pepsi, Nike, Renault, and MCI. In the summer of 1997, his remix of Mr. President
's "I Give You My Heart
" went Top 10 in the UK dance charts for 3 weeks. Also in 1997, Gorman and Lwin reformed Bow Wow Wow and embarked on the "Barking Mad" reunion tour with guitarist Dave Calhoun and drummer Eshan Khadaroo
. The tour produced the live CD Wild in the U.S.A. which also included remixes of previous Bow Wow Wow tracks. Gorman and Lwin subsequently made a guest appearance in Bill Fishman
's film Desperate But Not Serious
. Gorman and Lwin also recorded a new song for the movie entitled "A Thousand Tears." The tour sparked off a spate of label interest. This demand also prompted Leigh to move to America. Missing the dance world and playing in the live arena, in March 2000, Leigh joined SoCal organic/electronic rave band Electric Skychurch
for some live dates. The band achieved notoriety playing sunrise sets at the infamous Full Moon Gatherings deep in the Mojave Desert. In 2003 Gorman and Lwin reformed Bow Wow Wow again with Los Angeles guitarist Phil Gough and Adrian Young
of No Doubt
on drums in order to play the Inland Invasion show as part of KROQ-FM
's 25th Anniversary celebrations. The band has maintained a frequent small-venue concert schedule through November 2006. In June 2006 Bow Wow Wow recorded a cover of The Smiths
' song "I Started Something
" for a proposed Smiths tribute record. The recording can be found on iTunes
, and it also appears on the soundtrack of the film Blood and Chocolate
, and a promo edit of the recording can be heard on Gorman's MySpace page. When he's not on the road with Bow Wow Wow, Gorman lives and works in Los Angeles producing bands (most recently Morrissey
and Calahan), doing remixes (including the alternative radio remix of the Meredith Brooks
/Queen Latifah
duet "Lay Down
") and composing music for TV and film (Wimbledon
and The Tenants
).
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...
rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
ian, record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
best known for his work as the bass
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
player for Bow Wow Wow
Bow Wow Wow
Bow Wow Wow were an English 1980s New Wave band created by Malcolm McLaren to promote his and business partner Vivienne Westwood's New Romantic fashion lines.The group's music is described as having an "African-derived drum sound".-History:...
.
Early life
Leigh grew up in the East End of LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He started out playing classical guitar at the age of 12. Graduating to the bass guitar two years later, he developed a unique, classically-rooted, extremely fast and funky style. Leigh made the acquaintance of Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
's road manager who gave him free-range to use all of Marc's spare equipment, Leigh was able to play virtually anything he picked up, but quickly found an affinity with stringed instruments. Aside from mastering classical, flamenco, rock and bass guitar, Leigh taught himself to play the sitar, bouzouki, mandolin, and keyboards. Leigh started doing session work at 16 and went on to join a band called 57 Men, the first incarnation of which featured Glen Gregory (who went on to form Heaven 17) on vocals. The band later became Wang Chung
Wang Chung (band)
Wang Chung are an English New Wave musical group.The group found their greatest success in America, with five Top 40 hits in the US, all charting between 1983 and 1987, including "Dance Hall Days" , "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" and "Let's Go!" .-Pre-history: The Intellektuals and 57 Men :Jeremy...
.
Adam and the Ants and Bow Wow Wow
While gigging around town, Leigh was spotted by KnoxKnox (musician)
Knox also known as I.M. Carnarchan is a British musician and founding member of the seminal punk band The Vibrators.-Early life:...
of The Vibrators
The Vibrators
- Early career:The Vibrators were founded by Ian 'Knox' Carnochan, bassist Pat Collier, guitarist John Ellis, and drummer John 'Eddie' Edwards. They first came to public notice at the 100 Club when they backed Chris Spedding in 1976. On Spedding's recommendation, Mickie Most signed them to his...
and asked to audition for Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants were a British rock band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original group, which existed from 1977 to 1980, became notable as a cult band marking the transition from the late-1970s punk rock era to the post-punk and New Wave era...
. He joined the band in November 1979. At the instigation of their manager Malcolm McLaren
Malcolm McLaren
Malcolm Robert Andrew McLaren was an English performer, impresario, self-publicist and manager of the Sex Pistols and the New York Dolls...
, Leigh and fellow Ants Matthew Ashman
Matthew Ashman
Matthew James Ashman was an English guitarist with Adam and the Ants and Bow Wow Wow. He died of diabetes-related complications in 1995, aged 35.-Career:...
and Dave Barbarossa parted from Adam
Adam Ant
Adam Ant is an English musician who gained popularity as the lead singer of New Wave/post-punk group Adam and the Ants and later as a solo artist, scoring ten UK top ten hits between 1980 and 1983, including three No.1s...
to form their own band, Bow Wow Wow
Bow Wow Wow
Bow Wow Wow were an English 1980s New Wave band created by Malcolm McLaren to promote his and business partner Vivienne Westwood's New Romantic fashion lines.The group's music is described as having an "African-derived drum sound".-History:...
. After a Six month long audition process, they recruited vocalist Annabella Lwin
Annabella Lwin
Annabella Lwin is an Anglo-Burmese singer, songwriter and record producer best known as the lead singer of Bow Wow Wow.-Biography:Lwin was born to a Burmese father and an English mother in Rangoon, Burma .Medina, Maximillian Mark; ChopBlock.com Her birth name in Burmese translates to "High,...
. Bow Wow Wow's innovative Burundi/Latin/punk fusion soon made them press darlings. In July 1980, Bow Wow Wow released the first ever cassette single, a ditty appropriately entitled "C30, C60, C90, Go". Its release caused a furor in the music industry due to lyrics which seemed to advocate home taping and the fact that the single was released with the reverse side blank. (The controversy of home taping at the dawn of the cassette era parallels the debate about mp3 sharing on the internet today.) The BPI subsequently banished the single from the UK charts. In 1982, however, the group scored two UK Top Ten hits with the singles "Go Wild in the Country" and "I Want Candy
I Want Candy
"I Want Candy" is a song written and originally recorded by The Strangeloves in 1965 that went to number 11 in the United States. It is a famous example of a song that uses the Bo Diddley beat.-Original version:...
". The latter also made waves on the charts in the United States. The band recorded a total of three albums and toured the world extensively, headlining with Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
in Japan and trekking across America several times. Life on the road took its toll, and in 1983 the exhausted band broke up.
Post Bow Wow Wow and Recent Work
Initially after Bow Wow Wow's breakup the three guys formed a band called Chiefs of ReliefChiefs of Relief
Chiefs of Relief were a British rock group formed shortly after the demise of Bow Wow Wow in 1984. Led by guitarist-vocalist Matthew Ashman , drummer Paul Cook , keyboard player Duncan Grieg, and bassist Lance Burman...
. After a few months, Gorman and Barbarossa left Chiefs of Relief. After initially trying to form a new band with Barbarossa, doing some work with Lwin, writing new songs, and doing session work, Gorman turned to record production. In 1989, Gorman's production of Silver Bullet
Silver Bullet (rapper)
Silver Bullet was a rapper born in and raised in London, England. He went to school in Buckingham and then was moved to Leighton Buzzard and then to Aylesbury in 1988...
's "Twenty Seconds To Comply" also rose to #11 in the UK singles chart. The Soho
Soho
Soho is an area of the City of Westminster and part of the West End of London. Long established as an entertainment district, for much of the 20th century Soho had a reputation for sex shops as well as night life and film industry. Since the early 1980s, the area has undergone considerable...
single "Hippychick," which Gorman produced, went Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. The single also went to #1 on both the US and UK dance charts. Gorman received a Gold Record for his work on the track. Gorman subsequently joined Soho and toured the US, appearing on The Arsenio Hall Show
The Arsenio Hall Show
The Arsenio Hall Show is an American variety/talk show that aired late weeknights in syndication from January 3, 1989 to May 27, 1994. The show was created and hosted by comedian/actor Arsenio Hall.- Background :...
. In the early-90s, Gorman worked with Malcolm McLaren again, for whom he co-wrote and produced the Paris
Paris (Malcolm McLaren album)
Paris is a double-CD by Malcolm McLaren released in 1994.-Disc one:# "Mon Dié Sénié" – 4:30# "Walking With Satie" – 4:03# "Père Lachaise" – 3:41# "Miles And Miles Of Miles Davis" – 2:04# "Jazz Is Paris" – 5:15# "Rue Dauphine" – 3:26...
album, featuring the voice of Catherine Deneuve
Catherine Deneuve
Catherine Deneuve is a French actress. She gained recognition for her portrayal of aloof and mysterious beauties in films such as Repulsion and Belle de jour . Deneuve was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1993 for her performance in Indochine; she also won César Awards for that...
. This jazz-influenced album sold well throughout Europe, resulting in an album of Gorman's ambient dance mixes being released. The duo proceeded to collaborate on several high-profile TV commercials and two film scores. Gorman wrote and produced micro-operettas, soundscapes, and hip-hop & soul jams for the small screen for such clients as Coca Cola, Pepsi, Nike, Renault, and MCI. In the summer of 1997, his remix of Mr. President
Mr. President (band)
- Studio albums :- Compilation albums :-Singles:-Band line-up:* Lady Danii * T-Seven * Sir Prophet * Lazy Dee * Nadia Ayche...
's "I Give You My Heart
I Give You My Heart
"I Give You My Heart" is the second single from the second album We See The Same Sun by German eurodance band Mr. President. It was the groups' seventh released single...
" went Top 10 in the UK dance charts for 3 weeks. Also in 1997, Gorman and Lwin reformed Bow Wow Wow and embarked on the "Barking Mad" reunion tour with guitarist Dave Calhoun and drummer Eshan Khadaroo
Eshan Khadaroo
Eshan Khadaroo is a British drummer and percussionist who plays a wide variety of styles including pop, rock, funk. hip-hop, worldbeat and experimental...
. The tour produced the live CD Wild in the U.S.A. which also included remixes of previous Bow Wow Wow tracks. Gorman and Lwin subsequently made a guest appearance in Bill Fishman
Bill Fishman
Bill Fishman is an American film director, whose work includes the cult film Tapeheads, starring Tim Robbins and John Cusack, as well as the film version of the TV classic Car 54, Where Are You?...
's film Desperate But Not Serious
Desperate But Not Serious
Desperate But Not Serious is a 1999 movie directed by Bill Fishman. It was released in the USA under the title Reckless + Wild.Out-of-towner Lily arrives in Los Angeles to attend a wedding reception with the man of her dreams, Jonathan . Aided by party-girl Frances , they embark on a night of...
. Gorman and Lwin also recorded a new song for the movie entitled "A Thousand Tears." The tour sparked off a spate of label interest. This demand also prompted Leigh to move to America. Missing the dance world and playing in the live arena, in March 2000, Leigh joined SoCal organic/electronic rave band Electric Skychurch
Electric Skychurch
Electric Skychurch is an electronic or acid trance band based in Los Angeles, California. It was formed in 1991 by composer and producer James Lumb, who initially involved vocalist Roxanne Morganstern and percussionist Alex Spurkel in the project. Over time, Electric Skychurch has also included...
for some live dates. The band achieved notoriety playing sunrise sets at the infamous Full Moon Gatherings deep in the Mojave Desert. In 2003 Gorman and Lwin reformed Bow Wow Wow again with Los Angeles guitarist Phil Gough and Adrian Young
Adrian Young
Adrian Samuel Young is the drummer for the rock band No Doubt.-Biography:Young's parents were hippies. He has four brothers: Alex, Damian, Jeff and Aaron. His father is a teacher in Cypress CA and his stepmother, Jeanne, is currently suffering from ALS...
of No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
on drums in order to play the Inland Invasion show as part of KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
's 25th Anniversary celebrations. The band has maintained a frequent small-venue concert schedule through November 2006. In June 2006 Bow Wow Wow recorded a cover of The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
' song "I Started Something
I Started Something I Couldn't Finish
"I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" is a song by The Smiths. It was released as a single in November 1987, reaching #23 in the UK Singles Chart....
" for a proposed Smiths tribute record. The recording can be found on iTunes
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
, and it also appears on the soundtrack of the film Blood and Chocolate
Blood and Chocolate (film)
Blood & Chocolate is a 2007 film directed by Katja von Garnier, produced by Lakeshore Entertainment and distributed by MGM. It is very loosely based on the young-adult novel of the same name by Annette Curtis Klause, which was adapted into a screenplay by Ehren Kruger. The movie was released on DVD...
, and a promo edit of the recording can be heard on Gorman's MySpace page. When he's not on the road with Bow Wow Wow, Gorman lives and works in Los Angeles producing bands (most recently Morrissey
Morrissey
Steven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
and Calahan), doing remixes (including the alternative radio remix of the Meredith Brooks
Meredith Brooks
Meredith Ann Brooks is an American singer/songwriter and guitarist. She is best known for her 1997 hit song "Bitch", for which she was nominated for a Grammy Award.- Early life :...
/Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
duet "Lay Down
Lay Down
"Lay Down" is a song by English band Strawbs featured on their 1973 album Bursting at the Seams. It peaked at number 12 in the UK Singles Chart....
") and composing music for TV and film (Wimbledon
Wimbledon (film)
Wimbledon is a 2004 romantic comedy film directed by Richard Loncraine. The film centers on a washed-up tennis pro named Peter Colt and an up-and-coming tennis star named Lizzie Bradbury during the Wimbledon Championships.The film was dedicated to Mark McCormack, who died on 16 May 2003 after...
and The Tenants
The Tenants
The Tenants is a 2005 film drama starring Dylan McDermott and Snoop Dogg. Screened at only one theatre, the film received harsh criticism due to what some critics discerned as anachronistic depictions of the racial tension between the principal characters and a lack of multidimensionality...
).
External links
- Leigh Gorman homepage
- Leigh Gorman at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- Bow Wow Wow - Bow Wow Wow's Official Site