Solstice (British rock band)

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Not to be confused with Solstice (doom metal band) or Solstice (American band).

Solstice
OriginMilton Keynes, England
GenresProgressive rock, neo-progressive rock, art rock, acoustic rock, alternative rock, pop rock
Years active1980–present
LabelsEMI, Capitol
Associated acts3 Sticks
MembersAndy Glass
Jess Holland
Peter Helmsley
Steve McDaniels
Jenny Newman
Robin Phillips
Past membersEmma Brown
Ken Bowley
Clive Bunker
Barbara Deason
Marc Elton
Mark Hawkins
Heidi Kemp
Sandy Leigh
Shelley Patt
Sue Robinson
Craig Sunderland
Martin Wright

Solstice are a neo-progressive, folk rock band formed in 1980 in Milton Keynes, England. They are led by guitarist Andy Glass, who is the sole founding member still in the band.[1]

History[]

The band formed in 1980, and performed BBC sessions and received national music press coverage before splitting in 1985 (with one guest appearance in 1986). Their only album release in this period was 1984's Silent Dance.[2]

Interest generated by a CD reissue of Silent Dance led to a reunion in the nineties with two studio releases, New Life and Circles, and a live album, The Cropredy Set.[3]

Guitarist Andy Glass once more put the band on hold in order to focus on band 3sticks. A DVD release of the Cropredy performance preceded another reunion in 2007, with the entire back catalogue being remastered and issued in expanded "Definitive Edition" form. The band then toured the UK and, for the first time, mainland Europe.

Band members Andy Glass, Peter Helmsley, and Jenny Newman also work together in the band "3 Sticks".

Members[]

Current[]

  • Andy Glass - guitars
  • Jess Holland - vocals
  • Peter Helmsley - drums
  • Steve McDaniels - keyboards
  • Jenny Newman - violin
  • Robin Phillips - bass

Former[]

  • Emma Brown - vocals
  • Ken Bowley - bass
  • Clive Bunker - drums
  • Barbara Deason - vocals
  • Marc Elton - violin, keyboards
  • Mark Hawkins - bass
  • Heidi Kemp - vocals
  • Sandy Leigh - vocals
  • Shelley Patt - vocals
  • Sue Robinson - vocals
  • Craig Sunderland - bass
  • Martin Wright - drums

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

  • Silent Dance (1984)[2]
  • New Life (1993)
  • Circles (1997)[3]
  • Spirit (2010)
  • Prophecy (2013)[4]
  • Sia (released 23rd November 2020)[5]

Live albums[]

  • The Cropredy Set (2002)
  • Kindred Spirits (2011)

Compilation albums[]

  • Pathways (1998)

References[]

  1. ^ Rob Caldwell. "Solstice | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Smith, Bradley (1997). The Billboard Guide to Progressive Music. Billboard Books. p. 207.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Lambe, Stephen (2012). Citizens of Hope and Glory: The Story of Progressive Rock. Amberley.
  4. ^ "Superb new album from Andy Glass's on/off prog collective". Prog Magazine. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Solstice News". Solstice. Retrieved 30 October 2020.


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