Gary Thain

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

Life

As part of the rock trio The New Nadir, with drummer Peter Dawkins, he travelled from New Zealand to London, and once even jammed with Jimi Hendrix before the trio split in 1969.

Thain joined the Keef Hartley Band and in 1971 they toured with Uriah Heep; they asked him to join them (replacing Mark Clarke) in February 1972 and he stayed in the band until February 1975.

His style was flamboyant and characterized by melodic and groovy bass lines. He played on four studio albums: "Demons & Wizards", " The Magician's Birthday" , "Sweet Freedom" and "Wonderworld" as well as the live album "Uriah Heep Live".

During his last tour with Heep he suffered an electric shock and was seriously injured. He also unfortunately gained an untreatable STD through a short relationship he had.Because of his drug addiction he wasn't able to turn in a good performance and was fired by the band and replaced by former King Crimson bassist/vocalist John Wetton. He died of a heroin overdose on 8 December 1975, aged 27.

Discography (LP)

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)
* 72nd 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)
* Live (1973)
* Sweet Freedom (1973)
* Wonderworld (1974)

Ken Hensley

* Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf (1973)

Discography (Singles)

The Strangers

* 1963: - A Side: My Blue Heaven- B Side: The Dark At The Top Of The Stairs
* 1964: - A Side: Pretend- B Side: Alright
* 1965: - A Side: Can't Help Forgiving You - B Side: I'll Never Be Blue

The Secrets

* 1965: - A Side: It's You - B Side: You're Wrong

*1966 Mee and the Others. love is not a game

Champion Jack Dupree

* 1969- A Side: Ba La Fouche (MT/Jack Dupree)- B Side: Kansas City (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)

Martha Velez

* 1969- A Side: Tell Mama- B Side: Swamp Man

Keef Hartley Band

* 1969- A Side: Don't be afraid- B Side: Hickory
* 1969- A Side: Halfbread- B Side: Waiting around
* 1969- A Side: Just to cry- B Side: Leave it 'til the morning
* 1969- A Side: Plain talkin- B Side: We are all the same
*1970:- A Side: Roundabout- B Side: Roundabout pt 2
*1973:- A Side: Dance to the music- B Side: You and Me

External links

* [http://www.garythain.com/ Official Site]
* [http://www.garythain.5u.com/ Unofficial Site]