- Bernie Tormé
Infobox musical artist
Name = Bernie Tormé
Img_capt = Bernie Tormé, performing with GuyMcCoyTormé
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name =
Alias =
Born =Dublin ,Ireland
Died =
Instrument = GuitarVocals
Genre =Hard rock , Heavy metal
Occupation =Musician ,Songwriter
Years_active = 1970 — Present
Label =
Associated_acts =Guy McCoy Tormé ,Ozzy Osbourne ,Gillan , Desperado
URL = http://www.bernietorme.com
Notable_instruments = VintageFender Stratocaster Bernie Tormé is a rock
guitar ist, singer, song writer, record label- and record studio owner born inDublin ,Ireland .Early career
Bernie Tormé, real name Bernard Tormey, was greatly influenced by
Jimi Hendrix , (who his son, James Tormey, shares the nickname of),Jeff Beck ,Rory Gallagher andGary Moore ofThin Lizzy and formed his own band at a young age. His first paid performance came when Don Harris, a 14 year old drummer he played alongside when he was 17, secured a gig at the local Girl Guides' dance inKilmainham in Dublin." [http://www.getreadytorock.com/10questions/bernie_torme.htm Ten questions with Bernie Tormé] ", URL accessed on 24 January 2007.] Tormé then played in Dublin band "The Urge" in the early 1970s before relocating toLondon in1974 , where he initially played with heavy rockers "Scrapyard" (whose bass player, John McCoy would later be re-united with Tormé inGillan ), before forming the punk "Bernie Tormé Band" in1976 . The Bernie Tormé Band toured withThe Boomtown Rats andGeneration X among many others. Tormé has since revealed that he secured the supporting band slot with the Boomtown Rats by agreeing to go around London putting up posters advertising the tour." [http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/bernietormeinterview.htm Bernie Tormé interview] ", URL accessed on 24 January 2007.]In
1977 the band were asked to contribute two tracks to the "Live At The Vortex" album, "Streetfighter" and "Living for Kicks". This led to them being signed to theJet Records label, who "...paid us forty quid a week each for the next 18 months... Apart from that they just sat on us pretty much, they were more into ELO."" [http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/bernietormeinterview.htm Bernie Tormé interview] ", URL accessed on 24 January 2007.]Career with Gillan
Frustrated by a lack of commercial success, Tormé accepted the invitation of former
Deep Purple vocalistIan Gillan in1979 to join his bandGillan , and it was as part of this band that Tormé is best known. His talented and distinctive "screaming guitar" style perfectly suited audiences of theNew Wave of British Heavy Metal and he became a "guitar hero" of that genre.Over the next four years the group enjoyed three Top Ten U.K. albums (Mr. Universe , Glory Road and Future Shock), in addition to extensive worldwide tours of Europe, Japan, and the United States.
In
1981 Tormé walked out on Gillan, citing "boredom" as his reason, and played as a live session man forAtomic Rooster thenOzzy Osbourne as the immediate successor of the recently deseased original guitaristRandy Rhoads . Tormé was hired to play on makeup dates resulting from cancelled concerts after Rhoads' death. After three weeks on tour, Tormé quit to concentrate on his own bandElectric Gypsies and was replaced byBrad Gillis .Later career
Since
1982 Tormé has led his own band under various names and lineups (including a version ofTorme with singerPhil Lewis , formerly of Girl and later withLA Guns ), attracting a small cult following, and makes a living as a session musician.Tormé spent several years attempting to launch the band "Desperado" with former
Twisted Sister singerDee Snider . Although the record saw limited release, Snider re-used a number of the songs for a subsequent project, "Widowmaker" (not to be confused with the 1970s English band of the same name).Tormé also played guitar on
René Berg 's solo album "The Leather, The Loneliness And Your Dark Eyes" released in 1992 and played many live dates to support the album.In addition to the continued release of new Tormé recordings and re-issuance of his back catalogue titles, Tormé also became involved with the "Silver" project, which also included former
Michael Schenker Group vocalistGary Barden .In 2001, Tormé announced the formation of
Guy McCoy Tormé (aka "G.M.T"), with former Gillan bassist John McCoy and drummer Robin Guy.In 2007, Tormé contributed lead guitar and sitar parts to "Smile In Denial", track 4 of Yoni, solo album from Wildhearts frontman Ginger
Tormé also runs his own
record label , Retrowrek Records, andrecording studio s, Barnroom Studios inKent , where he lives with his family.Discography
*With "Bernie Tormé Band"
**"Live At The Vortex Vol.1" (2 tracks contributed to compilation)
**"I'm Not Ready" (7") 1978
**"Punk Or What" (recordings from 1976 — 1978 unreleased until 1999)
*With "Gillan "
**Mr. Universe (1979)
**Glory Road (1980)
**Future Shock (1981)
*With "Atomic Rooster "
**"Live In Germany In 1983" (released 2000)
*With "Electric Gypsies"
**"Turn Out The Lights" (1982)
**"Electric Gypsies"
**"Scorched Earth[ Live 1999-2000] "
*With "Tormé "
**"Back to Babylon"
**"Die Pretty Die Young"
**"Official Live Bootleg"
**"Live in Sheffield 1983"
*With "Desperado"
**"Bloodied But Unbowed"
*WithRené Berg
**"The Leather, The Loneliness And Your Dark Eyes" (1992)
*With ex-Samson singer "Gary Owen"
**"Demolition Ball"
*As "Bernie Tormé"
*(A project withAnti-Nowhere League members Chris Jones and John (JJ Kaos ) Pearce)
**"Wild Irish" (1997)
**"White Trash Guitar" (1999)
*With "GMT"
**"Bitter And Twisted"References
External links
* [http://www.bernietorme.com Bernie Tormé official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/bernietorme Bernie Tormé official myspace page]
* [http://www.gmtrocks.com Guy McCoy Tormé aka G.M.T. official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/gmtrocks Guy McCoy Tormé aka G.M.T. official myspace page]
* [http://rocknrolluniverse.com/rocknrolluniverse_449.htm Rock N Roll Universe Interview 2007]
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