From: stegner_g@cubldr.colorado.edu
Subject: Re: Clair Hamill from The Steve Howe Album
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 17:55:25 GMT

In article <92347.231252LPR100@psuvm.psu.edu>, <LPR100@psuvm.psu.edu> writes:
> Can anyone tell me anything about Clair Hamill? All I know is that
> she sang on "Look Over Your Shoulder" on the Steve Howe Album, so
> I thought this might be the newsgroup to ask. I am interested in
> hearing more from her, and any information would be appreciated.
> 
>  ___                 ___                  Larry Rossi -- LPR100@psuvm.psu.edu
>

The following extract is taken from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock,
authors: Nick Logan and Bob Woffinden, 1977, Salamander Books Ltd., London.

(This book incidentally has been one of my most valued possessions, and a must
for any prog-rock fan.  Newer editions of this book have deleted many of the
obscure prog bands and replaced them with a lot of the punk and new-romantic
bands of early 80's, keeping only the obvious rock icons from the 60's (Dylan
etc.) from the original book.)

	Claire Hamill
	-------------

	Born in Middlesbrough, England, 1955, eldest of seven children, she
began her career playing in local clubs, and then as something of a teenage
prodigy, won a record contract with Island.  She had a clear, pure voice, bags
of confidence, and wrote her own material.  Two albums were released, "One
House Left Standing" (1972) and "October" (1973), and she also played a
headlining gig at London's Royal Festival Hall.

	Despite the faith placed in her by many people in the business, and
despite encouraging reviews, it never seemed to happen for her, and whe went to
America where she worked regularly on the West Coast.

	In 1974 she became the first artist to be signed to Ray Davies'
newly-formed Konk Records.  Davies produced her third album, "Stage Door
Johnnies", a mixture of her own songs and more familiar material like Michael
Murphy's "Geronimo's Cadillac".  Her range had broadened considerably since her
start as an acoustic folk-guitarist.

	In 1975 she released her fourth album, "Abracadabra", which included
mostly her own songs, though out of derence to her boss she covered his
"Celluloid Heroes".  It now began to seem that she was having some difficulty
establishing an individual style, and public reaction was again indifferent.

	Her career seemed at a standstill again by 1977.  She had a brief stint
in 1976 as vocalist with Rick Grech's S.D.M. (Square Dance Machine), an outfit
that was very short-lived.

	--END OF ARTICLE--


This of course was written a couple of years before her guest appearance on the
Steve Howe Album.  I personally haven't heard any of her work, but I do like
the song on the Howe album.  I have no idea what she's been up to lately, but
something tells me I should check out her work, as good things have tended to
happen to me when I check out the work of obscure female artists.  After all, I
can credit this Encyclopedia for having met my wife... About 10 years ago I
bought some Laura Nyro albums after having read about her in the book, and
became a big fan... Six years later she made an appearance in New York, and I
went to see her... That's where I met Sandy, who was standing in line at the
concert... We were married a year later... and to top it off, we met Laura Nyro
backstage at her New York Earthday 1990 concert!  

A very valuable book indeed!

Newsgroups: alt.music.progressive