Gary Thain
Gary Mervin Thain (15 May 1948, in Christchurch, New Zealand – 8 December 1975, in London, United Kingdom) was a New Zealand rock bassist, best known for his work with British band Uriah Heep. Biography. Thain was born in Christchurch. He had two older brothers, Colin and Arthur. He recorded in Christchurch in the band "The Strangers" (not to be confused with the Australian band of the same name). He moved to Australia at the age of 17. It was there he became a member of the band "The Secrets", which eventually dissolved in 1966. Later, Thain was part  of the rock trio The New Nadir, and with the drummer Peter Dawkins, he traveled from New Zealand to London, and once jammed with Jimi Hendrix before the trio split in 1969. Thain joined the Keef Hartley Band, performing at Woodstock in 1969 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. He played on four studio albums: "Demons & Wizards", " The Magician's Birthday", "Sweet Freedom" and "Wonderworld" as well as their live album, titled "Uriah Heep Live". During his  last tour in the United States with Uriah Heep, Thain suffered an electric shock at the Moody Coliseum in Dallas, Texas, on 15 September 1974, and was seriously injured. Due to his drug addiction he was not able to perform properly, and was fired by the band in early 1975 and replaced by former King Crimson bassist/vocalist, John Wetton. Thain died of respiratory failure due to a heroin overdose, on 8 December 1975, aged 27, at his flat in Norwood Green in London.