Gong's roots can be searched back to Easter of 1966. Eclectic vocalist/guitarist foresaw his future career with both Soft Machine and Gong (Allen talks about this in his recent autobiography, 'Gong Dreaming').
Being fired from Soft Machine 1967, Daevid Allen settled in Paris with his partner Gilli Smyth, and for the next couple of years worked with many lineups, the most stable of which was Bananamoon.
The name Gong was first used in 1969, by which time the group of musicians gathered around Allen included former free-jazz saxophone player Didier Malherbe, and session musicians Christian Tritsch (guitar/bass) and Rachid Houari (drums/percussion). Together, they recorded the first Gong album, "Magick Brother/Mystick Sister". The music was still very primitive compared to later albums, but hinted on Allen's style and sense of humor.
1970 brought more unreleased music. The tapes recorded during that period were only released in 1994 on the `Camembert Eclectique' CD. The band became stable with the addition of drummer Pip Pyle (of Hatfield and the North fame), in early 1971. Pyle had been introduced to Allen by Robert Wyatt during the recording of Allen's solo album, "Banana Moon", and ended up playing on one track of that album.
With the now settled line-up of Allen, Smyth, Malherbe, Tritsch and Pyle, the band retired to the Château d'Hérouville (near Pontoise) to record `Camembert Electrique' (this was only released in France). The tracks: "You Can't Kill Me", "Dynamite/I Am Your Animal" or "Fohat Digs Holes In Space" have remained in the band's setlists to this day.
In the autumn of 1971, Gong toured France and England extensively, reinforced by Kevin Ayers, Allen's old pal from the Soft Machine days. By December 1971, Pyle had gone back to England and had been replaced by Laurie Allan!
Later in 1972, major changes affected Gong's line-up. Christian Tritsch decided to concentrate on guitar; Bill MacCormick of Matching Mole was added briefly, then replaced by ex-Magma Frenchman Francis Moze. Meanwhile, Tim Blake was added on synthesizer, which brought a whole new dimension to the band's sound. Following a jam in Fontaineblau with Kevin Ayers' band, which then included Steve Hillage as lead guitarist, Didier Malherbe offered Hillage to join, which he did in replacement of Tritsch. With this new line-up (reinforced by Rachid Houari on percussion), Gong recorded what was the be the first installment of the 'Radio Gnome Invisible' trilogy for which Gong is most fondly remembered by its fans.
`Flying Teapot,' introduced the characters of the Planet Gong (Zero The Hero and The Yoni Witch (aliases for Allen and Smyth), The Pot-Head Pixies and The Octave Doctors.
The `Teapot' sessions were almost immediately followed by a new split. Moze and Allan left, the first to do session work in Paris and the second to go back to England (where he briefly rejoined Steve Miller's Delivery).
A new rhythm section of Didier Thibault (formerly of Moving Gelatine Plates) and Pierre Moerlen (a classical-trained percussionist straight out of the Strasbourg conservatory) was recruited as the band started to include a more jazz-fusion. Meanwhile, Thibault was replaced by yet another British exile, Mike Howlett.
Shortly, after working on solo material, Allen and Smyth returned to Gong for a headlining UK tour. Work soon started on the second trilogy album.
`Angel's Egg, successfully fused all the musical elements brought by both the new recruits and the old members, from Blake's synthesizer bubbles to Moerlen's tight and sophisticated drumming, from Malherbe's multicoloured sax and flute leads, to Hillage's wild cosmic guitar soloing, not forgetting Allen's typical vocal delivery and superior glissando guitar layers, and Smyth's evocative space whispers.
Pierre Moerlen, still hesitant whether to carry on with Gong or resume his classical activities, left in late 1973, he was replaced by a variety of temporary drummers including Laurie Allan, Rob Tait and Diane Stewart. By now, Gong was starting to enjoy a high level of popularity in France, and toured constantly. Recordings of these shows later resurfaced as the "Live At The Bataclan" and "Live At Sheffield" CD's, not to mention those used on the double live set, "Live Etc." from 1977.
With Moerlen eventually back in the line-up, Gong recorded what is considered as one of the ultimate space-rock classics, `You,' (spawning such live favourties as "Master Builder" and "Isle Of Everywhere
Meanwhile, Moerlen left again and was replaced in September 1974 by Laurie Allan, then Bill Bruford (jobless following the breakup of King Crimson) and eventually Brian Davison, formerly of The Nice and Refugee.
With Gong developing to an instrumental band, not only Allen but also Smyth and Blake grew dissatisfied and left as well. Smyth was replaced by Miquette Giraudy, Hillage's girlfriend. The position of keyboard player remained vacant for a while although Dave Stewart of Hatfield and the North (which broke up in June, 1975) helped out for a few gigs. Virgin records urged Pierre Moerlen to again rejoin and take over from Allen as the band's leader with Didier Malherbe, which he did. At first, Hillage and Giraudy wanted to take over from Allen and Smyth, but their attempts proved unsuccessful and all references to the myths of stories of the Planet Gong were abandoned for a jazzier approach.
A new 1975 line-up of Gong resurfaced in the autumn of, Malherbe, Hillage, Moerlen, Howlett, Mireille Bauer (percussion) and Patrice Lemoine (keyboards), was mostly instrumental-based. By the year's end, though, Hillage had lost faith in the band and, encouraged by the success of his first solo album "Fish Rising", decided to leave and embark on a solo career. He nevertheless took part in the sessions for the new album in December 1975. Also featured on `Shamal' were Argentinian violinist Jorge Pinchevksy, and Sandy Colley (vocals).
`Shamal' was quite successful in forging a completely new musical direction for Gong, leaving behind the spacey style and combining ethnic, jazz and percussion-based sophistication. The album was an unexpected commercial success selling over 100,000 copies.
By mid-1976, Malherbe and Moerlen were the only members of the 'classic' line-up still in the band. Under their influence, Gong's music became even more complex and jazz-oriented than previously, with new recruits like Allan Holdsworth (guitars), Francis Moze, Mino Cinelu, and Benoît Moerlen all primarily jazz players. They recorded `Gazeuse!' (1977), a less consistent album The line-up was shortlived, breaking up immediately after the sessions, in late 1976. Moerlen and Moze couldn't get along together, and Moerlen ultimately went back to Strasbourg, forming a new line-up there with Mireille Bauer and his brother Benoît creating Pierre Moerlen's Gong.
Many names including Pierre Moerlen's Gong, Daevid Allen's Planet Gong, New York Gong and Gongmaison, and Gilli Smyth's Mother Gong were used in numerous and confusing line-ups and styles.
In 1990 as part of the Bedrock TV concert series, Allen, Smyth, Malherbe, Pyle, Steffi Sharpstrings, Keith Missile and Twink Electron Flo appeared on BBC bring classic member of Gong together for a reunion.
During these times, Gong was effectively reborn when original drummer Pip Pyle, was asked to overdub drum parts to the recordings made by Gongmaison. The result was the album `Shapeshifter,' (released only in Europe at the time) in September 1992. This was followed by a tour, the set list of which included some Gong classics from as far back as `Camembert Electrique'.
In October, 1994, Gong celebrated its 25th birthday with a 'classic' line-up of the band (Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth, Didier Malherbe, Tim Blake, Mike Howlett, with Pip Pyle and Steffi Sharpstrings replacing Pierre Moerlen and Steve Hillage respectively) together playing the whole 'Radio Gnome' trilogy, but also countless Gong-related groups and artists performing one after the other on the same stage. This 'festival' was documented on the Voiceprint/GAS release, `The Birthday Concert' (1995). Mike Howlett rejoined the group on a permanent basis. Gong's first proper tour of the US, in March 1996, followed by yet another one to celebrate the American release of `Shapeshifter.'
In November, Gong was back touring Europe. After a pause of a few months, a slightly altered line-up (with Pierre Moerlen returning again), Gong toured in 1997 for shows in Japan, North America and Britain. A French tour followed in May 1998.
Iin June 1999, Allen, Smyth, Howlett and Moerlen were joined by Mark Hewins (guitars) and Theo Travis (sax/flute). Moerlen quit only two dates into the European tour and was replaced by Chris Taylor, and Didier Malherbe rejoined for the subsequent American tour, including appearances at Prog festivals in San Francisco and Mexico City.
As Gong entered the studio in September 1999, it was decided that Malherbe would only join Gong for special occasions, and both Travis and Taylor were confirmed as new members. The band premiered material from the upcoming album at a couple of gigs in October, most notably an appearance at the Nancy Jazz Pulsations festival with Magma and Soup Songs.
`Zero To Infinity', presented as the fifth installment of the 'Radio Gnome Invisible' saga, was released in March 2000, followed by the band's most intensive touring schedule for many years. A new member, keyboardist Gwyo Zepix from the electronic trio Zorch, was added to the line-up. The group toured American and European September to November 2000.
In the past few years, Daevid has released some a diverse solo album, varying from ambient spacey, to classic jazz to Celtic.
On May 4, 2005, drummer and band leader - Pierre Moerlen: died in his sleep at his home in Strasbourg. He was 53 years old. . Our sincere condolences to the Moerlen family.
In 2005, Gong released a live album, and a UK compilation.
After 40 years of the music business in uncoutable recarnations and offshoots of Gong, the band is currently working on a brand new forward-looking album called 2032 - supposedly thr year that the Planet Gong makes full contact with the Planet Earth - and a major new chapter in the continually evolving Gong mythology. The album is due to be released in September 2009. Gong will be headlining Nearfest during the summer of 2009.
In November 2007, Daevid Allen held a series of concerts in Brazil, with a branch of Gong, which was called Daevid Allen and Gong Global Family (Daevid Allen on vocals and guitar, Josh Pollock on guitar, megaphone and percussion; Fred Barley on drums and percussion; Fabio Golfetti on guitar, Gabriel Costa on bass, Marcelo Ringel on flute and tenor saxophone), along with his other band University of Errors (Allen, Josh Pollock, Michael Clare, Fred Barley). The presentations took place in Sao Paulo on 21 and 22 November and San Carlos on November 24. These musicians – less Marcelo – recorded some new songs in the studio Mosh, in Sao Paulo. The November 21st show was then released only in England as DVD and CD by Voiceprint Records.
More recently in June 2008, Gong played two concerts in London: Queen Elizabeth Hall on the Southbank (opening Massive Attack's Meltdown festival) and the Forum, with Allen, Smyth, Hillage, Giraudy, Howlett, Taylor and Travis among the lineup. This line-up then released new album 2032 in 2009 and toured in support. They played the Glade stage at Glastonbury Festival with Steve Hillage and Miquette Giraudy. Gong played at the Big Chill festival in the UK between on 9 August 2009 with Allen, Smyth, Hillage, Giraudy, Sturt, Taylor and Travis in the line up, at the Beautiful Days Festival in Devon, 23 August 2009, and at the Lounge on the Farm festival near Canterbury in the summer of 2009.
Gong played four UK live shows in September 2010 with Allen, Smyth, Hillage, Giraudy, Sturt, Taylor and Ian East. Support for these shows was provided by Nik Turner's Space Ritual.
Gong was supposed to be touring in 2013/4, but Daevid Allen got very sick and in mid-2014 had life-saving surgery. Gong has postponed the euopean tour.
They played in Brazil in May 2013 and again in 2014, this time with the addition of Kavus Torabi on guitar.
The 2014 line-up released a new studio album entitled I See You on 10 November, with Gilli Smyth guesting. However, Daevid Allen had been diagnosed with a cancerous cyst in his neck and had to undergo radiation therapy followed by an extensive period of recuperation. The I See You tour went ahead without him, and the line-up of Sturt, East, Golfetti, Torabi and a "mystery drummer" (revealed to be Cheb Nettles) played five dates in France and two in the UK.
The passing of Daevid Allen and Gilli Smyth (2015–16)
On February 5, 2015, Daevid Allen released a statement announcing that the cancer had returned to his neck and had also spread to his lungs, and that he was "not interested in endless surgical operations", leaving him with "approximately six months to live". Just over a month after the initial announcement, on March 13,2015, Daevid's son Orlando announced through Facebook that Allen had died in Byron Bay, Australia, aged 77.
On April 11,2015, it was revealed that Allen had written an email to the band prior to his death, expressing his wish that the five remaining members continue performing following his passing and suggesting that Kavus Torabi become the new frontman of the band.
Gilli Smyth died on August 22, 2016, aged 83. She had been admitted to hospital in Byron Bay with pneumonia a couple of days previously.
On July 5, 2016, it was announced that the band line-up consisting of Kavus Torabi, Fabio Golfetti, Dave Sturt, Ian East and Cheb Nettles had recorded a new album entitled Rejoice! I'm Dead!, featuring guest appearances from Steve Hillage on guitar, Didier Malherbe on duduk and Graham Clark on violin, with Daevid Allen's vocals appearing on two tracks. Rejoice! I'm Dead! was released on September 16, 2016 through Snapper Music.
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Gong biography: courtesy of: Aymeric Leroy (modified a bit by me)
Current members
Fabio Golfetti – lead guitar (2007, 2012–present)
Dave Sturt – bass (2009–present)
Ian East – saxophone, flute (2010–present)
Kavus Torabi – guitar, vocals (2014–present)
Cheb Nettles – drums (2014–present)
Discography
Gong
Magick Brother (1970)
Camembert Electrique (1971)
Continental Circus (1972) (soundtrack)
Flying Teapot (1973)
Angel's Egg (1973)
You (1974)
Shamal (1976) (without Daevid Allen)*
Shapeshifter (1992)
Zero to Infinity (2000)
Acid Motherhood (2004)
2032 (2009)
I See You (2014)
Rejoice! I'm Dead! (2016) (post-Daevid Allen)
* Usually regarded as a transitional album between Daevid Allen's incarnation of the band and the Pierre Moerlen-led fusion line-up of the late 1970s.
Planet Gong
Live Floating Anarchy 1977 (1978)
New York Gong
About Time (1980)
Gongmaison
Gongmaison (1989)
Pierre Moerlen's Gong
Gazeuse! (Expresso in North America) (1976)
Expresso II (1978)
Downwind (1979)
Time is the Key (1979)
Leave It Open (1981)
Breakthrough (1986)
Second Wind (1988)
Pentanine (2004)
Mother Gong
Fairy Tales (1979)
Mother Gong / Anthony Phillips – Battle Of The Birds (1981)
Robot Woman (1981)
Robot Woman 2 (1982)
Robot Woman 3 (1986)
Fish in the Sky (1988)
The Owl and the Tree (with Daevid Allen) (1990)
Wild Child (1991)
She Made the World Magenta (1993)
Eye (1994)
Tree in Fish (1994)
Gilli Smyth, Daevid Allen and Orlando Allen
I Am Your Egg (2005)
Live albums
Haunted Chateau (1969)
Glastonbury Fayre (Gong contributed one side to this triple LP) (1971)
Greasy Truckers Live at Dingwalls Dance Hall (contributed one side) (1973)
Gong est Mort, Vive Gong (French live album) (1977)
Gong Live Etc (UK live album) (1977)
Pierre Moerlen's Gong Live (Pierre Moerlen's Gong) (1980)
Live at Sheffield '74 (1990)
Live au Bataclan 1973 (1990)
Live Floating Anarchy 1991 (Planet Gong) (1992)
Live 1991 (Mother Gong) (1992)
Live on T.V. 1990 (1993)
25th Birthday Party (1995)
Pre-Modernist Wireless (1995)
Full Circle Live '88 (Pierre Moerlen's Gong) (1998)
Live 2 Infinitea (2000)
Glastonbury 1971 (2002)
Glastonbury '79–'81 (Mother Gong) (2005)
Live in Sherwood Forest '75 (2005)
Gong in the 70s (2006)
Acid Mothers Gong Live Tokyo (Acid Mothers Gong) (2006)
Mothergong O Amsterdam (Mother Gong) (2007)
Live in Brazil (2009)
Compilation albums
Wingful of Eyes (A Retrospective ('75-'78) (1987)
The Mystery and History of the Planet Gong (1989)
The Best of Gong (1995)
The Very Best of Gong (1997)
Best of Mother Gong (1998)
The World of Daevid Allen and Gong (3 CD compilation including almost all of the Radio Gnome Invisible trilogy and early album tracks) (2003)
