Rococo’n’ Roll

Fifty years ago, Gryphon entered one of their busiest periods. The release of not just Midnight Mushrumps but also Red Queen To Gryphon Three found them reaching a bigger audience than before, aided by a North American tour with Yes. Founding members Brian Gulland, Graeme Taylor and Dave Oberlé recall those early years, and why they continue to champion Gryphon’s unique blend of medieval, classical and prog to a highly appreciative audience.

Chris Wheatley

In the history of prog, there’s never been a band quite like Gryphon, and in the history of Gryphon there’s never been a year like 1974. Across 12 months, the group released not one but two fantastically ambitious albums; they also embarked upon a spectacular North American tour as the opening act for Yes. But the band’s genesis goes back even further. Co-founding guitarist Graeme Taylor explains, “I always thought the seeds were sown at Tiffin’s [boys’ grammar school in Kingston upon Thames in Surrey] where I met [fellow founding member] Richard Harvey.” Taylor had begun playing at an early age. He was nine when he first heard The Beatles and describes the feeling as “like a cannonball [that had] hit me”. His parents promised to buy him a guitar…

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Prog Italia (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 152

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