Alan Parsons |
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News Archive |
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2001 |
Note: There are only two "updates" from the Year 2001 because the policy of archiving news didn't start until the latter part of 2001.
BREAK-UP OF BAND
(Sept. 4/01) Since 1994, Alan has been joined by Ian Bairnson and Stuart Elliott both in the studio and on the road, and together they were the heart and soul of The Alan Parsons Band / Live Project.
Recently they have chosen to terminate their partnership and pursue solo careers. The following is a message from Alan:
Hi Steve, I met with Ian and Stuart in my hotel room in Japan towards the end of the tour on Wednesday of last week. We discussed the best way forward given the inactivity of the Alan Parsons Live Project band over the previous eighteen months.
We have known for some time that realistically we would not be recording together again in the future. In real terms that became fact two years ago when I closed down my London studio and started my new family life with Lisa and the girls in the States. It just isn't practical for Ian, Stuart and myself to work 6000 miles apart, given that historically we take at least six months to make an album.
I am rather surprised to see the early reaction to Kirk's announcement by many Roadkillers seeing this "event" as some kind of huge tragedy. It had an inevitability; and the fans should - like us - look positively towards the future and realize this is not the end - just the start of a new chapter. Furthermore, if the right offer came up for the original band for a big event or a worthwhile tour and it fit in with everybody's plans then we would probably do it. It's not as if we have undergone some ghastly breakup drama and won't speak to each other!
Stuart, Ian and I have all had a great time playing live and recording music together. I'm actually glad that we are moving on and that we all now have the chance to re-invent ourselves. I cannot think of anyone that I would regard as closer friends and I will follow their new ventures with great interest and offer every support that I can.
As far as the future goes for me, I am looking forward to the challenge of finding new people to work with and having a totally blank page as a starting point. I am likely to be seeking production and writing collaborations with contemporary artists known and unknown - probably in a more electronic vein than in the past, but I don't want to lose my sonic identity. Also, my interest in 5.1 Surround is certainly capable of keeping me busy even if it's only for the remixing of back catalogue!
On a personal note I have never been happier. I love California and am enjoying my new family life to the fullest. Lisa is always there with love and constant support to me in everything I do. I am always grateful for the feedback that I have had from The Avenue, Roadkill and the fans at shows, many of whom have become good friends. Let's all stay in touch - and keep the dialog going. I would be saddened if The Avenue or the websites were to close. I urge everybody to look to the future and celebrate the past, not lament it. All best wishes, Alan
Questions that may note be answered by the above:
What are Ian and Stuart doing? Ian is looking at a number of projects and has been working with David Paton recently. Stuart recently began doing work with "library music" and will continue in that area. There will be more details of this in Issue 21.
What does this mean for The Avenue? Right now it's business as usual. There are plans to do a major upgrade to the website and that will continue. (website update: old files are on new host; new files/better graphics coming soon). The newsletter will continue as long as there is demand, and the next issue should be on schedule.
The news is a bit sad at first, but looking at the history of Alan Parsons (and The Project), there has been long periods without tours, there's been gaps in album releases, and still the music lives on.
Some see this as an end, but there is a future as Alan, Ian and Stuart will continue to make music. I've been a fan for a long-time, and look forward to many more years supporting these talented guys.
I hope you will join me in wishing them the best and stand behind them in the years to come.
Update on the forthcoming book about Alan Parsons. The author has been busy with other projects, but is still working on the book and hopes to have it completed soon.
POST BREAK-UP UPDATE
(Dec. 1 / 2001) Since 1994, Alan has been joined by Ian Bairnson and Stuart Elliott both in the studio and on the road, and together they were the heart and soul of The Alan Parsons Band / Live Project.
Following the break-up of the Alan Parsons band, all members have been hard at work: Alan is taking the first steps on his new album. Some writing and experimenting has begun, and while it's far away from completion, the good news is that he is "out of the gate".
Ian Bairnson and David Paton have put in many long hours on their re-visit to Pilot's "Two's A Crowd" album. That hard work is paying off and the recording is done, and mixing has begun. With luck, we should see a release of that record early this year.
Stuart Elliott has been busy writing and recording. Four out of 12 or so tracks have been accepted by library companies.
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