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Annie Haslam

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Annie Haslam
Singer with eyes closed, arms stretched forward slightly, palms down, appears to be floating on the music as she sings.
Annie Haslam with Renaissance headlining North East Art Rock Festival (NEARfest) on 23 June 2012
Background information
Birth nameAnn Haslam
Born(1947-06-08)8 June 1947(age 77)
OriginBolton,Lancashire, England
GenresProgressive rock,pop,folk,classical
Occupation(s)Singer, painter, songwriter, arranger
Instrument(s)Vocals, percussion
Years active1971–present
LabelsWhite Dove
Sire Records
Warner Bros. Records
Epic Records
Virgin Records(Japan)
Voiceprint Records
Transatlantic Records
Cherry Red Records
WebsiteAnnieHaslam.com

Annie Haslam(born 8 June 1947) is an English vocalist, songwriter and painter. She is best known as the lead singer of progressive rock bandRenaissancesince 1971, and for her long and diverse solo singing career. She has a five-octavevocal range.[1]From 2002, Haslam has developed a parallel career as avisual artist,producing paintings on canvas, painted musical instruments andgiclées.

Early history

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Originally a fashion student inCornwall,Haslam worked for aSavile Rowtailor inLondon.While there, she listened to the Beatles rooftop concert.[2]She later began studying underopera singerSybil Knight in 1970.[3]

Career with Renaissance

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In February 1971, Haslam became the new lead singer of Renaissance after answering an advertisement in the British periodicalMelody Makerand auditioning for the band inSurrey.[4] Charles Snider stated: "Annie Haslam's voice, soaring high along with the melody, is the big news. Far moreWest EndthanCarnaby Street,it would come to define the band. "[5]

With Renaissance, Haslam was lead vocalist on sevenstudio albumsduring their classic period (1972–1979), four studio albums from 1981–present,[6]and a number of live albums.

In August 1978 the band's single"Northern Lights"reached the top 10 in the UK singles charts.

Solo career

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In 1977, Haslam began her solo career with her albumAnnie in Wonderland,produced byRoy Wood,who played most of themusical instrumentsandduettedwith her on one track. The same year she performed on one track from theIntergalactic Touring Bandalbum. She has since released eight studio albums, three of which were released through her own record label, White Dove. Haslam has also collaborated withSteve Howeon a number of projects. Her 2006Live Studio Concert,was also released as her first solo DVD. Haslam released anEPcalledNight and Day,her first solo recording for some years, with Welsh rock bandMagentain 2006.[7]

Visual arts

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"Haslam as few among us, is blessed to channel her muse in a variety of ways"[8]wrote Melinda Rizzo inFine Art Magazine.One of these is visual arts:

  • her paintings have been used as cover art on the albums:
  • she has helped others to design her on-stage clothing[3]
  • she has painted musical instruments including guitars, and violins[8]
  • she has created giclées of many of her paintings
  • in 1975 she artistically hand-lettered the lyrics to "Mother Russia"for a British tour program.[10]

Festive season concert

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Starting in 1999, Haslam has, each year, performed a Christmas show calledIn the Spirit of the Holidays,originally at the Upper Tinicum Lutheran Church, and then at the larger Sellersville Theatre inSellersville, Pennsylvania,since 2006. The Christmas show has been held every year except 2012, due to the death of her friend and colleague, Michael Dunford, in November of that year. Haslam stated that "there was just too much sadness at the time."[11]Included in the program are secular, and religiousChristmas carols,as well as her own compositions, and some Renaissance songs.

Personal life

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Haslam has been avegetariansince the late 1980s.[12]In 1993, Haslam was diagnosed withbreast cancer,which she survived and which became the inspiration for her 1994 album,Blessing in Disguise.[13]

Haslam was engaged to musicianRoy Woodfor four years, which she later described as "four of the funniest years of my life".[14]In 1991, Haslam married Marc I. Hoffman ofNorth Wales, Pennsylvania.The marriage ended in divorce. She now resides inBucks County, Pennsylvania.[15][16]

Solo discography

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  • 1977:Annie in Wonderland
  • 1985:Still Life
  • 1989:Annie Haslam
  • 1994:Blessing in Disguise
  • 1995:Supper's Ready:(Genesis tribute Album) (guest vocalist)
  • 1995:Tales From Yesterday(Yes tribute Album) (guest vocalist)
  • 1998:Live Under Brazilian Skies
  • 1999:The Dawn of Ananda
  • 1999:Portraits of Bob DylanbySteve Howe(album) (guest vocalist)
  • 2000:It Snows in Heaven Too
  • 2002:One Enchanted Evening
  • 2005:IconbyJohn Wetton&Geoff Downes(album) (guest vocalist)
  • 2006:Miles of Musicby Bob Miles (guest vocalist)
  • 2006:Live Studio Concert
  • 2006:Night and Day EPwithMagentawritten for Haslam by Rob Reed andChristina Booth
  • 2007:Woman Transcending
  • 2012:Songs of the Century:(Supertramp tribute Album) (guest vocalist)
  • 2014: 'Live' Studio Concert Philadelphia 1997(Re-release)
  • 2017:Don't Give Up Single,duet withJann Klose

References

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  1. ^Snider, Charles (2007).The Strawberry Bricks Guide to Progressive Rock(1st ed.). Chicago: Strawberry Bricks. p. 207.ISBN978-0-615-17566-9
  2. ^"Perfect Sound Forever: Annie Haslam of Renaissance interview".Furious.com.
  3. ^abRomano, Will (2010).Mountains come out of the sky: an illustrated history of prog rock(1st Ed.). Montclair, NJ: Blackbeat Books. p. 132.ISBN978-0-87930-991-6
  4. ^Tobler, John (1992).NME's Rock 'n' Roll Years(1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p.223.ISBN978-0600576020.
  5. ^Snider, Charles (2007).The Strawberry Bricks Guide to Progressive Rock(1st ed.). Chicago: Strawberry Bricks. p. 127.ISBN978-0-615-17566-9
  6. ^Renaissance discography,AllMusic,Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  7. ^Night and Daylisting,AllMusic,Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  8. ^abRizzo, Melinda"Annie Haslam: Renaissance woman. The Sound and Colors of Love, Light and Peace"Fine Art MagazineSpring, 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  9. ^One Enchanted Evening(CD album notes). Annie Haslam. Voiceprint. 6 June 2005 [First released 2003].ASINB0009GUT8I.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ Elliott, Russell W."The History Of Renaissance".Nlightsweb.com.Retrieved25 May2014.
  11. ^Baron, John"Annie Haslam ‘In the Spirit of the Holidays’ at Sellersville Theater,"Bucks Local News.Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  12. ^"The Annie Haslam Interview".Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  13. ^Biography of Annie Haslam by Jason Ankeny,AllMusic,
  14. ^"Annie Haslam Interview by Martin Kinch".Cherryblossomclinic.110mb.com.Archived fromthe originalon 27 January 2010.Retrieved1 November2009.
  15. ^Gregory, Andy, ed. (2002).The International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002.London: Europa Publications. p. 222.ISBN1857431618.
  16. ^Shasho, Ray."Exclusive Interview with Annie Haslam the Enchanting Songstress of Renaissance".Classic Rock Here and Now.Retrieved7 May2017.
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