Originally formed in Paris during 1968 student riots, Gong weave their unique magic of psychedelic jazz fusion, eastern/world music, synthesizers and loops, and deep space funk and punk – all laced with self-deprecating humour. Forty years on their underground influence is massive – and moving onward to 2032!
2009 is the 40th anniversary of the band Gong, which was conceived by founding members Daevid Allen and Gilli Smyth in France in the chaotic times of post-May 68 creative turmoil. Gong quickly rose to become one of France’s biggest bands and as a social phenomenon being France’s equivalent to the Grateful Dead.
By 1971, Gong made their UK debut at the legendary Glastonbury Festival.
After releasing their second album “Camembert Electrique” on the BYG label in France in 1972, Gong developed a relationship with the new start-up Virgin Records. This was the point when Steve Hillage and Mike Howlett joined the band. The “classic” period of 1973-75 was a roller-coaster ride of gigs festivals and album releases with the first Virgin Records album releases “Flying Teapot”, “Angel’s Egg” and “You”.
One master-stroke was Richard Branson’s idea to re-release “Camembert Electrique” at the budget price of 50p. This became a top ten smash album and sold over 70,000 copies in the UK, bringing the band to an ever wider audience.
By the autumn of 1974, the “You” album hit the UK Top Ten album charts during the first week of release. These three albums between them have sold well in excess of 1 million copies. Since being re-mastered and reissued by Virgin in 2003 they continue to sell.
Gong is cited as a primary influence by many new generation “psychedelic” artists and also by many major figures in the dance music scene.
The full surviving line up first played together again in November 2006 at a special sold-out Gong event in Amsterdam. In 2008 this line up played two sold-out shows at the London Kentish Town Forum and the Queen Elizabeth Hall. At the latter, Gong were invited to play by Massive Attack as part of the 2008 Meltdown Festival.
01 City of Self Fascination
02 Digital Girl
03 How To Stay Alive
04 Escape Control Delete
05 Yoni Poem
06 Dance With The Pixies
07 Wacky Baccy Banker
08 The Year 2032
09 Robo-Warriors
10 Guitar Zero
11 The Gris Gris Girl
12 Wave And A Particle
13 Pinkle Ponkle
14 Portal
Daevid Allen / vocals, guitars
Gilli Smyth / space whisper
Steve Hillage / guitar
Miquette Giraudy / synthesizer, vocals
Mike Howlett / bass
Chris Taylor / drums
Theo Travis / saxophone, flute
