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Glenn Tilbrook | |
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.jpg) Tilbrook performing withSqueeze in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Glenn Martin Tilbrook (1957-08-31)31 August 1957 (age 68) Woolwich, London, England |
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| Website | glenntilbrook |
Glenn Martin Tilbrook (born 31 August 1957) is an English singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is the lead singer and guitarist of the Englishnew wave bandSqueeze, a band formed in the mid-1970s who broke through in the new wave era at the decade's end. He generally writes themusic for Squeeze's songs, while his writing partner,Chris Difford, writes thelyrics.[1] In addition to his songwriting skills, Tilbrook is respected both as a singer and an accomplished guitarist.
Tilbrook formed Squeeze with fellow guitarist and vocalistChris Difford in the mid-1970s. Difford had placed an advertisement at a local shop looking for a guitarist and Tilbrook was the only person to respond. Tilbrook also recruited school friendJools Holland to join the band in its early stages.[2]
Tilbrook and Difford would ultimately form a songwriting partnership that is responsible for writing most Squeeze songs, with Tilbrook writing music and Difford writing lyrics. Tilbrook also serves as lead guitarist and performs guitar solos on the band's music. On his guitar style, Tilbrook commented:
I'm very conscious of my guitar playing, particularly early on, and I wouldn’t trust myself to improvise. It's a sort of an insecurity on my part. ... [One person] who really influenced me is the guy who played the solo onthe Carpenters' "Goodbye to Love"[Tony Peluso]. That solo really stuck with me. And it's interesting, because ... it starts with the tune and then it branches off into this wonderful thing. You know, it's like in a musical. A song should carry the plot forward. I think the guitar solo should carry the music forward and not just hang around.[3]
In 1982 Squeeze had disbanded. The chemistry between Tilbrook and Difford could not be as easily dismissed however, and the ensuing record they made together in 1984 has become the “lost” Squeeze album for many fans.[4] However, the partnership began to fray under the duress of Difford's struggles with addiction and questions over the band's commercial and creative direction.[2] The band would again break up in 1999 and remain dormant until a reunion in 2007.
During Squeeze's first hiatus, from approximately 1983 to 1985, Tilbrook wrote, recorded, and toured with Difford asDifford & Tilbrook. Their album,Difford & Tilbrook was released in 1984, and remastered and reissued in 2006.[5]
Tilbrook contributed guitar on 1976 demos for punk bandThe Only Ones.[6]
Tilbrook, alongside Chris Difford, appeared on several songs on the 1995 albumI'm With Stupid, including most notably the single "That's Just What You Are", by Americanalternative rock singer-songwriterAimee Mann, with both contributing backing vocals, and Tilbrook playing lead guitar.
On 18 June 1996, before the Euro '96 England vs. The Netherlands match atWembley Stadium, Tilbrook appeared on ITV to sing the national anthem, "God Save the Queen".[7]
Following Squeeze's second breakup in 1999, Tilbrook pursued a solo career, often touring around the UK and US in anRV, playing small venues. He released two solo albums,The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook andTransatlantic Ping Pong. Tilbrook co-wrote some of the songs for his solo recordings with artists such asRon Sexsmith,Chris Braide andAimee Mann.
In 2006, the film documentaryGlenn Tilbrook: One for the Road was released. It followed Tilbrook on his November 2001 tour across the United States. In 2007, Tilbrook took time off from his solo career to tour once again with Squeeze who had reformed for the third time.
In April 2007, Tilbrook releasedThe Past Has Been Bottled, the first in a five-disc series of remastered demos. The first release included early versions of tracks from Squeeze'sEast Side Story. The second volume,In The Sky Above, was released in the UK in November 2007, and covered the period from 1993 through 1998. The third volume,Dreams Are Made of This, was released in November 2009 and covered Squeeze's early years, from 1974 to 1980. The fourth volumeWhen Daylight Appears, was released in 2011 and covered the years 1985 to 1991.[8] The fifth volume,Upon The Rocks, was released in 2016 and covered the years 1981 to 1984.[9]
Along withClem Curtis,Roy Phillips, andLinda Lewis etc., Tilbrook collaborated withLord Large. He recorded the song, "Man Don't Stick Around Too Long", which appeared on the 2007 album,The Lord's First XI.[10][11]
In 2008, Tilbrook previewed new material while on tour with the Fluffers, two members of whom are also members of the latest Squeeze line-up. A four-track single "Binga Bong!" was released in November 2008. The albumPandemonium Ensues, credited to Glenn Tilbrook and The Fluffers, was released in March 2009. The 14-track album was produced by Tilbrook and Andrew J. Jones, and mixed byBob Clearmountain. It featured guest appearances fromJohnny Depp on "Too Close to the Sun" and Depp's then girlfriend,Vanessa Paradis, on "Interest & Love."
In January 2010 it was announced that Tilbrook and Difford would be spending part of the coming summer inItaly, together writing songs for a new Squeeze album. The result of this was a 4-song CD of new demo recordings which emerged during their 2012 tour of the US. The duo toured the UK and US again in 2014–15 with a program they called 'The At Odds Couple'.[12]
In 2014, Tilbrook released a mostly acoustic album titledHappy Ending,[13] Later that year, he was featured on the compilationSongs from a Stolen Spring that pairedWestern musicians with artists from theArab Spring. On the album, Tilbrook's performance of theBob Marley andPeter Tosh song "Get Up, Stand Up" wasmeshed with Egyptian singerDina El Wedidi's "Beyond These Doors".[14]
The Fluffers | |
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| Genres | Rock,power pop |
| Years active | 2003–present |
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| Website | The Fluffers |
The Fluffers is the name of Tilbrook's band when he performs withoutSqueeze. They tour internationally, and consist of Tilbrook,Stephen Large (keyboards),Simon Hanson (drums) and Lucy Shaw (electric bass).[15]
Tilbrook was born inWoolwich, London on 31 August 1957.[16][17]
Tilbrook has his own recording studio, 45RPM, inCharlton. It has been used by other bands such asNine Below Zero.[18] Tilbrook supportsCharlton Athletic F.C. and in 1998 Squeeze released "Down in the Valley", a tribute to his boyhood team.[citation needed]
Tilbrook is a supporter of theLove Hope Strength Foundation, a cancer charity founded byMike Peters ofThe Alarm, and has played concerts in aid of the organisation, including one at base camp,Mount Everest.[19]
He was married to Pam Baker in the early and mid-1980s; the couple struggled with heroin abuse.[20] Pam and Tilbrook divorced. He then married Jane. They had two sons. He is now married to Suzanne Hunt, who is also his manager, with whom he had another two sons. All four of his sons are musicians.[21]
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