Gary Thain, bassist (electric) by Tom Semioli

 

Seminal Sides: Sweet Freedom (1973), Wonderworld (1974) with Uriah Heep, Halfbreed (1969), Overdog (1971) with the Keef Hartley Band

 

Artists / Bands: Uriah Heep, The Keef Hartley Band, The Strangers, Me & The Others 

 

Gary’s playing style on his Fender (Jazz) bass and choice of flat-wound strings made for a distinct sound. He never used a plectrum (pick), preferring to use his thumb, the result being a very pure bass sound without the harsh “attack” sound and harmonics that would normally result from using a pick. Studying Gary’s face and body motions during a performance would reveal a very intense focus on his part for the particular song being performed. Todd Fisher (Uriah Heep crew member – as told to Uriah-Heep Com)

 

‘Twas a time when hard rock bassists brought their formidable understanding of jazz, classical, and blues to the genre – as evidenced in the bass artistry of the late, great Gary Thain with Uriah Heep.

 

A master pocket and melodic player Thain paid his dues with the influential Keef Hartley Blues Band in the late 1960s, appearing on such seminal sides as Halfbreed (1969) and Overdog (1971), and lifted Heep into their golden era when he joined the lads in the early 1970s.

 

Though the prog-metal masterpiece The Magician’s Birthday (1972) is considered to be the New Zealand native’s greatest work with the potent Heep, dig Thain’s wicked rhythm and blues grooves which bolster the underrated Sweet Freedom (1973) and Wonderworld (1974)– wherein Gary’s resonate Fender bass work boogies akin to the soul masters James Jamerson, Chuck Rainey, and Jerry Jemmott.

 

After toiling in bands in his native New Zealand, most notably The Strangers which waxed three singles, Gary anchored an ensemble which worked under the moniker Me and The Others. That band toured extensively throughout Europe, wherein he caught the attention of Keef Hartley. Gary cut five albums with Hartley and appeared at Woodstock ‘69, among other high profile festivals.

 

Sadly Gary battled substances and personal problems during his time with Heep, including an on stage electrocution, which he never recovered from. He passed at the age of 27 in 1975.

Gary Thain Sound and Vision

 

 

Dig Gary with The Strangers “Alright” https://youtu.be/EQqSN9JgQBE

 

 

Dig Gary with the Keef Hartley Band:

 

 

“You Say Your Together Now” with Gary on lead vocals: https://youtu.be/9-xGSul9rpk

 

 

“Marin County” https://youtu.be/YEgFRZngk54

 

 

“Leavin’ Trunk” https://youtu.be/6yP1E5YNxBk

 

 

Gary anchoring Keef’s “Little Big Band” https://youtu.be/KsLJjNLx9Mw

 

 

Dig Gary with Uriah Heep…

 

 

“Dreamer” https://youtu.be/6uFsuDnc7l8

 

 

“The Wizard” https://youtu.be/QaRXQkuB2SM

 

 

Live At Shepperton 1974 (“Easy Livin’‘ “So Tired” “Stealin’ “Love Machine” https://youtu.be/RdfHizhN2FE

 

 

Live in Tokyo “Sunrise” https://youtu.be/qVobQTaoV7s

 

 

“Something or Nothing” https://youtu.be/_uHYdB2Sncw