Annie Haslam

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Annie Haslam
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 band

visual artist, producing paintings on canvas, painted musical instruments and giclées
.

Early history

Originally a fashion student in

opera singer Sybil Knight in 1970.[3]

Career with Renaissance

In February 1971, Haslam became the new lead singer of Renaissance after answering an advertisement in the British periodical Melody Maker and auditioning for the band in Surrey.[4] Charles Snider stated: "Annie Haslam's voice, soaring high along with the melody, is the big news. Far more West End than Carnaby Street, it would come to define the band."[5]

With Renaissance, Haslam was lead vocalist on seven

studio albums during 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

In 1977, Haslam began her solo career with her album

Steve Howe
on a number of projects. Her 2006 Live Studio Concert, was also released as her first solo DVD. Haslam released an EP called Night and Day, her first solo recording for some years, with Welsh rock band Magenta in 2006.[7]

Visual arts

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

  • her paintings have been used as cover art on the albums:
    • One Enchanted Evening,[9] by Annie Haslam
    • Woman Transcending by Annie Haslam –
    • Night and Day by Annie Haslam with Magenta
    • Symphony of Light
      by Renaissance
    • Speak by I and Thou
    • Song of Times by Starcastle
  • 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

Starting in 1999, Haslam has, each year, performed a Christmas show called In the Spirit of the Holidays, originally at the Upper Tinicum Lutheran Church, and then at the larger Sellersville Theatre in

Christmas carols
, as well as her own compositions, and some Renaissance songs.

Personal life

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

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

Solo discography

  • 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:
    Steve Howe
    (album) (guest vocalist)
  • 2000: It Snows in Heaven Too
  • 2002: One Enchanted Evening
  • 2005: Icon by John Wetton & Geoff Downes (album) (guest vocalist)
  • 2006: Miles of Music by Bob Miles (guest vocalist)
  • 2006: Live Studio Concert
  • 2006: Night and Day EP with Magenta written for Haslam by Rob Reed and Christina 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 with Jann Klose

References

  1. ^ "Perfect Sound Forever: Annie Haslam of Renaissance interview". Furious.com.
  2. ^
  3. .
  4. ^ Renaissance discography, AllMusic, Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  5. ^ Night and Day listing, AllMusic, Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  6. ^ a b Rizzo, Melinda "Annie Haslam: Renaissance woman. The Sound and Colors of Love, Light and Peace" Fine Art Magazine Spring, 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  7. ASIN B0009GUT8I.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link
    )
  8. ^ Elliott, Russell W. "The History Of Renaissance". Nlightsweb.com. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  9. ^ Baron, John "Annie Haslam ‘In the Spirit of the Holidays’ at Sellersville Theater," Bucks Local News. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  10. ^ "The Annie Haslam Interview". Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  11. ^ Biography of Annie Haslam by Jason Ankeny, AllMusic,
  12. ^ "Annie Haslam Interview by Martin Kinch". Cherryblossomclinic.110mb.com. Archived from the original on 27 January 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  13. .
  14. ^ Shasho, Ray. "Exclusive Interview with Annie Haslam the Enchanting Songstress of Renaissance". Classic Rock Here and Now. Retrieved 7 May 2017.

External links