Solstice (British progressive rock band)

Solstice are an English neo-progressive, folk rock band formed in 1980. They are led by guitarist Andy Glass, who is the sole founding member still in the band.[1]

Solstice
OriginMilton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England
GenresProgressive rock, neo-progressive rock, art rock, acoustic rock, alternative rock, pop rock
Years active1980–present
LabelsEMI, Capitol
Associated acts3 Sticks
MembersAndy Glass
Emma Brown
Peter Helmsley
Steve McDaniels
Jenny Newman
Robin Phillips
Past membersKen Bowley
Clive Bunker
Barbara Deason
Marc Elton
Mark Hawkins
Heidi Kemp
Sandy Leigh
Shelley Patt
Sue Robinson
Craig Sunderland
Martin Wright

History

The band formed in 1980, and performed BBC sessions and received national music press coverage before splitting in 1985 (with one guest appearance in 1986). Their only album release in this period was 1984's Silent Dance.[2]

Interest generated by a CD reissue of Silent Dance led to a reunion in the nineties with two studio releases, New Life and Circles, and a live album, The Cropredy Set.[3]

Guitarist Andy Glass once more put the band on hold in order to focus on band 3sticks. A DVD release of the Cropredy performance preceded another reunion in 2007, with the entire back catalogue being remastered and issued in expanded "Definitive Edition" form. The band then toured the UK and, for the first time, mainland Europe.

Band members Andy Glass, Peter Helmsley, and Jenny Newman also work together in the band "3 Sticks".

Current members
  • Andy Glass - guitars
  • Jess Holland - vocals
  • Peter Helmsley - drums
  • Steve McDaniels - keyboards
  • Jenny Newman - violin
  • Robin Phillips - bass

Former members
  • Emma Brown - vocals
  • Ken Bowley - bass
  • Clive Bunker - drums
  • Barbara Deason - vocals
  • Marc Elton - violin, keyboards
  • Mark Hawkins - bass
  • Heidi Kemp - vocals
  • Sandy Leigh - vocals
  • Shelley Patt - vocals
  • Sue Robinson - vocals
  • Craig Sunderland - bass
  • Martin Wright - drums

Discography

Studio albums
  • Silent Dance (1984)[2]
  • New Life (1993)
  • Circles (1997)[3]
  • Spirit (2010)
  • Prophecy (2013)[4]

Live albums
  • The Cropredy Set (2002)
  • Kindred Spirits (2011)

Compilation albums
  • Pathways (1998)
  • Silent Dance - The Definitive Edition (2007)
  • New Life - The Definitive Edition (2007)
  • Circles - The Definitive Edition (2007)
  • The Cropredy Set - The Definitive Edition (2007)
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References
  1. Rob Caldwell. "Solstice | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  2. Smith, Bradley (1997). The Billboard Guide to Progressive Music. Billboard Books. p. 207.
  3. Lambe, Stephen (2012). Citizens of Hope and Glory: The Story of Progressive Rock. Amberley.
  4. "Superb new album from Andy Glass's on/off prog collective". Prog Magazine. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
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