Ian Lloyd (musician)
Encyclopedia
Ian Lloyd is an American rock singer and songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the band Stories
, whose single "Brother Louie" was No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100 chart in 1973. Lloyd attended Hartwick College
during the 1960's where he performed with a band called "The Section" using the stage name
Lloyd London. The Section was one of two prominent local bands, the second being "The Other Half". Both bands consisted of Hartwick undergraduates that enjoyed mutual friendships and a great local collegiate following. Both Lloyd and "The Other Half" shared the commonality of having recorded at Bell Sound (later Bell Records
) in New York City.
In 1971 Michael Brown and Ian Lloyd formed Stories
. They released two albums ("About Us" and "Stories" with a handful of Billboard-Top-40 charting songs. Brown left before the band recorded their third (and final) album, which was released under the name, "Ian Lloyd and Stories".
After Stories he pursued a solo career, with six albums to his credit. Lloyd has performed with numerous outfits, assuming the role of a session musician
. His long discography of work includes background work with artists such as Foreigner
, Billy Joel
, and Yes
. Lloyd continues to write, record and perform.
and violin
, he first reached international acclaim as lead singer for the band Stories, formed with Michael Brown
of The Left Banke
in the early 70s. Lloyd sang lead on Stories' songs like "I'm Coming Home" (played as an anthem during the return of the Iranian hostages) as well as "Brother Louie".
Rolling Stone
praised Lloyd's songwriting, saying he displayed "a lyricist's most essential gift -- the ability to produce a verbal approximation of the music's ambiance." http://www.superseventies.com/spstories.html. He wrote songs for Elkie Brooks
's 1975 album, Rich Man's Woman
.
After a successful run, Stories disbanded and Lloyd pursued a solo career. His albums were well-received. In particular was his 1976 eponymous debut, 1979's Goosebumps (which produced a Top 40 hit "Slip Away" written by Ric Ocasek
of The Cars
), Third Wave Civilization (1980), and Planet X (1997). His solo efforts never matched the commercial success of Stories.
, who used Lloyd's vocals on hits like "Feels Like the First Time
," "Cold as Ice
," "Waiting for a Girl Like You
," "Juke Box Hero
", and "Double Vision
." Lloyd can also be heard on Billy Joel
’s "I Go to Extremes
", as well as tracks by Yes
, Peter Frampton
, Survivor
, and Ian McDonald
(of King Crimson
and Foreigner fame).
. His group, the Ian Lloyd Band, is composed of Lloyd, Dan Natelli (guitar), Antti Janhunen (bass) and Walter Goldstein (drums). The band and perform in New York City and other parts of the United States. In addition to their repertoire of Stories' music and Ian's solo tunes, they are currently playing tracks from his new album, In the Land of O-de-PO, which was released in 2009.
In addition to projects of his own, Ian Lloyd has been a member of New York rock act Social Hero since 1998, performing alongside his son, frontman David Lloyd. He contributed vocals to Social Hero's first album, The Famous, released in 2009.
Stories (band)
Stories was a rock and pop music band, based out of New York in the early 1970s. The band consisted of keyboardist Michael Brown, bassist/vocalist Ian Lloyd, guitarist Steve Love, and drummer Bryan Madey, and had a Number 1 hit with a cover of Hot Chocolate's "Brother Louie."-Band history:Lloyd ...
, whose single "Brother Louie" was No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100 chart in 1973. Lloyd attended Hartwick College
Hartwick College
Hartwick College is a non-denominational, private, four-year liberal arts and sciences college located in Oneonta, New York, in the United States. The institution was founded as Hartwick Seminary in 1797 through the will of John Christopher Hartwick, and is now known as Hartwick College...
during the 1960's where he performed with a band called "The Section" using the stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Lloyd London. The Section was one of two prominent local bands, the second being "The Other Half". Both bands consisted of Hartwick undergraduates that enjoyed mutual friendships and a great local collegiate following. Both Lloyd and "The Other Half" shared the commonality of having recorded at Bell Sound (later Bell Records
Bell Records
Bell Records was an American record label founded in 1952 by Arthur Shimkin in New York, the owner of children's record label Golden Records, and initially a unit of Pocket Books, after the rights to the name were acquired from Benny Bell who used the Bell name to issue risque novelty records. A...
) in New York City.
In 1971 Michael Brown and Ian Lloyd formed Stories
Stories (band)
Stories was a rock and pop music band, based out of New York in the early 1970s. The band consisted of keyboardist Michael Brown, bassist/vocalist Ian Lloyd, guitarist Steve Love, and drummer Bryan Madey, and had a Number 1 hit with a cover of Hot Chocolate's "Brother Louie."-Band history:Lloyd ...
. They released two albums ("About Us" and "Stories" with a handful of Billboard-Top-40 charting songs. Brown left before the band recorded their third (and final) album, which was released under the name, "Ian Lloyd and Stories".
After Stories he pursued a solo career, with six albums to his credit. Lloyd has performed with numerous outfits, assuming the role of a session musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
. His long discography of work includes background work with artists such as Foreigner
Foreigner (band)
Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in 1976 by veteran English musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm...
, Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
, and Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
. Lloyd continues to write, record and perform.
Stories
Although Lloyd was classically trained on both pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, he first reached international acclaim as lead singer for the band Stories, formed with Michael Brown
Michael Brown (rock musician)
Michael Brown , is an American keyboardist-songwriter. The son of violinist and arranger Harry Lookofsky, he is best known as the principal songwriter for the 1960s baroque-pop outfit The Left Banke and for writing their two hits "Walk Away Renee" and "Pretty Ballerina".After internal band...
of The Left Banke
The Left Banke
The Left Banke is an American baroque pop band that formed in New York City in 1965 and disbanded in 1969. They are best remembered for their two U.S. hit singles, "Walk Away Renée" and "Pretty Ballerina"...
in the early 70s. Lloyd sang lead on Stories' songs like "I'm Coming Home" (played as an anthem during the return of the Iranian hostages) as well as "Brother Louie".
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
praised Lloyd's songwriting, saying he displayed "a lyricist's most essential gift -- the ability to produce a verbal approximation of the music's ambiance." http://www.superseventies.com/spstories.html. He wrote songs for Elkie Brooks
Elkie Brooks
Elkie Brooks is an English singer, formerly a vocalist with Vinegar Joe, and later a solo artist. Elkie has been nominated twice for Brit Awards' top female singer. She is known for her powerful husky voice...
's 1975 album, Rich Man's Woman
Rich Man's Woman
-Background:Brooks' solo debut in 1975 was released in a blaze of publicity and a promotional week at London's Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. Recorded as a rock album in the vein of her work with Vinegar Joe, A&M Records were unhappy with the direction and decided to tone the album down, producing...
.
After a successful run, Stories disbanded and Lloyd pursued a solo career. His albums were well-received. In particular was his 1976 eponymous debut, 1979's Goosebumps (which produced a Top 40 hit "Slip Away" written by Ric Ocasek
Ric Ocasek
Ric Ocasek is an American musician and music producer. He is best known as lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band, The Cars....
of The Cars
The Cars
The Cars are an American rock band that emerged from the early New Wave music scene in the late 1970s. The band consisted of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek, lead singer and bassist Benjamin Orr, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson...
), Third Wave Civilization (1980), and Planet X (1997). His solo efforts never matched the commercial success of Stories.
As a backing vocalist
As a backup singer, Lloyd worked with numerous major recording artists, most notably ForeignerForeigner (band)
Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in 1976 by veteran English musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm...
, who used Lloyd's vocals on hits like "Feels Like the First Time
Feels Like the First Time
"Feels Like the First Time" is the debut single from Foreigner. It was written by Mick Jones and released in 1977 from the band's eponymous debut album. It reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100....
," "Cold as Ice
Cold as Ice (song)
"Cold as Ice" is a 1977 song by British-American rock band Foreigner from their self-titled debut album. It became one of the best known songs of the band in the U.S., peaking at number 6 in the Billboard Hot 100. It was initially the B-side of some versions of the "Feels Like the First Time" 45...
," "Waiting for a Girl Like You
Waiting for a Girl Like You
"Waiting for a Girl like You" is a song by British-American rock band Foreigner. The distinctive synthesizer theme was performed by the then-unknown Thomas Dolby.-Chart performance:...
," "Juke Box Hero
Juke Box Hero
"Juke Box Hero" is a song by Foreigner and was the third single released from their 1981 album 4. It first entered the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in July 1981. It subsequently went to #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts after released in February 1982.The song focuses on a...
", and "Double Vision
Double Vision (song)
This article is about the Foreigner song. For the 3OH!3 song, see Double Vision "Double Vision" is a single by Foreigner from their second album of the same name...
." Lloyd can also be heard on Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
’s "I Go to Extremes
I Go to Extremes
"I Go to Extremes" is the fourth track on Billy Joel's 1989 album, Storm Front. It was released as the second single from the album in 1990. It peaked at the number six position on the Billboard Hot 100, and at #70 on the UK chart. The song was also a top ten hit on both the Adult Contemporary...
", as well as tracks by Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
, Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton
Peter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
, Survivor
Survivor (band)
Survivor is an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1978. The band achieved its greatest success in the 1980s with its AOR sound, which garnered many charting singles, especially in the United States. The band is best known for its double platinum-certified 1982 hit "Eye of the Tiger", the theme...
, and Ian McDonald
Ian McDonald (musician)
Ian McDonald is an English multi-instrumental musician, best known as a founding member of progressive rock group King Crimson, formed in 1969, and of the hard rock band Foreigner in 1976. He is well-known as a rock session musician, predominantly as a saxophonist...
(of King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
and Foreigner fame).
The Ian Lloyd Band & Social Hero
Lloyd continues to reside in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. His group, the Ian Lloyd Band, is composed of Lloyd, Dan Natelli (guitar), Antti Janhunen (bass) and Walter Goldstein (drums). The band and perform in New York City and other parts of the United States. In addition to their repertoire of Stories' music and Ian's solo tunes, they are currently playing tracks from his new album, In the Land of O-de-PO, which was released in 2009.
In addition to projects of his own, Ian Lloyd has been a member of New York rock act Social Hero since 1998, performing alongside his son, frontman David Lloyd. He contributed vocals to Social Hero's first album, The Famous, released in 2009.
External links
- Ian Lloyd homepage
- Social Hero homepage
- [ Allmusic discography]