Robin Wilson (musician)
Encyclopedia
Robin Wilson is an American musician, most notable for his work as the lead vocalist
of the rock
band, Gin Blossoms
.
of Gin Blossoms in 1988, but switched places early on with vocalist Jesse Valenzuela
. He remained a member of the band until their breakup in 1997, during which time the band came out with two albums. Their hit debut album New Miserable Experience
went double platinum and featured singles "Hey Jealousy
", "Found Out About You
", "Mrs. Rita", "Until I Fall Away
", and Wilson's "Allison Road
". Their next album, Congratulations I'm Sorry, which went platinum, featured singles "Follow You Down
", "As Long as it Matters", "Not Only Numb", and "Day Job", as well as Wilson's "Highwire". After the breakup of Gin Blossoms, Wilson was the lead vocalist and songwriter for the band Gas Giants
, which also included guitarist Dan Henzerling and former Gin Blossoms drummer Phil Rhodes. He also contributed vocals for The Longshadows
album Simple Minded Way.
Robin runs his own studio Uranus Recording in Tempe, Arizona
, which he opened in 1994. When the Gin Blossoms reunited in 2002, Wilson began touring with the band as well as recording the album, Major Lodge Victory, that was released on August 8, 2006 and featured singles "Learning the Hard Way
" and "Long Time Gone".
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
of the rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band, Gin Blossoms
Gin Blossoms
Gin Blossoms is an American pop rock band formed in 1987, in Tempe, Arizona. They took their name from a photo of W.C. Fields which bore the caption "W.C. Fields with gin blossoms", referring to what appeared to be the actor's gin-ravaged nose, but was actually a skin condition known as rosacea...
.
Career
Wilson replaced Richard Taylor as guitaristGuitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
of Gin Blossoms in 1988, but switched places early on with vocalist Jesse Valenzuela
Jesse Valenzuela
Jesse Valenzuela was the original vocalist of the alternative rock band Gin Blossoms when it was formed in 1987. In 1988, he switched roles with the band's new guitarist, Robin Wilson. He continued to be a member until the band's breakup in 1997, and reunited with the rest of the group in 2002...
. He remained a member of the band until their breakup in 1997, during which time the band came out with two albums. Their hit debut album New Miserable Experience
New Miserable Experience
New Miserable Experience is the breakthrough album by pop-rock band the Gin Blossoms, released on August 4, 1992. The album was released to little fanfare and relatively lackluster reviews. However, nearly a year after its release, lead single "Hey Jealousy" ascended into the top 40, with "Found...
went double platinum and featured singles "Hey Jealousy
Hey Jealousy
"Hey Jealousy" is a song by the Gin Blossoms. The song was included in the group's debut album Dusted , and then was re-recorded on their breakthrough 1992 album New Miserable Experience. It was written by lead guitarist Doug Hopkins, who was fired from the band shortly after the recording of the...
", "Found Out About You
Found Out About You
"Found Out About You" is the fourth single from the Gin Blossoms' second album New Miserable Experience, recorded in 1992. Written by lead guitarist Doug Hopkins, who was fired from the band after the album, the Gin Blossoms had previously recorded it on their 1989 debut album Dusted...
", "Mrs. Rita", "Until I Fall Away
Until I Fall Away
"Until I Fall Away" is a single from the Gin Blossoms. It reached #13 on the modern rock chart in 1993....
", and Wilson's "Allison Road
Allison Road
-History:In 1989, Robin Wilson passed by a sign on his way to El Paso that read "Next Exit Allison Road." His friend with whom he was riding had a sister named Allison, and so they stopped to take a picture. Five months later, Wilson had the picture and was bored...
". Their next album, Congratulations I'm Sorry, which went platinum, featured singles "Follow You Down
Follow You Down
"Follow You Down" is the third song from the album Congratulations... I'm Sorry by Gin Blossoms, and was released as a double-A side single along with "Til I Hear It from You". According to an interview by Songfacts with Gin Blossoms songwriter Jesse Valenzuela, this song was written at the very...
", "As Long as it Matters", "Not Only Numb", and "Day Job", as well as Wilson's "Highwire". After the breakup of Gin Blossoms, Wilson was the lead vocalist and songwriter for the band Gas Giants
Gas Giants
Gas Giants were a pop rock band from Tempe, Arizona, formed as a successor project to the Gin Blossoms. The group was known as The Pharaohs when they formed in 1997, but changed their name after their label, A&M Records, merged with Universal Records and the band changed hands, re-signing with...
, which also included guitarist Dan Henzerling and former Gin Blossoms drummer Phil Rhodes. He also contributed vocals for The Longshadows
The Longshadows
The Longshadows are a musical collaboration between Gin Blossoms vocalist Robin Wilson and composer/producer Steve French formally of brit/pop band Starclub.- History :...
album Simple Minded Way.
Robin runs his own studio Uranus Recording in Tempe, Arizona
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
, which he opened in 1994. When the Gin Blossoms reunited in 2002, Wilson began touring with the band as well as recording the album, Major Lodge Victory, that was released on August 8, 2006 and featured singles "Learning the Hard Way
Learning the Hard Way
Learning The Hard Way was the lead-off single from Major Lodge Victory, the first album released by pop-rock band, Gin Blossoms in ten years. It was promoted late summer and fall of 2006, and received heavy AAA airplay...
" and "Long Time Gone".