Tich Gwilym
Encyclopedia
Tich Gwilym born Robert Gilliam (1951 - 19 June 2005) was a Welsh
rock guitarist who was most notable for his Hendrix inspired version of the Welsh national anthem, "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
", considered one of the most famous renditions of the song.
, in the Rhondda Valley in 1951. One of Gwilym's earliest bands was Kimla Taz, who he played with during the late 1960s. Although the band never gained any mainstream success, they were popular in South Wales and in 1969 played at the Croeso '69 Blues Festival at Abergavenny
, alongside the likes of Fleetwood Mac
and Jethro Tull
.
Gwilym found fame in the 1970s, when as part of Geraint Jarman a'r Cynganeddwyr, he recorded the Welsh national anthem on the electric guitar. The Jimi Hendrix inspired version, which first appeared on Jarman's 1978 album also called Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, became synonymous with Gwilym and has appeared on compilation albums of Welsh artists. In 2006, an eight track recording of the Welsh national anthem was 'discovered' in London. At the time it was alleged that this was a lost version by Hendrix, though others claimed that it was a rendition by Gwilym. When approached, ex-band member Geraint Jarman dismissed both claims, stating that 'It's definitely not Tich because his style was more like Hendrix's than the actual tape'. It was later discovered that the version was a hoax, perpetrated by record producer Martin Davies
and ex-guitarist of The Vibrators
, John Ellis
.
In 1989, Gwilym joined the Superclarkes alongside Burke Shelley
, vocalist and bassist of Welsh band Budgie
, but playing guitar with the Superclarkes, and bass player Peter Morgan. The band lasted until 1993 when Morgan moved to the USA. In the 1990s Gwilym also played alongside Welsh folk singer Siân James, joining her on a tour of Japan in 1998.
in Cardiff
. A fire broke out, after an unattended candle lit by the owner accidentally set clothes alight. Gwilym became trapped in the attic and was overcome by thick smoke and poisonous gasses. An inquest into the fire in 2006 recorded a verdict of accidental death. A memorial concert was held for Gwilym at the Coal Exchange in Cardiff, and featured Welsh acts such as Man
and Racing Cars
.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
rock guitarist who was most notable for his Hendrix inspired version of the Welsh national anthem, "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau is the national anthem of Wales. The title – taken from the first words of the song – means "Old Land of My Fathers", usually rendered in English as simply "Land of My Fathers". The words were written by Evan James and the tune composed by his son, James James, both residents...
", considered one of the most famous renditions of the song.
Musical career
Gwilym was born in PenygraigPenygraig
Penygraig is a village and community in the Rhondda Valley in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales...
, in the Rhondda Valley in 1951. One of Gwilym's earliest bands was Kimla Taz, who he played with during the late 1960s. Although the band never gained any mainstream success, they were popular in South Wales and in 1969 played at the Croeso '69 Blues Festival at Abergavenny
Abergavenny
Abergavenny , meaning Mouth of the River Gavenny, is a market town in Monmouthshire, Wales. It is located 15 miles west of Monmouth on the A40 and A465 roads, 6 miles from the English border. Originally the site of a Roman fort, Gobannium, it became a medieval walled town within the Welsh Marches...
, alongside the likes of Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
and Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
.
Gwilym found fame in the 1970s, when as part of Geraint Jarman a'r Cynganeddwyr, he recorded the Welsh national anthem on the electric guitar. The Jimi Hendrix inspired version, which first appeared on Jarman's 1978 album also called Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, became synonymous with Gwilym and has appeared on compilation albums of Welsh artists. In 2006, an eight track recording of the Welsh national anthem was 'discovered' in London. At the time it was alleged that this was a lost version by Hendrix, though others claimed that it was a rendition by Gwilym. When approached, ex-band member Geraint Jarman dismissed both claims, stating that 'It's definitely not Tich because his style was more like Hendrix's than the actual tape'. It was later discovered that the version was a hoax, perpetrated by record producer Martin Davies
Martin Wilding Davies
Martin Wilding Davies is a Welsh screenwriter, political theorist, and designer noted for his design of the Welsh street fashion label, The Red Dragonhood....
and ex-guitarist of The Vibrators
The Vibrators
- Early career:The Vibrators were founded by Ian 'Knox' Carnochan, bassist Pat Collier, guitarist John Ellis, and drummer John 'Eddie' Edwards. They first came to public notice at the 100 Club when they backed Chris Spedding in 1976. On Spedding's recommendation, Mickie Most signed them to his...
, John Ellis
John Ellis (guitarist)
John Ellis is an English guitarist and songwriter.-Career:He was a co-founder of the pub rock band Bazooka Joe in 1970 and a founding member of the punk rock band The Vibrators. Ellis formed The Vibrators in 1974 while still at art school studying illustration. The Vibrators released two albums...
.
In 1989, Gwilym joined the Superclarkes alongside Burke Shelley
Burke Shelley
Burke Shelley is the bass guitarist and vocalist of the Welsh rock group Budgie.In 1982 Shelley was reported to be a born again Christian....
, vocalist and bassist of Welsh band Budgie
Budgie (band)
Budgie is a Welsh Hard Rock/Heavy Metal band from Cardiff. They are widely considered as one of the first heavy metal bands and a seminal influence to many acts of that scene, with fast, heavy rock being played as early as 1971. The band has been noted as "among the heaviest metal of its day"...
, but playing guitar with the Superclarkes, and bass player Peter Morgan. The band lasted until 1993 when Morgan moved to the USA. In the 1990s Gwilym also played alongside Welsh folk singer Siân James, joining her on a tour of Japan in 1998.
Death
In 2005, Gwilym was staying in a house in CantonCanton, Cardiff
Canton is an inner-city district and community in the west of Cardiff, capital of Wales, lying west of the city's civic centre. One of the most ethnically diverse of Cardiff's suburbs, with a significant Asian population such as Pakistanis and Indians, Canton has a population just in excess of...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. A fire broke out, after an unattended candle lit by the owner accidentally set clothes alight. Gwilym became trapped in the attic and was overcome by thick smoke and poisonous gasses. An inquest into the fire in 2006 recorded a verdict of accidental death. A memorial concert was held for Gwilym at the Coal Exchange in Cardiff, and featured Welsh acts such as Man
Man (band)
Man are a rock band from South Wales whose style is a mixture of West Coast psychedelia, progressive rock, blues and country-rock. Formed in 1968 as a reincarnation of Welsh rock harmony group ‘’The Bystanders’’, Man are renowned for the extended jams in their live performances, and having had...
and Racing Cars
Racing Cars
Racing Cars are a Welsh pop band, formed in the Rhondda Valley, Wales in 1973.-Career:They were signed to one of the biggest British record labels of the time, Chrysalis Records. Racing Cars's debut album yielded their only hit single with "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?"...
.