May Music Challenge - DAY 11: An Artist That I've Met (Part 1): ALAN PARSONS

 

When you ask someone if they have ever heard of Alan Parsons, they will most probably say "yes".  They will probably remark about "Eye In The Sky", "Time", or one of the other hits to surface from this collective in the mid-to-late 70's and throughout much of the 80's.  And, if you happen to come across someone who hasn't heard OF them, chance are they have actually HEARD them.

The song "Sirius" (the intro to the track and album, "Eye In The Sky") has been used to introduce at least 2 NBA teams over the past 15 years.  

Many people do not know that Alan Parsons began his career as an engineer at Abbey Road Studios, working with such luminaries as The Beatles (perhaps you've heard of them) and Pink Floyd.  In 1976, Alan Parsons teamed with Eric Woolfson to create the Alan Parsons Project.  This was, in all accounts, a project.  There was a continuous rotating door of musicians, various vocalists, and the belief that their music was too technical to even contemplate touring.

Year after year, the "project" made money... sans touring... which was an unlikely feat.  Eventually, Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson parted ways, leaving Parsons free to take the band in whatever direction he wanted to.... including touring.

In 1997, I had the privilege of seeing Alan Parsons live... backed by most of the musicians that had rounded out the Project all those years before.  I went with a friend of mine who had a friend that was a member of the fan club.  Those members of the fan club were invited for a personal meet and greet with Mr. Parsons and his band.  I was fortunate enough to meet he who is revered as one of the greatest engineers of all time (Pink Floyd's DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, need I say more?)... Mr. Alan Parsons.... the "gentle giant.  Mr. Parsons was, at the very least, 6'6"... a very tall man... but, a very nice one.

The End