Fish (singer)

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Fish (Derek Dick)
Image:FishTWL.jpg
Country Scotland
Years active 1981–present
Genres Progressive Rock
Labels Snapper Music
Members Fish

Derek William Dick, better known as Fish (born 25 April 1958 in Dalkeith, Midlothian), is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyric writer and occasional actor. After a patchy career as a gardener and forestry worker, he came to public attention in 1981 with the British group Marillion, which he left in 1988 following top ten hits in 1985 with Kayleigh and Lavender and in 1987 with Incommunicado. It is widely believed that the name Fish arose from his drinking habits, however, according to Fish himself, the name originates from the amount of time he spent reading in the bath.

He is sometimes incorrectly compared with Peter Gabriel. It would be more accurate to compare his lyrics and vocal delivery style with Peter Hammill, as Fish was a big fan of Hammill's "A Black Box" at the time the band Marillion released "Script for a Jester's Tear", and Hammill supported the band on the promotional tour for this album.

Fish's introspective lyrics, often dealing with his own personal problems and addictions, often stand on their own as poetry, without music. Many of his later works contain lengthy spoken word passages with the music simply acting as background. Shorter examples of such passages can be found in his Marillion works.

Following a legal dispute with EMI and an unsuccessful contract with Polydor, Fish established the Dick Bros Record Company in 1993. He released a number of 'official bootleg' albums to finance the company. After selling the company to Roadrunner Records, another unsuccessful period followed before he re-established his own Chocolate Frog record label in 2001. In 2005 Fish signed with Snapper. He has a small but loyal fan base, commonly referred to as Fishheads, many of whom contribute to several online fan forums and travel from all over the world to attend his bi-annual fan club conventions.

Fish has also contributed to Arjen Anthony Lucassen's Ayreon project, singing the part of the Highlander in Into the Electric Castle.

Fish is not to be confused with Phish, Chris Squire (whose nickname is "The Fish"), or Bradley Fish.

Contents

[edit] Discography (Solo)

[edit] Studio albums

[edit] Live albums

  • 1993 Pigpen's Birthday
  • 1993 Derek Dick and his Amazing Electric Bear
  • 1993 Uncle Fish and the Crypt Creepers
  • 1993 For Whom the Bells Toll
  • 1993 Toiling in the Reeperbahn
  • 1994 Sushi
  • 1996 Fish Head Curry (limited edition live album, 5000 copies only)
  • 1996 Krakow
  • 1998 Tales from the Big Bus
  • 1999 The Complete BBC Sessions
  • 2000 Candlelight in Fog (limited edition live album, 3000 copies only)
  • 2001 Sashimi
  • 2002 Fellini Nights
  • 2003 Mixed Company
  • 2005 Scattering Crows
  • 2006 Return to Childhood

[edit] Other Collaborations

[edit] External links

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