Gordon Gano

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Gano in concert with the Violent Femmes, 2006.
Gano in concert with the Violent Femmes, 2006.

Gordon Gano (born on June 7, 1963 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is the lead singer and guitarist from the band Violent Femmes.

According to the band's web site, "His father also played guitar, and Gordon grew up hearing a lot of country and western music, Broadway show tunes, and church hymns, all of which are reflected in various V.F. songs."[1]

After graduating from high school, Gano worked briefly as an encyclopedia salesman.[2]

During a Violent Femmes hiatus in the late 1980s, Gano formed a gospel group called The Mercy Seat with vocalist Zena Von Heppinstall, bassist Patrice Moran, and drummer Fernando Menendez. The group released one album in 1987 on Slash Records.

Gano released his first solo album in 2002, titled Hitting the Ground.

He shared vocal duties (singing in Portuguese) with Manuel Cruz, the lead singer of the famous Portuguese rock band Ornatos Violeta in the song Capitão Romance for the last album released before their break-up, O Monstro precisa de Amigos in 1999. Gano also "played violin"[3] on Ben Vaughn's 1990 album Dressed in Black.[4]

Gano played Mr. Zank, the first of many substitute math teachers in an episode of The Adventures of Pete & Pete, entitled "X=Why?".

Currently, Gano is writing, recording and performing with ex-members of The Bogmen, Billy and Brendan Ryan under the name GanoRyan.

[edit] In popular culture

Gano is mentioned in the novel The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.[5]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Band Bios: Gordon Gano. Retrieved on 2007-08-20.
  2. ^ Masino, Susan (2003). Famous Wisconsin Musicians. Badger Books LLC, 164. 
  3. ^ Gordon Gano's Side Projects. Retrieved on 2007-08-22.
  4. ^ Bogdanov, Chris Woodstra, Stephen Thomas Erlewine Summary, Vladimir. All Music Guide to Country: The Definitive Guide to Country Music. Erlewine, 783. ISBN 0879307609. 
  5. ^ p.156
Violent Femmes
Gordon Gano | Brian Ritchie | Victor DeLorenzo | Guy Hoffman
Discography
Studio albums: Violent Femmes | Hallowed Ground | The Blind Leading the Naked | 3 | Why Do Birds Sing? | New Times | Rock!!!!! | Freak Magnet
Compilations: Debacle: The First Decade | Add It Up (1981-1993) | Something's Wrong | Permanent Record: The Very Best of Violent Femmes
Live Albums: Viva Wisconsin | BBC Live | Archive Series No. 1: Live in Iceland | Archive Series No. 2: Live in Chicago Q101
DVDs: Permanent Record - Live & Otherwise | No, Let's Start Over | Live at the Hacienda
Languages