| Gary Clark | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 March 1962 |
| Origin | Dundee, Scotland |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, record producer |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Labels | Virgin, Seven, Circa, Interscope |
| Associated acts | Danny Wilson, Eleven, King L, Transister |
Gary Clark (born 10 March 1962, Dundee, Scotland) is a Scottish musician who formed a band with his brother Kit Clark, and long time friend, Ged Grimes in 1984, initially under the name of Spencer Tracy. After objections from the estate of Spencer Tracy they changed their name to Danny Wilson, as taken from the 1952 Frank Sinatra film, Meet Danny Wilson.
Initially spotted busking around Dundee, they signed to Virgin Records in 1986. The following year saw the release of the band's first album Meet Danny Wilson. The first single, "Mary's Prayer", written by Clark, was a worldwide hit, reaching number 3 in the UK,[1] and #26 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart, earning him a BMI award,[2] and a nomination for an Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically. A second album Bebop Moptop was released in 1989, including hit single "Second Summer of Love" which reached number 23 in the UK Singles Chart.[3] The band split in 1991.[4]
Following the break-up of Danny Wilson, Clark embarked on a solo career, he released a single You Can't Turn Around Me on Seven Records under the name of Eleven in 1991, and he released his solo album Ten Short Songs About Love on Circa Records in 1993. In 1995, he released an album A Great Day For Gravity on Virgin Records under the name of King L, followed by a release in 1998 on Interscope Records/Virgin Records with Eric Pressly and Keely Hawkes under the name of Transister. Their music was used extensively on films such as Nightwatch, Jawbreaker, Wild Things and Charlie's Angels. Around this time, Clark was increasingly working as a songwriter and record producer, and left Transister to devote more time to this.
Clark has worked with numerous artists and writers, including Natalie Imbruglia, Lloyd Cole, Liz Phair, Skin (Skunk Anansie), Melanie C, Emma Bunton, Cathy Dennis, Ashley Parker Angel, Nick Carter, Skye Edwards (Morcheeba), Lauren Christy, Julia Fordham, Shannon Noll, Mark Owen (Take That), Eddi Reader, Rachel Stevens, David McAlmont and Boo Hewerdine.
In 2007, Clark moved from London to the United States. Clark co-wrote and co-produced the Ferras record Aliens And Rainbows with The Matrix for Capitol Records, tracks for Clique Girlz and British Band McFly. He recently produced and co-wrote the song "Got Dynamite" for Demi Lovato on her #1 album Here We Go Again.