Gary Clark (musician)
| 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 #23 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. The song was later featured in the Farrelly Brothers movie "There's Something About Mary". 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, he co-wrote and produced much of Lauren Christy's album "Breed", the title track of which was a hit on the Billboard Alternative chart, and left Transister to devote more time to this.
His collaboration with Natalie Imbruglia began when he and Eric Pressly re-mixed the single "Wishing I Was There" from her "Left of the Middle" album. He co-wrote and produced 8 tracks on her subsequent album, "White Lilies Island", and has contributed songs to all of her albums after that - "Counting Down The Days", "Glorious: The Singles 1997-2007", and "Come To Life".
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, The Veronicas, David McAlmont, Delta Goodrem, Ferras, Clique Girlz, McFly, Demi Lovato, Alex Hepburn, Kim Cesarion, Lawson (band), The Wanted, Gin Wigmore and Reece Mastin.
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 produced and co-wrote the song "Got Dynamite" for Demi Lovato on her #1 album Here We Go Again.
In 2012, he co-wrote and produced 10 songs on Delta Goodrem's Child of the Universe, including the single "Wish You Were Here", which reached No. 2 on the ARIA charts.
In 2013, Clark co-wrote and produced Alex Hepburn's international hit single "Under", he co-wrote and co-produced Kim Cesarion's album, including the hit single "Undressed", which is currently 4 x platinum certification in Scandinavia, he co-wrote the song "Back To Life" on Lawson (band)'s "Chapman Square - Chapter II" album, and co-wrote and co-produced "Summer Alive" on The Wanted's " Word of Mouth" album.
Gin Wigmore's "Gravel & Wine" album was released in the US, including the Clark co-write "Kill of the Night". The song has already had numerous TV, film and commercial placements, including "666 Park Avenue", "Underbelly: Badness", "Teen Wolf", "Pretty Little Liars" and AMC Halloween week.
In 2013, "Meet Danny Wilson" was featured on the BBC Radio Scotland "Classic Scottish Albums" series.
References
- ↑ "Peak position of Mary's Prayer"
- ↑ "BMI website"
- ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 140. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ "Bio at". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
External links
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