Fish In-depth Biography
Born April 25, 1958, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Derek William Dick} (aka Fish}) was the dramatic lead vocalist for prog rock} band Marillion} until beginning a solo career in 1988. Marillion} was initially formed as an instrumental band in 1979 by guitarist Steve Rothery} (b. November 25, 1959; Brampton, England), drummer Mick Pointer}, bassist Doug Irvine}, and keyboard player Brian Jelliman}. Irvine} began singing in 1980 on the group's first demos, but a year later Marillion} invited Fish} to join as vocalist, and he assumed the frontman position beginning with their 1983 debut album, Script for a Jester's Tear}. His strong Peter Gabriel}-inspired vocals enforced critics' accusations that Marillion} owed more than just a heavy debt to Genesis}, but six more albums followed. Musical difficulties between Fish} and the band caused him to leave after 1988's Thieving Magpie (La Gazza Ladra)}. He was replaced by Steve Hogarth} (b. May 14, 1956; Kendal, England), a vocalist quite similar in sound and style to Fish} himself.
In 1989, Fish} worked with Peter Hammill} on Hammill}'s Fall of the House of Usher} project, but was then replaced by Andy Bell}. His debut solo album, Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors}, appeared one year later and continued the theatrical flair of Marillion}'s quasi-concept albums. After 1991's Internal Exile} and the 1993 covers album Songs from the Mirror}, he moved from EMI} to Dick Bros}. The Acoustic Session} CD appeared in 1994, and one year later Fish} released a double album (released separately), Yin} and Yang}. Sunsets on Empire} was issued in 1997, followed by the well-received Raingods With Zippos} on Chocolate Frog Records} in 1999. During the new millennium Fish} has continued releasing CDs on the Chocolate Frog} label, including 2002's Fellini Days}, 2003's Sashimi} double-CD set recorded live in Poland, and 2004's Field of Crows}. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
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