On July 6. 2026, Gaynor Sullivan (née Hopkins) aka Bonnie Tyler died aged 75. She was singer, known for her distinctive husky voice. She was member of the band Imagination, had a successful solo career, and was best known for her 1977 hit “It’s a Heartache”. As leader she released 18 albums.
Tag Archives: 1977
Windschase: Symphinity
In June 1977, “Musea” label released “Symphinity”, the debut Windchase album. It was recorded in 1977, at “Festival Studios” in Sydney, and was produced by Gerry Stevens, Mario Millo, Duncan McGuire, Toivo Pilt and Doug Bligh.
Personnel:
- Mario Millo – guitar
- Toivo Pilt – vocals, keyboards
- Duncan McGuire – bass guitar
- Doug Bligh – vocals, drums, percussion
- Douglas Nethercote – bass guitar
- Gerry Stevens – engineer
- Peter Ledger – artwork
- Paul Ibbotson – lacquer cut
Track listing:
- Forward We Ride / Horseman to Symphinity – Toivo Pilt
- Glad to be Alive – Toivo Pilt
- Gypsy – Mario Millo
- No Scruples – Mario Millo
- Lamb’s Fry – Toivo Pilt
- Non Siamo Perfetti – Mario Millo
- Flight Call – Mario Millo
Idris Muhammad: Turn This Mutha
In May 1977, “Kudu” label released “Turn This Mutha”, the fifth Idris Muhammad album. It was recorded October 1976 – February 1977, and was produced by David Matthews.
Personnel:
- Idris Muhammad — drums, tom tom
- Hiram Bullock — guitar
- Hugh McCracken — guitar
- Eric Gale — guitar
- Charlie Brown — guitar
- Clifford Carter — keyboards
- David Tofani — soprano saxophone
- Michael Brecker — tenor saxophone solo
- Ronnie Cuber — baritone saxophone
- Randy Brecker — trumpet
- Jon Faddis — trumpet
- Jeremy Steig — flute
- Wilbur Bascomb — bass
- Rubens Bassini — percussion
- Sue Evans — percussion
- Clifford Carter — synthesizer
- Margaret Ross — harp
- Frank Floyd — vocal
- Bill Eaton — backing vocals
- Zachary Sanders — backing vocals
- Ray Simpson — backing vocals
Track listing:
- Could Heaven Ever Be Like This – David Matthews, Tony Sarafino
- Camby Bolongo – David Matthews
- Turn This Mutha Out – David Matthews, Tony Sarafino
- Tasty Cakes – David Matthews, Tony Sarafino
- Crab Apple – David Matthews
- Moon Hymn – David Matthews
- Say What – David Matthews
Billy Harper: Soran-Bushi, B.H.
In April 1978, “Denon” label released “Soran-Bushi, B.H.”, the fifth Billy Harper album. It was recorded in December 1977, at “Sound Ideas Studios” in New York City.
Personnel:
- Billy Harper – tenor saxophone
- Everett Hollins – trumpet
- Harold Mabern – piano
- Greg Maker – bass
- Horacee Arnold – drums
- Billy Hart – drums
Track listing:
All tracks by Billy Harper.
- Trying to Get Ready
- Loverhood
- Soran-Bushi, B.H.
The Headhunters: Straight From The Gate
In April 1977, “Arista” label released “Straight from the Gate”, the sixth Headhunters (The) album. It was recorded in 1977, at “The Automatt”, in San Francisco, and was produced by David Rubinson & Friends, Derrick Youman, DeWayne McKnight, Paul Potyen, Bennie Maupin, Paul Jackson, Michael Clark and Bill Summers.
Personnel:
- Derrick Youman – lead vocals
- Obsidian Blackbyrd (DeWayne McKnight) – acoustic and electric guitar, sitar, backing vocals
- Paul Potyen – piano, electric piano, organ, synthesizer, backing vocals
- Bennie Maupin – vocals, soprano and tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, flute
- Paul Jackson – vocals, bass
- Michael Clark – drums
- Bill Summers – percussion
- David Rubinson, Fred Catero – engineer
- Chris Minto – engineer assistant
- George Horn – mastering
- Bruce Steinberg – design, photography
- Kaz Tsuruta – layout, photography
- Fred Catero – co producer
Track listing:
All tracks by Derrick Youman, DeWayne McKnight, Paul Potyen, Bennie Maupin, Paul Jackson, Michael Clark and Bill Summers.
- Straight from the Gate – lyrics by Joel “Twinkles” Smith, Maurice Holloway, Wallace Mitchell
- Mayonnaise
- Ms. Yum Yum
- Don’t Kill Your Feelings
- Descending Azzizziuh (The Beginning Of A Dream)
- I Remember I Made You Cry
- Pork Soda
- Dreams
- Silhouette
Al Di Meola: Elegant Gypsy
In April 1977, “Columbia” label released “Elegant Gypsy”, the second Al Di Meola studio album. It was recorded December 1976 – January 1977, and was produced by Al Di Meola. “Elegant Gypsy” won an annual award for “Best Guitar Album in Guitar Player”.
Personnel:
- Al Di Meola – acoustic and electric guitars, piano, synthesizer, percussion
- Paco de Lucía – acoustic guitar
- Jan Hammer – keyboards
- Barry Miles – keyboards
- Anthony Jackson – bass guitar
- Steve Gadd – drums
- Lenny White – drums
- Mingo Lewis – congas, synthesizers, organ, percussion
- Janice Dickinson – album cover model
Track listing:
All tracks by Al Di Meola except where noted.
- Flight Over Rio – Mingo Lewis
- Midnight Tango
- Mediterranean Sundance
- Race with Devil on Spanish Highway
- Lady of Rome, Sister of Brazil
- Elegant Gypsy Suite
Steve Kuhn: Motility
In April 1971, “ECM” label released “Motility”, the eleventh Steve Kuhn album. It was recorded in January 1977, at “Tonstudio Bauer” in Ludwigsburg, Germany, and was produced by Manfred Eicher.
Personnel:
- Steve Kuhn – piano
- Steve Slagle – soprano and alto saxophones, flute
- Harvie Swartz – bass
- Michael Smith – drums
- Martin Wieland – recording
- Dieter Bonhorst – layout
- Maja Weber – design
- Roberto Masotti – photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Steve Kuhn except where noted.
- The Rain Forest
- Oceans in the Sky
- Catherine – Harvie Swartz
- Bittersweet Passages
- Deep Tango
- Motility / The Child Is Gone
- A Danse for One
- Places I’ve Never Been
The Fall: Live at the Witch Trials
On March 16, 1979, “Step-Forward” label released “Live at the Witch Trials”, the debut Fall (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1977, at “Sound Suite” in Camden, England, and was produced by Bob Sargeant, Mark E. Smith, Martin Bramah, Marc Riley, Karl Burns and Yvonne Pawlett.
Personnel:
- Mark E. Smith – vocals, guitar
- Martin Bramah – guitar, backing vocals, arrangements
- Yvonne Pawlett – keyboards
- Marc Riley – bass guitar
- Karl Burns – drums
- Alvin Clark – engineer
- John Wriothesley – artwork
- Graham Rhodes – photography
- Steve Lyons – photography
Track listing:
- Frightened – Mark E. Smith, Tony Friel
- Crap Rap 2/Like to Blow – Martin Bramah, Mark E. Smith
- Rebellions Jukebox – Mark E. Smith, Martin Bramah
- No Xmas for John Quays – Mark E. Smith
- Mother-Sister – Mark E. Smith, Una Baines
- Industrial Estate – Mark E. Smith, Martin Bramah, Tony Friel
- Underground Medicine – Martin Bramah, Mark E. Smith
- Two Steps Back – Martin Bramah, Mark E. Smith
- Live at the Witch Trials – Mark E. Smith
- Futures and Pasts – Martin Bramah, Mark E. Smith
- Music Scene – Martin Bramah, Yvonne Pawlett, Mark E. Smith, Marc Riley
Johnny Guitar Watson: A Real Mother For Ya
On March 11, 1977, “DJM Records” label released “A Real Mother for Ya”, the seventh Johnny Guitar Watson album. It was recorded in 1976, at “Paramount Recording Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Johnny Guitar Watson.
Personnel:
- Johnny Guitar Watson – vocal, guitar, bass, Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ, synthesizer, voice box, arrangements
- Emry Thomas – drums, production assistant
- Knud Jensen – saxophone
- Walt Fowler – trumpet
- Tommy Robertson – trombone
- Kenny McNabb – engineer
- Kassler-Grass – logo
Track listing:
All tracks by Johnny Guitar Watson.
- A real Mother for Ya
- Nothing Left to Be Desired
- Your Love Is My Love
- The Real Deal
- Tarzan
- I Wanna Thank You
- Lover Jones
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