Annie Haslam
| Annie Haslam | |
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Annie Haslam with Renaissance headlining North East Art Rock Festival (NEARfest) on 23 June 2012
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Anne Haslam |
| Born | 8 June 1947 |
| Origin | Bolton, Lancashire, England |
| Genres | Progressive rock, symphonic rock, pop, folk, classical |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, painter, songwriter, arranger |
| Instruments | Vocals, percussion |
| Years active | 1971—present |
| Labels | White Dove Sire Records Warner Bros. Records Epic Records Virgin Records (Japan) Voiceprint Records Transatlantic Records |
| Associated acts | Renaissance, Nevada |
| Website | AnnieHaslam.com |
Annie Haslam (born 8 June 1947 in Bolton, Lancashire, England) is an English vocalist, songwriter, and painter. She is best known as the lead singer of progressive rock band Renaissance since 1971, and for her long and diverse solo singing career. She has a five-octave vocal range. From 2002, Haslam has developed a parallel career as a visual artist, producing paintings on canvas, painted musical instruments, and giclées.
Originally a fashion student in Cornwall, she worked for a Savile Row tailor in London, and then began studying under opera singer Sybil Knight in 1970.
In February 1971, she became the new lead singer of Renaissance, after answering an advertisement in the British periodical Melody Maker, and auditioning for the band in Surrey. Charles Snider stated "Annie Haslam's voice, soaring high along with the melody, is the big news. Far more West End than Carnaby Street, it would come to define the band."
With Renaissance, Haslam was lead vocalist on seven studio albums during their classic period (1972–1979), four studio albums from 1981–present, and a number of live albums. For more information see the Renaissance Discography.
In 1977, she began her solo career with her album Annie in Wonderland, produced by Roy Wood who played most of the musical instruments, and who also duetted with her on one track, and also performed on the Intergalactic Touring Band album. Haslam and Wood were engaged to be married for four years, which she later described as "four of the funniest years of my life". She has since released eight studio albums, three of which were released through her own record label, White Dove. She has also collaborated with Steve Howe on a number of projects.
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