John Glascock | |
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![]() Glascock rehearsing for Jethro Tull (1976)
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Background information | |
Born |
Islington, England |
2 May 1951
Died | 17 November 1979 London, England |
(aged 28)
Genres | Rock, blues rock, progressive rock, progressive folk, fusion, flamenco |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Bass guitar, electric guitar, synthesizer, bass pedals, vocals |
Years active | 1962–1979 |
Associated acts | Jethro Tull, Toe Fat, Carmen, The Gods, Chicken Shack |
Notable instruments | |
Fender Precision Bass, Fender Jazz Bass, Music Man StingRay |
John Glascock (2 May 1951 – 17 November 1979) was the bass guitarist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist for the progressive rock band Carmen. He was also the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock band Jethro Tull from December 1975 until August 1979. He died in 1979, at the age of 28, as a result of a congenital heart valve defect, which was worsened by an infection caused by an abscessed tooth.
In a September 1978 'Guitar Player' interview, Ritchie Blackmore had said "...John Glascock is a brilliant bass player, the best in the business in rock."
The first band John Glascock played with was The Juniors (1962–1964). He then played with The Gods (early 1965 – June 1967, September 1967 – February 1969), where, together with future Uriah Heep member Ken Hensley, he recorded the album Genesis. After briefly playing with Head Machine (1970), he joined Toe Fat (June 1969 – December 1970), again with Hensley and another future Uriah Heep member, Lee Kerslake. With Chicken Shack (January 1971 – March 1972) Glascock recorded only the album Imagination Lady. His brother Brian Glascock also played drums in Toe Fat.
In 1973 he joined Carmen. Then, John Glascock played bass guitar, sang backup vocals, occasionally played synthesizers, and even sang lead vocals on a few songs. These songs include "The City", "Dancing On a Cold Wind" (sharing lead vocals with David Allen), and "The Horseman" (sharing vocal duties with all of Carmen), all from the album Dancing on a Cold Wind (1975). He also sang on the track "High Time" from the album The Gypsies (1976).
Glascock's basslines in Carmen were often technical and unusual. They were key to Carmen's unique sound. Unlike his work in Jethro Tull, Glascock utilized effects in his sound while with Carmen, like a fuzz pedal in the song "Viva Mi Sevilla". Glascock had only one writing credit on the first album recorded by Carmen, Fandangos in Space (1974), the short track "Retirando". He shared this writing credit with the rest of the band.