Renaissance (band)

Renaissance
Renaissance, 2012. Clockwise from upper left: Jason Hart, David J. Keyes, Rave Tesar, Frank Pagano, Michael Dunford, and Annie Haslam
Background information
Origin	London, England, UK
Genres	Progressive rock, symphonic rock
Years active	1969–1987 1998–2002 2009–present
Labels	Island Records Sire Records (US) Warner Bros. Records Elektra Records (US) BTM Records I.R.S. Records Giant Electric Pea Illegal Records Repertoire Records HTD Records Friday Music
Associated acts	The Yardbirds The Nashville Teens Illusion Nevada I and Thou Renaissant
Website	Official Website
Members	Annie Haslam David J. Keyes Rave Tesar Frank Pagano Jason Hart Ryche Chlanda
Past members	See Former members below

Renaissance are an English progressive rock band, best known for their 1978 UK top 10 hit "Northern Lights" and progressive rock classics like "Carpet of the Sun", "Mother Russia", and "Ashes Are Burning". They developed a unique sound, combining a female lead vocal with a fusion of classical, folk, rock, and jazz influences. Characteristic elements of the Renaissance sound are Annie Haslam's wide vocal range, prominent piano accompaniment, orchestral arrangements, vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, synthesiser, and versatile drum work. The band created a significant following in the northeast United States in the 70s, and that region remains their strongest fan base.

The nucleus of the first line-up was composed of former members of The Yardbirds, Keith Relf and Jim McCarty, who intended to put "something together with more of a classical influence". Renaissance was born, and the band released a studio album in 1969, and another in 1971. Subsequently, there was a period of high turnover of musicians until the "classic line-up" of Haslam, John Tout, Michael Dunford, Jon Camp, and Terry Sullivan was established, although none of them was in the original band. They were assisted with lyrics on many songs from Cornish poet Betty Thatcher-Newsinger. From 1972 to 1979 Renaissance released seven successful studio albums, toured extensively, and sold out three nights in a row at Carnegie Hall with Tony Cox conducting the New York Philharmonic.