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Band Member Profiles
Claire Hamill - Vocals
  
Claire Hamill was born in Middlesbrough in 1954 and began her musical career playing in local clubs. By the time she was in her late teens, she had already composed a wealth of material and had secured a recording contract with Island Records, who released her first albums, One House Left Standing (1971). A second album for Island, October followed in 1972. During this period Claire also toured intensely on both sides of the Atlantic. As well as performing club and college dates in her own right, she also performed opening slots for established artists such as Jess Roden, John Martyn, Jethro Tull, Procul Harum and King Crimson.
In 1973 Claire signed to Ray Davies’ Konk Records and recorded her third album Stage Door Johnnies with Ray producing. This was fallowed by the self-produced Abracadabra in 1975, a move away from her earlier folk-orientated material. In April 1976 Claire became the lead vocalist of Ric Grech’s SDM, a short lived project which failed to get off the ground and soon folded.
The late seventies saw Claire in great demand as a session vocalist and, following a meeting with Wishbone Ash manager John Sherry, 1979 saw Claire recording backing vocals for the band’s Just Testing album. Notable highlights of the album included Claire’s duet with Martin Turner on 'Master of Disguise' as well as the single 'Living Proof', co-written by Claire and Laurie Wisefield.
1980 saw Claire contributing her distinctive vocals to a solo album by Yes guitarist Steve Howe. The end of the year saw Clare recording with Wishbone Ash for their Number The Brave album. In 1981 Claire was invited to perform onstage with Wishbone Ash on a UK and European tour to promote the album.
Various sessions followed as well as a string of solo albums including Touchpaper (which featured Laurie Wisefield on guitar), Voices, Love In The Afternoon and Summer. At the time of writing Claire is presently preparing material for a new solo album.
For further info on Claire visit her official web site www.clairehamill.co.uk
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