Gary Thain

Gary Mervin Thain (15 May 1948 – 8 December 1975) was a New Zealand bassist, best known for his work with British rock band Uriah Heep.

Thain was born in Christchurch. He had two elder brothers, Colin and Arthur. He was described by a childhood friend as a "quiet and broody". He started performing when he was thirteen and won a talent show in high school by singing "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?".

He recorded three singles in Christchurch with his first band, The Strangers (not to be confused with the Australian band of the same name) with his brother Arthur (vocals and lead guitar), Graeme Ching (rhythm guitar) and Dave Beattie (Drums). At 17, he moved to Australia and joined The Secrets, which dissolved in 1966 after releasing just one single.

Later, Thain was part of the rock trio The New Nadir with Ed Carter on guitar and Mike Kowalski on drums. They were popular in Switzerland and backed female vocal trio The Toys. Along with drummer Peter Dawkins he travelled from New Zealand to London, and once jammed with Jimi Hendrix before the trio split in 1969.

Thain joined the Keef Hartley Band in 1968, performing at Woodstock in 1969. Thain toured with Hartley for four years and played on five studio albums. In 1971, they toured with Uriah Heep; Uriah Heep asked him to join the band (replacing Mark Clarke) in February 1972.

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.