Pierre Moerlen

Pierre Moerlen ( born October 23, 1952 in Colmar, Strasbourg † 3 May 2005 ) was a French drummer and composer.

Life and work

The first musical training received Moerlen 1963-67 at the piano by his father Maurice. From 1967 to 1971, studying the drums at Jean Batigne joined. After graduating, he first played in various bands until he joined in 1973 the band Gong Steve Hillage and Daevid Allen to, which is counted among the protagonists of the space rock. Gong should learn several line-up changes and split in 1976, with the run of Moerlen branch of the group in the future as Pierre Moerlen Gong 's percussive jazz-rock afforded, which was marked next to Pierre's drums in particular also by vibraphone his brother Benoît.

1975 as a guest musician with Les Percussions de Strasbourg and tour of England, Greece and France. 1978 in conjunction with Benoît recordings with Mike Oldfield, then toured with Pierre Moerlen 's Gong and Mike Oldfield, who also helped on the album Gong Downwind with Steve Winwood. 1981 South American tour with Les Percussions de Strasbourg, followed by a world tour with Mike Oldfield. 1983-86 performances and publications with the Swedish band Tribute.

In 1986, a brief new formation of Pierre Moerlen 's Gong with Hansford Rowe on bass, Benoît Moerlen on vibraphone and percussion and numerous changing guests. 1989-1990 Participation in Alsace - Percussion, from 1991 as a drummer in several musical shows ( Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables, West Side Story ) on tours in Europe and America.

1997-1998 member of the band Brand X with Percy Jones on the Japan and European tours. 1998 also performances with Gong in Europe and America.

Moerlen played beyond with Charlie Mariano, Didier Lockwood, Slapp Happy, Henry Cow and others.

Pierre Moerlen died unexpectedly on May 3, 2005.