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Korgscrew Group: Super Admins Posts: 3511 Joined: Dec. 1999 Posted: May 06 2005, 05:40 We're very sad to report the passing of Pierre Moerlen, who unexpectedly died in his sleep on the night of May 2nd/3rd. He was 52. Pierre's contribution to Mike's music in the 1970s and 80s was huge, first appearing alongside Mike in the premiere performance of Tubular Bells in 1973, before going on to play percussion (including tympani, drums and vibraphone) on all of Mike's 1970s albums from Ommadawn onwards, and on the 1979 and 1980 tours. The frequency of their collaborations lessened during the 1980s, but Mike still made use of Pierre's tuned percussion skills on Crises and Islands, as well as giving Pierre cameo appearances in his Moonlight Shadow video and a TV performance of To France. Mike also returned the favour, guesting on Pierre Moerlen's Gong's Downwind and Gong Live albums. Pierre was unquestionably a superb musician, who will certainly be greatly missed by many, not least us here at tubular.net News from planetgong.co.uk, thanks to Captain Cavern for passing it on Back to top

Baggiesfaninessex Group: Members Posts: 682 Joined: Mar. 2002 Posted: May 06 2005, 05:54 What sad news   I have been playing 'Downwind' a lot recently and will no doubt be playing it even more now. RIP. -------------- “A dog is not intelligent. Never trust an animal that's surprised by its own farts.” - Frank Skinner Back to top

raven4x4x Group: Members Posts: 1535 Joined: Jan. 2002 Posted: May 06 2005, 06:43 Sad news indeed. -------------- Thank-you for helping us help you help us all. Back to top

larstangmark Group: Members Posts: 1767 Joined: Mar. 2005 Posted: May 06 2005, 09:13 This is awful news! I was watching the Elements DVD the other day with my girlfriend, and I was pointing out to her what a genius Moerelen was at drums/percussion. I was actually hoping he would get together a new line-up of Pierre Moerelen's Gong again. As far I understand that's what he wanted to do, but he travelled the world with musicals instead just to pay the bills. I have no words for how original Pierre's playing and compositional style was. I also think he was very influental on Mike's sound ca 1978-83. Awful, awful news! Lars T -------------- "There are twelve people in the world, the rest are paste" Mark E Smith Back to top

ktran Group: Members Posts: 156 Joined: May 2003 Posted: May 06 2005, 10:41 *puts on Incantations IV* Godspeed. khoa Back to top

pauken Group: Members Posts: 106 Joined: May 2005 Posted: May 06 2005, 11:39 Hi All. I am very sad that Pierre Moerlen has passed away. :-( I am still amazed at the drumming in the Knebworth concert (Essential video). The drum solo at the end of Ommadawn is nothing short of spectacular! Truly an inspiration! http://calyx.club.fr/mus/moerlen_pierre.html Steve Back to top

Tati The Sentinel Group: Members Posts: 3360 Joined: Feb. 2002 Posted: May 06 2005, 14:50 Very sad in here.He was one of my fav drummers/percussionists and he'll be missed. -------------- "But it's always the outsider, the black sheep, that becomes the blockbuster." - Mike Oldfield, 2014 "I remember feeling that I'd been judged unfairly and that I was going to prove them wrong." - Peter Davison, 2011 Back to top

Ostach Group: Members Posts: 71 Joined: June 2004 Posted: May 07 2005, 09:50 RIP ['] we'll miss you here in Poland! -------------- I stay I pray See you in heaven one day... Back to top

James Group: Members Posts: 39 Joined: July 2002 Posted: May 07 2005, 15:54 What a shock so sad Pierre always looked so fit and obviously so active playing those drum solos. Rest in peace Pierre God bless. Back to top

Ratty Group: Members Posts: 386 Joined: Jan. 2005 Posted: May 07 2005, 19:04 Very sad news. A fantastic musician who will be sadly missed. RIP Pierre, Ratty. (Paul) -------------- Far away across the field The tolling of the iron bell Calls the faithful to their knees To hear the softly spoken magic spells Back to top

Afgyhi Group: Members Posts: 73 Joined: May 2003 Posted: May 07 2005, 19:21 quite a shock indeed! RIP Pierre! -------------- Crises! Crises!! Back to top

Jeremy Group: Members Posts: 56 Joined: Mar. 2005 Posted: May 08 2005, 19:41 The star that burns twice as bright burns half as long. Keep well in the beyond Pierre. -------------- How can they NOT like my music! Back to top

Trinidad Group: Members Posts: 295 Joined: Mar. 2005 Posted: May 09 2005, 04:06 Too bad to hear that. I don't know anything about him, but when I saw the Knebworth video for the first time, one of the things that most amazed me was his drum playing. He seemed so jovial and active, I cannot believe he's died. I'm really sorry. Back to top

eder Group: Members Posts: 12 Joined: Mar. 2001 Posted: May 09 2005, 05:37 He was one of my favourite! Everybody knows his fantastic playing on The Knebworth concert as well many Mike's albums, Gong, Steve Hillage, Thin Lizzy and many more. I'll miss Pierre! Back to top

Sonilink Group: Members Posts: 393 Joined: Jan. 2005 Posted: May 09 2005, 06:36 as a french myself I wille write that post in french Pierre merci les percussions sur ommadawn, merci l'extraordinaire batrie qui a acompagné mike lors de ses tournees. Maintenant mon gars repose en paix... -------------- Take the Time Back to top

^NabLa^ Group: Members Posts: 187 Joined: Oct. 2001 Posted: May 09 2005, 07:29 So sorry he was so fucking good. Let's see that video of the Knebworth festival again. -------------- ^NabLa^ Back to top

monie Group: Members Posts: 3 Joined: May 2005 Posted: May 09 2005, 18:12 Mike has and probably always will be my musical inspiration... I listened and learned from the age of 14 in 1975 and still listening and learning some 30 years on.    Along the way in Mike’s company there have been some very special musicians none more so Pierre Moerlen. Myself being a guitarist I was not particularly interested in percussion until I saw Pierre performing, STUNING.   In 1980 at Mike’s Bournemouth Winter Gardens concert I was lucky enough to meet and talk to Pierre, he also signed my tour broacher.           Incantations (magic sounds) says it all. Sadly missed, fondly remembered. Graham Back to top

olracUK Group: Members Posts: 1683 Joined: June 2003 Posted: May 09 2005, 19:46 We heard the news at a meeting of Gernman fans in Forchheim this weekend. what could we do but play the knebworth Concert video and wonder at the bouncing little frenchman? he added so much to the sound of mike during those late 70's and early 80's. A genius who will be sadly missed. -------------- The answer is 42 - but what is the question? Back to top

hiawatha Group: Members Posts: 2391 Joined: Mar. 2004 Posted: May 09 2005, 20:41 I've listened to "Incantations" so much I wonder if I've heard millions of Pierre's vibraphone notes. He will surely be remembered in my mind's ear. I never got tired of that musical shower of icicles heard on "Side 4". -------------- "In the land of the Dacotahs, Where the Falls of Minnehaha Flash and gleam among the oak-trees, Laugh and leap into the valley." - Song of Hiawatha Back to top

Blue Dolphin Group: Members Posts: 1232 Joined: Nov. 1999 Posted: May 09 2005, 21:36 OH MY GOD!!! He was the last person I expected to pass away so soon... this is really a big and big shock. My sympathies go to his younger brother Benoit (who also worked with Mike together with his brother) and the rest of his family. He's a big loss and was way to young to die. A great loss in the history of music. RIP -------------- -The mark of a good musician is to play one note and mean it- Mike Oldfield - 1980 Back to top

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