The surviving members of veteran British prog-rock band Gentle Giant have reunited virtually in a new video performance of the group’s 1974 song “Proclamation,” along some guest musicians and a whole bunch of the group’s fans.
The clip features founding Gentle Giant members Derek, Phil and Ray Shulman, Gary Green and Kerry Minnear, as well as former drummers John Weathers and Malcolm Mortimore. This marks the first time that the band’s original surviving members have performed together — albeit virtually — since 1980.
The other musicians featured in the video include Yes bassist Billy Sherwood, King Crimson singer/multi-instrumentalist Jakko Jakszyk, Chic keyboardist Richard Hilton and Jeff Lynne’s ELO touring bassist Lee Pomeroy.
The video was the brainchild of Derek Shulman’s son Noah, who directed and edited the clip. The video, which was mixed by Derek’s brother Ray, got its premiere on PROG magazine’s official website.
“This terrible pandemic is being felt all over the world and with everyone being stuck at home, I figured now would be the perfect time to bring positivity out in the world, bring everyone together and celebrate our love of music and Gentle Giant,” Noah explains to PROG.
Noah also points out that his father was initially reluctant to take part in the project.
“I think it wasn’t until I started sending him some of the fan submissions that he realized this thing was real and could be a really fun video,” says Noah. “So I asked him to sing a few lines and to be honest, I was surprised how excited and willing he was. It was one of the few times I’ve heard him sing Gentle Giant music!”
Once Derek signed on, Noah says he was able to get the other Gentle Giant alums to contribute to the video.
By Matt Friedlander
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