Sky
A UK instrumental group founded in 1979 and devoted to fusing classical, jazz and rock music, Sky was led by virtuoso classical guitarist John Williams (b 24 April 1941, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia). Having already played concerts at Ronnie Scott's jazz club, Williams formed the group with rock guitarist Kevin Peek, classical percussionist Tristram Fry, ex- Curved Airkeyboards player Francis Monkman and Herbie Flowers, a versatile session bass player and composer of the novelty UK number 1 Grandad. In 1981, Monkman was replaced by Steve Gray. The group made an instant impact in Britain. Mixing original compositions with inventive adaptations of classical pieces, each of the first four albums reached the UK Top 10. SKY 2 even headed the UK chart in 1980, aided by Toccata a hit single taken from a Bach theme. European and Japanese concert tours were equally successful. CADMIUM was more pop-orientated, containing the Alan Tarney compositions The Girl In Winter and ‘Return to Me’. After its release, Williams left the group which continued to record sporadically until 1987 when the group folded.