In the history of prog, there’s never been a band quite like Gryphon, and in the history of Gryphon there’s never been a year like 1974. Across 12 months, the group released not one but two fantastically ambitious albums; they also embarked upon a spectacular North American tour as the opening act for Yes. But the band’s genesis goes back even further.
Co-founding guitarist Graeme Taylor explains, “I always thought the seeds were sown at Tiffin’s [boys’ grammar school in Kingston upon Thames in Surrey] where I met [fellow founding member] Richard Harvey.”
Gryphon outside London’s Old Vic on July 11, 1974. L-R: Dave Oberlé, Philip Nestor, Brian Gulland (who loved the “deep farting noises” of the bassoon), Richard Harvey, Graeme Taylor.
Image:
Evening Standard/ Hulton Archive/Getty Images