Guy Babylon
Guy Babylon | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born |
New Windsor, Maryland | December 20, 1956
Died | September 2, 2009 52) | (aged
Occupation(s) | Keyboardist, composer |
Instruments | Keyboards |
Years active | 1988-2009 |
Associated acts | Elton John, Warpipes |
Guy Babylon (December 20, 1956 – September 2, 2009) was a keyboardist/composer, most noted for his work with Elton John.
Babylon was born in New Windsor, Maryland. Growing up listening to the likes of Led Zeppelin, Yes and Gentle Giant, he attended Francis Scott Key High School and then moved on to the University of South Florida, earning a BFA in music composition. Upon graduation, he moved to Los Angeles, California. In 1988, he joined Elton John's studio and touring band, appearing on the album Sleeping with the Past. In 1990, he performed with the group Warpipes, a side project of fellow Elton John member Davey Johnstone. Guy performed and recorded with several artists such as Mike Pinera, Iron Butterfly, Blues Image, Luis Cardenas and Renegade.
Guy Babylon also arranged many Elton John introductions, including those used in "Bennie and the Jets" and "Pinball Wizard". 2001 was a good year for Babylon, as he won a Grammy Award for his contributions on the Elton John / Tim Rice musical Aida. Babylon also worked extensively on the Elton John / Bernie Taupin musical Lestat, (based on the Anne Rice novels). Until his death, he lived in Los Angeles with his wife and children, and was a member of Elton John's six-member touring and recording band. He died of a heart attack on September 2, 2009, after swimming in a pool.[1][2]
References
- ↑ Archived February 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Hercules International Elton John Fan Club". eltonfan.net. Retrieved 2014-08-04.
External links
- Obituary in Baltimore Sun, Sept. 14, 2009
- Guy's page on Vimeo (includes one video, "Las Vegas Twister", which he produced and uploaded in 2009 shortly before his death)