Contents

Articles
Allan Holdsworth 1
SynthAxe 9
UK (band) 11

References
Article Sources and Contributors 14
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 15

Article Licenses
License 16
Allan Holdsworth 1

Allan Holdsworth
Allan Holdsworth

Background information

Born 6 August 1946

[1]
Bradford, West Yorkshire, England

Genres [2]
Jazz fusion, jazz, instrumental rock, progressive rock, free jazz

Occupations Musician, composer, producer

Instruments Electric guitar, SynthAxe, acoustic guitar, violin, vocals

Years active 1969–present

Labels CTI, JMS–Cream, Luna Crack, I.O.U., Warner Bros., Enigma, Relativity, Intima, Legato, Restless, Polydor, Fred
Bloggs, Gnarly Geezer, Megazoidal, Sony, Favored Nations, Alternity

Associated HoBoLeMa, UK, Level 42, Gong, Bruford, Soft Machine, The New Tony Williams Lifetime, Tempest, I.O.U., False
acts Alarm

Website [3]
therealallanholdsworth.com

Notable instruments

SynthAxe
Ibanez AH-10
Ibanez AH-20
Steinberger GL2TA-AH
Carvin H2
Carvin HF2 Fatboy

Allan Holdsworth (born 6 August 1946) is an English guitarist and composer. He has released twelve studio albums
as a solo artist and played many different styles of music over a period of four decades, but is best known for his
work in jazz fusion. A player noted for his advanced knowledge of the fretboard and innovative playing, he is cited
by many rock and instrumental guitarists as an influence; such renowned names including Eddie Van Halen,[4] Joe
Satriani,[5] Greg Howe,[6] Shawn Lane,[7] Richie Kotzen,[8] John Petrucci[9] and many others. Frank Zappa once
called Holdsworth "one of the most interesting guys on guitar on the planet".[10]
Allan Holdsworth 2

Recording career

Early bands ('Igginbottom, Sunship, Tempest)

Holdsworth first recorded with the band 'Igginbottom on their lone release, Igginbottom's Wrench (later reissued
under the group name of "Allan Holdsworth & Friends"), in 1969. In 1971, Holdsworth joined Sunship, an
improvising band also featuring Alan Gowen, Laurie Baker and future King Crimson percussionist Jamie Muir. The
band played live but never recorded any records.[11]
In the early 1970s Holdsworth joined the British progressive rock band Tempest, and performed on their self-titled
debut studio album in 1973. His playing can also be heard on a live BBC Radio concert from the same year, which
was released in 2005 as part of a Tempest compilation album entitled Anthology: Under the Blossom.

Journeyman years (1974-1977)

Following his short tenure with Tempest, Holdsworth worked with various popular jazz fusion groups and artists. In
1974 he played on the Soft Machine studio album Bundles and with The New Tony Williams Lifetime on the Believe
It album, an experience he was to prize. In 1976 he played with Gong (contributing to their Gazeuse and Expresso II
albums) and with Jean-Luc Ponty on Enigmatic Ocean.
In 1976, CTI Records released a recording of a rehearsal session, passing it off as an official recording, under the
title of Velvet Darkness. This angered Holdsworth, who says he still loathes the album intensely.[11]

Bruford and UK (1977-1979)

In 1977, Holdsworth was recruited by Bill Bruford to play most of the guitar on Bruford's first (and
jazz-fusion-orientated) solo album Feels Good To Me.
Shortly afterwards, Bruford was recruited into a new, second-wave British progressive rock band - UK, which was
fronted by Bruford's former King Crimson bandmate John Wetton. When Wetton recruited the virtuosic and
classically-influenced Eddie Jobson (ex-Roxy Music/Frank Zappa) into UK on keyboards and violin, Bruford in turn
recruited Holdsworth as a jazzier "counterweight". Both the Bruford and UK debut albums were released in early
1978, with the latter rapidly eclipsing the former in terms of profile and marketing.
Holdsworth's second spell as a potential progressive rock star was as short as the first. Chafing at the more composed
and predictable elements to UK's music, he objected to being expected to play the same solos every night. Despite
his musical fluidity and virtuosity, this approach did not suit John Wetton, who fired him from the band. Bruford quit
in sympathy or was also fired (depending on accounts). Holdsworth would later stress that although he'd not enjoyed
his time in the band he'd liked and respected everyone involved and that the problems were "purely musical".
While UK continued with a different lineup, Bruford formed his own long-term fusion project - also called Bruford
and retained Holdsworth as its guitarist. The first album by the Bruford band (One Of A Kind, recorded and released
in early 1979) featured extensive contributions by Holdsworth, but the guitarist was by now tired of being a sideman
and wished to follow his own course. Following the band's first British tour, Holdsworth quit, although not without
reluctance.

1980s
Holdsworth's next significant collaborator was jazz pianist Gordon Beck, with whom he first played on Beck's
Sunbird album in 1979. Their first proper collaboration, The Things You See, followed in 1980, which was a largely
similar effort without percussion or bass. Both musicians would later work together again in the decades to come.
Soon afterwards, Holdsworth joined up with drummer Gary Husband and bassist Paul Carmichael as a trio, in what
became known as False Alarm. This was to be Holdsworth's first outing as a bandleader and, after the acquisition of
former Tempest singer Paul Williams, the band was renamed I.O.U. Their self-titled debut album, I.O.U., was
Allan Holdsworth 3

released independently in 1982, followed by a mainstream reissue through Enigma Records in 1985.[12]
Immediately after I.O.U.'s release, Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen brought Holdsworth to the attention of
Warner Bros. Records executive Mo Ostin. Van Halen had previously enthused about Holdsworth in a 1980 issue of
Guitar Player magazine, saying "That guy is bad! He's fantastic; I love him", and that Holdsworth was "the best, in
my book".[4] This resulted in the Warner Bros. release of Road Games in 1983. The EP was produced by longtime
Van Halen executive producer Ted Templeman, and received a Grammy Award nomination in 1984. At the time, the
latest incarnation of the I.O.U. band consisted of drummer Chad Wackerman (who would become a regular
Holdsworth bandmember for the next three decades) and bassist Jeff Berlin. Former Cream singer Jack Bruce
provided vocal duties, as well as a returning Paul Williams.
Having relocated permanently to Southern California and acrimoniously parted ways with Warner Bros. over the
issue of creative control,[12] Holdsworth signed to Enigma for the 1985 release of Metal Fatigue (along with the
aforementioned I.O.U. reissue). It was at this time that Flim & the BB's bassist Jimmy Johnson joined the band and,
like Wackerman, has remained a consistent bandmember to this day. Making his last appearance on vocals was Paul
Williams, with whom Holdsworth claims to have fallen out due to the selling of live bootlegs by the former.[1]
The Atavachron album in 1986 was a landmark, in that it was the first to feature Holdsworth's work with a brand
new instrument named the SynthAxe. This unusually designed MIDI controller (albeit not a guitar synthesizer)[13]
would become a staple of Holdsworth's playing for the next fifteen years, during which he would effectively become
the public face of the instrument. The next year saw a fourth album, Sand, which featured no vocals and showcased
further SynthAxe experimentation. A second collaboration with Gordon Beck followed in 1988, with With a Heart
in My Song.
In the late 1980s, Holdsworth set up his own recording studio—The Brewery—in San Diego, California, which
would become one of the recording locations for all of his studio albums beginning with Secrets (1989) and
throughout the 1990s. In a 2005 interview, however, he stated that he no longer owned the studio following his
divorce in 1999.[1] [14] The aforementioned Secrets introduced pianist Steve Hunt, who went on to play keyboard on
two further albums, and as a member of Holdsworth's touring band.

1990s
A collaboration in 1990 with fellow fusion guitarist Frank Gambale came about in the form of Truth in
Shredding—an ambitious studio project put together by Mark Varney (brother of Shrapnel Records founder Mike
Varney) through his Legato Records label.[15] In December of that year, following the death of Level 42 guitarist
Alan Murphy in 1989, Holdsworth was recruited by the band to play as a guest musician during a series of concerts
at London's Hammersmith Odeon. With former I.O.U. partner Gary Husband now being the drummer for Level 42,
these factors all led to Holdsworth contributing guitarwork on five tracks on their 1991 album, Guaranteed.
Holdsworth's first solo album of the decade was 1992's Wardenclyffe Tower, which continued to feature the
SynthAxe but also displayed his newfound interest in self-designed baritone guitars (built by luthier Bill DeLap).[16]
With the release of Hard Hat Area in 1994, Holdsworth's touring band for that and the following year was composed
of Steve Hunt, Gary Husband and bassist Skúli Sverrisson. A collaboration in 1996 with brothers Anders and Jens
Johansson resulted in the experimental, rock-laden Heavy Machinery. In the same year, he was once again joined by
Gordon Beck on None Too Soon, which featured fusion-based interpretations of a selection of his favourite jazz
standards.
Allan Holdsworth 4

2000s
The decade began positively with The Sixteen Men of Tain in 2000, but it turned out to be Holdsworth's last album
recorded at The Brewary. Immediately afterwards, he abruptly slowed down his solo output due to events within his
personal life.[14] [17] A pair of official live albums, All Night Wrong and Then!, were released in 2002 and 2003,
respectively, along with a double compilation album, The Best of Allan Holdsworth: Against the Clock, in 2005. His
eleventh album, Flat Tire: Music for a Non-Existent Movie, was released in 2001 and remains his most recent studio
effort. According to Holdsworth, a new studio album entitled Snakes and Ladders was slated for a 2008 release on
guitarist Steve Vai's Favored Nations label, but as of 2010 this has not come about. Further new material featuring
Chad Wackerman and Jimmy Johnson was also said to be in the works.[14]
Throughout the latter half of the decade, he has been touring both North America and Europe extensively, and has
played as a guest on albums by numerous artists: most notably with former Dream Theater keyboardist Derek
Sherinian on Mythology (2004) and Quantum (2007); the latter with Sherinian's progressive metal group Planet X. In
2006, he performed with pianist Alan Pasqua, Chad Wackerman and bassist Jimmy Haslip as part of a live tribute act
in honour of late drummer Tony Williams. A DVD (Live at Yoshi's) and a double album (Blues for Tony) were
released in 2007 and 2009, respectively. Throughout 2008–2010, he has toured with drummers Terry Bozzio and Pat
Mastelotto, and bassist Tony Levin as HoBoLeMa—a supergroup playing improvised experimental music.

Compositions and style

Holdsworth's solo compositions are primarily instrumental, but vocals were prominent on all his 1980s albums
except Sand and Wardenclyffe Tower. Two of his most recurring singers were Paul Williams (featured on I.O.U.,
Road Games and Metal Fatigue) and Rowanne Mark (Atavachron and Secrets). Additionally, he himself sang on
'Igginbottom's Wrench and The Things You See. In his early career he occasionally played violin[1] (on Velvet
Darkness, Sunbird, The Things You See and I.O.U.) and acoustic guitar (on Velvet Darkness, U.K. and Metal
Fatigue), but claims to not be proficient at the latter;[17] this is due to it being percussive, and hence a lack of desire
to play such an instrument.[16]
He has a distinctive playing style that involves a strong scalar sense, combining elements of jazz and progressive
rock. The harmonic structure of his pieces is highly advanced, with frequently shifting tonal centres and unique
combinations of keys and modes. His phrasing almost always features striking yet subtle transitions between notes
that are both consonant and dissonant, with wide and unpredictable intervallic leaps. Whilst soloing, he
predominantly uses various legato techniques such as slides, hammer-ons and pull-offs (the latter being a
personalised method which works more akin to a 'reversed' hammer-on);[18] all of which result in an extremely fluid
lead sound. One of the reasons for his renowned emphasis on legato, as opposed to picking, stems from a desire to
make the sound between picked and legato notes indistinguishable.[19]
Another of his most identifiable traits is the use of rich, fingerpicked chords (often awash with delay, chorus and
other complex effects), which are articulated and sustained using volume swells to create sounds reminiscent of the
horn and saxophone. He has said that he prefers both of the aforementioned to the guitar, which was not his first
choice of instrument upon receiving one from his father when beginning to play.[20] [21] [22] It was because of this
unfamiliarity with the guitar, combined with attempting to make it sound more like a saxophone, that he originally
began to use legato without realising that it was not a common method of playing at the time.[16] Furthermore, he
was influenced greatly by such saxophonists as John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Michael Brecker and Charlie
Parker,[22] [23] [24] whilst some of his favourite guitarists were Django Reinhardt, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery,
Jimmy Raney, Charlie Christian and Hank Marvin.[21] [24]
Allan Holdsworth 5

Equipment
Over the course of his career, Holdsworth has worked with many different guitar manufacturers in a lifelong quest to
evolve his unique sound. From the late 1960s and through to his time spent with Tony Williams in the mid-1970s,
his main instrument was the Gibson SG.[1] [25] He then switched to playing custom Fender Stratocaster guitars that
were modified with humbucker pickups. He continued to play this type of design in the early 1980s, developing
custom models with Charvel and Jackson that feature on I.O.U. and Road Games.
In 1984, he developed his first signature guitars with Ibanez, known as the AH-10 and AH-20. These instruments
have a semi-hollow body made from basswood with a hollow cavity underneath the pickguard, and can be heard on
Metal Fatigue and Atavachron. In 1987, he began his long association with Steinberger guitars, which are made from
graphite and carbon fibre, and distinctively have no headstock. With designer Ned Steinberger, he developed the
GL2TA-AH signature model. In the 1990s, he started playing customised headless guitars made by luthier Bill
DeLap, including an extended-range baritone model which had a 38-inch scale length.[16] However, he now only
owns one of the latter instruments (with a 34-inch scale).[1] He has also developed a line of signature guitars with
Carvin, including the semi-hollow H2 in 1996 and the completely hollow HF2 Fatboy in 1999.[26]
On his 1986 release, Atavachron, Holdsworth first recorded with the SynthAxe; a fretted, guitar-like MIDI controller
with keys and string triggers instead of a strung neck, and a tube that dynamically alters note volume and tone via
breathing (similar to a talk box). Sound-wise, he uses patches which are mainly Oberheim synthesizers, as he
considers them to be "great sounds".[27] Although he has used the SynthAxe on all his solo releases since
Atavachron, and still enjoys using his two remaining ones in the studio, he says he no longer wishes to make it such
an integral part of his playing—especially live—mainly because of it being so rare, and difficult to maintain and
repair as a result.[1] [11] [23] [27]

Personal life
Holdsworth has lived in California permanently since the early 1980s, and often mentions cycling as one of his
favourite pastimes.[23] [27] He is also a keen aficionado of beer, with a particular fondness for Northern English
ale.[21] [24] Such is his taste for ale, he went as far as experimenting with brewing his own in the 1990s and inventing
a specialised beer pump—"The Fizzbuster"—which, in his own words, creates "a beautiful creamy head".[27] [28] He
has four children with ex-wife Claire named Lynne, Louise, Samuel (named after his father) and Emily; three of
whom live in Southern California, with Lynne residing in England.

Discography

Studio albums
• 1976: Velvet Darkness
• 1982: I.O.U.
• 1983: Road Games (EP)
• 1985: Metal Fatigue
• 1986: Atavachron
• 1987: Sand
• 1989: Secrets
• 1992: Wardenclyffe Tower
• 1993: Hard Hat Area
• 1996: None Too Soon
• 2000: The Sixteen Men of Tain
• 2001: Flat Tire: Music for a Non-Existent Movie
Allan Holdsworth 6

• 2005: The Best of Allan Holdsworth: Against the Clock (compilation)

Live albums
• 1997: I.O.U. Live
• 2002: All Night Wrong
• 2003: Then!

Collaboration albums
• 1980: The Things You See – with Gordon Beck
• 1988: With a Heart in My Song – with Gordon Beck
• 1990: Truth in Shredding – with Frank Gambale/The Mark Varney Project
• 1996: Heavy Machinery – with Jens Johansson and Anders Johansson
• 2009: Blues for Tony – with Alan Pasqua, Chad Wackerman and Jimmy Haslip (live double album)

Other album appearances

• 1969: 'Igginbottom's Wrench – 'Igginbottom
• 1972: Belladona – Nucleus
• 1973: Tempest – Tempest
• 1975: Bundles – Soft Machine
• 1975: Believe It – The New Tony Williams Lifetime
• 1976: Million Dollar Legs – The New Tony Williams Lifetime
• 1976: Gazeuse! – Gong
• 1976: Capricorn Princess – Esther Phillips
• 1977: Re-Touch & Quartet – John Stevens
• 1977: Enigmatic Ocean – Jean-Luc Ponty
• 1978: Expresso II – Gong
• 1978: Feels Good to Me – Bruford
• 1978: U.K. – U.K.
• 1978: Live In Boston – U.K.
• 1978: Touching On – John Stevens
• 1979: One of a Kind – Bruford
• 1979: Time is the Key – Pierre Moerlen's Gong
• 1979: Sunbird – Gordon Beck
• 1980: Conversation Piece – John Stevens
• 1981: Land of Cockayne – Soft Machine
• 1983: Individual Choice – Jean-Luc Ponty
• 1983: Retouch – John Stevens
• 1984: Transatlantic – Jon St. James
• 1986: Soma – Soma
• 1986: Change of Address – Krokus
• 1986: Fast Impressions – Jon St. James
• 1988: Radio Free Albemuth – Stuart Hamm
• 1988: If This Bass Could Only Talk – Stanley Clarke
• 1988: No Borders – Carl Verheyen
• 1988: The Distance Between – Strange Advance
• 1989: Attack of the Neon Shark – Alex Masi
Allan Holdsworth 7

• 1989: A Question of Time – Jack Bruce

• 1989: Guitar's Practicing Musicians – various artists
• 1990: Silent Will – Andrea Marcelli
• 1990: Blue Tav – Steve Tavaglione
• 1991: Love in Peace – Paz
• 1991: Forty Reasons – Chad Wackerman
• 1991: Guaranteed – Level 42
• 1992: Lone Ranger – Jeff Watson
• 1993: The View – Chad Wackerman
• 1993: Come Together: Guitar Tribute to the Beatles – various artists
• 1995: Suffer – Gongzilla
• 1995: Oneness – Andrea Marcelli
• 1995: Worlds Away & Back – Strange Advance
• 1996: Stare – Gorky Park
• 1997: From Your Heart and Your Soul – Steve Hunt
• 2002: Pray for Rain – Atlantis
• 2003: BBC Radio 1971-1974 – Soft Machine
• 2003: Abracadabra – Soft Works
• 2004: Sonic Undertow – Riptyde
• 2004: Mythology – Derek Sherinian
• 2004: Book of the Dead – K2
• 2005: Nebula – David Hines
• 2005: Anthology: Under the Blossom – Tempest
• 2006: Deconstruction of a Postmodern Musician – Corrado Rustici
• 2006: Floating World Live – Soft machine
• 2007: Prowlin' – Dan Carlin & Friends
• 2007: Quantum – Planet X
• 2007: The Acatama Experience – Jean-Luc Ponty
• 2007: Rock Goes to College – Bruford
• 2008: Progasaurus – Chris Buck
• 2008: Everyone Knows My Drinking, No One Knows My Thirst – Eric Keyes
• 2009: Highway Star – Snew
• 2009: The Early Years – Paul Korda
• 2009: Propensity – John Stevens and Danny Thompson (originally recorded in 1978)
• 2010: Dirty & Beautiful: Volume I – Gary Husband

VHS video releases

• 1992: REH Instructional: Allan Holdsworth (guitar instructional, reissued on DVD format in 2007)
• 1997: Drums & Improvisation – Gary Husband (Holdsworth is interviewed and contributes to three songs)

DVD video releases

• 2002: Live at the Galaxy Theatre
• 2005: Carvin: 60 Years in the Making (features an extended interview with Holdsworth, amongst others)
• 2006: Rock Goes to College – Bruford
• 2007: Live at Yoshi's
Allan Holdsworth 8

Books
• Reaching for the Uncommon Chord. Hal Leonard. 1987. ISBN 978-0634070020. Transcriptions and sheet music.
• Just for the Curious. Warner Bros. 1994. ISBN 978-0769220154. Transcriptions, sheet music and accompanying
CD.
• Melody Chords for Guitar. Centerstream. 1997. ISBN 978-1574240511. Reference tables and diagrams.

References
[1] Milkowski, Bill (2005-10-05). " A Conversation with Allan Holdsworth (#80) (http:/ / www. abstractlogix. com/ interview_view.
php?idno=80)". Abstract Logix. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
[2] " Danny Thompson, Allan Holdsworth, John Stevens: “Propensity” (http:/ / www. artofliferecords. com/ propensity. html)". Art of Life
Records. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
[3] http:/ / www. therealallanholdsworth. com
[4] Obrecht, Jas (April 1980). " Young Wizard of Power Rock (http:/ / www. vhlinks. com/ pages/ interviews/ evh/ gp0480. php)". Guitar Player.
Retrieved 2007-11-30.
[5] Brown, Pete (2007). " 3 Questions - Joe Satriani - An Interview (http:/ / truefire. com/ blog/ interviews/ 3-questions-joe-satriani/ )". The
Punch-In. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
[6] Burk, Greg (2008-07-10). " Record review and artist interview: Greg Howe. (http:/ / www. metaljazz. com/ 2008/ 07/
record_review_and_artist_inter. php)". MetalJazz. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
[7] Hallebeek, Richard (March–April 2001). " Shawn Lane + lesson (http:/ / www. richardhallebeek. com/ interviews/ lane. php)".
richardhallebeek.com. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
[8] Hallebeek, Richard (2002-03-19). " Richie Kotzen (http:/ / www. richardhallebeek. com/ interviews/ kotzen. php)". richardhallebeek.com.
Retrieved 2010-11-01.
[9] " Biography (http:/ / www. johnpetrucci. com/ biography. htm)". johnpetrucci.com. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
[10] Goldwasser, Noë April 1987). " Zappa's Inferno (http:/ / home. online. no/ ~corneliu/ gw487. htm)". Guitar World. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
[11] Prasad, Anil (1993-01-15). " Creating imaginary backdrops (http:/ / www. therealallanholdsworth. com/ allansinterviewinner. htm)".
Innerviews. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
[12] Mycock, Martin (1989). " Allan Holdsworth: In the 80's (http:/ / www. fingerprintsweb. net/ ah/ press/ facelift03. html)". The Allan
Holdworth Information Center. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
[13] Hollis, John (1997-12-12). " SynthAxe (http:/ / www. hollis. co. uk/ john/ synthaxe. html)". Hollis Communications. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
[14] Prasad, Anil (2008). " Harnessing momentum (http:/ / www. innerviews. org/ inner/ holdsworth2. html)". Innerviews. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
[15] Monk, Laurie (2010-06-13). " Truth In Shredding: Mark Varney: Legato interview with Laurie Monk (http:/ / www. truthinshredding. com/
2010/ 06/ mark-varney-legato-interview-with. html)". Truth In Shredding. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
[16] Hoard, Chris; Preston, Jeff (February 1994). " Allan Holdsworth: An Interview (http:/ / www. fingerprintsweb. net/ ah/ press/ atavinterview.
html)". The Allan Holdworth Information Center. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
[17] Feuillerat, Olivier (June 2003). " Don't you know? The Lost Words: Interview with Allan Holdsworth (http:/ / ofeuillerat. free. fr/
documents/ itw/ Feuillerat itw 03. htm)". ofeuillerat.free.fr. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
[18] Mulhern, Tom (December 1982). " A Style Apart (http:/ / ofeuillerat. free. fr/ documents/ itw/ GuitarPlayer itw 82. htm)". Guitar Player.
Retrieved 2009-08-07.
[19] admin (2010-01-29). " Allan Holdsworth on Not Sweep-Picking… (http:/ / www. woodytone. com/ 2010/ 01/ 29/
allan-holdsworth-on-not-sweep-picking/ )". WoodyTone!. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
[20] Holdsworth, Allan (1992). " REH Instructional: Allan Holdsworth (http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=-iQnZ-gMd-E)". YouTube.
Retrieved 2010-11-21.
[21] Adelson, Steve (2000-09-01). " Interview with Allan Holdsworth (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20061214161937/ http:/ / steveadelson.
com/ index. php?sec=reports& sub=interviews& tmp=interview. php& f=/ content/ interviews/ holdsworth-090902. php)". Twentieth Century
Guitar. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
[22] Hallebeek, Richard (2003-03-17). " Allan Holdsworth (2003) (http:/ / www. richardhallebeek. com/ interviews/ holdsworth03. php)".
richardhallebeek.com. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
[23] Morrison, Mike (2006-02-09). " Allan Holdsworth Interview (http:/ / www. therealallanholdsworth. com/ allansinterviewmorrison. htm)".
therealallanholdsworth.com. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
[24] Ablx Staff (2004-08-19). " Allan Holdsworth Interview (#15) (http:/ / www. abstractlogix. com/ interview_view. php?idno=15)". Abstract
Logix. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
[25] Hoard, Chris (1987). Allan Holdsworth: Reaching for the Uncommon Chord. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 23–25. ISBN 978-0634070020.
Retrieved 2010-11-09.
[26] " Semi-Hollow & Acoustic Electric Guitars (http:/ / www. carvinguitars. com/ customshop/ semihollow. php)". carvin.com. Retrieved
2010-11-09.
Allan Holdsworth 9

[27] Hallebeek, Richard (1996-05-11). " Allan Holdsworth (1996) (http:/ / www. richardhallebeek. com/ interviews/ index. php)".
richardhallebeek.com. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
[28] Douse, Cliff (December 1996). " Legato Land (http:/ / www. fingerprintsweb. net/ ah/ press/ gt1296. html)". Guitar Techniques. Retrieved
2010-11-26.

External links
• Official website (http://www.therealallanholdsworth.com)
• Unofficial fan forum (http://www.holdsy.com)
• Discography (http://www.discogs.com/artist/Allan+Holdsworth) at Discogs
• Allan Holdsworth discography (http://musicbrainz.org/artist/a6396e33-9298-493e-9409-f0e1366b326b.html)
at MusicBrainz
• Jazz Guitar Online: "Allan Holdsworth's Guitar Gear" (http://www.jazzguitar.be/
allan_holdsworth_guitar_gear.html)
• MP3 clip of a SynthAxe solo on Radio Free Albemuth at Guitar Nine Records (http://www.guitar9.com/audio/
radiofreeal1.mp3)
• Allan Holdsworth Style Legato Pattern (http://guitarinternational.com/wpmu/2010/01/24/
allan-holdsworth-style-legato-pattern/)

SynthAxe
A SynthAxe is a fretted, guitar-like MIDI controller, created
in 1986 by Bill Aitken and manufactured in England in the
middle to late 1980s. It is a musical instrument that uses an
electronic synthesizer to produce sound and is controlled
through the use of an arm which resembles the neck of a
guitar in form and in use. The name SynthAxe is a
portmanteau of the words synthesizer and axe, which is a
popular slang term meaning guitar.

The neck of a SynthAxe is bent upward from the body

because there are two independent sets of strings. These
strings are not made for creating sounds directly, but send
signals to a synthesizer which produces the sound. The long
set determine the pitch of notes played, through contact with
the frets on the neck and by sensing the side-to-side bending
of the string. The second set of strings for the right hand pass
through round magnets utilizing the Hall effect for velocity
sensitivity; these strings can be plucked or strummed to
trigger notes. A keyboard made up of six keys can also be
used to trigger notes instead of the strings. It also can be used
with a breath controller to simultaneously manipulate the
timbre and volume of the instrument. The SynthAxe also
featured an electronic tremolo bar. It could be used for
standard whammy bar effects, but also could be redefined to Synthaxe
produce different MIDI output (e.g., filter cutoffs, volume, et
al.)[1]
SynthAxe 10

When originally produced, the SynthAxe carried a price tag of 10,000 pounds (approximately $13,000 US dollars)
and eventually sold for about $8,000.00. It was such a sophisticated and expensive piece of machinery that few were
sold making it difficult to keep the company afloat. Eventually Virgin Games took over the distribution but let it go
after a couple of years.
Prominent players of the SynthAxe include Allan Holdsworth, Chuck Hammer, Lee Ritenour, Pat Metheny, Gary
Moore, and Al Di Meola. A SynthAxe formerly belonging to Lee Ritenour was heavily modified by Bela Fleck and
the Flecktones percussionist Future Man into his primary instrument, a unique Midi drum controller known as the
Synthaxe Drumitar.
Because it is no longer produced and difficult to locate used units (Holdsworth estimates that there are about 1,000 in
existence, and only about 2-3 people who would be qualified to repair one)[2] , most musicians who desire a MIDI
guitar controller often use more current alternatives, such as Roland or Axon systems that can convert a guitar's
output to MIDI via 13-Pin cables and outboard devices. However, the lack of keys and breath controller peripherals
for most modern MIDI-compatible guitar controllers allows the Synthaxe to endure as a niche instrument. This status
has recently been challeged by the Ztars, a range of guitar-like MIDI controllers built by Starr Labs, the most famous
users of these being virtuoso guitarist Les Fradkin and Rob Swire, the frontman of Anglo-Australian Drum and
Bass/Rock group Pendulum.

References
[1] Guitar Synth and MIDI. GPI Publications. 1988. p. 126. ISBN 0881885932.
[2] A. Prasad, "Allan Holdsworth: Creating Imaginary Backdrops," http:/ / www. innerviews. org/ inner/ holdswor. html

External links
• Holdsworth interview in which he talks about SynthAxe (http://www.innerviews.org/inner/holdswor.html)
• "This ain't no MIDI guitar." (http://www.hollis.co.uk/john/synthaxe.html)
• Photographs (http://www.studiobergman.com/synthaxe.html)
UK (band) 11

UK (band)
U.K.

UK, 1978. L-R: John Wetton, Allan Holdsworth, Bill Bruford, and Eddie Jobson.
Background information

Origin England

Genres Progressive rock, jazz fusion

Years active 1977–1980, 2009

Labels E.G. Records

Polydor Records
Virgin Records

Associated acts Asia, Roxy Music, Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Bruford, UKZ, HoBoLeMa

Past members

John Wetton
Bill Bruford
Eddie Jobson
Allan Holdsworth
Terry Bozzio

U.K. were a short-lived British progressive rock supergroup active from 1977 until 1980.

History

Formation and first album

Singer/bassist John Wetton and drummer Bill Bruford had worked together in King Crimson from 1972-4, when
guitarist Robert Fripp disbanded the group.[1] Wetton and Bruford continued to work together on ideas. In September
1976, they worked on forming a band with keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who had previously worked with Bruford in
Yes. The project was stopped by Wakeman's label. According to Bruford, "A&M Records were unwilling to let their
'star,' Wakeman, walk off with a used, slightly soiled King Crimson rhythm section, and the idea failed." [2]
Bruford and Wetton next asked guitarist Robert Fripp to reform King Crimson [3] When Fripp declined, Bruford and
Wetton decided that each would bring in a musician of his choice to form a new band. Wetton brought in
keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson, whom Wetton knew from his work with Roxy Music in 1976 – "stealing" him
from Frank Zappa.[4] Bruford recruited guitarist Allan Holdsworth (formerly of Soft Machine and Gong) who had
played guitar on Bruford's 1977 debut solo album, Feels Good to Me.
U.K. released their self-titled debut album in 1978 and followed it with a supporting tour. Following two lengthy
American tours (June-October 1978), first Holdsworth and then Bruford departed U.K. over musical differences,[2]
going on to form the jazz rock fusion group Bruford.
UK (band) 12

Trio line-up
After the departure of Bruford and Holdsworth, U.K. did not bring in another guitarist, instead becoming a trio with
drummer Terry Bozzio (another one-time Frank Zappa band member). They recorded the studio album Danger
Money, released in March 1979, and spent much of that year touring North America as opening act for Jethro Tull. A
live album, Night After Night, was recorded in Japan that Spring and released in September. Following a final
European tour in December 1979, and in spite of plans to record a new studio album in America in March 1980,
U.K. disbanded as Jobson and Wetton had different ideas on how the band should develop. Jobson wanted UK to go
on with more long instrumental pieces, while Wetton thought that performing shorter songs was a better idea.[5]
Jobson stated that one song in particular was the reason of the band to disband: "When Will You Realize?"[6] , a
non-LP B-side (to date still unavailable on CD) featured on the "Night After Night" single, which Wetton would
re-record (with slightly different lyrics) in 1980 on his solo album Caught In The Crossfire.

Aftermath
Jobson worked with Jethro Tull on the album A and went on to a solo career. Wetton, following a brief stint with
Wishbone Ash (October-December 1980), and the recording of his solo album Caught In The Crossfire (Summer
1980), eventually left E.G. Records to sign with Geffen Records and ex-Yes manager Brian Lane and started Asia
with Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and Geoffrey Downes. Bozzio formed Missing Persons with his then-wife Dale
Bozzio, guitarist Warren Cuccurullo and bassist Patrick O'Hearn – all four also from line-ups with Zappa.
Holdsworth and Bozzio now play together in HoBoLeMa.

Legacy project
From 1995 to 1998, Jobson and Wetton worked together on a proposed U.K. reunion album, also recording
contributions by Bruford, Tony Levin, Steve Hackett and Francis Dunnery. However, when Wetton departed,
"Legacy" became an Eddie Jobson solo project, with Wetton replaced on lead vocals by Aaron Lippert. Three tracks
intended for the project found their way onto Voices of Life, a compilation by Bulgarian Women's Choir organised
by Jobson.[7]

UKZ and reunion

In October 2007, Jobson announced a new band, UKZ, with Lippert and former King Crimson bassist/guitarist Trey
Gunn among others, which released an EP called "Radiation" in March 2009. In late 2009, Jobson and Wetton both
talked about a possible reunion of U.K. A U.K. reunion tour in February/March 2010 with Jobson, Wetton, Marco
Minnemann on drums (from UKZ) and Greg Howe (Victor Wooten, Vitalij Kuprij, Michael Jackson) on guitar was
described to promoters, but not confirmed by Wetton.
Wetton and Jobson performed three concerts in Poland in November 2009 as part of Jobson's Ultimate Zero (U-Z)
project. The line-up also featured Marco Minnemann (drums), Greg Howe (guitar) and Tony Levin (stick). They
performed music from UK and King Crimson. A CD compiled from various U-Z performances from 2009 is planned
to be released in Japan on the 9th of June 2010, with a European/USA release to follow in August[8] .
UK (band) 13

Musical style
Throughout their brief existence, U.K.'s music was characterised by skilled musicianship, jazzy harmonies, close
harmony vocals, odd-numbered time signatures, mixed meters, electric violin solos, and unusually varied synthesiser
(Yamaha CS-80[2] ) sonorities.

Discography
Year Album US UK Notes

1978 U.K. 65 43 Single releases "In the Dead of Night" and "Mental Medication"

1979 Danger Money 45 - Single releases "Rendezvous 6:02" and "Nothing to Lose" UK #67

1979 Night After Night 109 - Single release "Night After Night"

1999 Concert Classics, Vol. 4 - - Live 1978. Re-released as Live in America and Live in Boston.

References
[1] King Crimson (http:/ / www. dgmlive. com/ kc/ index. htm?group=wetton& bio=true)
[2] DPRP : Counting Out Time : UK - UK (http:/ / www. dprp. net/ proghistory/ index. php?i=1978_03)
[3] Robert Fripp on June 18, 1979 in Chicago (http:/ / www. dgmlive. com/ archive. htm?artist=25& show=1172)
[4] U.K. Humbled in U.S.A (http:/ / www. webcitation. org/ query?url=http:/ / www. geocities. com/ SunsetStrip/ 8827/ uk. html&
date=2009-10-25+ 10:10:16)
[5] Interview with John Wetton in Big Bang Magazine (http:/ / www. elephant-talk. com/ wiki/
Interview_with_John_Wetton_in_Big_Bang_Magazine)
[6] New UK bootleg / New editions (http:/ / www. eddiejobson. com/ forum/ read. php?f=3& i=1204& t=1178#reply_1204)
[7] On The Edge With Eddie Jobson (http:/ / mixonline. com/ mag/ audio_edge_eddie_jobson/ )
[8] [www.ukzband.com]
Article Sources and Contributors 14

Article Sources and Contributors

Allan Holdsworth  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=400425464  Contributors: 3691charlesmj, ABoerma, Abby, Acroyear, Aeternus, Ahkond, Albin H-L, Alcuin, Anger22,
Archivman, BNutzer, Benc, Bockop, Bohemianroots, BrianWilloughby, CareyOpie, Cdl obelix, Chrism07924, Clerks, Cosprings, D6, Dancingeyes, DaveGorman, David Gerard, Davidhulme,
Dburgess, Doktor Who, Dougher, Dr. Blofeld, Drmies, Dunks58, East of Lyra, Ekajati, El C, ElinorD, Elkman, Erjon, FMAFan1990, Fair Deal, Fisherjs, Furyo Mori, Fusionakis, Giraffedata,
Gm7b52001, GreyCat, HarmonicSphere, Heimdallalso, Hotrod4456, Hqb, IKF, Inter, Japanese Searobin, Jimthing, Kakashi64, Kcordina, Koliver atl, Krótki, La Pizza11, Lambdoid, Lambyuk,
Laszlo Panaflex, Lesheifner, Lexo, Look4mathewkrom, Lurulu, Mac Dreamstate, Malikshreds, Manning Bartlett, Markendust, Matt58, Maurice Lelaix, Mboverload, MichaelBillington, Mike
Selinker, Mind meal, Mr. Brain, NawlinWiki, Nick Watts, Nostalgic34, Passitivity, Pedro.pedruzzi, Peter Fleet, Pgilman, Phil Boswell, PigFlu Oink, Posvse, Pstornes, Pudwud, Quercusrobur,
Rabit, RamEEz, Rich Farmbrough, Ruhkukah, Schenzman, Schroeder74, Sdornan, Sharkchops, Shoplifter, SimonArlott, SirWoland, SlayerXT, SlubGlub, Smallclone2, Soul Reaper, Sprecher,
Starless and bible black, Superswade, T. Anthony, Tabletop, Tassedethe, Technopat, The Invisible Man, The wub, Thedarkestclear, Theleop, Timmy12, Tommaso456, Tuesdaily, Tvccs,
Twinrovakc, Unused0022, Vanieter, Viames, Wenospeak, Wether B, Wiki libs, Wilson44691, Wiwaxia, Wmahan, Zargb5, Zarniwoop5, Zdv, Zencrooner, 264 anonymous edits

SynthAxe  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=400403985  Contributors: *Kat*, Awesimo, Boffy b, Chowbok, Chrisfromcanberra, ConformistDeviant, Davewho2, Decoratrix,
Deeperknowledge22, Deltabeignet, Fethers, GreyCat, Grm wnr, HistoryBA, Ilion2, LodeRunner, Longhair, M.nelson, Mojotooth, Munitsoldier, Nellis, NickR753, Paishiyauvada, Pstinchcombe,
Redheylin, Rich Farmbrough, Smallclone2, Surv1v4l1st, Tobbebergman, Tommaso456, Tvccs, Uwe Gille, Welsh, Z00ropean, 28 anonymous edits

UK (band)  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=399970170  Contributors: 2tuntony, 4ctmam, Amrhingar, Anger22, BandsUK, Bohemianroots, Bondegezou, Cdl obelix, Chris the
speller, ChrisB, Chubbles, Closedmouth, Dbtfz, Diddlino, Dycedarg, FotoPhest, FredR, Freekee, Fuzheado, Gbourke, Geh, Gershom, Guck hunter, Gumruch, Gutsul, HisSpaceResearch, Ibanez
Guy, Ionutzmovie, J04n, Jarnot, Jonny808, Kaibabsquirrel, KosmischeSynth, Krótki, Lcola, Lesheifner, MarkRae, MegX, Megan1967, Narssarssuaq, Nasmformyzombie, Niels, Nouse4aname,
Ohnoitsjamie, Rdrozd, RedWolf, Repliedthemockturtle, Rjwilmsi, Runtub, Someoneinmyheadbutit'snotme, Sposato, Starcheerspeaksnewslostwars, Tamfang, Tassedethe, Tedder,
TenPoundHammer, Thistle172, Tzf, Vague Rant, Valfontis, Vanwhistler, Witchwooder, 54 anonymous edits
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 15

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

File:AH-1975-s.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:AH-1975-s.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5  Contributors: Original uploader was
Gm7b52001 at en.wikipedia
Image:SynthAxe.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SynthAxe.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Chrisfromcanberra (talk). Original uploader was
Chrisfromcanberra at en.wikipedia
File:UK_Polydor_1978.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:UK_Polydor_1978.jpg  License: unknown  Contributors: FotoPhest, Sposato, Sposato2
License 16

License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
http:/ / creativecommons. org/ licenses/ by-sa/ 3. 0/