Resources for the Media
Venues - Promoters
and above all, the band's Proactive Fans
The Enid has created a unique school of intelligent, powerful, and romantic music that is free from the constraints of template rock and pop, where rhythm, harmony, and melody are invariably influenced by the traditions, prejudices, and limitations associated with style.
Says founder Robert John Godfrey: “I did not expect to be still alive, but here I am!”
INDEPENDENT BAND SINCE 1980
FUNDED ENTIRELY BY FANS AND FRIENDS OF THE BAND
QUOTES
1976 - After three encores and a standing ovation at Reading Festival, a disgusted John Peel described The Enid performance as “A Level Rock – the worst possible drivel.”
1979 - Tommy Vance (BBC Radio 1) described Robert John Godfrey as “one of the greatest composers England has ever had”
1986 - Alan Freeman (BBC Radio 1) said, “The Enid is the only band on the planet to have successfully fused rock-based music with the power, dynamics, and scale of symphonic classical music”.
1990 - The Guardian explained The Enid as “Pink Floyd meets The Orb meets the Berlin Philharmonic”.
2010 - Malcolm Dome, Classic Rock: “With their milestone sell-out concert at Symphony Hall, Birmingham with the CBSO, The Enid have indelibly underlined their position as the symphonic masters.
2014 - Jerry Ewing Prog Magazine: ".... absolutely blew my mind - unlike anything I had seen before - totally unique - a wonderful band - far-reaching and ground-breaking."
2016 - The Band On The Wall: “The most majestic rock band of all time.”
“The Enid have reaffirmed their place among the pantheon of Prog Gods.” Rachel Mann, Prog Magazine
"Late blooming beauty." Mark Beech, Bloomberg
“One of the most puzzling but invigorating sounds of recent years.” Dave Gelly, The Observer
“The delivery of Enid songwriter Robert John Godfrey’s songs through a rock band augmented by an orchestra and choir worked brilliantly.” Express and Star
“The rebirth of one of the most original of all progressive bands.” Malcolm Dome, Classic Rock
ROBERT JOHN GODFREY
Back Story
Robert John Godfrey (born 30 July 1947) is a British composer, pianist and founder member of The Enid. Although he didn't start to play the piano until the age of twelve, Godfrey's talent was prodigious enough to gain him admission to both the Royal College of Music and later the Royal Academy of Music. He studied under concert pianist Malcolm Binns.
From 1968 to 1971 Godfrey was the resident musical director with Barclay James Harvest, making musical contributions to early recordings which established their full, orchestral style of rock music.
In 1974 the Charisma Records label released his first solo work, Fall of Hyperion. Although not a commercial success at the time, this work has since become collectable.
He then went on to form The Enid, a band that is still performing and recording today.
U
The way I compose is "evolutionary", in the sense that I begin with a vision of what I want to say without knowing how or when the music will come to me, or how it will develop over time. I take a walk in the woods and wait to see where that journey leads.
When you add to that, the music and personality of Jason Ducker, I can say that together we have been on a truly unpredictable path.
There is more to come”.
Robert John Godfrey Oct 2019.
50 YEARS OF MUSIC MAKING
EXTENDED LINEUP FOR THE AUTUMN TOUR IN OCTOBER
2024 sees the expansion of the band's touring line-up with the recent introduction of virtuoso guitarist, Alfredo Randazzo, and renowned bassist and keyboardist, Tim Harries.
Tour dates are to be announced shortly.
Says Robert John Godfrey: “I did not expect to still be alive but here I am!”
BASIC INFO
The Enid was founded in 1973 by British composer and pianist, Robert John Godfrey together with John Francis Lickerish and Stephen Stewart to explore progressive possibilities in music.
Whilst the way The Enid creates and communicates has evolved over the last 50 years, the philosophy of the band, the steady introduction of new blood and the underlying ethos have endured.
VISIONARY AWARD
In 2014 Robert John Godfrey won the coveted Visionary Award in the Progressive Music Awards, whilst The Enid picked up awards for Best Band & Best Keyboard Player.
Watch Robert with Jerry Ewing and Gavin Esler accepting his award.
THE MUSIC
Defining the music of The Enid is never easy. The Guardian described the band as “Pink Floyd meets The Orb meets the Berlin Philharmonic”. Alan Freeman of the BBC said, “The Enid is the only band on the planet to have successfully fused rock-based music with the power, dynamics, and scale of symphonic classical music”.
RECORDINGS
The band released their debut album, In The Region Of The Summer Stars the following year.
MEMORABLE GIGS
The early years of the band were personified by two lead guitarists, fighting it out on stage in front of large crowds at the famous London Marquee Club. The band went on to appear five times at the Reading Festival and three times at Hammersmith Apollo (formerly Hammersmith Odeon)
Since the 1980s the band has toured all around Europe, Japan and the USA.
In 2011 with the help of the fans, The Enid staged a concert in Birmingham's prestigious Symphony Hall backed by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
LIVE WITH THE CBSO AT SYMPHONY HALL
THE BIRTH OF CROWDFUNDING FOR BANDS
IN THE PRE-INTERNET ERA
In 1980 the band broke with the music business completely after the collapse of PYE Records and has operated as an "indie band" in partnership with the band's fans ever since.
In 1983 and in need of a survival plan, they turned to their fan club, “The Stand”, to provide the necessary capital funding to tour, produce new recordings and support all the costs associated with running a professional band. The concept of crowdfunding for bands had arrived.
The Enid is proud to have been a pioneer and an inspiration for all those bands who have since followed suit. "If a small cult band like The Enid could do it, so could anyone. Now thanks to the Internet, we are all doing it. Wunderbar!", said Robert John Godfrey in 1988.
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES
First independent record relaese in 1983
BAND PORTRAIT
ROBERT JOHN GODFREY
RAW BAND POSTER IMAGES
For generating your own poster.
BAND - LANDSCAPE
ALFREDO RANDAZZO - GUITARIST
Alfredo is a very accomplished guitarist. He joined the band in 2022 and took part in the band's autumn tour. Jason Ducker and Alfredo are spending most days reorganising the band's music for twin guitarists.
TIM HARRIES - BASS & KEYS
Tim studied music at the University of York, graduating in 1981 before going on to study double bass with Tom Martin at the Guildhall School of Music.
He was a member of Bill Bruford's Earthworks from 1989 to 1993.
Tim was a member of folk rock band, Steeleye Span from 1989 to 2001, he contributed bass, keyboards and vocals and later guitar after the return of long time bassist, Rick Kemp.
Since leaving Steeleye Span he has worked as a session musician for Brian Eno, Katie Melua, Film Composers David Holmes and Stephen Warbeck, writer Alan Moore, on the audio CD version of Moore's comic book novel Angel Passage (2001), and others.
He can be heard on the soundtracks of films including Heart (1999), Quills (2000) and Perrier's Bounty (2009).
Tim is currently absobing The Enid repetorie and rehearsing for this year's coming events.
PROMO VIDEO
Touring Lineup
JASON DUCKER - GUITARIST
Jason first played with the band in 2003 at The London Astoria and became the band’s permanent guitarist in 2007 and has appeared on every album and live performance since.
Jason turned 40 last year and is the band's longest-serving guitarist.
KARL THOMPSON - DRUMS & PERCUSSION
Like Jason, Karl grew up in Northamptonshire playing the drums professionally from his early teens. His first involvement with The Enid was in 2017 leading to him becoming the band’s dedicated drummer in 2020.
50 Years Ago
OTHER USEFUL IMAGES
