Lift biography History: The New Orleans Years (1972-1975): LIFT was formed in June, of 1972, by keyboardist, Chip Gremillion, bassist, Cody Kelleher and drummer, Chip Grevemberg. Although they all had worked together in numerous groups previously, LIFT was formed with the purpose of being a progressive band from the South. Chris Young was added on rhythm guitar, 12 string and vocals in the first month. Lead vocalist Courtenay Hilton-Green, from Pensacola Florida, who had worked with Gremillion previously and lead guitarist Richard Huxen of New Orleans joined within several months. Chris Young left the group shortly thereafter to pursue other interests, but not before penning the lyric to Simplicity and co-writing the lyric for Caverns with Chip Gremillion and Courtney Hilton-Green. By late fall of 1972 the five member group now consisting of Gremillion, Kelleher, Grevemberg, Hilton-Green and Huxen began to rapidly build a strong following, even among area musicians who were often seen at LIFT performances. Throughout 1973 LIFT continued to attract the support of audiences and local music critics. LIFT became a frequent highlight performer at area universities for special events. Local club performances were often standing room only with musicians and fans enjoying the show equally. LIFT continued to cover ever increasing and complex pieces of progressive music. LIFT would often begin its show with the Genesis tune, Watcher of the Skies. Imagine the condition this created in a southern audience in 1973. Aside from standard southern bands, LIFT covered, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Uriah Heap, Robin Trower, ELP, Yes, King Crimson, Moody Blues and gradually introduced original material as it was composed. In the summer of 1974 producer Sonny Fox put LIFT in the studio and recorded four songs; Simplicity, Caverns, Buttercup Boogie and Tripping Over the Rainbow. Most band members were barely 19 at the time. LIFT continued to perform in the New Orleans area and increase in popularity. LIFT incorporated the recorded songs as well as additional original material into their live sets. In the late Fall of 1975, at the suggestion of Sonny Fox, LIFT relocated to Atlanta. The Atlanta Years (1975-1979): From the outset Atlanta was a challenge. Nothing went according to plan! Just months after relocating and based upon the material from the 1974 Caverns session, LIFT went to Philadelphia to re-record modified versions of Simplicity, and Tripping over the Rainbow as well as a newer instrumental tune entitled, To Undulate Rapidly. (The band was unaware of the pending release of the bootleg LP. Members only became aware of the Caverns of Your Brain release in 1990 when Greg Walker from Syn-Phonic contacted Chip Gremillion to release a CD from the original master tapes. The title originally was to be Simplicity or simply LIFT.) LIFT drove from Atlanta to Philadelphia, set up, recorded and mixed the three tunes with no sleep. The session was described by producers as very hot. LIFT was involved in a short mixing session, listened to a good playback of each tune and headed back to Atlanta with promises of dupes and Masters to follow. To this day no one has ever received a copy of that session. The Winter of 1975 -76 was harsh for Atlanta and for LIFT. By early Spring, bassist Cody Kelleher and lead vocalist, Courtenay Hilton-Green left the group. Nearly a 7 month search ensued for replacements with virtually no luck. In early Fall of 1976 Laura Poppy Pate a soprano voice teacher answered an ad placed at a local music store. She claimed to be checking us out for a student. After hearing our music she was immediately part of the group. Within weeks a chance meeting between Chip Grevemberg, Mike Mitchell and Tony Vaughn in an apartment hallway resulted in what can only be described as musical critical mass! In less than six months of intense rehearsals LIFT added five new compositions to its catalog and completed rearrangements the Caverns material to better fit the new personnel line up. In spite of no live performances LIFT quickly garnered the respect of local musicians who frequented rehearsals and also the curiosity of British record producer Michael Stewart. Working in the studio as a group and the rehearsals that followed caused LIFT to develop a very tight live sound. As the band rehearsed to duplicate the studio performance we all felt our time was approaching. A professional photography session was booked, A&R reps from different record companies began expressing interest and enthusiasm was mounting. Based upon one listen to the new material, LIFT was booked as the opening act for an upcoming major show at Atlantas leading concert venue of the time, Alex Cooleys Electric Ballroom. A&R people from up to four interested labels were to be in attendance. LIFT was ready! Two weeks prior to the scheduled show Poppy informed the group she was leaving immediately for personal reasons. Decision Final! Shortly after Poppys departure and our withdrawal from the concert Richard Huxen left the group. Over the next six months Chip Gremillion, Mike Mitchell, Chip Grevemberg and Tony Vaugn invited a number a guest musicians to rehearse in an attempt to recreate LIFTS capabilities, but to no avail. However, the remaining foursome soon realized that we were quite capable of producing a unique sound. In that remaining period some of LIFTS best material was composed. Six to seven additional compositions were created; ironically it was this music that potentially had the greatest chance of commercial success. LIFT disbanded in February, 1979. (Source of information: liftsounds/history.htm) The music from the New Orleans years is typical Seventies, YES-inspired symphonic rock, loaded with vintage keyboards (Hammond, Moog, Mellotron) along pleasant male vocals, fiery electric guitar and a powerful and dynamic rhythm-section. The music from the Atlanta years (with a slightly changed line-up) is more in the vein of mid-GENESIS, the female vocals evoke Annie Haslam from RENAISSANCE. Songs / Tracks Listing 1. Simplicity (10:07) 2. Caverns (9:27) 3. Buttercup Boogie (5:46) 4. Tripping Over the Rainbow (11:13) Total Time: 36:33 Line-up / Musicians - Chip Gremillion / Hammond B-3, Mellotron 400, electric & acoustic pianos, Moog Sonic Six, ARP Odyssey - Cody Kelleher / Rickenbacker bass and Taurus bass pedals - Chip Grevemberg / Rodgers drums, chimes, gongs, bells, percussion - Richard Huxen / lead guitar, electric & acoustic guitars, steel slide guitar - Courtenay Hilton-Green / lead vocals, flute
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 17:09:29 +0000