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Glenn Tilbrook

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Glenn Martin Tilbrook (born 31 August 1957, in Woolwich, London) is an English singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the English new wave band Squeeze, a band formed in the mid-1970s who broke through in the new wave era at the decade's end. He generally writes the music for Squeeze's songs, while his writing partner, Chris Difford, writes the lyrics.[1] In addition to his songwriting skills, Tilbrook is respected both as a singer and an accomplished guitarist.

Glenn Tilbrook
Tilbrook performing with Squeeze in 2015
Tilbrook performing with Squeeze in 2015
Background information
Birth nameGlenn Martin Tilbrook
Born (1957-08-31) 31 August 1957 (age 67)
Woolwich, London, England
GenresNew wave, power pop
Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, keyboards
Websitewww.glenntilbrook.com

Squeeze

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Tilbrook formed Squeeze with fellow guitarist and vocalist Chris Difford in the mid-1970s. Difford had placed an advertisement at a local shop looking for a guitarist and Tilbrook was the only person to respond. Tilbrook also recruited school friend Jools Holland to join the band in its early stages.[2]

Tilbrook and Difford would ultimately form a songwriting partnership that is responsible for writing most Squeeze songs, with Tilbrook writing music and Difford writing lyrics. Tilbrook also serves as lead guitarist and performs guitar solos on the band's music. On his guitar style, Tilbrook commented:

I'm very conscious of my guitar playing, particularly early on, and I wouldn’t trust myself to improvise. It's a sort of an insecurity on my part. ... [One person] who really influenced me is the guy who played the solo on the Carpenters' "Goodbye to Love" [Tony Peluso]. That solo really stuck with me. And it's interesting, because ... it starts with the tune and then it branches off into this wonderful thing. You know, it's like in a musical. A song should carry the plot forward. I think the guitar solo should carry the music forward and not just hang around.[3]

 
Tilbrook, with Squeeze, Los Angeles, December 1987

In 1982 Squeeze had disbanded. The chemistry between Tilbrook and Difford could not be as easily dismissed however, and the ensuing record they made together in 1984 has become the “lost” Squeeze album for many fans.[4] However, the partnership began to fray under the duress of Difford's struggles with addiction and questions over the band's commercial and creative direction.[2] The band would again break up in 1999 and remain dormant until a reunion in 2007.

Difford and Tilbrook

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During Squeeze's first hiatus, from approximately 1983 to 1985, Tilbrook wrote, recorded, and toured with Difford as Difford & Tilbrook. Their album, Difford & Tilbrook was released in 1984, and remastered and reissued in 2006.[5]

Solo career and outside Squeeze

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Tilbrook contributed guitar on 1976 demos for punk band The Only Ones.[6]

Tilbrook, alongside Chris Difford, appeared on several songs on the 1995 album I'm With Stupid, including most notably the single "That's Just What You Are", by American alternative rock singer-songwriter Aimee Mann, with both contributing backing vocals, and Tilbrook playing lead guitar.

On 18 June 1996, before the Euro '96 England vs. The Netherlands match at Wembley Stadium, Tilbrook appeared on ITV to sing the national anthem, "God Save the Queen".[7]

Following Squeeze's second breakup in 1999, Tilbrook pursued a solo career, often touring around the UK and US in an RV, playing small venues. He released two solo albums, The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook and Transatlantic Ping Pong. Tilbrook co-wrote some of the songs for his solo recordings with artists such as Ron Sexsmith, Chris Braide and Aimee Mann.

 
Glenn Tilbrook at the Picturedrome, Yorkshire on 19 May 2007

In 2006, the film documentary Glenn Tilbrook: One for the Road was released. It followed Tilbrook on his November 2001 tour across the United States. In 2007, Tilbrook took time off from his solo career to tour once again with Squeeze who had reformed for the third time.

In April 2007, Tilbrook released The Past Has Been Bottled, the first in a five-disc series of remastered demos. The first release included early versions of tracks from Squeeze's East Side Story. The second volume, In The Sky Above, was released in the UK in November 2007, and covered the period from 1993 through 1998. The third volume, Dreams Are Made of This, was released in November 2009 and covered Squeeze's early years, from 1974 to 1980. The fourth volume When Daylight Appears, was released in 2011 and covered the years 1985 to 1991.[8] The fifth volume, Upon The Rocks, was released in 2016 and covered the years 1981 to 1984.[9]

In 2008, Tilbrook previewed new material while on tour with the Fluffers, two members of whom are also members of the latest Squeeze line-up. A four-track single "Binga Bong!" was released in November 2008. The album Pandemonium Ensues, credited to Glenn Tilbrook and The Fluffers, was released in March 2009. The 14-track album was produced by Tilbrook and Andrew J. Jones, and mixed by Bob Clearmountain. It featured guest appearances from Johnny Depp on "Too Close to the Sun" and Depp's then girlfriend, Vanessa Paradis, on "Interest & Love."

In January 2010 it was announced that Tilbrook and Difford would be spending part of the coming summer in Italy, together writing songs for a new Squeeze album. The result of this was a 4-song CD of new demo recordings which emerged during their 2012 tour of the US. The duo toured the UK and US again in 2014–15 with a program they called 'The At Odds Couple'.[10]

In 2014, Tilbrook released a mostly acoustic album titled Happy Ending,[11] Later that year, he was featured on the compilation Songs from a Stolen Spring that paired Western musicians with artists from the Arab Spring. On the album, Tilbrook's performance of the Bob Marley and Peter Tosh song "Get Up, Stand Up" was meshed with Egyptian singer Dina El Wedidi's "Beyond These Doors".[12]

Fluffers

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For the hired member of the crew of a pornographic movie whose job it is to sexually arouse the male participants, see Fluffer.
The Fluffers
GenresRock, power pop
Years active2003–present
Members
WebsiteThe Fluffers

The Fluffers is the name of Tilbrook's band when Tilbrook performs without Squeeze. They tour internationally, and consist of Tilbrook, Stephen Large (keyboards), Simon Hanson (drums) and Lucy Shaw (electric bass).[13]

Personal life

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Tilbrook was born in Woolwich, London on 31 August 1957.[14][15]

Tilbrook has his own recording studio, 45RPM, in Charlton. It has been used by other bands such as Nine Below Zero.[16] Tilbrook supports Charlton Athletic F.C. and in 1998 Squeeze released "Down in the Valley", a tribute to his boyhood team.[citation needed]

Tilbrook is a supporter of the Love Hope Strength Foundation, a cancer charity founded by Mike Peters of The Alarm, and has played concerts in aid of the organisation, including one at base camp, Mount Everest.[17]

He was married to Pam Baker in the early and mid-1980s; the couple struggled with heroin abuse.[18] They had two sons. He is now married to Suzanne Hunt, with whom he had another son. All three of his sons are musicians.[19]

Discography

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  • 2001: The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook
  • 2001: The Completely Acoustic Glenn Tilbrook
  • 2004: Transatlantic Ping Pong
  • 2007: The Past Has Been Bottled: East Side Story Demos
  • 2008: In The Sky Above: The Demo Tapes 1993-1999
  • 2009: Dreams Are Made Of This: The Demo Tapes 1974-1980
  • 2009: Pandemonium Ensues (Glenn Tilbrook & The Fluffers)
  • 2011: The Co-Operative (Glenn Tillbrook & Nine Below Zero)
  • 2011: When Daylight Appears: The Demo Tapes 1985-1991
  • 2014: Happy Ending
  • 2016: Upon The Rocks: The Demo Tapes 1981-1984

References

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  1. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 325. CN 5585.
  2. ^ a b Tilbrook, Glenn; Difford, Chris; Drury, Jim. Squeeze: Song by Song. Sanctuary.
  3. ^ Fanelli, Damian (May 2012). "Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze Talks Gear, Guitar Solos and Future Plans". Guitar World. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Squeeze: A History – Squeeze". Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Difford & Tilbrook - Difford & Tilbrook" – via www.allmusic.com.
  6. ^ Gabey, Ged (30 April 2017). "The Songwriting Genius of Peter Perrett: Part One: Writers, musicians & fans choose examples from The Only Ones back catalogue". Louder Than War. Archived from the original on 23 May 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  7. ^ "1996". TV Pop Diaries - Pop Music on British Television 1955 - 1999. Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  8. ^ "When Daylight Appears – the latest demos CD from Glenn Tilbrook". packetofthree.com. 6 November 2011. Archived from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  9. ^ "Glenn's new CD, 'Upon The Rocks' his 5th Demo CD, available now". Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Duo shows with Chris Difford announced". Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  11. ^ "Glenn Tilbrook: Happy Ending". popmatters. 31 March 2014. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  12. ^ "Songs From A Stolen Spring". Valley Entertainment. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  13. ^ "Glenn Tilbrook - Biography". Glenntilbrook.com. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  14. ^ "Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze". 20 June 2019.
  15. ^ "Glenn Tilbrook Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & M..." AllMusic.
  16. ^ Nine Below Zero website Archived 5 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 10 December 2008
  17. ^ "Everest Rocks – Love Hope Strength Foundation". www.lovehopestrength.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  18. ^ Paskett, Zoe. "Squeeze's Glenn Tilbrook: 'The house price rise is an evil trick'". Islington Gazette. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  19. ^ Dury, Jim; Difford, Chris; Tilbrook, Glenn (2004). Squeeze: Song by Song. Sanctuary. pp. 118, 119. ISBN 9781860746048.

Further reading

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