Dave Greenslade(1943-2026)
- Composer
- Music Department
English electronic keyboardist, organist and composer, the son of pianist Jack Greenslade, who ran a dance club in the 1930s. From 1969 to 1971, Dave Greenslade was a member of the jazz-blues fusion group Colosseum, notably composing the band's second album, Valentyne Suite. After Colosseum broke up, he formed a prog rock outfit under his own name, releasing four albums until 1975. The following year, he made a successful solo debut with the album Cactus Choir, which had Greenslade on vocal, keyboards, vibes and percussion and included ex-Colosseum band member Tony Reeves on bass guitar. In addition to making two further solo albums, Greenslade rejoined the reformed Colosseum II in 1994.
That year, he also composed and arranged the album From the Discworld, inspired by the fantasy novels of his friend Terry Pratchett. The four other musicians involved included rock guitarist Clem Clempson of Colosseum and Pratchett's daughter Rhianna on keyboards. Tony Robinson provided the main narration.
For a decade from the mid 70s, Greenslade was much in demand for BBC TV themes, his most memorable and distinctive scores being those for the thriller miniseries Bird of Prey (1982) and Bird of Prey 2 (1984), starring Richard Griffiths. Little has been heard from Greenslade since 1994.
That year, he also composed and arranged the album From the Discworld, inspired by the fantasy novels of his friend Terry Pratchett. The four other musicians involved included rock guitarist Clem Clempson of Colosseum and Pratchett's daughter Rhianna on keyboards. Tony Robinson provided the main narration.
For a decade from the mid 70s, Greenslade was much in demand for BBC TV themes, his most memorable and distinctive scores being those for the thriller miniseries Bird of Prey (1982) and Bird of Prey 2 (1984), starring Richard Griffiths. Little has been heard from Greenslade since 1994.
