David Longdon

David Longdon (17 June 1965 – 20 November 2021) was a British singer and multi-instrumentalist, who was best known as the lead vocalist and co-songwriter of the progressive rock band Big Big Train. Besides singing, Longdon played flute, keyboards, acoustic and electric 6 & 12 string guitars, bass, mandolin, lute, banjo, accordion, percussion, dulcimer, psaltry, vibraphone, theremin and glockenspiel.

David Longdon
David Longdon with Big Big Train live at the Town Hall; Birmingham, West Midlands, 2019
Background information
Born(1965-06-17)17 June 1965
Nottingham, England
Died20 November 2021(2021-11-20) (aged 56)
Nottingham, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instrument(s)
Formerly ofBig Big Train
Websitewww.bigbigtrain.com

Early life and career

Longdon was born in Nottingham, England,[1] on 17 June 1965.[2] He began writing music at age nine after discovering The Who.[3] He began his career as the lead singer of the band The Gift Horse.[4] Longdon was one of those who auditioned as lead singer of rock band Genesis in 1996, following the departure of Phil Collins. He auditioned during the making of Calling All Stations (1997), but the role was given to Scottish singer Ray Wilson.[5] He joined Big Big Train in 2009, and performed on numerous instruments in addition to his role as the lead singer beginning with the album The Underfall Yard in 2010.[1][4]

Personal life

Longdon had a partner, Sarah Ewing. He had two daughters, Amelia and Eloise. He died on 20 November 2021, in a Nottingham hospital, following a traumatic fall at his home early in the previous morning.[3][6] Steve Hackett described Longdon as "a lovely guy [with] a wonderful voice. He sounded fabulous singing on the vocal version of [Hackett’s song] 'Spectral Mornings'."[3] Neal Morse and Geoff Downes also paid respects following his death.[3]

Discography

With Big Big Train
Albums
EPs

Solo albums
  • Wild River (2004)[15]
  • Door One (2022)[16]

With Louis Philippe
  • Jackie Girl (1996)[1][17]
  • Azure (1998)[1][18]
  • A Kiss in the Funhouse (1999)[1]
  • My Favourite Part of You (2003)[1]
  • The Wonder of it All (2004)[1]
  • Live (2007)[1]

With Martin Orford
  • The Old Road (songs "Ray of Hope" "Endgame") (2008)[1]

With The Tangent
  • Le Sacre du Travail (2013)[19]
  • L'Etagère du Travail (2013)[19]

With Dave Kerzner

With The Charlatans

With Judy Dyble
  • Between a Breath and a Breath (2020)[4]

With Downes Braide Association
  • Live in England (2019)
  • Halcyon Hymns (2021)[22]

Other projects

References
  1. "Introducing David Longdon". Big Big Train. 19 February 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. "David Longdon: 17 June 1965 – 20 November 2021 | Real Gone". Real Gone Rocks. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  3. Snapes, Laura (22 November 2021). "David Longdon, frontman of prog rock band Big Big Train, dies aged 56". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  4. "David Longdon And The Late Judy Dyble Between A Breath And A Breath". Northern Life Magazine. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  5. Giammetti, Mario (November 2010). "David Longdon exclusive interview for 'Dusk'". Dusk.it. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  6. Lewry, Fraser (20 November 2021). "Big Big Train singer David Longdon dead at 56". Louder. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  7. "English Electric Part One". Big Big Train. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  8. "English Electric Part Two". Big Big Train. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  9. "Folklore". Big Big Train. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  10. Kendall, Jo (23 May 2017). "Big Big Train – Grimspound album review". Louder. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  11. "The Second Brightest Star". Big Big Train. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  12. Bailie, Geoff (29 April 2019). "Big Big Train – 'Grand Tour' (Album Review)". The Prog Report. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  13. "Far Skies Deep Time". Big Big Train. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  14. "Author: David Longdon". Big Big Train. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  15. Breaden, Craig (23 November 2012). "David Longdon's Wild River". Progarchy. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  16. Moon, Grant (14 October 2022). "David Longdon – Door One: "a truly mesmerising posthumous release"". Prog. Retrieved 18 October 2022 – via Loudersound.
  17. "Jackie Girl (1996)". Sunshine – The Louis Philippe Website. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  18. "Azure (1998)". Sunshine – The Louis Philippe Website. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  19. Birzer, Brad (11 November 2013). "The Big Big Tangent". Progarchy. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  20. "Dave Kerzner – New World CD Review". The Prog Report. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  21. "Modern Nature (Deluxe Edition) by The Charlatans". Jaxsta. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  22. "Big Big Train's David Longdon has died aged 56". NME. 22 November 2021.
  23. "Spectral Mornings Parkinson's Charity CD". Hackett Songs – Steve Hackett's Official Website. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
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