Gail Ann Dorsey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gail Ann Dorsey
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Dorsey in 2004
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| Born | November 20, 1962 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1985–present |
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Gail Ann Dorsey (born November 20, 1962) is an American musician. She is famous for playing the bass guitar and singing. She worked with the legendary artist David Bowie for many years. She was a key member of his band from 1995 until his last tour in 2004.
Besides playing bass, Gail Ann Dorsey often sang lead vocals. She performed "Under Pressure" live, singing the part originally done by Freddie Mercury of Queen. She also sang duets with Bowie on other songs. These included "The London Boys" and "Aladdin Sane". She even played clarinet on some songs.
From 1993 to 1996, Dorsey also recorded and toured with the band Tears for Fears. She helped write songs with them during this time. She appeared in many of their music videos.
Gail Ann Dorsey has worked with many different artists. Her collaborations include The National, Lenny Kravitz, Bryan Ferry, Boy George, and Gwen Stefani. She has also released three solo albums. These are The Corporate World (1988), Rude Blue (1992), and I Used To Be... (2003).
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Gail Ann Dorsey grew up in West Philadelphia in the 1970s. She started playing guitar when she was nine years old. She was inspired by guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Nancy Wilson from the band Heart.
She got a bass guitar soon after her 14th birthday. However, she did not see herself as a bass player until she was 20. She also enjoyed writing screenplays to go along with her music.
Dorsey later attended the California Institute of the Arts. She studied film and video there. Her screenplays and short films earned her a full scholarship. She was the youngest woman admitted to the Live Action department at that time. After three semesters, she decided the film industry was not for her. She then returned to her passion for music.
Music Career Highlights
At age 22, Gail Ann Dorsey moved to London to start her music career. She joined a band called 20To. Their early recordings helped her get her first record deal with CBS Records. She also wrote music for a play called Chiaroscuro in 1985.
Her first big public performance was with The Charlie Watts Big Band. This was in 1985 at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London. She also appeared on a popular music TV show called The Tube.
In 1987, Dorsey signed with Warner Music Group. She released her first solo album, The Corporate World, in 1988. This album was praised by Q magazine. They called it one of the Top 50 Albums of the Year.
She then moved to Island Records in 1991. In 1992, she released her second solo album, Rude Blue. This album featured famous musicians like Maceo Parker. After living in England for almost 12 years, Dorsey moved to Woodstock, New York, in 1994.
Working with David Bowie
In 1995, Gail Ann Dorsey joined David Bowie's band for his Outside Tour. This was a very important step in her career. She became well-known for her work with Bowie.
She played bass and sang on several of his albums. These include Earthling (1997), Heathen (2002), Reality (2003), and The Next Day (2013). She also sang a duet with Bowie called "Planet of Dreams".
Dorsey was part of Bowie's last six tours. She performed with him at "The Concert For New York" at Madison Square Garden. This concert honored the victims of the September 11 attacks.
In 2003, Dorsey released her third solo album, I Used To Be. This album featured songs she had written over 18 years. After Bowie's passing, Dorsey joined the "Celebrating David Bowie" tour in 2017. She performed with other musicians who had worked with Bowie.
Musical Style and Influences
Gail Ann Dorsey's music style is very broad. It includes rock, funk, country, and pop influences. She says her current sound is like the old AM/FM radio songs that inspired her. These include artists like The Fifth Dimension and Olivia Newton-John.
She uses a Music Man Stingray bass guitar and a Fender Jazz Bass for her tours and recordings. In December 2021, Bass Player magazine honored Dorsey. They gave her a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to music.
Discography
Solo Albums
- 1988: The Corporate World (Sire Records)
- 1992: Rude Blue (Island Records)
- 2004: I Used to Be (Sad Bunny Records)
Collaborations with Bands
- Gang of Four
- 1991: Mall – Gail Ann: bass, backing vocals
- 2015: What Happens Next – Gail Ann: vocals on "First World Citizen"
- The The
- 1995: Hanky Panky – Gail Ann: bass
- Tears for Fears
- 1993: Elemental – Gail Ann: bass player for "Elemental" and part of their "Elemental Tour" (1993–95)
- 1995: Raoul and the Kings of Spain – Gail Ann: bass and helped write "Queen of Compromise"
- Rachid Taha/Khaled/Faudel
- 1999: 1,2,3 Suns – Gail Ann: bass, backing vocals
Collaborations with David Bowie
- Studio Albums
- 1997: Earthling – Gail Ann: bass, backing vocals
- 2002: Heathen – Gail Ann: bass on "Conversation Piece"
- 2003: Reality – Gail Ann: backing vocals
- 2013: The Next Day – Gail Ann: bass on 8 songs, backing vocals on 7 songs
- Live Albums
- 2000: LiveAndWell.com – Gail Ann: bass, keyboards, backing vocals
- 2000: Bowie at the Beeb – Gail Ann: bass, guitars, backing vocals on CD 3
- 2009: VH1 Storytellers – Gail Ann: bass, backing vocals
- 2010: A Reality Tour – Gail Ann: bass, backing vocals
- 2018: Glastonbury 2000 – Gail Ann: bass, backing vocals
- Other Releases
- 2022: Toy (Compilation) – Gail Ann: bass, clarinet, backing vocals
- 2020: Is It Any Wonder? (EP) - Gail Ann is on 5 of the 6 songs.
Other Collaborations
- 2023: Album Rêvalité by French singer/songwriter Matthieu Chedid – Gail Ann: chorus and bass; vocals on "Space Oddity" and "Life on Mars".
- 1990: Bloodletting by Concrete Blonde – Gail Ann: bass on "Tomorrow, Wendy"
See also
In Spanish: Gail Ann Dorsey para niños
