Genesis P-Orridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Genesis P-Orridge
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P-Orridge performing with Throbbing Gristle in 2009
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| Born | 22 February 1950 Manchester, England
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| Died | 14 March 2020 (aged 70) New York City, US
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| Other names | Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, DJ Doktor Megatrip, Megs'on, P. Ornot, PT001, Vernon Castle |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter, musician, poet, writer, performance artist |
| Years active | 1965–2020 |
| Spouse(s) |
Paula Brooking
(m. 1981; div. 1992)Jacqueline Breyer
(m. 1995–2007) |
| Children | 2 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Experimental, industrial, avant-garde, electronic, psychedelic |
| Instruments | Vocals, bass guitar |
| Labels | Industrial, Temple Records, Wax Trax! |
| Associated acts | COUM Transmissions, Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV, Thee Majesty, Splinter Test, Pigface |
Genesis Breyer P-Orridge (born Neil Andrew Megson; 22 February 1950 – 14 March 2020) was an English singer, musician, poet, and artist. P-Orridge was a founding member of Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth, a group interested in mystical ideas. They also led the experimental band Psychic TV. P-Orridge used gender-neutral pronouns, referring to themselves as "they" or "them."
Contents
Biography
Early Life and School Days
Genesis P-Orridge was born Neil Andrew Megson on 22 February 1950. Their birthplace was Victoria Park, Manchester, England. Their parents were Ronald and Muriel Megson. Ronald was a traveling salesman and a drummer in jazz bands. Muriel was from Salford. P-Orridge had a good relationship with their parents, who supported their artistic interests.
The family moved several times because of Ronald's job. They lived in Essex and later in Cheshire. P-Orridge attended Staples Road Infant School and Gatley Primary School. They earned a scholarship to Stockport Grammar School, attending from 1961 to 1964.
From 1964 to 1968, P-Orridge attended Solihull School in Warwickshire. During this time, they became very interested in art, unusual ideas, and the avant-garde. P-Orridge was not popular with other students and faced bullying. They found comfort in the school's art department.
P-Orridge became friends with Ian "Spydeee" Evetts, Barry "Little Baz" Hermon, and Paul Wolfson. These friends shared their love for art, books, and poetry. They discussed writers like Aleister Crowley and William S. Burroughs. They also enjoyed music from artists such as Frank Zappa and the Velvet Underground.
In 1967, P-Orridge started their first group called Worm. This group included school friends Pingle Wad and Spydeee Gasmantell, and P-Orridge's girlfriend Jane Ray. In 1966, P-Orridge and friends created an underground magazine called Conscience. They sold copies outside the school gates.
Becoming an Artist
After leaving the University of Hull, P-Orridge lived in a shared house in London. It was then that they began using the name Genesis P-Orridge. Later, P-Orridge returned to Hull and started COUM Transmissions with Cosey Fanni Tutti. In 1973, they moved back to London.
In 1981, P-Orridge helped create Psychic TV. This was an experimental band that later became influenced by acid house music. P-Orridge is credited on over 200 music releases. They are seen as an important figure in the world of avant-garde art.
Later Life and Projects
At age 45, P-Orridge met Lady Jaye (born Jacqueline Breyer). Lady Jaye was a nurse who cared for children with serious illnesses. In 1993, P-Orridge and Jaye moved to Ridgewood, Queens, in New York City.
During this time, a book of P-Orridge's writings and poems was published. It was called Ooh, You Are Awful ... But I Like You!. In the mid-1990s, P-Orridge worked with various musicians. These included Pigface, Skinny Puppy, and Download. They also performed with Nik Turner and other past members of Hawkwind.
In January 2006, a new Psychic TV album was announced. It was called Hell Is Invisible... Heaven Is Her/e. This album was recorded in New York City. It featured guest musicians like Nick Zinner from Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Gibby Haynes from Butthole Surfers.
On 9 October 2007, Lady Jaye Breyer passed away. Her death was caused by a heart condition. After this, Psychic TV canceled their North American tour. P-Orridge began using plural pronouns (like "we" or "us") to honor Lady Jaye's memory.
P-Orridge stopped making music in 2009. They chose to focus on other forms of art instead.
Illness and Death
P-Orridge was diagnosed with a type of cancer called chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia in October 2017. They passed away in New York City on 14 March 2020, at the age of 70. P-Orridge's life story, called Nonbinary, was published in June 2021. P-Orridge had worked on this book with writer Tim Mohr for several years.
Personal Life
P-Orridge had two daughters, Caresse and Genesse. Their mother was Paula P-Orridge (born Paula Brooking).
Images for kids
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Genesis P-Orridge posing in Japan
See also
In Spanish: Genesis P-Orridge para niños
