Barbara Gaskin was born and grew up in Hatfield (SE England). As well as singing
quite spontaneously from babyhood, she had formal training in piano and cello from the
age of 10. In her early teens she taught herself very basic acoustic guitar (Lesson 1: The
strings face outwards) and performed in local folk clubs.
In 1969 she moved from Hatfield to Canterbury to study for a degree in Philosophy
and Literature at Kent University, but immediately became involved in the Canterbury
music scene, joining folk rock group Spirogyra as vocalist. Spirogyra quickly procured
a recording contract and subsequently made 3 albums for B & C Records while gigging
extensively on the UK college circuit, as well as completing numerous successful tours
of Europe. During the same period, Barbara met guitarist Steve Hillage (also a student
at Kent University) and via Steve, the members of Canterbury band Caravan, and Steve's
old friend and musical colleague Dave Stewart. Barbara guested both live and on record
with Dave's band `Hatfield & The North', and was a member of the `Ottawa Music
Company', brainchild of Dave Stewart and `Henry Cow' drummer Chris Cutler. The
intricate, largely instrumental music of bands such as Egg, Hatfield & The North and
Henry Cow, and by contrast, the more spontaneous, lyrically driven approach of
Spirogyra, were both powerful formative musical influences on Barbara during the six
years she lived in Canterbury.
When Spirogyra split up, Barbara left England to travel in Asia for nearly three
years, following her interest in Eastern philosophy and culture while earning money by
teaching English. She continued to sing - in Japan, professionally - and while living in
Java and Bali became very interested in gamelan music. She also lived in India for a
total of 18 months.
On returning to England, Barbara was invited by drummer Germaine Dolan to play
keyboards and sing in the all female band Red Roll On. Based in Canterbury, the band
played in clubs and art colleges in the London area. But Barbara also renewed her
musical association with Dave Stewart by contributing vocals to his compositions on Bill
Bruford's "Gradually Going Tornado" album. In 1981 Dave & Barbara joined forces and
recorded the hit single `It's My Party'. The collaboration has continued to this day with
a series of singles and albums on their own Broken Records label. (see `A brief
history of Broken Records')
National Health (DS Al Coda, Missing Pieces)
Hatfield & The North (Hatfield & The North, The Rotters' Club, Afters)
Egg (The Civil Surface)
Peter Blegvad (The Naked Shakespeare)
Phil Miller (Cutting Both Ways, Split Seconds)
Jakko (Silesia, Are My Ears On Wrong)
Nigel Planer (Neil's Heavy Concept Album)
Jane Weidlin (Tangled)
Rick Biddulph (Second Nature)
Mont Campbell (Music From A Round Tower)
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