I’ve been a fan since 1984. I met Steve in Philly. Very gracious man. I find Steven’s guitar work top notch. Excellent technique and feeling. Melody in his playing is off the charts.
Marrilion is one of them bands that was absolutely huge with Fish . But extremely unfairly never regained that kind of notoriety with Steve Hogarth. Even though they are one of the best bands on the planet. Absolutely awe inspiring. Hogarths voice is so.full of emotion. And so powerful. Steve Rotherry is an awesome guitarist. Marrilion are well worth rediscovering. The Hogarth albums are so different and the band just keeps growing to . Can't believe they are not much bigger than what they are
Steve R. is so down-to-earth. I met him at a Marillion show at the Bayou in Washinton, DC. Brave tour I believe. He was just walking around the upper level with a Heineken and I recognised him. We chatted for about 20 minutes and 3 more green bottles before he had to go. Excellent show that night and I'm looking forward to attending Marillion Weekend 2022 in Montreal this July.
I saw them headline and open for Rush on the USA Misplaced Childhood tour, I've been a huge fan since day one, and I have no idea why they didn't make it. The lineup with Fish was LEGENDARY. When I play the last two studio albums for my friends they love them, but none ever picked up a copy. It's bizarre.
Most underrated guitarist and band in "North America" It's really ashame too. I love the band and I was lucky to finally see them 6 years ago in Denver. My friend and I drove from SLC to Denver and it was worth every mile we drove and then some. Great concert.
Well, they have been huge for me for decades. I love both the Fish era as well as Hogarth era. This band is an important part of the soundtrack of my life. I saw them live in Manhattan, NY a few years ago, it was so good!
I don't know how many people will spend the minute or two it might take to read this, but I think there are a number of reasons why Marillion never broke big in America: 1. They released their first album in 1983, at the height of the New Wave movement in America. Corporate AOR radio was giving far less airtime to the big 70s prog bands like YES, Kansas, Genesis, the Moody Blues and ELP, and giving more to A Flock of Seagulls, Soft Cell, the Human League, Duran Duran, the Police, the Talking Heads and the Eurythmics, et al. Same with MTV. So the timing was unlucky. Right out of the gate, Marillion released Script for a Jester's Tear, which was more like a 70s prog rock album (which I loved). AOR radio in America ignored it, and it ignored their second album Fugazi too. "Kayleigh" from the next album was a modest AOR hit, although mostly in the Midwest and the Northeast. Nothing from Clutching at Straws (the next record) got much more than limited airplay in America either. 2. A lot of Fish's lyrics were negative, harsh, and sometimes explicit. Dropping f-bombs (like on Fugazi) and writing really bitter, cutting lyrics about bad relationships was unappealing to many people (particularly women). A lot of Fish's lyrics were also very British/Scottish/European, and they referred to things that American audiences couldn't relate to. Ask an American what "punting on the Cam" or "the Fleet Street aficionados" or "a heart of Lothian" or "sugar mice" means, or a dozen other examples, and most won't know. And to be fair, the f-bombs didn't stop entirely when Fish left. When you release an album called "F*ck Everyone and Run," as Marillion did in 2016 -- regardless of the almost-justifiable backstory behind the crudeness -- you're going to offend a lot of people and kill any chance you might've had to gain them as fans. It's just that simple. 3. The band has a long history of bad luck with record companies. Broken promises about how they'd promote the band, shakeups within those companies (the old guy in charge liked the band but the new guy doesn't, or the label folds up entirely), and just a general failure to promote the band in America. And even when it looked like they finally had a dedicated supporter in Miles Copeland in the mid-90s, his label IRS Records didn't come thru for the band either. And without airplay on AOR radio in the 80s and 90s, and the popularity that would generate (remember, this was before the Internet), it was tough for a band based across the pond to tour America without losing a king's ransom. It just cost too much if the record company wasn't going to finance it. 4. The bitter, harsh lyrics mostly went away when Fish left in 1988 and was replaced by Steve Hogarth (with lyrical help early on from John Helmer), but they were still plagued by weak record company and radio support. And MTV had become Rap TV by then. And again, it was terrible timing because '89 was when Grunge became the next big thing in America. The dedicated fans who've stuck with the band all these years don't care about AOR radio or MTV airplay, but without those things, achieving mass popularity in America remained elusive. Particularly with music that's as smart and authentic as theirs is, because it goes over the heads of a lot of people. That said, over the years they've recorded TONS of relatable, catchy, melodic songs that were also credible and brilliant, but I think there was a time when American corporate AOR radio stations (and the consultants that programmed them) just decided that Marillion was "that band that did 'Kayleigh' " and they perceived them as being "dinosaur" prog rock and refused to give the band a listen ever again. It's like they were collectively holding their hands over their ears and yelling "la la la, I can't hear you!" like we did when we were kids. It's crazy, really. Same with the guitar magazines -- why hasn't Steve Rothery been on the covers of the big guitar magazines, or at least been featured in them, 20 times by now? He's one of the best players alive. It's bizarre. Most people haven't heard the amazing music the band has done since Steve Hogarth joined -- music that's been anything BUT "dinosaur" rock. It's a shame, but at least they've been able to carry on with the support of their European fan base.
So-called explicit lyrics worked for Guns 'N Roses. I don't agree with you about that. Lots of bands/artists have explicit lyrics in their music, and became hugely popular.
So-called explicit lyrics worked for Guns 'N Roses. I don't agree with you about that. Lots of bands/artists have explicit lyrics in their music, and became hugely popular.
So-called explicit lyrics worked for Guns 'N Roses. I don't agree with you about that. Lots of bands/artists have explicit lyrics in their music, and became hugely popular.
I'm in the U.S. and I listen to Marillion all of the time! I've been listening to them since '84. or '85 I guess. These guys are so talented, and I never really understood why they're not a big name here.
I'm from New York... Had I not heard "Kayleigh/Lavender" the one time I heard it on the radio I wouldn't have heard of Marillion. I couldn't find the album till finally a record store I bought imports from had it. "Misplaced Childhood" is still one of my favorite albums.
I've seen them a few times. I live in the USA, saw them at the Fillmore in San Francisco twice and even flew to London to see them twice at the Astoria. They have many, many fans in the states. It's a terrible pity they don't play here more. 🥴😢
Marillion aren't really making a comeback - they never went away. It IS baffling to me that they've been so ignored in the US. The new album sounds fantastic.
I’ve always wondered this myself! I took part in the fan effort to pay to get them over here in the 90’s. It was great to see them but that was the last time I had the opportunity. Would love to see them again!
Marillion is one of my favorite bands. I've been wondering why they weren't bigger especially here in the u.s. their music reminds me of Genesis especially the fish years.
i discovered this amazing band in 1993 all five members create magic music this new album sounds a winner i hope they can release more music in the sessions please get to australia
I'm just grateful Marillion are still up there after 40 years. ... You maybe have to ask if they'd still be together if they had been 'bigger' in the US and elsewhere !
Since April 1983, when I discovered Marillion with their super song 'He knows you know ' on the radio, I became a very big fan of this band, and I stay it always nowadays, even if Steve Hogarth replaced Fish on their 5th album. Their vocals and music went away from these ones with Fish, which looked like Genesis a little bit, especially Fish who imitated Peter Gabriel, I recognize. But I also really love everything they have done afterwards, with the excellent Steve Hogarth, in a different style. I love every album they made. Unconditionnally, Marillion was and stays one of my favorites bands.
I’m an OG prog fan, saw Genesis with Gabriel and all the greats back in the early70’s. I absolutely love Marillion probably the greatest live act ever, and I’m here in Florida
Listen to Misplaced Childhood all the way through, it is hands down my favorite album of all time. And speaking of great guitar solos, one of the best is Rothery's solo from Sugar Mice off Clutching at Straws, followed by The Great Escape from Brave.
Considering the kind of music they were playing during the time they first started I would say they were pretty big (even in the US). They had charting albums which is more than you could say for pretty much any other prog band starting out in the 80's.
As a kid I ended up with an unlabeled cassette tape, didn't know where it came from (party?). I played that tape until I knew it inside out. I figured out pretty quickly that it had Priest and Maiden on it, but there were a couple Marrillion songs on there too. Chelsea Monday, Forgotten Sons and a few more. I could never get any of my friends to give it a real chance. I think some music is just too deep for most folks. You also need to appreciate Fish's voice. Great band.
I would wish for them to have a bigger fanbase and sucsess, they deserve it as one of the most hardworking bands out there but personally im very glad they still put out exellent records, they are for many people a hidden gem, for me everytime they release something new is x-mas or better, i've got several of my friends hooked on them after "force" playing their music home, personally i find their music better than most out there and on level with Genesis, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull etc
Hi John THE epic band that is my lifelong love and is my kife' sublime soundtrack. I cannot wait for their new release to hit my doorstep. Thank the Lord for Marillion. Love the Fish and Hogarth eras both. If I would be able to stand on the highest peak tell the early how important their music has been to me
I think the reason they never really caught on in North America was because they were given the label "progressive" when it was an FM radio death sentence for a band to be associated with that term. They probably should have left the name "Marillion" behind when H joined. I'm from the U.S. and was lucky enough to see them live many times over here.
Steve Rothery seems very genuine! He should collaborate with Steve Hackett! I’m open minded to newer Prog but it seems more cultish these days! Prog doesn’t get the Airplay they way it did in the 70’s. By 1990 it seemed Prog got phased out! Other Bands like Translantic -Spock’s Beard-Liquid Tension Experiment- Secret Oyster and many others are harder to discover! Mike Portnoy or Neal Morse would be great to interview both have played together and involved with numerous Prog and Supergroups in the 90’s to the present!
First saw them in NY in Poughkeepsie at the Chance. They played there often, but did not have the money for touring big and had to ask fans to help raise money.
Are Marillion making a comeback ? They are not a huge band anymore. I would say that Once Marillion founded the pledge idea that was basically the end of the touring band as such. They still tour Europe but the need and desire to conquer North America was gone.
Marillion never got the exposure they should have. I used to work the overnight shift years ago - I used to call into WNEW 102.7 and was able to consistently make contact with the overnight DJ (who shall remain nameless...) - this was around 86-90 - I would constantly ask him to play Marillion and he kept coming back with nonsensical answers - he would play a song by a known act that you may have never heard before or since on request, but refused to play Marillion....I imagine that this was a result of the old "pay for play" nonsense that used to take place in the industry. Marillion is one of the greatest bands in the history of rock music and unfortunately they are virtually unknown in the U.S.
Man, there's not even enough interest in Marillion to elicit comments on a feature about why Marillion never became popular in America. As a prog-rocker since the early seventies, I think I can safely say that we already have our musical heroes, and recognizing "newer" bands is somewhat difficult. I probably wouldn't be aware of Porcupine Tree, Spock's Beard or Echolyn if somebody hadn't exposed me to their music(sometime in the mid-nineties). The only member of Marillion that I'm even somewhat familiar with is Pete Trewavas of TransAtlantic. Maybe Marillion just doesn't have that certain "thing" that excites some proggers, I don't know. Meanwhile older bands like Gong have risen from the ashes of Daevid Allen's demise with promising albums like "Rejoice I'm Dead". Us old prog-rock fans are still out here. I'm still waiting for the release of the new Echolyn album. They haven't put out an album since 2015. Now there's a band worth following!
Upper 2/3 of North America is run by commercial music. But slowly, as the www expands, so will peoples expousure. Stadiums are filled all over the world by artists we in Can/US never even heard of.
I think they just sounded too much like early Genesis, especially lead vocals and that turned alot of people off. At least that's the way it was for me. I really don't like copycat bands. Incredible music though.
I’ve been a fan since 1984. I met Steve in Philly. Very gracious man. I find Steven’s guitar work top notch. Excellent technique and feeling. Melody in his playing is off the charts.
Marrilion is one of them bands that was absolutely huge with Fish . But extremely unfairly never regained that kind of notoriety with Steve Hogarth. Even though they are one of the best bands on the planet. Absolutely awe inspiring. Hogarths voice is so.full of emotion. And so powerful. Steve Rotherry is an awesome guitarist. Marrilion are well worth rediscovering. The Hogarth albums are so different and the band just keeps growing to . Can't believe they are not much bigger than what they are
I've been playing guitar for 42 years. This man is my absolute FAVORITE guitarist.
His phrasing is UNMATCHED.
Steve R. is so down-to-earth. I met him at a Marillion show at the Bayou in Washinton, DC. Brave tour I believe. He was just walking around the upper level with a Heineken and I recognised him. We chatted for about 20 minutes and 3 more green bottles before he had to go. Excellent show that night and I'm looking forward to attending Marillion Weekend 2022 in Montreal this July.
I'm in Boston USA,but im brazilian,and Brazil loves Marillion....
I saw them headline and open for Rush on the USA Misplaced Childhood tour, I've been a huge fan since day one, and I have no idea why they didn't make it. The lineup with Fish was LEGENDARY. When I play the last two studio albums for my friends they love them, but none ever picked up a copy. It's bizarre.
Most underrated guitarist and band in "North America" It's really ashame too. I love the band and I was lucky to finally see them 6 years ago in Denver. My friend and I drove from SLC to Denver and it was worth every mile we drove and then some. Great concert.
Well, they have been huge for me for decades. I love both the Fish era as well as Hogarth era. This band is an important part of the soundtrack of my life. I saw them live in Manhattan, NY a few years ago, it was so good!
I don't know how many people will spend the minute or two it might take to read this, but I think there are a number of reasons why Marillion never broke big in America:
1. They released their first album in 1983, at the height of the New Wave movement in America. Corporate AOR radio was giving far less airtime to the big 70s prog bands like YES, Kansas, Genesis, the Moody Blues and ELP, and giving more to A Flock of Seagulls, Soft Cell, the Human League, Duran Duran, the Police, the Talking Heads and the Eurythmics, et al. Same with MTV. So the timing was unlucky. Right out of the gate, Marillion released Script for a Jester's Tear, which was more like a 70s prog rock album (which I loved). AOR radio in America ignored it, and it ignored their second album Fugazi too. "Kayleigh" from the next album was a modest AOR hit, although mostly in the Midwest and the Northeast. Nothing from Clutching at Straws (the next record) got much more than limited airplay in America either.
2. A lot of Fish's lyrics were negative, harsh, and sometimes explicit. Dropping f-bombs (like on Fugazi) and writing really bitter, cutting lyrics about bad relationships was unappealing to many people (particularly women). A lot of Fish's lyrics were also very British/Scottish/European, and they referred to things that American audiences couldn't relate to. Ask an American what "punting on the Cam" or "the Fleet Street aficionados" or "a heart of Lothian" or "sugar mice" means, or a dozen other examples, and most won't know. And to be fair, the f-bombs didn't stop entirely when Fish left. When you release an album called "F*ck Everyone and Run," as Marillion did in 2016 -- regardless of the almost-justifiable backstory behind the crudeness -- you're going to offend a lot of people and kill any chance you might've had to gain them as fans. It's just that simple.
3. The band has a long history of bad luck with record companies. Broken promises about how they'd promote the band, shakeups within those companies (the old guy in charge liked the band but the new guy doesn't, or the label folds up entirely), and just a general failure to promote the band in America. And even when it looked like they finally had a dedicated supporter in Miles Copeland in the mid-90s, his label IRS Records didn't come thru for the band either. And without airplay on AOR radio in the 80s and 90s, and the popularity that would generate (remember, this was before the Internet), it was tough for a band based across the pond to tour America without losing a king's ransom. It just cost too much if the record company wasn't going to finance it.
4. The bitter, harsh lyrics mostly went away when Fish left in 1988 and was replaced by Steve Hogarth (with lyrical help early on from John Helmer), but they were still plagued by weak record company and radio support. And MTV had become Rap TV by then. And again, it was terrible timing because '89 was when Grunge became the next big thing in America. The dedicated fans who've stuck with the band all these years don't care about AOR radio or MTV airplay, but without those things, achieving mass popularity in America remained elusive. Particularly with music that's as smart and authentic as theirs is, because it goes over the heads of a lot of people. That said, over the years they've recorded TONS of relatable, catchy, melodic songs that were also credible and brilliant, but I think there was a time when American corporate AOR radio stations (and the consultants that programmed them) just decided that Marillion was "that band that did 'Kayleigh' " and they perceived them as being "dinosaur" prog rock and refused to give the band a listen ever again. It's like they were collectively holding their hands over their ears and yelling "la la la, I can't hear you!" like we did when we were kids. It's crazy, really. Same with the guitar magazines -- why hasn't Steve Rothery been on the covers of the big guitar magazines, or at least been featured in them, 20 times by now? He's one of the best players alive. It's bizarre. Most people haven't heard the amazing music the band has done since Steve Hogarth joined -- music that's been anything BUT "dinosaur" rock. It's a shame, but at least they've been able to carry on with the support of their European fan base.
This.
So-called explicit lyrics worked for Guns 'N Roses. I don't agree with you about that. Lots of bands/artists have explicit lyrics in their music, and became hugely popular.
@@livepulse_original Why was my comment deleted??? Censoring comment for what reason?
So-called explicit lyrics worked for Guns 'N Roses. I don't agree with you about that. Lots of bands/artists have explicit lyrics in their music, and became hugely popular.
So-called explicit lyrics worked for Guns 'N Roses. I don't agree with you about that. Lots of bands/artists have explicit lyrics in their music, and became hugely popular.
I'm in the U.S. and I listen to Marillion all of the time! I've been listening to them since '84. or '85 I guess. These guys are so talented, and I never really understood why they're not a big name here.
Discovered these guys in the mid-'80s and been a fan of Steve (and the band) ever since.
My first gig was supporting them in 1982. They were awesome!
Thanks for bringing some light to my favorite band.
I'm from New York... Had I not heard "Kayleigh/Lavender" the one time I heard it on the radio I wouldn't have heard of Marillion. I couldn't find the album till finally a record store I bought imports from had it. "Misplaced Childhood" is still one of my favorite albums.
I've seen them a few times. I live in the USA, saw them at the Fillmore in San Francisco twice and even flew to London to see them twice at the Astoria. They have many, many fans in the states. It's a terrible pity they don't play here more. 🥴😢
Marillion aren't really making a comeback - they never went away. It IS baffling to me that they've been so ignored in the US. The new album sounds fantastic.
I’ve always wondered this myself! I took part in the fan effort to pay to get them over here in the 90’s. It was great to see them but that was the last time I had the opportunity. Would love to see them again!
They're big in my heart!
Marillion is one of my favorite bands. I've been wondering why they weren't bigger especially here in the u.s. their music reminds me of Genesis especially the fish years.
i discovered this amazing band in 1993 all five members create magic music this new album sounds a winner i hope they can release more music in the sessions please get to australia
I'm just grateful Marillion are still up there after 40 years. ...
You maybe have to ask if they'd still be together if they had been 'bigger' in the US and elsewhere !
Since April 1983, when I discovered Marillion with their super song 'He knows you know ' on the radio, I became a very big fan of this band, and I stay it always nowadays, even if Steve Hogarth replaced Fish on their 5th album. Their vocals and music went away from these ones with Fish, which looked like Genesis a little bit, especially Fish who imitated Peter Gabriel, I recognize. But I also really love everything they have done afterwards, with the excellent Steve Hogarth, in a different style. I love every album they made. Unconditionnally, Marillion was and stays one of my favorites bands.
Thanks for watching..John
I’m an OG prog fan, saw Genesis with Gabriel and all the greats back in the early70’s.
I absolutely love Marillion probably the greatest live act ever, and I’m here in Florida
Listen to Misplaced Childhood all the way through, it is hands down my favorite album of all time. And speaking of great guitar solos, one of the best is Rothery's solo from Sugar Mice off Clutching at Straws, followed by The Great Escape from Brave.
Considering the kind of music they were playing during the time they first started I would say they were pretty big (even in the US). They had charting albums which is more than you could say for pretty much any other prog band starting out in the 80's.
To me : marillion is like a very gorgeous lady that never grows old ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
As a kid I ended up with an unlabeled cassette tape, didn't know where it came from (party?). I played that tape until I knew it inside out. I figured out pretty quickly that it had Priest and Maiden on it, but there were a couple Marrillion songs on there too.
Chelsea Monday, Forgotten Sons and a few more. I could never get any of my friends to give it a real chance. I think some music is just too deep for most folks. You also need to appreciate Fish's voice. Great band.
I would wish for them to have a bigger fanbase and sucsess, they deserve it as one of the most hardworking bands out there but personally im very glad they still put out exellent records, they are for many people a hidden gem, for me everytime they release something new is x-mas or better, i've got several of my friends hooked on them after "force" playing their music home, personally i find their music better than most out there and on level with Genesis, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull etc
Imho top solo ever? Easter by Mr Rothery just so great melody and it bridges the song together so well too
Hi John THE epic band that is my lifelong love and is my kife' sublime soundtrack. I cannot wait for their new release to hit my doorstep. Thank the Lord for Marillion. Love the Fish and Hogarth eras both. If I would be able to stand on the highest peak tell the early how important their music has been to me
I think the reason they never really caught on in North America was because they were given the label "progressive" when it was an FM radio death sentence for a band to be associated with that term. They probably should have left the name "Marillion" behind when H joined.
I'm from the U.S. and was lucky enough to see them live many times over here.
I would put it this way, of course, for my taste. Classic progressive rock: Genesis, new progressive rock: Marillion
Canada has content laws that allow their bands to become popular.
Marillion? I'm 61 and never heard of them until your video.
they were huge, then fish left.
Steve Rothery seems very genuine!
He should collaborate with Steve Hackett!
I’m open minded to newer Prog but it seems more cultish these days!
Prog doesn’t get the Airplay they way it did in the 70’s. By 1990 it seemed Prog got phased out!
Other Bands like Translantic -Spock’s Beard-Liquid Tension Experiment- Secret Oyster and many others are harder to discover!
Mike Portnoy or Neal Morse would be great to interview both have played together and involved with numerous Prog and Supergroups in the 90’s to the present!
Watching the IPANEMA DVD and wondering where the time went,, Looking forward to the new album
First saw them in NY in Poughkeepsie at the Chance. They played there often, but did not have the money for touring big and had to ask fans to help raise money.
I’d never even heard the name of the band.
Its a similar situation with other bands that should have been known all over, like The Strawbs, Ambrosia, IQ or Steve Hackett.
Are Marillion making a comeback ? They are not a huge band anymore. I would say that Once Marillion founded the pledge idea that was basically the end of the touring band as such. They still tour Europe but the need and desire to conquer North America was gone.
Marillion never got the exposure they should have. I used to work the overnight shift years ago - I used to call into WNEW 102.7 and was able to consistently make contact with the overnight DJ (who shall remain nameless...) - this was around 86-90 - I would constantly ask him to play Marillion and he kept coming back with nonsensical answers - he would play a song by a known act that you may have never heard before or since on request, but refused to play Marillion....I imagine that this was a result of the old "pay for play" nonsense that used to take place in the industry. Marillion is one of the greatest bands in the history of rock music and unfortunately they are virtually unknown in the U.S.
Man, there's not even enough interest in Marillion to elicit comments on a feature about why Marillion never became popular in America. As a prog-rocker since the early seventies, I think I can safely say that we already have our musical heroes, and recognizing "newer" bands is somewhat difficult. I probably wouldn't be aware of Porcupine Tree, Spock's Beard or Echolyn if somebody hadn't exposed me to their music(sometime in the mid-nineties). The only member of Marillion that I'm even somewhat familiar with is Pete Trewavas of TransAtlantic. Maybe Marillion just doesn't have that certain "thing" that excites some proggers, I don't know. Meanwhile older bands like Gong have risen from the ashes of Daevid Allen's demise with promising albums like "Rejoice I'm Dead". Us old prog-rock fans are still out here. I'm still waiting for the release of the new Echolyn album. They haven't put out an album since 2015. Now there's a band worth following!
Why weren't Utopia huge? Saga? King's X? Too good, probably!
Why are you censoring my comment?
marillion were meant to be where they are , if they were bigger they would be different, and probably not in a good way , as they are is perfect
Love Marillion with Fish, not so much after that and I live in North America.
Upper 2/3 of North America is run by commercial music. But slowly, as the www expands, so will peoples expousure. Stadiums are filled all over the world by artists we in Can/US never even heard of.
I think they just sounded too much like early Genesis, especially lead vocals and that turned alot of people off. At least that's the way it was for me. I really don't like copycat bands. Incredible music though.
They're big on my list but only the first four albums before they went lame.
I like Steve but hard to get into the H era. I tried.
I never liked their music personally.
A lot of Marillion albums are mediocre.