"Despite the anticipated duration of life post-illness, the individual expressed a commitment to spending it with their historic band, Nektar, who served as a profound inspiration to Iron Maiden's Steve Harris, a celebrated prog rock band cult figure."
Nektar, a British progressive rock band, made a significant impact in the 1970s with their innovative blend of space-rock noodling, impromptu experimentation, and progressive stylings. Formed in 1969 in Hamburg, West Germany, the band's core members were guitarist and lead vocalist Roye Albrighton, keyboard player Allan ‘Taff’ Freeman, bassist Derek ‘Mo’ Moore, and drummer Ron Howden [1][5].
The band's formation was based on a chance meeting of English musicians in Germany, and after some time apart, Moore invited Albrighton back to Hamburg, leading to the official formation of Nektar [1]. Throughout their career, Nektar experienced frequent line-up changes and several hiatuses, with the band's core English members often shifting due to changing musical directions and personal circumstances [1][2].
One of Nektar's most successful albums was their fourth, "Remember The Future," released in 1973. The album sold 250,000 copies in Europe and peaked at No.19 in the US Billboard chart [3]. By 1977, original guitarist/vocalist Roye Albrighton had departed, but he returned to the band in 1980, and they recorded the album "Man In The Moon" with American bassist Carmine Rojas [4]. After recording "Man In The Moon," the band disappeared for a second and seemingly final time [6].
In 1990, Albrighton almost died following a serious liver infection, but he recovered and returned to the band in 2004 for a successful reunion of the original line-up [7][8]. This reunion convinced Albrighton that Nektar were worth sticking with, and the band released four more albums between 2004 and 2015, with Albrighton and Howden being the only constant members [2]. Reaction outside of their immediate fanbase was lukewarm, and Albrighton nearly folded the band again [2]. However, after recovering, Albrighton vowed not to waste any more time and decided to resurrect Nektar [2].
Tragically, Albrighton died in 2016 following a long illness, and Taff Freeman passed away in 2021 and Ron Howden in 2023, leaving Moe Moore as the last surviving founding member [9]. Despite the loss of their founding members, Nektar's music continues to be celebrated by fans of progressive rock, and their innovative sound continues to influence new generations of musicians. Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris even covered the 1972 Nektar song King Of Twilight, showcasing the band's enduring legacy [10].
In conclusion, Nektar's history is marked by periods of activity and inactivity, frequent line-up changes, and a dynamic and fluctuating line-up. Despite these disruptions, Nektar produced some of the most innovative progressive rock albums of the 1970s and maintained a revered cult status among prog rock fans [1]. Their music continues to inspire new generations of musicians, and their legacy lives on.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nektar_(band) [2] https://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=63 [3] https://www.discogs.com/Nektar-Remember-The-Future/master/186509 [4] https://www.discogs.com/Nektar-Man-In-The-Moon/master/186510 [5] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roye-Albrighton [6] https://www.discogs.com/Nektar/master/186508 [7] https://www.discogs.com/Nektar-The-Prodigal-Son/master/186506 [8] https://www.discogs.com/Nektar-A-Crimson-Caked-Miracle/master/186511 [9] https://www.progarchives.com/bands/Nektar-186508.html [10] https://www.loudersound.com/news/iron-maiden-bassist-steve-harris-covers-nektar-classic-king-of-twilight
- Nektar, a classic rock band known for their progressive and bluesy styles, originated from the chance meeting of English musicians in Germany in 1969.
- Guitarist and lead vocalist Roye Albrighton, keyboard player Allan ‘Taff’ Freeman, bassist Derek ‘Mo’ Moore, and drummer Ron Howden formed the core of the band.
- In 1973, Nektar released the album "Remember The Future," which sold well in Europe and reached No.19 on the US Billboard chart.
- After a pause, Moore invited Albrighton back to Germany, leading to the official formation of Nektar.
- The band experienced numerous line-up changes and hiatuses throughout their career, with personal circumstances and shifting musical directions contributing to these changes.
- By 1977, original guitarist and vocalist Roye Albrighton had parted ways with the band but returned in 1980 for the recording of 'Man In The Moon.'
- After releasing four more albums between 2004 and 2015, Nektar's music continues to be celebrated by fans of progressive rock, influencing new generations of musicians.
- Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris covered Nektar's 1972 song 'King Of Twilight,' showcasing the band's enduring legacy.
- Tragically, founding members Roye Albrighton, Taff Freeman, and Ron Howden passed away in 2016, 2021, and 2023, respectively, leaving Derek ‘Mo’ Moore as the last surviving founding member of the band.
