The 27’s – Gary Thain 1948 - 1975

Part 19 in a series on “The 27’s” – notable musicians who have passed away in their 27^th year.

Gary Thain is best known for being the bass player for the band, Uriah Heep.  Gary was born in New Zealand on May 15^, 1948.  Growing up he was described as being quiet and brooding, but generally just an average teenager who liked music.  Gary’s first band was a group called “The Strangers.”  He wrote and released his first song, “I’ll Never Be Blue” with The Strangers in 1965 when he was only 16 years old.

After The Strangers split up Gary moved to Australia where he became part of a band called The Secrets.  The band released one single in 1966 with a track written by Gary, “You’re Wrong,” on the B-Side.  After the release of the single the band broke up and Gary joined a new band, Mee and The Others, who toured the UK with limited success.   Gary’s first real success was with a Jazz trio called New Nadir.  The band recorded an album, but it was never released and the trio broke up in 1968.

1969 found Gary in the Keef Hartley Band.  The band recorded six albums with Gary as well as playing Woodstock and the Bath Blues Festival.  Gary co-wrote much of the material for Keef Hartley and occasionally sang vocals on his songs.  In 1972 Gary was invited to join Uriah Heep, replacing bassist Mark Clarke.   Gary's first gig with Uriah Heep was on February 1, 1972 at the Whiskey A Go-Go in Los Angeles, California.  His first album with the band was "Demons and Wizards,” recorded only 4 months after his addition to the line up.

Unfortunately, on September 15, 1974, while on stage in Dallas, TX, Gary received an electrical shock during the song "July Morning.” Although the shock did not kill him it nonetheless left him with health issues and in January 1975 Gary left the band.  After continued struggles with health and drug problems, Gary died December 8, 1975, of respiratory failure due to a heroin overdose

Gary Thain recorded 5 albums and had participated in over 140 live performances all over the world with Uriah Heep in just three short years.