SiX By SiX is the exciting new trio formed by Ian Crichton (Saga), Nigel Glockler (Saxon) & Robert Berry (3; Emerson, Berry, Palmer), and their eponymous debut album is set for release on August 19th, 2022 via InsideOutMusic/Sony Music. This hugely accomplished trio of musicians is also pleased to announce their first single ‘Yearning to Fly’, and you can watch the video now here:
The roots of SiX By SiX can be traced back several decades to when Glockler and Berry were together as part of Yes guitarist Steve Howe’s continuation of the band GTR. Then there’s the Asia connection, where Crichton and Glockler contributed to sessions and recordings, while Berry was the link for his guitarist friend Pat Thrall joining that band.
Time marches on, paths cross and fate brings these three musicians together, born from a conversation with an industry insider in the UK who connected Ian Crichton in the Toronto area with Robert Berry outside San Francisco, who in turn reached Glockler at his home on the south coast of England.
Powered by Glockler’s dynamic drumming, the result is an expansive guitar-driven pallet, paired sonically with the unique flavour of the Crichton/Berry songwriting collaboration, which they are very excited to present on this debut album.
Ian Crichton comments: “Throughout my career, I’ve been very selective about what to get involved in outside Saga and when opportunities have arisen, I have said ‘no’ far more often than I have said ‘yes’. When Robert’s manager contacted me in 2020 and explained what Robert was seeking to do creatively and how my guitar could be central to the musical vision, I was intrigued. Now it’s over 18 months and many Zoom calls later, but crucially Robert, Nigel and I have also spent plenty of time together at Robert’s base in northern California. We’re three experienced players from three different countries, and with our six hands, we’re here to break the rock music mould. SiX By SiX is a band that we’ve built together and nurtured into a unique style that I’m very proud of.”
Nigel Glockler continues: “When Robert and Ian first approached me about becoming part of this band, I felt very honoured to be asked and absolutely thrilled to be working with a couple of guys I’ve admired for a long time. Robert and I first met during GTR days and we’ve kept in touch ever since. My path has crossed with Ian many times on the road over the years, so once the three of us got together in California it was like a meeting of old friends. Musically it immediately clicked and working within the framework of a three piece allows us to branch out in all directions and really push ourselves. I’m best known as the Saxon drummer, but I’ve always been a massive fan of progressive rock – Genesis and PFM are amongst my favourite bands! SiX By SiX is just the beginning of an exciting journey – bring it on!!”
Robert Berry adds: “After working with the genius of Keith Emerson and losing that musical partnership in 2016 following Keith’s death, I faced a daunting question: whether to bring down the curtain creatively or seek something inspiring which would reach new musical heights. My intuition was to lean into a dramatically more guitar oriented direction. But which guitarist is as impressive as Keith was as a keyboardist? At my manager’s suggestion, an incredible meeting of minds, style and future goals was struck with Ian Crichton. Was it luck, timing or destiny? I think it was all three because 3 is my lucky number. Ian and I were determined to keep this a 3 piece band (there’s that number again) and needed a drummer with a similar mindset and who is a solid, heavy hitter. My friend Nigel Glockler was the perfect fit. And with this extraordinary combination of friendship, musicality, and humor, a Brit, a Canadian and an American have come together as the brand new band SiX By SiX.”
Ian Crichton is best known as one of the founding members of Saga, alongside his brother Jim. Saga went on to sell roughly 10 million albums world-wide and continue to perform around the world. As the driving force behind SiX By SiX, Ian takes a cunning turn, in assembling another potent band but one that focuses on his guitar prowess. This time with established players, each with a celebrated past, refined skills, and unlimited potential.
Nigel Glockler began his career in 1980 as the drummer for the British band Krakatoa. In 1981 he found an opportunity with singer Toyah. By the end of the year, he joined metal legends, Saxon. Except for two brief absences, Nigel has been behind his massive drum kit as an integral part of Saxon ever since. His powerhouse drumming is the engine that drives SiX By SiX’s songs forwards relentlessly.
Robert Berry first gained international attention with San Francisco-based Hush, releasing well-received recordings and then touring the USA. In the mid-1980s Berry’s first solo album garnered positive reviews in the most influential trade publications and attracted the attention of several major labels. At the suggestion of one of those labels, Robert moved to the UK to work with guitarist Steve Howe (of Yes fame) along with drummer Nigel Glockler in an effort to revitalize GTR. When GTR stalled, Robert partnered with British rock legends Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer to form ‘3’. With Emerson and Palmer, Robert achieved a top ten charting single and toured the USA. Robert’s melodic sensibilities complement Ian’s extraordinary guitar and Nigel’s signature drumming perfectly.
Things just got a lot better for Prog Music Fans – and fans of genuine classic bands with great players. Robert Berry has assembled a killer four-piece band set to begin playing this year. For those who appreciate the fine craftsmanship of YES, ELP, Keith Emerson, Genesis, Jethro Tull, etc… are in for a real treat. Berry is riding high with his latest release “3.2: The Rules Have Changed” written with Keyboardist Keith Emerson. Berry is well known for his Bass, Vocals and as a multi-instrumentalist who’s written and toured with Carl Palmer, Steve Howe (Yes), GTR and Ambrosia to name a few. Rounding out the group are Drummer Jimmy Keegan (Spock’s Beard), Guitarist Paul Keller (Emerson/Palmer), and Keyboardist Andrew Colyer (Circuline, Cell15, Awaken). Aside from all the heavy instrumental lifting, all four band members sing – a pleasant surprise in today’s music world. The word has been spreading quickly, and already 3.2 will be headlining at this year’s ProgStock Festival – an annual 3-Day Festival in Rahway, New Jersey this October 11-12-13. ProgStock is the gem of the Prog Music Festivals in the North East U.S. and continues to bring in more prestigious acts every year. The band will be touring North America this fall (tour dates below).
About Robert Berry: Berry is an American musician, songwriter, and producer. He’s co-written with Steve Howe for the band GTR, he’s a former Ambrosia band member. He drew a lot of attention for his work re-arranging/re-recording of the YES hit “Roundabout” for Magna Carta Records, drawing some to label him as a crafty American version of Trevor Rabin. Yes, there are many similarities between the two. Now Robert Berry has announced the live touring band for the #1 Amazon and Billboard charting album, “3.2 – The Rules Have Changed” written with the late Keith Emerson. Emerson and Berry formed the band “3” in the 1980’s with Carl Palmer, and had the #9 Billboard hit “Talkin’ Bout”. Their debut album “To The Power of 3” charted well on the Geffen label – well known at the time for their other artists like Peter Gabriel.
In 2015, a radio station in Boston unearthed some old tapes from the 1988 “3” tour, and released them as a live album. After hearing that live performance, Keith Emerson was inspired to reunite with Berry, resuming work on the unfinished second “3” album, now titled “3.2”. It was released on the Frontiers Records label. With Emerson’s tragic passing in 2016, it appeared the new album might not get finished.
Spring of 2018, and Berry had worked out the details with the Emerson estate and Frontiers to complete and release the record. The first single, “Somebody’s Watching” (released May 22, 2018), saw the album debut at #3 on the Amazon hard rock charts, and generated 7,000 YouTube views in the first 36 hours, and over 12,000 views in the first week. A musical phoenix had indeed risen. The album was released on August 10, 2018, and hit #1 on Amazon, selling out in five countries on the first day, and placed on two Billboard charts. The two YouTube videos from the album currently have over 75,000 cumulative views. The new album has met with unanimous positive international acclaim from over 100 magazine articles, blog and website reviews, and FM and internet radio stations. Berry, Keegan, Keller and Colyer began live rehearsals in November 2018, and are looking forward to not only performing the great last work of Keith Emerson, but will also be pulling from Berry’s 30-year history of Progressive Rock, and also his work with Steve Howe, some from Ambrosia, some of his solo work, and of course his re-worked tribute albums for the Magna Carta label, which include the music of YES, ELP, Genesis and Jethro Tull .
Prepare Yourself… Robert Berry’s new band is stacked with seasoned players!
More Than Just a Concert – It’s An Event: With his 30 year history of playing side-by-side with some of Prog and Rock music’s elite, Berry has a few entertaining stories to tell as well. So it’s more than just a concert, the shows will include an evening of firsthand stories and recollections sure to raise a few eyebrows along the way. ProgStock is one of music’s premiere interactive events where the artists and fans mingle; they hang together, drink together and bond over more than just music. The 3.2 shows will be exactly that as well – and isn’t that a welcoming idea – for fans not only to enjoy the music but to jump in the pool with the musicians that create it.
3.2 featuring Robert Berry North American Tour Dates
09/11 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst Club 09/12 – Redwood City, CA – Club Fox 09/13 – Pleasanton, CA – Firehouse Arts Center 09/15 – San Pedro, CA – Alvas Showroom 10/03 – Montreal, Canada – Piranha Bar 10/04 – Quebec City, Canada – La Source de la Martiniere 10/05 – Henniker, NH – The Lofaro Center of the Performing Arts (w/Randy McStine) 10/06 – Hennifer, NH – The Lofaro Center of the Performing Arts (w/Randy McStine) 10/09 – Kennett Square, PA – The Kennett Flash (w/Randy McStine) 10/10 – Roslyn, NY – My Father’s Place at The Roslyn Hotel 10/11 – Rahway, NJ – ProgStock Festival (headlining) 10/12 – Rahway, NJ – ProgStock Festival (Robert w/Rachel Flowers) 10/13 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater (w/Brand X) 10/14 – New York City – Iridium Jazz Club (w/Randy McStine, plus Chris Clark & Kenny Grohowski from Brand X) 10/16 – Kent, OH – Kent Stage (w/ Chris Clark & Kenny Grohowski from Brand X) 10/17 – Cincinnati, OH – TBA 10/18 – Indianapolis, IN – Irving Theater (w/ Chris Clark & Kenny Grohowski from Brand X, plus Andre Cholmondeley from Project/Object) 10/19 – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s (with The Cyberiam, plus Chris Clark & Kenny Grohowski from Brand X) 10/20 – Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall 10/22 – Champaign-Urbana, IL – TBA (with Steve Scorfina’s Chrome and Steel) 10/23 – St. Louis, MO – FuBar (with Steve Scorfina’s Chrome and Steel) 10/24 – Farmington, MO – Centene Center 10/26 – Nashville, TN – Douglas Corners 10/27 – Atlanta – The Vista Room (with Story of a Life and Great Wide Nothing) 10/28 – Asheville, NC – TBA 10/29 – Vienna, VA – TBA 10/30 – Harrisburg, PA – Cliff’s Underground Live (formerly Gullifty’s) 11/01 – Rochester, NY – The Lovin’ Cup 11/02 – Albany, NY – TBA
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