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Robin Wilson (musician)

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Robin Wilson
Wilson in 2018
Wilson in 2018
Background information
Born (1965-07-12) July 12, 1965 (age 59)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician, producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1988–present

Robin Wilson (born July 12, 1965) is an American musician most notable for his work as the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band Gin Blossoms.

Career

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Wilson replaced Richard Taylor as guitarist of Gin Blossoms in 1988, but switched places early on with vocalist Jesse Valenzuela. He remained a member of the band until its disbandment in 1997; prior to its split, the band released two albums.[1] Its hit second album, New Miserable Experience, was certified quadruple platinum[2] and featured singles "Hey Jealousy", "Found Out About You", "Mrs. Rita", "Until I Fall Away", and Wilson's "Allison Road". The band's next album, Congratulations I'm Sorry, which sold platinum,[1] featured singles such as "Follow You Down", "As Long as It Matters", "Not Only Numb", and "Day Job", as well as Wilson's "Highwire".

After the breakup of Gin Blossoms, Wilson was the lead vocalist and songwriter for the band Gas Giants,[3] which also included guitarist Dan Henzerling and former Gin Blossoms drummer Phil Rhodes. He also contributed vocals for The Longshadows album Simple Minded Way.[4]

In 1995, Robin Wilson had an idea for an animated TV series called The Poppin' Wheelies: a teenage rock & roll band with a magical guitar travels through outer space while being chased by an evil witch's minion new wave band, the Techno-pops, who try to retrieve the enchanted instrument. While the animated series was worked on, it was never released. The supporting music for the series was released in November 2000 in an album of the same name, "The Poppin' Wheelies".

When the Gin Blossoms reunited in 2002, Wilson began touring with the band[5] as well as recording the album Major Lodge Victory. Released on August 8, 2006, the album featured the singles "Learning the Hard Way" and "Long Time Gone".[6]

Wilson ran his own studio, Uranus Recording in Tempe, Arizona, which he opened in 1994 until its closing in 2015.[6][7]

Wilson has served as an occasional lead singer for The Smithereens since the 2017 death of lead singer Pat DiNizio.[8][9]

Personal life

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Wilson grew up in Tempe, Arizona.[10] Wilson graduated from McClintock High School in Tempe, Arizona.[11] He attended Mesa Community College, where his father was a professor, from 1983 to 1988, majoring in planetary science, although he did not graduate.[12] He currently lives on Long Island, New York.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Gin Blossoms confirm breakup". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. January 1, 1998. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  2. ^ Masley, Ed (September 1, 2018). "Gin Blossoms' Robin Wilson on why 'Mixed Reality' is their best since 'Miserable' was new". AZCentral.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  3. ^ "Gin Blossoms Singer a Giant Again". Rolling Stone. August 12, 1999. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  4. ^ "Longshadows album melodic, introspective". Deseret News. April 13, 2007. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  5. ^ "Gin Blossoms Bloom Again". Rolling Stone. February 14, 2003. Retrieved May 11, 2010.[dead link]
  6. ^ a b "After 10 years, Gin Blossoms have new CD". East Valley Tribune. August 2, 2006. Retrieved May 11, 2010. [dead link]
  7. ^ "The Closing of Uranus Recording Marks End of Era for a Gin Blossom".
  8. ^ "The Gin Blossoms' Robin Wilson Offers Non-Traditional Songwriting Advice". American Songwriter. August 26, 2020.
  9. ^ "Brothers in Song: The Smithereens Carry On". New Jersey Monthly. October 18, 2019.
  10. ^ "Gin Blossoms giving fans a 'reality' check - SanTan Sun News SanTan Sun News".
  11. ^ "Gin Blossoms: Broken Flowers". November 25, 2006.
  12. ^ "Robin Wilson | Success Stories | Mesa Community College".
  13. ^ "Robin Wilson Invites Us to His Front Yard Show, Talks Gin Blossoms". August 5, 2020.
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