Clive Nolan (born 30 June 1961)[1] is a British musician, composer and producer who has played a prominent role in the development of progressive rock. He has been the regular keyboard player in Pendragon (1986–present), Shadowland (1992–present), Strangers on a Train (1993–1994) and Arena (1995–present), as well as writing lyrics for Arena and producing or co-producing several other bands' albums.
Early life
At the age of sixteen, Nolan became the youngest musician in England (at the time) to gain an ALCM diploma in composition from the London College of Music.[2] Holding both a BMus and MMus, he played violin, cello and viola, although his main study while at university was composition, orchestration, musical arrangement and conducting.[2]
Career
In 1982 Nolan won the cup and two medals at the composers competition in the Cheltenham Music Festival.[2]
In 2008 Nolan's rock opera, She, was filmed for DVD in Katowice, Poland.[3] In 2010 the show was again performed in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Since then, Nolan has started the Caamora Theatre Company,[4]
Musicals
Besides his progressive rock ventures, Nolan has written a rock opera, She, based upon the novel by Sir H Rider Haggard. In 2008, it was filmed for DVD in Katowice, Poland.[3] In 2010, the show was again performed, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Since then Nolan has started the Caamora Theatre Company,[4] and turned She into a full musical, which was performed for the first time at The Playhouse in Cheltenham in 2012.[5]
Nolan's musical Alchemy finished its run at the Jermyn Street Theatre in the West End of London in August 2014. The libretto is based on the composer's original story.[2] He created a sequel entitled King's Ransom in 2017.[6] Both musicals have now taken the first step towards becoming full theatrical-release feature films.
Writing
Nolan wrote the lyrics for the 43-minute metal song "Crimson II" by Edge of Sanity, which came out in 2003.
In 2005, Nolan wrote a novel called Mephisto Bridge which is as yet unpublished.[7]
Awards
Classic Rock Society Best Keyboard Player award won in the years: 1995, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2011.[2]
Honorary Visitor to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, award received in 2010 from Bolivian government for his theatre work in Santa Cruz.[2]
