Annie Haslam is an English vocalist, songwriter, and painter. She is best known as the lead singer of progressive rock bandRenaissance since 1971, and for her long and diverse solo singing career. She has a five-octave vocal range. From 2002, Haslam has developed a parallel career as a visual artist, producing paintings on canvas, painted musical instruments, and giclées.
In February 1971, Haslam became the new lead singer of Renaissance, after answering an advertisement in the British periodical Melody Maker, and auditioning for the band in Surrey. Charles Snider stated: "Annie Haslam's voice, soaring high along with the melody, is the big news. Far more West End than Carnaby Street, it would come to define the band." With Renaissance, Haslam was lead vocalist on seven studio albums during their classic period, four studio albums from 1981–present, and a number of live albums. In the summer of 1978 the band's single "Northern Lights" reached the top 10 in the UK singles charts. For more information see the Renaissance Discography.
Solo career
In 1977, Haslam began her solo career with her album Annie in Wonderland, produced by Roy Wood, who played most of the musical instruments, duetted with her on one track, and performed on the Intergalactic Touring Band album. Haslam and Wood were engaged to be married for four years. She has since released eight studio albums, three of which were released through her own record label, White Dove. Haslam has also collaborated with Steve Howe on a number of projects. Her 2006 Live Studio Concert, was also released as her first solo DVD. Haslam released an EP called Night and Day, her first solo recording for some years, with Welsh rock bandMagenta in 2006.
Visual arts
"Haslam as few among us, is blessed to channel her muse in a variety of ways" wrote Melinda Rizzo in Fine Art Magazine. One of these is visual arts:
her paintings have been used as cover art on the albums:
she has helped others to design her on-stage clothing
she has painted musical instruments including guitars, and violins
she has created giclées of many of her paintings
in 1975 she artistically hand-lettered the lyrics to "Mother Russia" for a British tour program.
Festive season concert
Starting in 1999, Haslam has, each year, performed a Christmas show called In the Spirit of the Holidays, originally at the Upper Tinicum Lutheran Church, and then at the larger Sellersville Theatre in Sellersville, Pennsylvania, since 2006. The Christmas show has been held every year except 2012, due to the death of her friend and colleague, Michael Dunford, in November of that year. Haslam stated that "there was just too much sadness at the time." Included in the program are secular, and religious Christmas carols, as well as her own compositions, and a few Renaissance favourites.
Personal life
In 1993, Haslam was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she survived and which became the inspiration for her 1994 album, Blessing in Disguise. Haslam was engaged to musician Roy Wood for four years, which she later described as "four of the funniest years of my life". In 1991, Haslam married Marc I. Hoffman of North Wales, Pennsylvania. The marriage ended in divorce. She now resides in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
