Martin Gerschwitz | |
|---|---|
 Martin Gerschwitz with Iron Butterfly in Prague on 7 October 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 25 June 1952 Solingen, Germany |
| Genres | Hard rock, progressive rock, heavy metal, arena rock, blues rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboards, piano, vocals, violin |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Website | martingerschwitz.com |
Martin Gerschwitz (born 25 June 1952) is a German violinist,[1] keyboardist, singer and composer.
He was born and raised in Solingen, Germany. He began playing piano at the age of five, at the age of twelve he devoted himself exclusively to classical music,[2] in 1969 he founded his first band, the Avengers.
In 1972 he got his first big success: He won the "battle of the bands" in Solingen, where he met Dieter Rubach (amongst other members of the popular heavy metal band Accept), but turned down to play with them as he got the opportunity to play with German entertainer Howard Carpendale, from 1974 to 1977.
In 1978 he founded BREAK POINT a band playing rock and roll in the USAF Europe Club Circuit playing in sold out clubs mainly in Germany. The band went into the studio in 1981 and came out with BREAK POINT – First Serving. With original hits composed by Martin and Band members, sales exceeded 5,000 units selling at shows. The CD and album is still available today on iTunes and on Martin's website www.martingerschwitz.com. Martin left the band in 1985.
In 1985, he moved to the United States. From 1987 to 1989 he was the keyboard player for Lita Ford (who amongst others also supported Bon Jovi around that time, where a concert at the Wembley Stadium was shot); in 1989 and 1990, he played with Meat Loaf's Neverland Express. In 1991, he played with Vanilla Fudge on the album "Back On Stage", and in 1991 and 1992, he was a permanent member of "The Doughboys/PFR." In 1991 he also played with Kingdom Come. From 1993 to 1998 he played in the Walter Trout Band, where he met drummer Bernie Pershey.[3]
In 1999, he was asked to be the keyboardist for Eric Burdon & the New Animals, after Neal Morse (Spock's Beard) left the band. In late 2001, their drummer Aynsley Dunbar was replaced by his old friend Bernie Pershey. Gerschwitz stayed with Burdon and his new Animals until late 2005 and played on four albums with them.
Since 2005 he has played with the psychedelic rock band Iron Butterfly, both as a singer and keyboardist.[4]
In the 2000s, he formed "Martin Gerschwitz & Friends", including Dieter Rubach on bass, Jan Mengeling on lead guitar and his childhood friend Martin Schwebel on drums. They also recorded a live DVD at the SAE, Frankfurt, in 2004. He continues to play worldwide tours with Iron Butterfly and solo.
Martin has worked and shared the stage with Scorpions, Cinderella, Eddie Van Halen, Loverboy, Tim Bogert, Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), John Entwistle (The Who), Steve Stevens, Britny Fox, U.D.O., Melanie Safka, Robben Ford, Andy Susemihl, Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and many more.
