Fast, Larry (10th December 1951-Present)

He is a synthesiser player and composer born Lawrence Roger Fast in Newark and raised in Livingston, New Jersey, who learned the violin and piano before entering Pennsylvania’s Lafayette College to study for a degree in history.

While at the college he found an interest in using a computer coupled with his music experience to create synthesized sound. This led to him making some of his own sound devices and after becoming acquainted with the acclaimed keyboardist Rick Wakeman at a radio interview, he found himself flying to the UK in 1974 to work with the group Yes. He worked on their successful Tales from Topographic Oceans album.

While in the UK he secured a recording contract with Passport Records and in 1975 he released Electronic Realizations for Rock Orchestra using the name Synergy which became the first in a series of highly acclaimed electronic and synthesized sound albums by him. There were 8 albums released during the 1970s and ‘80s with further appearing during the 1990s and 2000s. In 2013 the compilation Possibilities of Circumstance was issued with the track “Tower Indigo” which was the first new one in quite a few years.

While working on his Synergy albums during the course of his career, he recorded and toured with Peter Gabriel from 1976 to 1986. He also became a much sought after studio musician to provide his type of sound to recordings and programmings by countless other artists and groups. Some of these artists include Michael Bolton, The Dream Academy, Eon, Serge Gainsbourg, Garland Jeffreys, Tony Levin Band, Magnet, Nektar, Randy Newman, Richie Sambora, Shadowfax, David Spinozza, Rick Springfield, Billy Squier, John Tropea, Bonnie Tyler and Rosie Vela.

As you will imagine, his album output is massive and a few of these, outwith his own Synergy recordings, are Greatest Hits by Air Supply, The Key by Joan Armatrading, The Revolution by Night by Bue Oyster Cult, Never For Ever by Kate Bush, It’s About Time by John Denver, Very Together by Deodato, Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band/Meets King Penett by Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, Records by Foreigner, Security by Peter Gabriel, X-Static, Private eyes and H2O by Daryl Hall and John Oates, Dead Ringer by Meat Loaf, Back Against the Wall by Pink Floyd, Middle Man by Boz Scaggs, Come Upstairs by Carly Simon, In the Heat by Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, Morning Dance by Spyro Gyra, Emotion by Barbra Streisand and Lady Put the Light Out by Frankie Valli. His work has also been heard on The Jupiter Menace documentary and in an episode of the UK’s long running The South Bank Show.

Outside of the music industry he has worked on the design of listening devices for people with hearing disabilities. He is also active, as a member of a government group, in the prevention of developers gaining access to some of the historical assets of New Jersey.

He is a multi-patent owner in the field of optical distribution using infrared audio technologies.

Peter Gabriel Recordings
Games Without Frontiers (Peter Gabriel)
(Charisma CB 354)(UK45)

Sources:

Fast, Larry (10th December 1951-Present)

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