Another trip in our musical time machine this week going back to the early 80's to take a look at a group formed in 1980 in Tacoma, Washington - Silverwind.
The music of Silverwind was a breath of fresh air in the early 80s. Musical comparisons were made to the European secular group Abba. Silverwind was also compared to another famous trio known as the 2nd Chapter of Acts, but that comparison didn't work as well. The 2nd Chapter was in a league of their own with a unique sound and a unique ministry. But playing the comparison game also sold Silverwind short. They deserved to be evaluated and appreciated for what they brought to the table.
Started by Georgian Banov a professionally trained musician who began playing violin as a child prodigy in Bulgaria. In the 1960s, he was the founder of the first officially recognized rock band from that communist country before escaping to the United States in 1973. Initially demoralized by the San Francisco drug culture, Banov eventually met other like-minded believers and became heavily involved with ministries known as Candle and Agape Force. In 1980, in Tacoma, Washington, Banov formed Silverwind with two other members of Candle - Betsy Hernandez and Patty Gramling.
The group brought a fresh, Euro-pop sound to CCM that was well-received. "Taking the Narrow Street" and "Never Had a Reason" were standout tracks from the group's self-titled debut in 1981. "Never Had a Reason" was the only song to chart from that record, peaking at #8 on CCM airplay charts in 1982.
Their sophomore release, A Song in the Night kicked off with the title track - a song that seemed to draw somewhat on the trio's experiences with Candle. It was a charming tune that could appeal to children and adults alike, and it received a lot of extra attention due to a music video treatment (a new art form at the time). The video for A Song in the Night (complete with ocean waves, playground equipment, a clown, a monkey, colorful flags, balloons and streamers) was played again and again on national outlets like TBN's Real Videos and the PTL Network's Sound Effects. Not at all your typical rock music video, but memorable nonetheless.
Much of Silverwind's lyrical output was a little ahead of its time, being centered primarily on praise, worship and devotion to God. They were worship before worship was cool. Before worship was commercial might be a better way to say it.
This lineup of Silverwind released one more record - 1985's By His Spirit. That one featured a hit song entitled "Heaven is Being With You." Then the group retired. Inexplicably, the group Silverwind recorded again in 1986 with three completely new singers and a different sound.
Today Georgian Banov and his wife Winnie call themselves "joy apostles" and travel extensively conducting revival services and Christian conferences under the name Global Celebration. Betsy Hernandez and her husband Frank (who played bass for Silverwind) have a ministry called His and Hernandez Music. Based out of Boise, Idaho, they continue to write and produce music that is focused on helping children worship and assisting children's ministries. Patty Gramling (now Patricia Forney) is still involved in ministry as well. She directs a Victims of Sexual Violence ministry with a group called Heaven's Family.
Banov, Hernandez and Gramling have basically spent their lives in various Christian ministry endeavors...but with fond memories of their 5 short years together as Silverwind.
No comments:
Post a Comment