Joanne Rowling, (born 31 July 1965), better known under the pen name J.K. Rowling is a British author best known as the creator of the Harry Potter fantasy series, the idea for which was conceived whilst on a train trip from Manchester to London in 1990. The Potter books have gained worldwide attention, won multiple awards, sold more than 400 million copies, and been the basis for a popular series of films.
Neil Richard Gaiman (born November 10, 1960, Portchester, Hampshire) is an English author of numerous science fiction and fantasy works. As of 2006, he lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. While Gaiman is most famously known for The Sandman, a series of graphic novels, many of his other works translate well to the spoken word. Gaiman is a prolific blogger and has a noted interest in music. He befriended Tori Amos early in her career after she sent him a demo tape.
Blackmore's Night is an English Renaissance-inspired medieval folk rock band led by UK guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (electric and acoustic guitars) and Candice Night (lyricist and lead vocals). The origins of the band lie in 1990 when Candice was working at a local New York rock music radio station, and as part of her work first encountered Ritchie (now ex-Deep Purple/Rainbow guitarist), then with Deep Purple, at a soccer game he was playing in. The two became romantically entwined and discovered that they shared a passionate interest in the Renaissance.
Livin' Joy is a house music group from Italy who released two successful dance hits in the 1990s. In 1994, fronted by American lead singer Janice Robinson, they hit number one on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with "Dreamer".
Carach Angren is a symphonic black metal band from the Netherlands, formed by two members of Vaultage. Their style is characterised by prominent use of orchestral arrangements. All of their studio albums are concept albums with lyrics based on famous ghost stories, such as the Flying Dutchman. The name means "Iron Jaws" in the language of Sindarin, and is the name of a fortified pass into North-Western Mordor in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
In Gowan Ring is the musical endeavour of American composer and multi-instrumentalist B'eirth. Started in the early 1990s, In Gowan Ring plays acoustic songs with strong roots in folk, medieval, and psychedelic music. B'eirth's soft voice is accompanied by (among other instruments) guitar, harp, piano, cello, bodhrán and many of his own instrument creations (citterns, guitars, hybrids, etc.). In Gowan Ring has cooperated with many artists from the international folk and experimental scenes, such as: Stone Breath, Maja Elliott, Nick Castro, Fern Knight, Annelies Monseré, and Alio Die.
Earth, Wind & Fire is an American funk band, formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1969. Led by Maurice White, they are best known for their hits of the 1970s, among them "After the Love Has Gone", "September," "Reasons," "Fantasy" and "Shining Star." Earth, Wind & Fire became the first black performers to headline throughout the world without an opening act, to receive Madison Square Garden's Gold Ticket Award for selling more than 100,000 tickets and to receive the Columbia Records Crystal Globe Award for selling more than five million albums in foreign markets.
Mikhail Afanasievich Bulgakov was born in Kiev in 1891, the son of a Russian lecturer in theology, and the grandson of priests on both sides, Medicine, religion, and education were the dominant careers in his family. Despite an early interest in literature and the theater, Bulgakov chose to become a doctor. In 1914, as a medical student, he volunteered with the Red Cross during World War 1. After graduating from the University of Kiev and Ukrainian Nationalist Army. These experiences during the chaos of the Civil War in Kiev and the Caucasus had a profound effect on the writer and his work.
Oliver Wakeman is a keyboardist and first son of Rick Wakeman. He has worked with Clive Nolan (of Arena) and Tracy Hitchings on two progressive rock concept albums, Jabberwocky (released 1999) and Hound of the Baskervilles. Oliver has also worked with Steve Howe, his father's bandmate in Yes. (The two live relatively close to each other in south-west England). Howe worked on Oliver's solo album named The 3 Ages of Magick, while Oliver is on Howe's 2005 solo album Spectrum and helped on Howe's recording of "Australia" for the US version of the Yes collection The Ultimate Yes.
Kaledon was born in the second part of 1998 after the split between the lead guitarist Alex Mele and his band "River of change".
After the spilt Alex Mele called immediately the bass player Paolo Lezziroli and the rhythm guitarist Tommaso Nemesio.
After many line-up problems, the band started to play live in the big Roman theatres.
Kaledon replaced the original drummer "Daniele Staccini" for technical problems with Dario Sacco"
Kaledon's first release was in autumn of 1999. The band produced their first demo cd, "Spirit of the dragon" without keyboard.