Me and Kevin Gilbert - Nils Erikson A few months ago, I was invited by Anders Lundquist to a "release party". He wanted to celebrate the release of the late Kevin Gilbert's unfinished Rock Opera (The Shaming Of The True). The artist's name was somewhat familiar but unfortunatly I couldn't come to the party. Instead I visited him the other day, and he played the album "Thud" to me. At first I was fascinated by the voice, the lyrics and the music, and then suddenly it struck me: Kevin Gilbert! This must be the very same man I met in Tokyo in February 1989. I was 22 years old and my band "Under the Sun" had won the Yamaha BAND EXPLOSION Song Contest in Sweden with the Peter Gabriel inspired song "Place of Many Tales". The price was a free all inclusive trip to Tokyo for the World Final: 22 competing bands from 17 different countries from all over the world. It should have been held at the Budokan, Autumn 1988, but at that time the Japanese Emperor was dying so instead the contest took place in February the following year in a large TV studio. It was a great week, at least for everyone else. I myself got appendicitis. Good timing, don't you think? I missed the rehearsals but some Japanese miracle drug put me back on stage on D-day. (Get to the point, I hear you sigh). Among all the other competing bands, there was one in particular that caught our attention. They were from America and were called "Giraffe". They, too, had a musical style inspired by the works of Peter Gabriel, and we exchanged demos (Yes, I still have the original "Giraffe" album). The front man, Kevin Gilbert (at last!) was very nice and outgoing, although maybe a bit manic. Their entry song "It's all because of you" was not one of his favourites. He and the band had almost finished a new album, and they were eager to get on with the new songs. Kevin and the band made a good impression on the jury (Giraffe was scored second best), but he was not happy with the performance. "We've done this song too many times now", I remember him saying in the dressing room right after. I wasn't at my best either, but we were close to a third rank, or so the jury told us afterwards, off the record of course. The jury consisted of members of the Michael Jackson band, e.g Greg Phillinganes, so the professional but very Jackson inspired Australian band "Jans" won the competition. Then "Giraffe" and then a funny band from Indonesia playing instrumental fusion pop. (And then us, he he). After the show, there was a great banquet ,and all musicians were invited to jam with the jury. I wasn't there. I was in my hotel room taking medications and eating corn soup). I guess Kevin Gilbert made a huge impression on everybody with his rare multi talent. At least Sheryl Crow was impressed but that's another story (which I know nothing of) We spent the rest of the week in a big recreational park called Tsumagoi, with go-carts, water-skiing, and parties. Not for me, though. I wandered lonely as a cloud in the deep bamboo forests on a quest for ancient Shinto temples. Kevin Gilbert spent most of the time with his manager, and we didn't see too much of him. Something seemed to be haunting him. It was strange to hear "Thud" and the Rock Opera the other day. A guy of my age, with such a genius, that I have actually met and spoken to, if only briefly - is now dead. It's hard to believe. Well, his music certainly lives, and so do you. Take care. - Nils Erikson, music producer, Sweden