Fish (singer)

This article is about the former lead singer of Marillion. Not to be confused with Phish. For other music artists with "Fish" in their name, see Fish (disambiguation) § People.

Fish
Fish performing in Wacken, Germany, in 2018
Fish performing in Wacken, Germany, in 2018
Background information
Birth nameDerek William Dick
Born (1958-04-25) 25 April 1958 (age 66)
Edinburgh, Scotland
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, actor
Years active1981–present
LabelsChocolate Frog, EMI, Polydor, Roadrunner, Voiceprint, Dick Bros., Snapper, Lightyear
Formerly ofMarillion
Websitefishmusic.scot

Derek William Dick (born 25 April 1958), better known by his stage name Fish, is a Scottish singer, songwriter and occasional actor.[3] He was the lead singer and lyricist of the neo-prog band Marillion from 1981 until 1988.[3] He released 11 UK Top 40 singles with the band, including the Top Ten singles "Kayleigh", "Lavender" and "Incommunicado", and five Top Ten albums, including a number one with Misplaced Childhood.[4] In his solo career, Fish explored contemporary pop and traditional folk,[2] and released a further five Top 40 singles and a Top 10 album.[5]

Fish's voice has been described as both "distinct" and a "conflation of Roger Daltrey and Peter Gabriel",[6][7] while his lyrics have been described as "poetic prose".[6] In 2004, Classic Rock ranked Fish at number 49 on its list of "The 100 Greatest Frontmen", describing his "theatrical delivery" as "a major factor in Marillion's spectacular rise, and he masterminded some uniquely ornate lyrical concepts."[8] In 2009, Fish was voted at number 37 in a poll of the greatest voices in rock music by Planet Rock listeners.[1]

In 2020, Fish released his final studio album Weltschmerz (German for "world-weariness"), to critical acclaim and commercial success.[9] Fish toured Weltschmerz and celebrated the 30th anniversary of A Vigil In A Wilderness of Mirrors as part of the Vigil's End tour in 2021. Fish plans to retire following a farewell tour in 2024.[10]

  1. ^ a b Leonard, Michael (4 January 2009). "Robert Plant voted rock's greatest voice". MusicRadar. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d Prasad, Anil. "Fish: Mirroring influences". Innerviews. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  3. ^ a b Larkin, Colin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (concise ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 464–465. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  4. ^ Roberts, David, ed. (2006). British Hit Singles and Albums. Guinness World Records Limited. p. 349. ISBN 978-1904994107.
  5. ^ Roberts, David, ed. (2006). British Hit Singles and Albums. Guinness World Records Limited. p. 201. ISBN 978-1904994107.
  6. ^ a b Montesano, Jeri. "Seasons End". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  7. ^ David Hepworth's review of Clutching at Straws. Q. July 1987.
  8. ^ Classic Rock, UK issue #68/2004
  9. ^ Williams, Martin (30 September 2020). "The retiring Scots rock star who has claimed a 'phantom' number two best selling LP of the week, ahead of Prince". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  10. ^ Skarin, Rob (7 February 2022). "2022 Fish Roadmap". Fishmusic.scot. Retrieved 28 March 2023.