Gulliver Smith | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Kevin Gullifer Smith |
| Also known as | Kevin Gullifer Hopkins-Smith, Gullifer Smith, Little Gulliver |
| Born | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 12 November 2014 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Genres | R&B, soul, progressive rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1961–2003 |
| Labels | WEA/Reprise, Dragon/Larrikin |
Kevin Gullifer Hopkins-Smith (born Kevin Gullifer Smith; c. 1950 – November 2014), who performed as Little Gulliver and Gulliver Smith (also styled as Gullifer Smith), was an Australian singer and songwriter from the early 1960s to mid-2000s. He was the front man and founding mainstay vocalist of Company Caine. In 1976 he and Ross Wilson co-wrote "A Touch of Paradise" for Wilson's group, Mondo Rock, which appeared on their third album, Nuovo Mondo (July 1982). It was covered by John Farnham on his album, Whispering Jack (October 1986), and was issued as its third single in February 1987, which reached the top 30 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart.
Gulliver Smith died on 12 November 2014 from kidney failure, and was survived by his wife Stephanie Hopkins-Smith (née Hopkins) and their three sons. According to Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, "Smith drew on vintage rock'n'roll, Professor Longhair-styled New Orleans R&B, psychedelia and soul for inspiration. He was known for his outrageous stage act, which incorporated an inventive free-form approach and much evangelist-styled ad-libbing. Later on, he added a satirical Zappaesque component to his on-stage banter and lyrics."