Marillion/Separated Out

Marillion/Separated Out was first released in 2002. I was never 100% happy with the result, which is unsurprising given that I had never done anything quite like it before. The opportunity to revisit the book in 2012 was one that couldn't be missed.

A big thank you to all at Foruli for making this edition - Separated Out / Redux - possible, and for working so hard behind the scenes on the copy, the artwork, the whole package. To all at Racket of course, for initiating the project in the first place and for their support throughout. And to everyone involved in the text, the fans, the collaborators, and (it goes without saying) most of all Marillion, a band which has created the soundtrack for the lives of so many. To quote the preface: "This is your story, I hope I've done it justice."

The original description is as follows:

From Marillion's current line-up with Steve Hogarth right back to its first players, Marillion have fashioned a career as an original, accomplished and enduring rock band.

Originally fronted by the charismatic singer Fish, with 1983's Script for A Jester's Tear Marillion ushered in a post-punk progressive rock renaissance. Starting with early pub gigs and regular spots at Aylesbury Friars, through the pioneering days of "Market Square Heroes", to the chart topping "Kayleigh"-era and on to the Steve Hogarth incarnation in 1989, Marillion have continued to make groundbreaking and innovative music and retain a furiously loyal and dedicated following, who have even gone so far as to directly bankroll a US tour and the making of an entire album.

Separated Out is not only the most extensively researched, comprehensive and factual history of the band since their earliest days. It also captures, as a series of anecdotes and memories, what Marillion continues to stand for in the hearts and minds of its fans and supporters_ the tens of thousands of people who know, despite what others may think, that they are a part of something greater than just a band and its music.

And here's some words introducing the "Redux" edition. 

Has it really been ten years? The first edition of Marillion/Separated Out (The Complete History) was released in the autumn of 2002. As I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I started, I wrote the story as I uncovered it, gleaned from interviews, references and anecdotes.

What emerged was a tale of band members making the music they wanted to hear, as a result developing a unique relationship with its audience. Since Marillion was first formed, the band’s music has lifted spirits, offered support through personal difficulties and become otherwise woven into the experiences of fans.

It is appropriate that Separated Out ended with the band riding the wave of affection of the first convention weekend. While the event was highly successful, Pontins offered an unlikely foundation stone for future success. The book's conclusion was equally non-committal: “Extrapolate a few years more and all the dreams will come true_ the hit single, the radio play, the household name across the globe. Or will they?”

We now know the answer. Not only has the band seen an unprecedented resurgence in its fortunes over the past decade, it has also produced some of its best music – from ‘Marbles’, through ‘Somewhere Else’ and 'Happiness is the Road' to the just-released and already acclaimed 'Sounds That Can’t Be Made'. So much water has passed under the bridge, it seems hard to believe that there was any uncertainty.

Quite clearly, an update to the book is long overdue – indeed, nearly two years have passed since Lucy asked when this might be available, finally prompting me into action. When I reviewed the original content, suffice to say I wasn’t particularly happy with it – some sections were notably clunky. So I set about working through the text, tweaking, culling, nipping and tucking as I went - this process is now complete.

The next step is to get the story up to date. I will be looking for fan feedback on their own feelings about the band and its music over the past ten years - the highs, the lows, the touching moments… Please do email me at jonc (at) separatedout (dot) com or leave a comment at www.joncollins.net if you have any ideas or thoughts.

And meanwhile, in the words of the profoundly wise Karin Breiter, I shall “shut up and write.” Thanks for reading, and I hope you will enjoy the new edition.

The boys are still going strong - who knows, maybe it'll get a refresh at some point!