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Although Tim Blake never joined Hawkwind until 1979, their paths crossed many years earlier. Tim had met Doug Smith of 'Clearwater Productions' in 1970, and got to know house bands 'Trees', 'Skin Alley' and 'Hawkwind' fairly well. At this time, Tim was a glissando guitarist and occasionaly jammed with the Clearwater bands.
Tim was known as Gollum for one reason or another and soon struck up a friendship with Hawkwind's sound wizard Dik Mik, becoming increasingly interested in engineering and the proto–type synthesisers, that in those days were audio generators with various bits joined on to widen the scope of the electronic noises they produced.

By 1971, Tim was working as an engineer in the Marquee studios and shortly after met up with Daevid Allen of 'Gong' as he came to record his solo album 'Banana Moon'.
Later in the year, following a brief spell within the depleted ranks of 'Musica Electronica Viva', Tim moved to France and soon became the sound engineer for 'Gong'. It was here that Tim's interset in synths grew and he spent a lot of time in Paris demonstrating the uses of the EMS synths. He had purchased one of the first EMS machines, had it revamped and personalised and thus was born the "Crystal Machine".
The name came because the team were swallowing alot of crystals, together with the fact that the lasers being used to accompany the music, ate up crystals at astonishing rates. The sound too had a certain crystalline vibration and feel, so the name was more than relevant.

The Gong Years

The first live airing for 'Crystal Machine' was at a free festival at Bierre in France. Tim was given a half hour set but due to the large amount of LSD circulating, ended up playing for about ninety minutes to a spaced out and silent audience. Tapes of Tim's music were recorded and circulated. Daevid Allen of 'Gong' heard the 'Crystal Machine' tapes and by the end of 1972, Tim had joined Gong full time on synthesiser.
For the next few years, Tim Blake was an important part of the Gong sound and would be involved with some of the band's most successful albums as 'Hi T Moonweed', that included the Radio Gnome trilogy of 'Flying Teapot', 'Angels Egg' and 'You'.

As time went on, the music of 'Crystal Machine' developed with the light show, until the two could eventually be played in perfect harmony.
Due to internal turmoil, Daevid Allen briefly left Gong in 1973 and a splinter group called 'Paragong' was formed, involving Tim Blake, Didier Malherbe, Steve Hillage, Mike Howlett and Pierre Moerlen. These sessions saw the cultivation of an important friendship between Tim and Steve Hillage flourish.
It wasn't long before Daevid Allen returned to Gong and the remaining part of 'Angels Egg' was recorded. The final album of the trilogy, 'You', saw the band reach new heights of technical and musical brilliance. Tim and Steve contributed large amounts to the album, creating an exciting musical interplay between the two musicians that became known as 'Om Rock'.

Early 1975 saw Tim Blake, Steve Hillage and Gilli Smyth leave the band and taking with them a considerable portion of the distinctive 'Gong' sound. Tim continued to work with Steve Hillage on his album 'Fish Rising'. Steve's glissando guitar, mixed with Tim's crystal synths merged to produced a unique and exciting sound and was seen as an extension of the psychedelic era of Gong, which by now was effectively over, especially with the departure of Daevid Allen a few months later.

Crystal Machine

Meanwhile, Tim was involved in a couple of projects. The first was with Cyrille Verdeaux of 'Clear Light' during the studio sessions recording their 'Les Contes Du Singe Fou' album, although there was no sign of Tim's presence on the finished album. The second was also with Cyrille Verdeaux on the soundtrack to the film 'Visa de Censure No. X', directed by Pierre Clementi.
Later in the year, Tim was contracted to 'Virgin Records' as a solo artist but they refused to release any of his music. Disspirited, Tim moved back to France and started up the engines of 'Crystal Machine' once again.

In Paris, Tim met up with two old crystal friends. Patrice Warener, the builder and inventor, and Bernard Szajner, the logistical expert and commercial merchant. They formed a new 'Crystal Machine' and began performing shows in the city. There was little publicity for these events but they managed to pack out the venues which saw the first laser shows in Paris. Due to the amount of time and the numbers of crew needed to rig the shows up, they weren't particularly successful financially, though they became a talking point for months to come.

•  ?? 1975     Paris, Kinopanorama, France
•  ?? 1975     Paris, Kinopanorama, France
•  ?? 1975     Paris, Kinopanorama, France
•  ?? 1975     Paris, La Palace Theatre, France
•  ?? 1975     Paris, La Palace Theatre, France
•  ?? 1975     Paris, La Palace Theatre, France
•  ?? 1975     Paris Olympia, France

Later in the year, Bernard Szajner split and formed 'Lasergraphics'. This left 'Crystal Machine' as just Tim and Patrice. They pressed on, developing even greater effects and imagery, taking the role of true theatre with concerts with Nico and Heldon in Paris.

•  ?? 1975     Paris, L'eglise St. Gervais, France
•  ?? 1975     Paris, L'eglise St. Gervais, France
•  ?? 1975     Paris, La Palace Theatre, France
•  ?? 1975     Paris, La Palace Theatre, France
•  ?? 1975     Paris, La Palace Theatre, France
•  ?? 1975     Paris, La Palace Theatre, France

Come 1976 and Tim was also involved in another project by the "Saratoga Space Messengers", who released the single 'Surf'. Little is known about these recordings but the end single is regarded by Tim at least, as his finest.
During the Summer, Tim and Patrice made their debut performance in Britain at the Seasalter Free Festival just outside of Whitstable in Kent. It was one of a handful of sites the Peoples Free Festival took in 1976, following the Windsor and Watchfield festivals of previous years.
'Crystal Machine' dazzled the audience with crystal music and lasers and the show was recorded for future use.

•  ?? 1976     Seasalter, Free Festival

Until now, all of the Crystal Machine shows (bar the performance at Seasalter) had been in France. Early February 1977, saw Tim and Patrice embark on a short British tour backed by 'Acidica Lights' and helped out by Christian Boule of 'Clear Light' and former 'Zorch' player Basil Brooks. By this time, Tim was convinced he was part of a movement that was leaning towards 'New Age', a style of music combining electronic sounds and rock music.
Steve Hillage and the 'Here And Now Band' were others experimenting with this style and at Oxford, the merger of Daevid Allen and 'Here And Now' formed 'Planet Gong' and performed. It was an event that showed a glimpse of the interaction between music and lightshow that occurred at a Crystal Machine concert.

•  02 February 1977     Oxford Polytechnic
•  ?? February 1977     Brighton University
•  18 February 1977     Paris, La Palace Theatre, France

During May, a 'Gong' reunion spectacular took place in Paris. It was a twelve hour marathon that saw almost ten thousand Gong freaks arrive from all over Europe.
'Crysal Machine' opened the event, with Tim on synths, Patrice operating the lasers and occasionaly they were joined by violinist Jorge Penchevsky. Later, Tim and Steve Hillage played songs from 'Fish Rising' and finally the Gong 'You' line–up played a set of real magic music.

Following Paris, 'Crystal Machine' headed back to Britain for a performance at the Stonehenge Free Festival, which saw Hawkwind headline and 'Planet Gong' also perform to the backdrop of Hawkwind's famous 'Atomhenge' set.

•  ?? May 1977     Paris, The Hippodrome, France
•  ?? May 1977     Paris, The Hippodrome, France (with Steve Hillage)
•  ?? May 1977     Paris, The Hippodrome, France (with Gong)
•  ?? June 1977     Stonehenge, Free Festival

Around this time, Tim entered the studio to begin mixing material accumulated from live shows at Kaleidophon Studios in London. An album and single was planned and these were later released in November.

•  ?? November 1977     Paris, The Hippodrome, France

The start of 1978 saw Tim Blake enter the studio to begin work on his first studio album. It was during these sessions that a second synth player by the name of Jean Philippe Rykiel (an old friend of Tim's), arrive at the studio to see how the album was progressing. Jean became so involved with the album, that he ended up contributing music to the finished piece.
Tim and Jean, with recording completed, began to form ideas to take on the road. A short series of gigs in and around London were planned but these eventually fell through. However, Tim and Patrice were accompanied by Jean on tours of Spain, France and Japan later in 1978.

Following the recordings, Tim Blake, Jean Philippe Rykiel and Patrice Warener began rehearsals for the forthcoming tours. It was during these rehearsals that another set of recordings known as "Waterfalls In Space" were recorded. These sessions never appeared until 1988, when they surfaced on the 'Ottersongs' label.

•  20 May 1978     Paris, Ville Juit, France

•  04 November 1978     Orsay, France

By 1979, it was clear that 'Crystal Machine' had all but exhausted the possibilities of expansion without an increase in finacial backing and promotion. Live shows thinned out and Tim Blake entered a period of musical innactivity.

•  ?? 1979     Amsterdam, Paradiso Club, Holland

Hawkwind

Then, out of the blue, Tim Blake came to join Hawkwind, following a phone call from Dave Brock who asked if he'd care to be their synth player following the loss of Steve Swindells earlier in the year to a solo career.
This all took place just a few days before Hawkwind's next gig at the Futurama Festival in Leeds. Tim accepted the invitation and bought along his crystal machines and working partner Patrice Warener, who in turn came armed with his lasers.

Tim Blake's position in Hawkwind lasted a little over a year. There was no denial of the wealth of musical talent and effect he'd given the band during a time that could be described as a difficult patch but his place in the band ended following two albums and during his third tour with Hawkwind.
Following the show at Hanley on Hawkwind's 'Levitation Tour', Tim was left behind in the hotel lobby following an incident revolving around a phone call. Reportedly, Tim spent hours on the phone to his lady in France, often leaving the rest of the band waiting. At Hanley in October, it came to a head and the band drove off without him and never saw him for another eleven years.
Tim went back to France, wanting to stay well away from the music business.

Solo Years

With this, Tim's musical excursions took a lengthy rest. It took until 1988 for a connection to Tim Blake and live performances, when an electonic music event in Birmingham had Tim Blake on the bill. The event was sadly cancelled, though Tim did perform a few shows in France during the Summer.

•  24 July 1988     Annecy, The Auditorium, France

The early 1990's saw Tim enter the studio to work on his first solo album for twelve years. Much of the material was ideas he had been working with during the late seventies and while with Hawkwind.

•  ?? May 1991     Los Angeles, CA, USA
•  13 May 1991     Kansas City, Grand Emporium, MO, USA
•  01 July 1991     Margate, The Lido
•  06 July 1991     London, Brixton, Academy Theatre (with Hawkwind)
•  07 July 1991     London, Brixton, The Fridge
•  ?? October 1991     UK Electronica

Following a successful series of live performances during the previous year, Tim Blake once again dissapeared from the live arena for another few years. Despite this, French label 'Mantra' re–released all of Tim Blake's albums on CD in the Spring of 1992.

1994 heralded not only Hawkwind's 25th Anniversary but also Gong's. A two day reunion celebration was sheduled for November 1994 at London's Forum. Tim Blake performed a solo set, together with joining the band on stage in a performance rounding the evening off to hysterical scenes. Of interest, is that during Tim's solo set, he played a version of 'World Of Tiers', perhaps signalling that Hawkwind shared the same anniversary.

•  ?? November 1994     London, Kentish Town, The Forum
•  ?? November 1994     London, Kentish Town, The Forum (with Gong)

Following this event, Tim again went back to France and it wasn't until 1997 that he took to the stage once more.
Meanwhile, the same year saw Tim begin laying down ideas for a new studio album at his windmill in France. The album was to feature more crystal music and had a working title of "Crystal Isle".
Onstage, Tim played a one–off performance in London during March, opening for the band 'Tron'. The event was organised by 'Mystic Records', who had also been instrumental in getting German legends 'Amon Duul II' back to London for some live shows. Plans were set to get Tim performing and also for Tim's new album to be released later in the year.

•  13 March 1997     London, Shepherds Bush, The Empire

1998 was another quiet year for Tim Blake but by 1999, Tim was to headline the Alpha Centauri Festival in Holland. Tim's new album, "Crystal Isle – The Tide Of The Century" was now completed and it was hoped it would be out by the time of his performance.
Sadly, this was not the case, yet despite computer gremlins, Tim put on a great show featuring material from the new album alongside older classics from 'New Jerusalem'.

•  10 April 1999     Huizen, Theatre 3 in 1, Alpha Centauri Festival, Holland

Tim's new album is still waiting a date for release, probably on 'Quantum Records' and will be his first solo offering since 'Magick' in 1991.

Solo Recordings
•  Tim Blake – Sintesis Intemporal c/w Sintesis Intemporal II   ??/77
    7' Single    Egg Records  021307
•  Tim Blake – Crystal Machine   11/77  LP    Egg Records  900545
•  Tim Blake – Generator Laserbeam c/w Woodland Voice   09/78
    7' Single    Barclay Records  BAR 711
•  Tim Blake – New Jerusalem   11/78  LP    Egg Records  900288
•  Tim Blake – Magick   ??/91  CD    Voiceprint  VP 105 CD
•  Tim Blake – Live Magick   ??/91  Video    Voiceprint
•  Tim Blake – Crystal Machine   03/92  CD    Mantra Records  MANTRA 067
•  Tim Blake – New Jerusalem   03/92  CD    Mantra Records  MANTRA 068
•  Tim Blake – Magick   03/92  CD    Mantra Records  MANTRA 069

On Gong Recordings
•  Flying Teapot   05/73  LP    Virgin Records  V 2002
•  Angels Egg   12/73  LP    Virgin Records  V 2007
•  You   10/74  LP    Virgin Records  V 2019
•  Live etc.   08/77  2LP    Virgin Records  VGD 3501
•  The Hystery And Mystery Of Planet Gong   04/89
    2LP    Demi Monde Records  DMLP 1018
•  Live Au Bataclan 1973   ??/89  LP    Mantra Records  MANTRA 025
•  Live At Sheffield 1974   ??/90  LP    Mantra Records  MANTRA 042
•  25th Birthday Party   08/95  2CD    Voiceprint/Gas Records  VP GAS 101CD
•  The Best Of Gong   11/95  CD    Nectar Mast Records  NTMCD 517

On Steve Hillage Recordings
•  Fish Rising   05/75  LP    Virgin Records  V 2031
•  It's All Too Much c/w Shimmer   ??/76  7' Single    Virgin Records  VS 161

On Saratoga Space Messengers Recordings
•  Surf c/w Birdsongs   ??/76  7' Single    Isadora Records  V 2002

On Sphynx Recordings
•  Xitintoday   06/78  LP    Charisma Records  CDS 4011

On Crystal Moon Recordings
•  The Forest Of Isal   ??/89  Cassette    Crystal Moon Records

On Compilation Recordings
•  Greasy Truckers Party Live At Dingwalls   ??/73
    2LP    Greasy Truckers Records  GT 4997
•  V   01/75  LP    Virgin Records  VD 2502