Gorillaz is a British virtual band created in 1998 by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett. Known for its unique concept of featuring animated band members, Gorillaz blends various musical styles including rock, electronic, and hip-hop. Since its inception, the band has released multiple albums, achieving significant chart success and winning numerous awards, including a Grammy. Over the years, Gorillaz has seen a variety of musicians join and contribute to their evolving sound, both in studio recordings and live performances.
Damon Albarn
Damon Albarn is the co-founder of Gorillaz and has been the band’s consistent member since its creation in 1998. As the principal songwriter, he is pivotal in shaping the band’s musical direction. Albarn has contributed to every Gorillaz album, including Gorillaz (2001), Demon Days (2005), Plastic Beach (2010), The Fall (2011), Humanz (2017), The Now Now (2018), and Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez (2020). Outside Gorillaz, Albarn is renowned for his work with the band Blur, another major player in the Britpop scene of the 1990s, and his involvement in various other musical projects, such as The Good, the Bad & the Queen.
Jamie Hewlett
Jamie Hewlett, although not a musician, is a vital part of Gorillaz as the co-creator and the visual mastermind behind the band’s distinctive animated members and elaborate music videos. His contribution has been crucial in defining the band’s image and branding across all media platforms. Hewlett’s involvement extends beyond Gorillaz; he is also celebrated for his work as a comic book artist, most notably for the comic series “Tank Girl.”
Remi Kabaka Jr.
Remi Kabaka Jr. has been involved with Gorillaz as a percussionist and voice actor since 2011 and became an official band member in 2017. He has contributed significantly to Humanz, The Now Now, and Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez. Kabaka also serves as the voice of the animated band member Russel Hobbs. His other musical ventures include collaborative work with various artists and contributions to film soundtracks.
Junior Dan
Junior Dan (real name: Horace Burke) is a reggae bassist who played with Gorillaz primarily during the early stages. He contributed to their debut album Gorillaz and was part of the initial live setup. Known for his reggae influences, Dan brought a distinct vibe to the band’s early work. Beyond Gorillaz, Junior Dan is respected for his contributions to the reggae genre and has worked with notable artists such as Augustus Pablo and Yabby You.
Read More: Complete List Of Gorillaz Albums And Discography
Simon Tong
Simon Tong, formerly of The Verve, joined Gorillaz in 2005 to play guitar on their second album, Demon Days. He continued his involvement with subsequent projects, including Plastic Beach and The Fall. Tong’s guitar work has been a key element in some of the band’s most iconic tracks. Outside of Gorillaz, he has been involved in various musical projects, including The Good, the Bad & the Queen, where he again collaborated with Damon Albarn.
Read More: Top 10 Gorillaz Songs