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This '''timeline of UK LGBT music''' was created for [[LGBT History Month]] 2014. It lists notable LGBT musicians in the United Kingdom, organised by birth decade, followed by a chronological record of key dates in LGBT music history.
[[File:LGBT History Month 2014.jpg|thumb]]This is a '''Timeline of UK LGBT Music''', created in connection with the theme of Music being adopted for [[LGBT History Month]] 2014.
 
For a fuller listing of individuals, see [[:Category:Musicians]].
 
==Musicians born up to 1899==
==Musicians born up to 1899==
 
{{columns-list|2|
* [[Blondel]] (c. 1155–1202) – medieval minstrel and composer, thought by some historians to have had a romantic attachment to King Richard I
*[[Blondel]] (c. 1155–1202) – minstrel, composer, possibly lover of King Richard I.
* [[Mark Smeaton]] (c. 1512–1536) – court musician and lutenist, executed during the fall of Anne Boleyn
*[[Mark Smeaton]] (c. 1512–1536) – young court musician executed for alleged adultery with Queen Anne Boleyn.
* [[Arabella Hunt]] (1662–1705) – singer and lutenist; her marriage was annulled after it emerged that her spouse was female
*[[Arabella Hunt]] (1662–1705) – musician whose "husband" turned out to be a woman.
* [[George Frideric Handel]] (1685–1759) – Baroque composer; described by Beethoven as "the greatest composer who ever lived"
*[[George Frideric Handel]] (1685–1759) – said by Beethoven to be "the greatest composer that ever lived".
* [[Dame Ethel Smyth]] (1858–1944) – composer and women's rights activist; her ''The March of the Women'' became the anthem of the suffragette movement
*[[Dame Ethel Smyth]] (1858–1944) – composer and suffragette.
* [[Roger Quilter]] (1877–1953) – composer, known especially for vocal and light orchestral music
*[[Clement Harris]] (1871–1897) – composer, lover of Siegfried Wagner.
* [[John Ireland]] (1879–1962) – composer, particularly of chamber and piano music
*[[Edward J Dent]] (1876–1967) – Cambridge Professor of Music.
* [[Lord Berners]] (1883–1950) – composer, painter, and writer; an eccentric polymath of the Edwardian and inter-war periods
*[[Roger Quilter]] (1877–1953) – composer of songs and light music.
* [[Ivor Novello]] (1893–1951) – singer, songwriter, playwright, and musical theatre composer
*[[John Ireland]] (1879–1962) – composer of chamber music.
* [[Sir Noël Coward]] (1899–1973) – actor, playwright, composer, and performer
*[[Lord Berners]] (1883–1950) – eccentric composer, painter and novelist.
 
*[[Fred Barnes]] (1885–1938) – music hall performer.
*[[Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji]] (1892–1988) – reclusive composer of piano works.
*[[Ivor Novello]] (1893–1951) – singer, songwriter, composer of musical comedies.
*[[Douglas Byng]] (1893–1987) – music hall artist and pantomime dame.
*[[Sir Noël Coward]] (1899–1973) – actor, singer, playwright, composer.
}}
<gallery mode=packed>
File:AVT Blondel-de-Nesle 9784.jpeg|[[Blondel]]
File:Arabella Hunt.jpg|[[Arabella Hunt]]
File:George Frideric Handel by Balthasar Denner.jpg|[[George Frideric Handel]]
File:John Singer Sargent Dame Ethel Smyth.jpg|[[Dame Ethel Smyth]]
File:Edward J Dent.jpg|[[Edward J Dent]]
File:Roger Quilter.jpg|[[Roger Quilter]]
File:John-Ireland-1919.jpg|[[John Ireland]]
File:Lord Berners.jpg|[[Lord Berners]]
File:Fred Barnes.jpg|[[Fred Barnes]]
File:Sorabji.png|[[Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji]]
File:Ivor Novello.jpg|[[Ivor Novello]]
File:Douglas Byng Allan Warren.jpg|[[Douglas Byng]]
File:Noel Coward Allan warren.jpg|[[Sir Noël Coward]]
</gallery>
==Musicians born 1900–1929==
==Musicians born 1900–1929==
 
{{columns-list|2|
* [[Sir Lennox Berkeley]] (1903–1989) – composer; a close associate of Benjamin Britten
*[[Leslie Hutchinson]], "Hutch" (1900–1969) – cabaret star.
* [[Sir Peter Pears]] (1910–1986) – tenor and lifelong partner of Benjamin Britten; co-founder of the Aldeburgh Festival
*[[Sir Lennox Berkeley]] (1903–1989) – composer, sometime lover of Benjamin Britten.
* [[Benjamin Britten]] (1913–1976) – composer; founder of the Aldeburgh Festival and the first composer to be created a life peer
*[[Richard Addinsell]] (1904–1977) – composer of the ''Warsaw Concerto''.
* [[Angela Morley]] (1924–2009) – composer and arranger for film and television; previously known as Wally Stott, she transitioned in the early 1970s
*[[Sir Michael Tippett]] (1905–1998) – composer of ''A Child of Our Time''.
* [[Joe Meek]] (1929–1967) – record producer; produced "Telstar" (1962), the first UK record to reach number one in the United States
*[[Sir Peter Pears]] (1910–1986) – singer, life partner of Benjamin Britten.
 
*[[Stanley Bate]] (1911–1959) – composer of symphonies and other works.
*[[Benjamin Britten]], Lord Britten, (1913–1976) – composer of ''Peter Grimes'', founder of the Aldeburgh Festival.
*[[Sir John Pritchard]] (1921–1989) – conductor, Musical Director of the Glyndebourne opera.
*[[Noel Mewton-Wood]] (1922–1953) – concert pianist.
*[[John Lanchbery]] (1923–2003) – composer and arranger of ballet music.
*[[Angela Morley]], previously Wally Stott (1924–2009) – composer for films and TV.
*[[James Bernard]] (1925–2001) – composer for the Hammer horror films.
*[[Johnny Brandon]] (born 1925) – singer and composer of stage musicals.
*[[George Melly]] (1926–2007) – Jazz musician and writer.
*[[Joe Meek]] (1929–1967) – record producer who composed the best-selling "Telstar".
}}
<gallery mode=packed>
File:Leslie Hutchinson.jpg|[[Leslie Hutchinson]]
File:Lennox Berkeley.jpg|[[Lennox Berkeley]]
File:Richard Addinsell.jpg|[[Richard Addinsell]]
File:Michael_Tippett.jpg|[[Sir Michael Tippett]]
File:Peter Pears.jpg|[[Sir Peter Pears]]
File:Stanley_Bate.jpg|[[Stanley Bate]]
File:Benjamin Britten 1968.jpg|[[Benjamin Britten]]
File:Mewton-wood photo.jpg|[[Noel Mewton-Wood]]
File:John Lanchbery.jpg|[[John Lanchbery]]
File:Angela Morley.jpg|[[Angela Morley]]
File:James bernard.jpg|[[James Bernard]]
File:George Melly 1978.jpg|[[George Melly]]
File:JoeMeek.jpg|[[Joe Meek]]
</gallery>
==Musicians born 1930–1949==
==Musicians born 1930–1949==
 
{{columns-list|2|
* [[Lionel Bart]] (1930–1999) – composer and lyricist; creator of the musical ''Oliver!''
*[[Lionel Bart]] (1930–1999) – writer and composer of ''Oliver!''
* [[Brian Epstein]] (1934–1967) – manager of The Beatles
*[[Peter Katin]] (1930–2015) – pianist and [[CHE]] supporter.
* [[Dusty Springfield]] (1939–1999) – pop singer; one of the defining voices of 1960s British music
*[[Malcolm Williamson]] (1931–2003) – Master of the Queen's Music.
* [[Freddie Mercury]] (1946–1991) – lead vocalist of Queen
*[[Brian Epstein]] (1934–1967) – the man who discovered The Beatles.
* [[Sir Elton John]] (born 1947) – singer-songwriter and pianist; one of the best-selling music artists in history
*[[Sir Peter Maxwell Davies]] (1934–2016) – composer, Master of the Queen's Music.
* [[David Bowie]] (1947–2016) – singer, songwriter, and actor; known throughout his career for reinvention and exploration of identity
*[[Sir Richard Rodney Bennett]] (1936–2012) – classical and film composer, jazz pianist.
* [[Dave Davies]] (born 1947) – guitarist and vocalist with The Kinks
*[[Kathy Kirby]] (1938–2011) – blonde bombshell who sang ''Secret Love''.
 
*[[Dusty Springfield]] (1939–1999) – icon of the swinging sixties who sang "You don't have to say you love me".
*[[Long John Baldry]] (1941–2005) – blues singer known for "Let the heartaches begin".
*[[Patrick Fyffe]] (1942–200) – "Bracket" of Hinge and Bracket.
*[[George Logan]] (born 1944) – "Hinge" of Hinge and Bracket.
*[[Labi Siffre]] (born 1945) – poet, singer, author of "Something Inside So Strong".
*[[Freddie Mercury]] (1946–1991) – lead singer with Queen.
*[[Sir Elton John]] (born 1947) – singer/songwriter who has sold over 250 million records.
*[[David Bowie]] (born 1947) – influential singer and songwriter who has reinvented himself several times.
*[[Dave Davies]] (born 1947) – singer and guitarist with The Kinks.
*[[Mark Bunyan]] (born 1949) – cabaret artist, co-founder of the [[Pink Singers]].
*[[Paul Gambaccini]] (born 1949) – radio presenter with an encyclopaedic knowledge of music.
}}
<gallery mode=packed>
File:Lionel Bart Allan Warren.jpg|[[Lionel Bart]]
File:Peter Katin.jpg|[[Peter Katin]]
File:Malcolm Williamson.jpg|[[Malcolm Williamson]]
File:Brian-epstein1.jpeg|[[Brian Epstein]]
File:Sir-Peter-Maxwell-Davies-Photo-John-Batten.preview.jpg|[[Sir Peter Maxwell Davies]]
File:Sirrichardrodneybennett-237x300.jpg|[[Sir Richard Rodney Bennett]]
File:Eurovision Song Contest 1965 - Kathy Kirby.jpg|[[Kathy Kirby]]
File:Dusty_Springfield_in_1966.jpg|[[Dusty Springfield]]
File:Long John Baldry photo 1972.jpg|[[Long John Baldry]]
File:Hinge and Bracket.jpg|[[Hinge and Bracket]]
File:Labi Siffre.jpg|[[Labi Siffre]]
File:Queen 1984 0009.jpg|[[Freddie Mercury]]
File:Elton John 2011 Shankbone 2.JPG|Sir [[Elton John]]
File:BowieRaR87.jpg|[[David Bowie]]
File:Dave Davies of The Kinks in 1979.jpg|[[Dave Davies]]
File:Mark Bunyan.jpg|[[Mark Bunyan]]
File:Paul gambaccini.jpg|[[Paul Gambaccini]]
</gallery>
==Musicians born 1950–1959==
==Musicians born 1950–1959==
 
{{columns-list|2|
* [[Tom Robinson]] (born 1950) – singer-songwriter; writer of "(Sing If You're) Glad to Be Gay"
*[[Stephen Oliver]] (1950–1992) – prolific opera composer.
* [[Joan Armatrading]] (born 1950) – singer-songwriter and guitarist, born in St Kitts
*[[Kris Kirk]] (1950–1993) – music journalist and gay activist.
* [[Rob Halford]] (born 1951) – lead vocalist of Judas Priest
*[[Carole Pope]] (born 1950 – singer-songwriter who moved to Canada as a child.
* [[Neil Tennant]] (born 1954) – co-founder and vocalist of the Pet Shop Boys
*[[Graham Johnson]] (born 1950) – pianist and accompanist.
* [[Marc Almond]] (born 1957) – singer and songwriter; co-founder of Soft Cell
*[[Tom Robinson]] (born 1950) – writer of "[[Glad to be Gay]]".
* [[Morrissey]] (born 1959) – singer and lyricist; former frontman of The Smiths
*[[Joan Armatrading]] (born 1950) – blues singer originally from St Kitts.
* [[Pete Burns]] (1959–2016) – vocalist and performer; frontman of Dead or Alive
*[[Rob Halford]] (born 1951) – lead singer with Judas Priest.
* [[Paul Rutherford]] (born 1959) – vocalist with Frankie Goes to Hollywood
*[[Andy Fraser]] (born 1952) – bassist with Free.
 
*[[Billy Lyall]] (1953–1989) – one of the Bay City Rollers.
*[[Richard Fairbrass]] (born 1953) – Lead singer with Right Said Fred.
*[[Neil Tennant]] (born 1954) – half of the Pet Shop Boys.
*[[Bobby Crush]] (born 1954) – pianist and singer.
*[[Annie Whitehead]] (born 1955) – Jazz trombonist.
*[[Les McKeown]] (1955-2021) – lead singer with the Bay City Rollers.
*[[Peter Christopherson]] (1955–2010) – half of the experimental music group Coil.
*[[Douglas P.]] (born 1956) – neo-folk musician performing as "Death in June".
*[[Marc Almond]] (born 1957) – singer/songwriter.
*[[Jennifer Maidman]] (born 1958) – musician, partner of [[Annie Whitehead]].
*[[Horse McDonald]] (born 1958) – singer/songwriter who fled homophobia in her home town.
*[[Limahl]] (born 1958) – lead singer with Kajagoogoo.
*[[Morrissey]] (born 1959) – formerly with The Smiths; widely regarded as a queer cultural icon, though he has not publicly identified with a specific LGBT identity.
*[[Pete Burns]] (born 1959) – singer and TV personality.
*[[Steve Strange]] (1959-2015) – singer and club promoter.
*[[Paul Rutherford]] (born 1959) – backing vocalist with Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
}}
<gallery mode=packed>
File:Stephen Oliver.jpg|[[Stephen Oliver]]
File:Kris Kirk.jpg|[[Kris Kirk]]
File:Carole_Pope.jpg|[[Carole Pope]]
File:Tom Robinson.jpg|[[Tom Robinson]]
File:2007-10-25 Joan Armatrading, Kantine, Koeln IMG 8237.jpg|[[Joan Armatrading]]
File:Rob Halford1984.jpg|[[Rob Halford]]
File:Andy Fraser.jpg|[[Andy Fraser]]
File:Billy Lyall.jpg|[[Billy Lyall]]
File:Right Said Fred Richard Fairbrass Regenbogenparade-Wien2008.jpg|Richard Fairbrass
File:Neil-tennant.jpg|[[Neil Tennant]]
File:Bobby-crush-professional-pianist.jpg|[[Bobby Crush]]
File:Annie Whitehead.jpg|[[Annie Whitehead]]
File:Les McKeown.png|[[Les McKeown]]
File:Peter Christopherson @ A2.jpg|[[Peter Christopherson]]
File:Death+in+June.jpg|[[Douglas P.]]
File:Marc Almond cropped.jpg|[[Marc Almond]]
File:Jennifer Maidman.jpg|[[Jennifer Maidman]]
File:HorseMcDonald.jpg|[[Horse McDonald]]
File:Limahl1.jpg|[[Limahl]]
File:Morrissey crop tie.jpg|[[Morrissey]]
File:Pete Burns.jpg|[[Pete Burns]]
File:Steve-strange-03.jpg|[[Steve Strange]]
File:Paul_Rutherford2.jpg|[[Paul Rutherford]]
</gallery>
==Musicians born 1960–1969==
==Musicians born 1960–1969==
 
{{columns-list|2|
* [[Holly Johnson]] (born 1960) – vocalist and frontman of Frankie Goes to Hollywood
*[[Holly Johnson]] (born 1960) – lead singer with Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
* [[Jimmy Somerville]] (born 1961) – singer; co-founder of Bronski Beat and The Communards
*[[Jimmy Somerville]] (born 1961) pop singer who wrote "[[Smalltown Boy]]".
* [[Boy George]] (born 1961) – vocalist and DJ; frontman of Culture Club
*[[John Foster]] (born 1961) – singer with [[Bronski Beat]].
* [[George Michael]] (1963–2016) – singer and songwriter; formerly of Wham!
*[[Boy George]] (born 1961) – singer/songwriter, DJ.
* [[Andy Bell]] (born 1964) – vocalist and co-founder of Erasure
*[[Rev Richard Coles]] (born 1962) – priest, broadcaster, formerly with [[Bronski Beat]].
* [[Samantha Fox]] (born 1966) – singer
*[[John Balance]] (1962–2004) – partner of Peter Christopherson and the other half of Coil.
* [[Skin]] (born 1967) – vocalist and frontman of Skunk Anansie
*[[Marilyn]] (born 1962) – pop singer with the androgynous look.
 
*[[Ian Shaw]] (born 1962) – voted Britain's best male jazz singer.
*[[George Michael]] (1963–2016) – singer/songwriter, formerly with Wham!
*[[Alison Goldfrapp]] (born 1963) – half of the band Goldfrapp.
*[[John Mark Ainsley]] (born 1963) – lyric tenor.
*[[Richard Thomas]] (born 1964) – Composer of ''Jerry Springer the opera''.
*[[Andy Bell]] (born 1964) – Lead singer with Erasure.
*[[Brian Kennedy (singer)|Brian Kennedy]] (born 1966) – sang for Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest.
*[[Samantha Fox]] (born 1966) – singer and former Page 3 model,
*[[David McAlmont]] (born 1967) – singer/songwriter.
*[[Skin]] (born 1967) – lead singer with Skunk Anansie.
*[[Matt Goss]] (born 1968) – singer, formerly with Bros; voted Mr Gay UK in 1988 and 1990.
}}
<gallery mode=packed>
File:Holly Johnson.jpg|[[Holly Johnson]]
File:Jimmy Somerville in Warsaw.jpg|[[Jimmy Somerville]]
File:Boy George, Pride London 2012.jpg|[[Boy George]]
File:Richard Coles.jpg|[[Rev Richard Coles]]
File:Gefftwbeech-BW.jpg|[[John Balance]]
File:Marilyn in München.jpg|[[Marilyn]]
File:Ian Shaw.jpg|[[Ian Shaw]]
File:George Michael.jpg|[[George Michael]]
File:Alison Goldfrapp 2010.jpg|[[Alison Goldfrapp]]
File:John Mark Ainsley.gif|[[John Mark Ainsley]]
File:Richard Thomas.jpg|[[Richard Thomas]]
File:Andy Bell (Erasure) 2.jpg|[[Andy Bell]]
File:Brian-Kennedy.png|[[Brian Kennedy (singer)|Brian Kennedy]]
File:Samantha Fox in Lombardy crop.jpg|[[Samantha Fox]]
File:David-McAlmont.jpg|[[David McAlmont]]
File:Skin Eska Music Awards.jpg|[[Skin]]
File:Matt_Goss.jpg|[[Matt Goss]]
</gallery>
==Musicians born 1970 onwards==
==Musicians born 1970 onwards==
 
{{columns-list|2|
* [[Will Young]] (born 1979) – singer; winner of the inaugural series of ''Pop Idol'' (2002)
*[[William Whitehead]] (born 1970) – organist.
* [[Sam Smith]] (born 1992) – singer-songwriter
*[[Thomas Adès]] (born 1971) – composer, pianist and conductor.
 
*[[Beverley Knight]] (born 1973) – singer/songwriter and straight ally; prominent campaigner against homophobia.
==Key dates in LGBT music history==
*[[Stephen Gately]] (1976–2009) – singer with BoyZone.
 
*[[Samantha Ronson]] (born 1977) – London-born American DJ.
===1970s===
*[[QBoy]] (born 1978) – Homo Hop rapper.
 
*[[Dan Gillespie Sells]] (born 1978) – lead singer with The Feeling.
* '''1970''' – [[Dusty Springfield]] speaks openly about her bisexuality in an interview with the ''Evening Standard'', becoming one of the first British pop stars to discuss her sexuality in a mainstream newspaper.
*[[Jill Jackson]] (born 1979) – singer/songwriter.
* '''1972''' – The CHE Music Group is established, one of the earliest LGBT musical organisations in the UK. It later becomes the Allegro Music Group.
*[[Will Young]] (born 1979) – singer/songwriter, first winner of ''Pop Idol''.
* '''1976''' – [[Tom Robinson]] first performs "[[Glad to be Gay|(Sing If You're) Glad to Be Gay]]" at the Gay Pride march in London – two years before its release as a single.
*[[Kele Okereke]] (born 1981) – singer and guitarist, rated "Sexiest Out Gay Male Artist".
* '''1976''' – [[Elton John]] comes out as bisexual in a cover interview with ''Rolling Stone'', published in October.
*[[Jessie J]] (born 1988) – singer/songwriter.
* '''1978''' – The [[Tom Robinson Band]] releases "(Sing If You're) Glad to Be Gay" as a single.
*[[Marcus Collins]] (born 1988) – singer and X Factor runner-up.
 
*[[Rylan Clark]] (born 1988) – ''X Factor'' contestant, winner of ''Celebrity Big Brother''.
===1980s===
*[[Joe McElderry]] (born 1991) – singer/songwriter, winner of ''Popstar to Operastar''.
 
*[[Lucy Spraggan]] (born 1991) – ''X Factor'' contestant.
* '''1983''' – The [[Pink Singers]] are founded in London, becoming the UK's first LGBT community choir.
*[[Sam Smith]] (born 1992) – soul singer.
* '''January 1984''' – BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read refuses to play "Relax" by [[Frankie Goes to Hollywood]], leading to a formal BBC ban. The single reaches number one in the UK charts, spending five weeks there. The ban draws national attention to the song's openly sexual content and its openly gay performers.
}}
* '''1984''' – [[Bronski Beat]] releases "[[Smalltown Boy]]" and the album ''The Age of Consent''. Jimmy Somerville, Mark Feldman, and Larry Steinbachek become the first openly gay group to have a mainstream UK chart hit.
<gallery mode=packed>
* '''1988''' – [[Section 28]] of the Local Government Act prohibits local authorities from "promoting" homosexuality. The [[Pink Singers]] and other LGBT musical organisations perform at protests against the legislation.
File:William Whitehead.jpg|[[William Whitehead]]
 
File:Thomas Ades.jpg|[[Thomas Adès]]
===1990s===
File:BeverlyKnight-2011.jpg|[[Beverley Knight]]
 
File:Stephen Gately.jpg|[[Stephen Gately]]
* '''1991''' – The [[London Gay Men's Chorus]] is established.
File:Ronsoncropped.jpg|[[Samantha Ronson]]
* '''23 November 1991''' – [[Freddie Mercury]] publicly announces he has AIDS in a statement released the evening before his death. He dies the following day, aged 45. His death raises public awareness of AIDS in the UK and internationally.
File:QBoy.jpg|[[QBoy]]
* '''20 April 1992''' – The [[Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert]] for AIDS Awareness is held at Wembley Stadium before an audience of 72,000 people, with an estimated worldwide television audience of one billion. Performers include [[David Bowie]], [[George Michael]], [[Elton John]], [[Annie Lennox]], and [[Elizabeth Taylor]]. The concert raises funds for AIDS research and remains one of the largest benefit concerts in British history.
File:Dan Gillespie Sells.jpg|[[Dan Gillespie Sells]]
* '''1992''' – The Diversity Choir is founded.
File:JillJackson.jpg|[[Jill Jackson]]
* '''1992''' – [[Andy Bell]] of [[Erasure]] publicly discloses his HIV-positive status, one of the first prominent UK pop performers to do so.
File:Will Young 2011.jpg|[[Will Young]]
* '''1993''' – [[Holly Johnson]] of [[Frankie Goes to Hollywood]] publicly discloses his HIV-positive status.
File:Kele Okereke Cropped.jpg|[[Kele Okereke]]
* '''1996''' – The London Gay Symphony Orchestra is created.
File:Jessie-J-The-Big-Chill-2011.jpg|[[Jessie J]]
* '''1997''' – Gay Abandon choir is established in Leeds. The Rainbow Chorus begins in Brighton.
File:Marcus-Collins-X-Factor.jpg|[[Marcus Collins]]
* '''1998''' – [[George Michael]] releases "Outside" following his public outing after a police incident in Los Angeles. The song and its accompanying video directly address the circumstances of his outing and become one of the most discussed public responses by a British pop star to the involuntary disclosure of sexuality.
File:Rylan Clark.jpg|[[Rylan Clark]]
 
File:Joe McElderry by David Wright.jpg|[[Joe McElderry]]
===2000s===
File:Lucy Spraggan.jpg|[[Lucy Spraggan]]
 
File:Sam Smith (Oct. 23, 2014) 02.jpg|[[Sam Smith]]
* '''2002''' – [[Will Young]] becomes the first openly gay winner of a UK television talent competition, taking the inaugural series of ''Pop Idol''. He comes out during the live final, to an audience of 13 million viewers.
</gallery>
* '''2003''' – The Reading Gay Men's Chorus is founded, later becoming the Thames Valley Gay Chorus.
==Key dates in LGBT music==
* '''2004''' – [[Peter Maxwell Davies]] is appointed [[Master of the Queen's Music]], becoming the first openly gay holder of the post. He had previously been knighted in 1987.
{{columns-list|2|
* '''2005''' – Several new LGBT ensembles are established: Actually Gay Men's Chorus (Brighton), Brighton Gay Men's Chorus, Loud and Proud Choir (Edinburgh), and London Gay Symphonic Winds.
*1970: [[Dusty Springfield]] discusses her bisexuality in an interview with the ''Evening Standard'', one of the first British pop stars to speak openly about her sexuality in a mainstream newspaper.
* '''2006''' – Out Aloud choir is founded in Sheffield.
*1972: [[CHE]] Music Group founded (now the [[Allegro Music Group]]).
* '''2007''' – Edinburgh Gay Men's Chorus is established. Sing Out is formed in Bristol.
*1976: [[Tom Robinson]] first performs "[[Glad to be Gay|(Sing If You're) Glad to Be Gay]]" at the Gay Pride march in London.
* '''2008''' – Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra and South Wales Gay Men's Chorus are founded.
*1976: [[Elton John]] comes out as bisexual in a cover interview with ''Rolling Stone''.
* '''2009''' – Various Voices, the European LGBT choral festival, is held in London. Liverpool LGBT Choir is established.
*1978: The [[Tom Robinson Band]] releases "[[Glad to be Gay]]".
 
*1983: [[Pink Singers]] founded.
===2010s===
*January 1984: BBC Radio 1 bans "Relax" by [[Frankie Goes to Hollywood]]; the single reaches number one.
 
*1984: [[Bronski Beat]] release "[[Smalltown Boy]]" and the album ''[[The Age of Consent]]''.
* '''2011''' – London Gay Big Band and the L Fest music festival are launched. The [[Proud Voices]] network is created, connecting LGBT choirs across the UK and Ireland.
*1988: [[Section 28]] of the Local Government Act prohibits local authorities from "promoting" homosexuality.
* '''2013''' – London Alternative Choir, The Fourth Choir, and Glow Choir East (Ipswich) are founded.
*1991: [[London Gay Men's Chorus]] founded.
* '''2014''' – [[Sam Smith]] comes out as gay. Their debut album ''In the Lonely Hour'', which addresses same-sex love, goes on to win four Grammy Awards and sell over 12 million copies worldwide.
*23 November 1991: [[Freddie Mercury]] publicly announces he has AIDS; he dies the following day, aged 45.
* '''2015''' – [[Years & Years]], fronted by openly gay singer [[Olly Alexander]], reach number one in the UK with their debut album ''Communion''.
*20 April 1992: The [[Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert]] for AIDS Awareness is held at Wembley Stadium before 72,000 people and broadcast to an estimated one billion television viewers worldwide.
 
*1992: [[Andy Bell]] of [[Erasure]] publicly discloses his HIV-positive status.
*1992: [[Diversity Choir]] founded.
*1993: [[Holly Johnson]] of [[Frankie Goes to Hollywood]] publicly discloses his HIV-positive status.
*1996: [[London Gay Symphony Orchestra]] founded.
*1997: [[Gay Abandon]] choir founded in [[Leeds]].
*1997: [[Rainbow Chorus]] founded in [[Brighton]].
*1998: [[George Michael]] releases "Outside" following his public outing; the song directly addresses the circumstances of his disclosure.
*2002: [[Will Young]] becomes the first openly gay winner of a UK television talent competition, taking the inaugural series of ''Pop Idol''.
*2003: [[Reading]] Gay Men's Chorus founded (now [[Thames Valley Gay Chorus]]).
*2004: [[Sir Peter Maxwell Davies]] is appointed Master of the Queen's Music, the first openly gay holder of the post.
*2005: [[Actually Gay Men's Chorus]] founded in [[Brighton]].
*2005: [[Actually Gay Women's Chorus]] founded.
*2005: [[Brighton Gay Men's Chorus]] founded.
*2005: [[Loud and Proud Choir]] founded in [[Edinburgh]].
*2005: [[London Gay Symphonic Winds]] founded.
*2006: [[Out Aloud]] choir founded in [[Sheffield]].
*2007: [[Edinburgh Gay Men's Chorus]] founded.
*2007: [[Sing Out]] choir formed in [[Bristol]].
*2008: [[Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra]] founded.
*2008: [[South Wales Gay Men's Chorus]] founded.
*2009: [[Various Voices]] European LGBT choir festival held in London.
*2009: [[Liverpool LGBT Choir]] founded.
*2011: [[London Gay Big Band]] founded.
*2011: [[L Fest]] music festival founded.
*2011: [[Proud Voices]] network of LGBT choirs founded.
*2013: [[London Alternative Choir]] founded.
*2013: [[The Fourth Choir]] founded.
*2013: [[Glow Choir East]] founded in [[Ipswich]].
*2014: [[Sam Smith]] comes out as gay; their debut album ''In the Lonely Hour'', addressing same-sex love, wins four Grammy Awards.
*2015: [[Years & Years]], fronted by openly gay singer [[Olly Alexander]], reach number one in the UK with their debut album ''Communion''.
}}
<gallery mode=packed>
File:Actuallygmc.png|[[Actually Gay Men's Chorus]]
File:AGWClogoTransSmall.png|[[Actually Gay Women's Chorus]]
File:Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra.jpg|[[Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra]]
File:Brighton Gay Men's Chorus.png|[[Brighton Gay Men's Chorus]]
File:Diversity choir.jpg|[[Diversity Choir]]
File:Edinburgh Gay Mens Chorus.jpg|[[Edinburgh Gay Men's Chorus]]
File:Gayabandon.jpg|[[Gay Abandon]]
File:London Alternative Choir.png|[[London Alternative Choir]]
File:London Gay Big Band.jpg|[[London Gay Big Band]]
File:Lgmclogo2.png|[[London Gay Men's Chorus]]
File:LGSO.png|[[London Gay Symphony Orchestra]]
File:Loudandproud.jpg|[[Loud & Proud Choir]]
File:Out Aloud.gif|[[Out Aloud]]
File:Pinksingers.png|[[Pink Singers]]
File:Proud Voices logo2.png|[[Proud Voices]]
File:Rainbow Chorus.png|[[Rainbow Chorus]]
File:Reading Gay Chorus.jpg|[[Reading Gay Chorus]]
File:Sing-out-bristol-logo-purp.gif|[[Sing Out]]
File:The Fourth Choir.png|[[The Fourth Choir]]
File:Variousvoices.png|[[Various Voices 2009]]
</gallery>
==See also==
==See also==
 
*[[Timeline of UK LGBT History]]
* [[:Category:Musicians]]
==External links==
* [[:Category:Composers]]
*http://www.s368878229.websitehome.co.uk/FyneWinter13/#/6-7/
* [[Pink Singers]]
[[Category:Timelines]]
* [[London Gay Men's Chorus]]
* [[Proud Voices]]
 
[[Category:Music]]
[[Category:Music]]
[[Category:Timelines]]

Latest revision as of 12:02, 20 July 2026

This is a Timeline of UK LGBT Music, created in connection with the theme of Music being adopted for LGBT History Month 2014.

Musicians born up to 1899

  • Blondel (c. 1155–1202) – minstrel, composer, possibly lover of King Richard I.
  • Mark Smeaton (c. 1512–1536) – young court musician executed for alleged adultery with Queen Anne Boleyn.
  • Arabella Hunt (1662–1705) – musician whose "husband" turned out to be a woman.
  • George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) – said by Beethoven to be "the greatest composer that ever lived".
  • Dame Ethel Smyth (1858–1944) – composer and suffragette.
  • Clement Harris (1871–1897) – composer, lover of Siegfried Wagner.
  • Edward J Dent (1876–1967) – Cambridge Professor of Music.
  • Roger Quilter (1877–1953) – composer of songs and light music.
  • John Ireland (1879–1962) – composer of chamber music.
  • Lord Berners (1883–1950) – eccentric composer, painter and novelist.
  • Fred Barnes (1885–1938) – music hall performer.
  • Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji (1892–1988) – reclusive composer of piano works.
  • Ivor Novello (1893–1951) – singer, songwriter, composer of musical comedies.
  • Douglas Byng (1893–1987) – music hall artist and pantomime dame.
  • Sir Noël Coward (1899–1973) – actor, singer, playwright, composer.

Musicians born 1900–1929

  • Leslie Hutchinson, "Hutch" (1900–1969) – cabaret star.
  • Sir Lennox Berkeley (1903–1989) – composer, sometime lover of Benjamin Britten.
  • Richard Addinsell (1904–1977) – composer of the Warsaw Concerto.
  • Sir Michael Tippett (1905–1998) – composer of A Child of Our Time.
  • Sir Peter Pears (1910–1986) – singer, life partner of Benjamin Britten.
  • Stanley Bate (1911–1959) – composer of symphonies and other works.
  • Benjamin Britten, Lord Britten, (1913–1976) – composer of Peter Grimes, founder of the Aldeburgh Festival.
  • Sir John Pritchard (1921–1989) – conductor, Musical Director of the Glyndebourne opera.
  • Noel Mewton-Wood (1922–1953) – concert pianist.
  • John Lanchbery (1923–2003) – composer and arranger of ballet music.
  • Angela Morley, previously Wally Stott (1924–2009) – composer for films and TV.
  • James Bernard (1925–2001) – composer for the Hammer horror films.
  • Johnny Brandon (born 1925) – singer and composer of stage musicals.
  • George Melly (1926–2007) – Jazz musician and writer.
  • Joe Meek (1929–1967) – record producer who composed the best-selling "Telstar".

Musicians born 1930–1949

Musicians born 1950–1959

Musicians born 1960–1969

Musicians born 1970 onwards

  • William Whitehead (born 1970) – organist.
  • Thomas Adès (born 1971) – composer, pianist and conductor.
  • Beverley Knight (born 1973) – singer/songwriter and straight ally; prominent campaigner against homophobia.
  • Stephen Gately (1976–2009) – singer with BoyZone.
  • Samantha Ronson (born 1977) – London-born American DJ.
  • QBoy (born 1978) – Homo Hop rapper.
  • Dan Gillespie Sells (born 1978) – lead singer with The Feeling.
  • Jill Jackson (born 1979) – singer/songwriter.
  • Will Young (born 1979) – singer/songwriter, first winner of Pop Idol.
  • Kele Okereke (born 1981) – singer and guitarist, rated "Sexiest Out Gay Male Artist".
  • Jessie J (born 1988) – singer/songwriter.
  • Marcus Collins (born 1988) – singer and X Factor runner-up.
  • Rylan Clark (born 1988) – X Factor contestant, winner of Celebrity Big Brother.
  • Joe McElderry (born 1991) – singer/songwriter, winner of Popstar to Operastar.
  • Lucy Spraggan (born 1991) – X Factor contestant.
  • Sam Smith (born 1992) – soul singer.

Key dates in LGBT music

See also

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