Greg Norton

This article is about the bassist. For other people with the same name, see Greg Norton (disambiguation).

Greg Norton
Norton in 1986
Norton in 1986
Background information
Birth nameGregory James Norton
Born (1959-03-13) 13 March 1959 (age 65)
Davenport, Iowa, U.S.
GenresAlternative rock, hardcore punk
Occupation(s)Musician, bassist
InstrumentBass guitar
Years active1979–present

Gregory James Norton (born March 13, 1959) is an American musician, formerly of the band Hüsker Dü.[1][2]

Early life

Norton was born in Davenport, Iowa, as this was the most local Catholic hospital to his family’s home in Rock Island, Illinois.[3] He attended Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.[4]

Career

Hüsker Dü's star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue

Norton first began playing with the band that would become Hüsker Dü with Grant Hart, Bob Mould, and keyboardist Charlie Pine in 1979[5] as "Buddy and the Returnables",[6] after meeting them through his job at the Saint Paul record store Cheapo Records.

Norton played bass on all of Hüsker Dü's recordings from its formation to its breakup album Warehouse: Songs and Stories. While the majority of the band's songwriting was done by bandmates Bob Mould and Grant Hart, Norton contributed the songs "M.T.C.," "Don't Have a Life" and "Let's Go Die" to Hüsker Dü's debut EP Land Speed Record.

After Hüsker Dü disbanded in 1988, Norton formed the band Grey Area with Colin Mansfield (Hüsker Dü engineer and former member of Fine Art) and Jo Jones. After Grey Area disbanded in 1991, Norton left the music business and opened The Norton's Restaurant (now closed) in Red Wing, Minnesota. Norton returned to the recording industry in 2006, with a new avant jazz band, Gang Font feat. Interloper.[7] The group is composed of Norton, Dave King (of The Bad Plus, Happy Apple, Halloween, Alaska, 12 Rods and the Love-Cars), Erik Fratzke of Zebulon Pike and Happy Apple, and Craig Taborn.

In 2016, Norton joined La Crosse, Wisconsin band Porcupine as their bass player to replace Davey Reinders.[8]

In 2022, Norton joined the band Ultrabomb[9] as their bass player.[10] However, before the band could begin its tour in the UK, Norton was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The band cancelled its planned appearances in England and Scotland so Norton could undergo treatment at the Mayo Clinic in the U.S.[11] The band subsequently released its debut album, Dying to Smile, in 2024.[12]

Norton has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue for his work with Hüsker Dü.[13] The stars recognize performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue.[14] Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh.[15]

References

  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Biography: Hüsker Dü". AMG. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  2. ^ "Looking Minnesota: Greg Norton Meets the Hüsker Düdes - Gapers Block Transmission | Chicago". Gapersblock.com. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  3. ^ Patricia Romanowski Bashe; Patricia Romanowski; Holly George-Warren; Jon Pareles (1995). The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. Fireside. ISBN 978-0-684-81044-7.
  4. ^ Andrew Earles (15 November 2010). Husker Du: The Story of the Noise-Pop Pioneers Who Launched Modern Rock. Voyageur Press. ISBN 978-1-61673-979-9.
  5. ^ Azerrad, Michael. Our Band Could Be Your Life. Little Brown and Company, 2001. ISBN 0-316-78753-1, p. 161
  6. ^ Mould, Bob & Azerrad, Michael. See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melody. Little Brown and Company, 2011. ISBN 0-316-04508-X, p. 30
  7. ^ "The Gang Font feat. Interloper: The Gang Font feat. Interloper". Allaboutjazz.com. 13 May 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  8. ^ "Hüsker Dü's Greg Norton Rejuvenates With Porcupine". 17 December 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  9. ^ "Ultrabomb". Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Introducing new punk rock supergroup 'Ultrabomb' - TotalRock". 24 March 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  11. ^ "Post from Norton's personal Facebook account, June 30, 2022". Facebook. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  12. ^ "UltraBomb – Dying to Smile". DC Jam Records. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  13. ^ "The Stars". First Avenue & 7th Street Entry. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  14. ^ Bream, Jon (3 May 2019). "10 things you'll learn about First Avenue in new Minnesota History Center show". Star Tribune. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  15. ^ Marsh, Steve (13 May 2019). "First Avenue's Star Wall". Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved 10 May 2020.