Unicorn's Chance Encounter with David Gilmour: The Wedding That Launched a Career

Sometimes, a stroke of luck can change everything for a band. For the British rock band Unicorn, that moment arrived at a wedding where a chance meeting with Pink Floyd's David Gilmour led to an extraordinary opportunity.

In a recent interview with Whispering Giraffe Productions, Unicorn's Pat Martin recounted the incredible tale. The band had been invited to play at the wedding of a former record label plugger. While they had heard promises of "famous people" attending such events before, this time was different.

After their first set, David Gilmour approached Martin, expressing his admiration for their original songs. He asked for Martin's phone number, and a few days later, invited the band to his newly built home studio.

Gilmour, fresh off the success of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon," was eager to test out his studio. Unicorn spent the day recording several demos, and the relationship blossomed from there. Gilmour even added pedal steel guitar to some of their tracks, further solidifying their connection.

The chance meeting ultimately led to Gilmour's manager offering to represent Unicorn. As Martin recalls, "One ball got rolling, and then another."

Gilmour was particularly drawn to Ken Baker's songwriting, especially his lyrics. "He liked that about Ken's songwriting," Martin explained, noting that Gilmour himself struggled with lyric writing.

The collaboration deepened when Gilmour decided to cover one of Unicorn's songs, "No Way Out of Here," on his debut solo album. This iconic track is featured on Unicorn's acclaimed third album, "Too Many Crooks," which Gilmour also produced. Think Like A Key Music proudly reissued this album on LP & CD in 2023, allowing fans to experience this timeless collaboration.

But the Unicorn story doesn't end there. For a deeper dive into their history, be sure to check out the new archival release, "Shed No Tear: The Early Late Unicorn." This collection features the band's very first and last recordings, offering a unique glimpse into their evolution.

Unicorn's story is a testament to the power of chance encounters and the importance of seizing opportunities. It also underscores the generosity and support that can exist within the music industry. As Martin reflected, Gilmour was simply "a great guy who wanted to help out a band he saw promising."