Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Oh Beautiful Fury.

"The following is a post I originally wrote in September 2010. It's actually one of my favorite pieces. I have happened across some additional information in recent weeks thus I've added to the article and updated it"

I am someone who finds it difficult to calm my mind. It is always working, always processing things and I have experienced many a restless night because of it.

I have an obsessive interest in trivia. Like - I like to often drop the useless bit of trivia that Fletcher Christian - that infamous Bounty mutineer from long, long ago had syphilis. I don't know how I know that, but I do. I'm the guy who stays behind at the cinema, after the movie has finished because I like to watch the credits to spot who the cinematographer was or who the girl in the back ground was in a particular scene because I know - I JUST KNOW - that I have seen her in some other film in an equally obscure background scene. 

I predicted a long time ago that Uma Thurman was going to be big...now that's freaky isn't it. I mean, why the F*** would I bother with that little freaky nugget???

And so it happens that I know just about every backing vocalist who has ever paired up with British rock icons Pink Floyd since the early 1970's. This particular piece of useless information is especially that...useless but I can't help myself. 

Such is that, which is my mind. 

And of all the backing vocalists who have ever graced the stage with this most favored bands of mine, one - in particular - has intrigued me to the point of being a little too screwy.

I speak of course of Rachel Fury.

I first sat up and took notice of the singer Rachel Fury as a 14/15 year old back in 1989 when my father came home from the video store armed with a VHS version of the world beating 'Delicate Sound Of Thunder' concert, complete with the girls wearing those figure hugging outfits and the long, sultry gloves. 

From the moment I saw her, I was completely besotted by Rachel Fury. I have watched that concert over and over again in the proceeding years just to indulge in her performance - her vision. I thought her contribution to "Great Gig In The Sky" and her duet with David Gilmour on "Comfortably Numb" were sublime - hypnotic. Her captivating dance during their performance "Momentary Lapse Of Reason" that hooks me every time. 

I have to profess my love for this woman.


 

Rachel Fury performs "Great Gig In The Sky" on the Delicate Sound of Thunder Tour, 1988 which featured some of the most impressive visual art by Storm Thorgerson.

Why it was that I forgot about her for 18 odd years afterwards is something I can't explain. I guess I grew up, stepped out of my adolescent brain and became a cynic. But my love for Pink Floyd has never waned. 

A few short weeks ago, going through my music collection, I fished out David Gilmour's superb third solo album "On An Island". I was in the mood for the atmospherics of that album and I was - of course - not at all disappointed. Here you go - here's another piece of useless triva - David Crosby and Graham Nash performed backing vocals on that very album. Listening to the sounds of Gilmour and Wright, Carin and Pratt - and Crosby and Nash's contributions - something was suddenly touched off in my mind, an almost long forgotten memory of that beautiful woman from so long ago.

For years I had (erroneously) deduced that her name was in fact Margaret Taylor - she looked like a Margaret. I quickly realized I was wrong. The information on her is sparse as to be almost non existent. But after a few hours of clicking around, this is what I came up with...


Rachel Fury is (or was) a session singer who first appeared on the radar in the mid 1970's. Born Rachel Brennock in or around 1961, Brennock began her acting career in 1971, appearing in various TV shows and films, a number of which, such as Mr Horatio Knibbles (1971) and Robin Hood Junior (1975), were produced under the UK Children's Film Foundation. At the same time, Brennock was building a career as a singer. 

In 1972, under the name "Weeny Bopper"; she recorded the single "David, Donny and Michael", a Pye Records release intended to capitalise on weeny bopper enthusiasm for David Cassidy, Donny Osmond, and Michael Jackson.


By 1978, having adopted the stage name Rachel Fury, Brennock had established herself as a noted London session singer, known for her "sassy 'Ronettes' sound." 

Through information gleaned from British guitarist Alan St.Clair - a noted musician in the punk and new wave movements at that time, Rachel Fury toured regularly with St.Clair and Howard Devoto (of Buzzcocks and Magazine fame). During this period, Rachel had her first significant exposure when she featured on the chart topping "Buggles" tune "Video Killed The Radio Star" in 1979.


Rachel Fury poses with Alan St. Clair and Howard Devoto c. 1983



Rachel Fury, date unknown (image courtesy Col Hancock).

The next significant snippet comes from some information on the noted music producer, James Guthrie, who was associated with Pink Floyd and in a relationship with Fury at the time. 

After the tumultuous near-disintegration of the band following "The Final Cut" album, and the acrimonious split between David Gilmour and Roger Waters, it appears Guthrie introduced Rachel Fury to Pink Floyd as David Gilmour and Nick Mason were preparing to continue recording under the band's name. Fury's talent as a session singer must have impressed the band because she is credited as a singer on the reimagined Pink Floyd's 1987 album "Momentary Lapse Of Reason" and was contracted to tour with the band for the world beating "Delicate Sound Of Thunder" tour between 1987 and 1989.


Rachel Fury and James Guthrie (date unknown). 


During rehearsals with Durga McBroom. 

Various Pink Floyd message boards have suggested there may have been some sort of romantic "thing" between David Gilmour and Rachel Fury during the 87-89 tour. Commenters refer to concert footage suggesting an "innate" chemistry between the two. I read this as drawing a very long bow and I prefer to think that it is more a case of there just being a good vibe between all the members of the mid 80's Pink Floyd line-up. In fact, it is perhaps because of this good vibe, that an additional side project was fostered during this period that Rachel Fury participated in. "The Fishermen" was conceived by David Gilmour as a loosely fashioned band that would play secret gigs at various venues throughout the DSOT tour. 


Throughout the course of the tour Gilmour, Richard Wright and Nick Mason (along with the full cast of touring musicians - including Fury herself) performed secret club gigs to blow off steam, have fun, and “jam”. It is interesting to consider that both the early Floyd, and Gilmour’s previous band Joker’s Wild performed quite a few blues, R and B, and pop covers including songs as diverse as Aretha Franklin's "Respect", Stevie Wonder's "Superstition", Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff" - and get this - The Sugarhill Gang's "Rappers Delight". The gigs were often staged completely off the cuff and they weren't promoted at all. They were said to be a diversion from the tightly structured performances of the DSOT sets. Bootleg recordings have surfaced in recent years of some of these ultra-rare performances and undoubtedly - Fury's voice and talent would be resplendent on them. I mean - could you imagine how cool it would be if Rachel Fury was the one singing "Respect"?!!

(Update - November 2021; Having received a kind message from Machan Taylor - one of the original DSOT backing vocalists - I have been able to confirm that it was not Rachel singing "Respect" on the bootleg recording. It was in fact, Machan herself - with Durga McBroom sharing backing vocals. Rachel Fury was not present during The Fishermen recordings). 


  
Liner notes from a bootleg recording of The Fishermen in Copenhagen c. 1988 (http://www.hokafloyd.com)

It is after the successful DSOT tour that Rachel Fury  drops off a precipice. It seems that no-one - least of all her vocal colleagues from the tour - know what happened to her. I have reached out to Machan Taylor, Durga McBroom and Guy Pratt over the years and, while they were all kind enough to reply, they either couldn't - or wouldn't - reveal anything useful  The only singer from the DSOT trio to continue with Pink Floyd was the equally fabulous Durga McBroom (who is credited on "The Division Bell" album and appears in the "P*U*L*S*E" tour line-up). Machan Taylor remains active in the music industry.


Lorelei McBroom, Gary Wallis & Rachel Fury circa 1989 (? Venice). 

The last snippet of significance I can find is a mention that by 1995, Rachel Fury had given up singing altogether and had become involved in the animal rights movement.


Rachel Fury, her enigma is powerful - with Lorelei McBroom & Gary Wallis, circa 1989.

I consider it a tragedy that a singer, with the obvious talent and magnetism that she possessed, could have so comprehensively disappeared from the public consciousness. It is clear Fury was on a trajectory to become a solo performer with, at least, the profile of her contemporaries such as Lisa Stansfield, Marcella Detroit and Sam Brown (who - it should be noted appeared on Pink Floyd's follow up P.U.L.S.E. tour in support of "The Division Bell" album).

I live in hope that Rachel might surface one day.
 
Perhaps she is living on ... I dunno ... Guernsey perhaps? Happily married with a couple of kids, still looking beautiful and running - say a successful vet practice ... ??? Would she, one morning, open her laptop while sipping her coffee and indulge in that little thing that I'm sure we've all done and Google herself? She might see this and decide to respond? Either that or she's dead, a hippie who renounces all forms of modern technology or she's just not that into all this worship...

*sigh*

I take heart in the knowledge that I am not alone in wondering just what happened to this beautiful siren. All over the world, people just as (crack potted) dedicated as me are posing the same question. Where did she go? Does she still sing? Is she actually alive??

One can but live in hope...





Update - February 27th 2016: This post just never gets old does it. Quite by accident, I have discovered the secret "Fishermen" gig as a YouTube video. Clocking in at just over an hour, this gig was captured in 1988 in a Copenhagen nightclub and features a number of the DSOT lineup.








DFA.




Dean's new collection of reflective essays - including a revised & updated version of "Oh Beautiful Fury" is available now in print and digital from Amazon in print and digital from Amazon.





219 comments:

  1. It is amazing that I have had the same thoughts and periodic infatuation with the stunning "Fury" from the very first time I saw the DVD DSOT. I Googled to find her name and see if there were any further projects she'd worked on since. Just as you've described what an incredible voice and a mysterious woman behind it. Bradley Boyd

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    1. I've been a fan of her since 1988 when I saw a DSOT video on MTV. Ten or twelve years ago I found on YouTube a clip featuring Rachel Fury as backing vocals in a very young musical group. It was right after she left Pink Floyd. Does anyone know the name of the band? Fernando - Brazil.

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    2. That must be Blue Pearl, fronted by Durga McBroom, on the TV show The Word in 1990. There’s a link to it in the comments either to this post or the later one devoted to Rachel.

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  2. Hey Bradley,

    Thanks for stopping by. I still, from time to time, put the feelers out to see if anyone definitivelt knows what she's upto these days but there's nothing.

    She's an enigma alright.

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  3. Hi Dean. Thanks for restoring my sanity. I cant seem to get her out of my head.
    Ive always been a Pink Floyd fan since the mid 70s but ide never seen the DSOT tour. Since watching it on You tube recently, like you ive scoured the net for every snipet I can find on the lovely Rachel Fury/ Brannock. Sadly ive unearthed no more than you but I live in hope. will just have to keep on watching and rewinding the video's on you tube.

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    1. You're welcome Brian. It's quite a thing to be so captivated by this woman isn't it. I still wonder about her even now.

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  4. It's the dress, and the serpentine dancing. Sign me up.

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  5. perhaps Rachel will forever exist as that wonderful vision on stage that is so magical and alluring
    ...and perhaps that's as it should be

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  6. I came looking for answers and found none.
    but perhaps Rachel is forever destined to exist as that wonderful vision on stage that is so magical and alluring
    ...and perhaps that's how it should be

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    1. Same here, robbopaloobop. I've scoured the net only to brought back to the Floyd pic's. She captivated me at first sight;
      watched her performance in Pulse, not disregarding Durga or Margaret (hard to forget fox'es). Rachel just moved just right.

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  7. Dean, you are certainly not alone!! Saw Floyd twice in 88-89 in London as a 23-24 year old and yes Rachel took my eye too.... some 25 years later the visual snippets still come to mind when I've got DSOT playing.... happy times... and I would go along with robbopaloobop... seems she's destined to be somebody captured in a visual form of amber for so many people...unchanging and fixed as a glamorous past memory....

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    1. Visual Amber! That's an awesome analogy Paul! I love it!

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  8. On Saturday 6th August 1988 at Wembley stadium i went to see Pink Floyd, and came away with a vision of what appeared to be the most attractive girl i had ever seen, damn, even now she makes my poor little head spin. Wonderful.

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    1. Wembley Stadium - the Mecca for so many of us. I was watching Queen's Live Aid set just the other day - Freddie's "Radio GaGa" with the crowd was spine shivering. I can only imagine how Pink Floyd would have sounded there in '88.

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    2. Glad I found this page about the beautiful Rachel Fury ... she has always been a figure that has caught my attention ever since I first saw the DSOT video and the famous 1989 Venice concert. That girl it has always fascinated me and I am pleased to note that I am not the only one to have suffered this effect. I can't explain why ... that's just the way it is. I leave the link of this gem for those who have not seen it: at 11:21 there is our darling who is picked up by Jon Carin and spanked :)

      https://fb.watch/9P7w1MlaZh/

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  9. Hi Dean, just viewed a 45 minutes compilation of DSOT and just like you, i search after movies, concerts, news etc. for backgrounds of story or persons that intrigue me! I too fell instantly in love with Rachel, that shoulders, voice, figure and presence... It was about the same i felt with that girl (Karla deVito) in the Meatloaf clip "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" then. Wow man... then knowing the age of the concert and mine (51 yrs) thinking how she would look now... Karla i found, also Kelly LeBrock one of my (also) early crushes from the movie 'Weird Science', hahaha! Then it hurts to get older really! Just like you, i found no info or pictures of Rachel just now. Maybe it is for the best now cause unlike with Karla and Kelly... Rachel stays - while she must be 52 years old now (born 1961) - a beautifull angel on a cloud from a concert far far away and long ago! I rest my case dreaming! (I am Dutch, sorry for my English, mate!)

    Kind regards,
    Hans

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    1. Thanks for sharing your comments Hans. The longer time passes, it seems the desire for me to discover just what became of Rachel Fury grows and grows. I would really love to meet her.

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  10. You know what hooks me in....the voice of course, but that little gap in the front teeth....love it.

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  11. Had a quick search...I think I found her family http://aqualise.com/guestbook/ if you press CTRL F and search MAURICE the second result is telling....
    Maurice is big into animal welfare.

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  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBYPrtmlZPM 20 seconds in...unmistakable :)

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  13. Incredible, dear brothers of sensitivity: I'm too a "latecomer sitting" in the movie after reading the credits for the same reason and I too, have always been in love with Rachel: voice, eyes, SHOULDERS and movements that made the most sensual of the three Pink Floyd backing vocals (which were indeed much higher than her). But she was divine. It continues to be in my mind.

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  14. Dear brothers ... of sensitivity, incredible! I also remain seated after the film to read the credits and look for that name or that author that struck me during the work. And I always love Rachel Fury: shoulders most sensual ever seen on a small body diva who moved like a snake charmer and his voice cut through the notes of David Gilmour. A goddess that will always remain in my mind and in my dreams. (I hope that my English was understandable ...)

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  15. Rachel is quite lovely in the '89 footage, filmed in Venice.

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  18. Rachel is still alive and living in hertford i believe

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    1. Thanks for your comment Arthur. I just took a look at some information on Hertford and it appears to be a very pretty place. Given Rachel's purported love for animal welfare, the rural surrounds wold be a perfect place to look after a menagerie.

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  19. It's Rachel Brennock - not Brannock.
    Here she is as a child actress portraying the little girl with the pram: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EWYW72zp0Ow

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    1. Unfortunately it is not her. I downloaded the movies and compared the similarities of the photos to the scenes she is featured in.

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  20. I read somewhere that she may be The Wall girl in Floyd's back catalogue poster. I dunno if it's true but whoever wrote it certainly believed it. ???

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  21. Thank you Dean! Great minds think alike, and fools seldom differ, so it was with great joy that I found this community of unrequited lust! I was actually at one of the two shows at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island New York when they shot this movie. (why is it not available any more when the Non-Rachel one is?). Unfortunately, when the camera panned across our seats, we were in shadows! The show was great-my first Floyd show in spite of being a rock concert veteran-but all through it I was enthralled by Rachel! I only watched the band when she was in the shadows!. I think part of our rapture is she's not the standard bombshell type, and yet she oozes sex appeal. Take a look at the picture from the program (which I am lucky enough to have bought at the show), and she does more with a bare shoulder and a flash of the eye, than loads of women the press claim are sex symbols! Too bad, that for whatever reasons, her career didn't take off when so many with no talent are stars!
    Ah, but as many of you have said, maybe it's meant to be like this. We all have women we that we just missed or didn't have the nerve to talk to in our past, and wonder were they are now, but Rachel is different, she seared herself into the brains of so many, or at least us chosen few. I wonder did she have any idea? Does she stop every now and then and look back on those days,,, and think of how she held so many guys in the audience within her power? Even now, as we gather at this site, as we all think of her, does she stop what she is doing, look around quizzically, feeling the ripple in the Force, so to speak? Then, realizing what it is, does she smile knowingly to herself?

    Mike in Jersey

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  22. I also am entered into the Club of Rachel Fury admirers since watching the 1988 concert film - completely spellbound by this smooth dancing, stunning darkhaired songstress ... My words fail to describe her, words fail to describe her - period. Saw the concert film this evening on NRK Norwegian TV, and it put me back 27 years in time .. an odd feeling , where is she now, what is she doing, the odd 27 year gap in time between then and now - the connection to that time in the 80ies from this moment in time via music. I saw Pink Floyd myself at Valle Hovin in Oslo 1994, that was 6 years after this concert, but I guess ms Fury was not there then, reading posts on this page .. Sure wish I had seen more of her ...

    Greets Dag in Norway

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  23. PS:
    (I too paused the credits to look for her name :-) )

    Greets Dag

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  24. My VHS tape of DSOT is getting shot. Concert was filmed in my home town L.I.
    I watch it mostly for Rachel. The hottest scene is in Money where she gives David that sultry look and then looks down! Knocks my socks off! After years of searching I found an over the counter DVD (which isn't supposed to exist) and purchased it. WTF....Money wasn't on the DVD!

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  25. Just seen this concert for first time and you can count me in the Rachel fanclub she is awesome!

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  26. Could this be her??.......

    http://nemesiscasting.co.uk/models/rachel-fury

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  27. Wow, new worshipers every day! We need a name, you know, for the patching-in ceremonies, t-shirts, other merchandising, of course the FURYCON convention. So to honor Dean's contribution to this worthy cause, I suggest our organization be called The Men From A.U.S.T.R.A.L.I.A
    (Alternate Universe Spouses That Rachel Allured, Leaving Indelible Affection).

    P.S. Dean, please don't use this site as an idea for a novel, you know, where the middle-aged guy goes looking for a girl or hero from his past? They never end well!


    Mike in Jersey


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  28. She clearly doesn't want to be found.. for whatever reason ;o(

    As mentioned above there's a Rachel Brennock listed in Ware, Herts
    And the Maurice Brennock mentioned above certainly looks like he could be a cousin, he's well into animal welfare.

    So the search continues ;o)

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  29. I actually only saw the DSOT video for the first time about a week ago, despite having had most of the PF albums for decades!!! And like all you guys, sat there with my jaw hitting the floor at the sensual gyrations of the then incredibly beautiful and powerfully voiced Rachel. Notwithstanding that I absolutely adore the performance of the whole band in this one, I have to confess that the main reason I play it over and over, is to drool over Rachel Fury (the producer obviously was a fan, too). Although she makes my heart ache every time I watch the show, I'm kind of relieved that she vanished from the public eye when she did. I can't imagine her ever looking better than she did on DSOT, so I would rather keep that image in my mind, much less try to stalk her and get told to do one lol

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  30. It would have been better for us to have a DSOT video with only Rachel on camera and the great music................the best i may say of Pink Floyd to hear but we will have to do with this waiting for her to show up on camera from times to times.
    I know that The Cure made a song about her...........Hot Hot Hot!!!!!................no it's not

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  31. I do the light shows for a Dutch Floyd Tribute named Absolutely Floyd, so I watch a lot of footage, searching for spectacular visuals. I saw the following comment accompanying the YouTube clip of DSOT Learning to Fly:

    "could she possibly be more sexy at ..1:36...not a chance,,love that woman"

    That was funny because I had been watching that part many times, equally mesmerized as all of you. And that's how I ended up on this site.
    Nice to see that she hasn't vanished at all really. Still so many admirers.
    Thank you Rachel, wherever you are!

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    1. siiiiiiiiiii1.36 de learning to fly ...no me canso de verla

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  32. ....I join the club ... rachel platonic lovers....!!

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  33. Hi Dean, like you I'm mesmerised by Rachel. I think you'll find she was married to the guitarist Stephen Dale Petit in 1983 in London (info freely available on ancestry.com). But no trace since then. I'm willing to be proved wrong as I can't find any other sources - and certainly doesn't help finding out what she is up to today. Perhaps it's better that way... Simon

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  34. Rachel Fury is by far the sexiest woman, her body moves like silk in the wind, Absolute poetry in motion!

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  35. Rachel Fury is the sexiest woman I have ever seen, she moves like silk in the breeze, absolute poetry in motion. I first saw the DSOT dvd at a friends house in 93 I was completely taken away by her sexy smooth moves, she makes the other girls look clumsy. How she moves like that is fabulous, I have not forgotten her from that first watching and recently googled her to find out who she was and was there more.

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  36. More Rachel Fury, from a bootleg video @1:14:44 too bad it's a shiitty recording, still she is beautiful.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq9-Pn9_i3k

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  37. Here's the Athens concert:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQQFyYM55DU
    For some reason beyond me, the bootlegger keeps focusing on the musicians! Quality is not good and his hand keeps shaking-but who can blame him in the presence of such feminine perfection?
    Prime Rachel Viewing: 17:30 and 42:00-in purple and with longer hair!

    They should have called this concert "Move Over Athena, There's A New Goddess In Town!"

    Mike in Jersey

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    1. Hey Mike,
      Thanks for the Athens link.
      I thought something looked off in this video at 17:34 and then the light went out where Rachel was standing. My eyes are old but if I saw what I think I saw, my smile was for good reason.

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    2. Oh and you can't see it in real time, you'll need to stop at 17:34 and then advance it frame by frame. Appears to be a wardrobe malfunction?

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  38. Hi everybody! I've serched a lot for her. The last record you can find in internet about her is that in 2014 she was in Ware as "Rachel A Brennock".
    Here is a couple of things for you:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hx2IqXBRCM (look at 3:45!!)

    A gallery from that tour (a lot of pictures in her 22!): http://www.newwavephotos.com/gallery.php?name=HowardDevoto&num=

    And at last, the money video of DSOT (look at 6:50!!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NXBLxZcO2Q

    I really would like to know why she split with singing.

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  39. Well, no way. I spent hours and hours trying to find a good info about Rachel, but I ended with no results. It's so frustrating, because I (and also a lot of you) was a fan and having no news about her is so bad. I liked her not only for the presence but because I think she had an incredible voice. I don't think she is the Rachel Brennock listed in Ware, because she was born in Islingon as "Rachel Brennock" and the one listed in Ware is "Rachel A Brennock". Anyway I'm convinced that if she completely stopped singing and acting, is because something of negative happened to her.
    It's sad, but we will never know the truth...

    Matteo from Italy.

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  40. Well, thank goodness for that. I am not the only frustrated fan of the stunning Rachel. Great blog, lets hope we find her and thanks to Matteo for the link to her incredibly sexy performance.

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  41. Hello i feel the same for her i can´t imagine DSOT without think about her.... no more words from a Costa Rican, fan of Floyd....and rachel

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  42. There is one word that always comes to mind when I watch that concert footage and the camera goes to the girls, especially Rachel, and that is SULTRY. Adding that smile and that voice to the mix and I'm instantly turned into a worthless heap.

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  43. Under normal circumstances I would have questioned the sanity of all those on here, obsessing over a backing singer from over 25 years ago. But that was the old me. The pre-Fury me! I happened to be channel hopping last night waiting for Match of the Day to come on, and the DSOT was on a very obscure channel. Great Gig in the Sky came on and there she was! A goddess! I think it's great that us old guys can see a woman at the absolute top of her game and go completely nuts over her! It seemed to be her coquettish confidence (and jaw-dropping vocal of course) that totally turned me to mush. I must and shall marry her.... or find her on Twitter and tell her how ace she is... yes. that's probably better....

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    1. Anche io mi aggiungo ai malati di mente :) ho la vostra stessa passione e curiosità per questa donna affascinante rimasta praticamente un ricordo impresso sul nastro di una videocassetta che, attraversando il tempo e lo spazio, si è digitalizzata nell'era di internet e possiamo soltanto continuare ad ammirarla in video. Forse non sapremo mai che fine ha fatto e perché abbia abbandonato le scene, resta comunque una bellissima stella nel firmamento della musica internazionale...

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  44. I have the impression that everyone here would like to marry her...

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  45. Lying in bed sick as a dog in Chile . Passing the time watching Delicate Sound of Thunder on the Movie Channel. A backing singer totally catches my eye. I kind of guess she must be my age....she is. Hit google......and she disappeared.... Hour later this little shrine of admirers appears.I humbly add my name. SJN

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  46. today Durga McBroom posted on her facebook that she is looking for Rachel too

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  47. Rachel in all her glory
    http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xsxt3_pink-floyd-the-great-gig-in-the-sky_music

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  48. Last Thursday evening my wife suggested I go make a curry. So flicking around on the kitchen TV I came across DSOT on Sky arts. Having been a Floyd fan through my teens and never having seen this film before I thought it would be nostalgic and good to cook along to. Well, I hadn't even finished chopping the first onion and was completely captivated.
    Needless to say it wasn't long before I ended up on here, crushingly disappointed to discover that any further searching I may do would be in vain as you guys seem to have exhausted everything out there years before me.
    All I find are other people searching for her too. We may never know why she walked out on the lime light so completely. She quit at the top of her game and I can't help thinking this is just how she wants it and I respect that.
    Still it would be fantastic to see her resurface, if only briefly so we know she's fine.
    Martin

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  49. Tantalizing woman. When I was 22, I saw her April 1988 at the Los Angeles Colosseum. Unbelievable show.

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  50. Caught my eye when I first saw her and she continues to hold me enthralled.
    Perhaps it's best she vanished, leaving us with her as she was, the height of her power, beautiful, mysterious and talented beyond compare.
    Happy to add my name to the list of devotees

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  51. At the London Arena gig Isle of Dogs 1989 the brilliant Scott Page (sax session player) gave me VIP tickets & backstage passes - needless to say one in a lifetime experience but was gutted twice at after show party when David Gilmore AND Rachel Fury never showed up - coincidence???

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    1. Wow!! That is the coolest - and intriguing as hell!

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  52. https://seniorcitylocal.com/celebrating-seniors-david-gilmour-turns-70/
    The roumers about the two of them at the end of the tour in 1989 and breakup of Dave's marriage to Ginger is mentioned in this article.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the heads up on that article Martin - a really good read by the way, if it offers only a tantalizing glimpse in the direction of Rachel.

      Delete
  53. The Bastard!

    Mike in Jersey

    ReplyDelete
  54. Just caught the Tour video on TV, and was again reminded, by that feeling in the pit of my stomach, that I am besotted by those fleeting images of Rachel Fury.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Wow. And I thought is was just me! I fell in love with Rachel during the DSOT tour and like everybody else wonders what happened to her since. I play that footage repeatedly in awesome wonderment and wish I knew where she is now. Few people intrigue me this way but she is at the top of the list. Hopefully the answer will come soon.

    ReplyDelete
  56. She use to live in Waltheof Avenue Tottenham. I use to live just across the road. I was always in and out of the house because of her brother Paul and I were friends. She had 4 brothers and 2 sisters as I remember. It was sometime ago!

    Here's a picture of the house they lived: http://i.imgur.com/BXPANbj.jpg

    Rachel and her brother Paul use to go to school here: http://barbaraspeake.com/ A stage school as you can see.

    What was she like? she was ok.. got a bit snotty in her early to late teens..

    Her mum a dad were really nice people. I remember a story about her dad coming home drunk and feeding the Sunday joint to the dog next door!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. r u serious? you're kidding right? reply me

      Delete
    2. r u serious? you're kidding right? reply me

      Delete
    3. are u serious? can we talk to you?????

      Delete
  57. Do you still have my name attached to the photos with the bike Dean ? I still own the originals
    Thanks
    Col

    ReplyDelete
  58. Great post. For a long while I thought I was the only crazy dude with the same silly infatuation for such a sexy and talented woman. I still have the VHS tape of the concert (no player to play it on anymore). I have also done the same kind of research in the past, and got some info about her similar to what you have published here. So, today I was listening to Floyd again and she came to my mind once more. My comment on this board is the result of me looking for her again.

    ReplyDelete
  59. They just announced the re-issue of the album on vinyl.

    See link:http://teamrock.com/news/2017-10-10/pink-floyds-delicate-sound-of-thunder-set-for-vinyl-reissue

    However, as one of the commenters says, that doesn't mean we are going to get the Blu-ray anytime soon....Oh, but a boy can dream....

    ReplyDelete
  60. Hi,

    Another victim here. This weekend i discovered the live version of on the turning away on the DSOT 1988(?) tour.

    Once i discovered the 3th girl i was mindblown. Fell in love with a girl and a song at the same time. So weird.

    I couldn't resist to google her, and while being very frustrated about finding just so little information about her, i landed on this page.

    Very funny to read all these comments and how i exactly feel the same about it.

    Anyway, she's more than twice my age (27) though. Wait, wasn't she also 27 back then in 1988?

    ReplyDelete
  61. WOW. I seem to have unwittedly found all of my soul brothers in the same place.
    I always thought I was unique in falling for Rachel, and like so many lost touch while aging.
    Last night, while channel surfing, DSOT came up, and 30 years (!!!!!) disappeared. I was flung back to my early 20s when I first saw her at the Venice gig. Even then I couldn't fathom why she hit me so hard. And last night she explodes back into my world, and my heart literally stops when I see her on the screen and realise I'll see more of her throught the movie.
    And 30 years later, we have the internet & Google. I also waited and paused the credits, I also thought she was Margret, then I found all you guys here, and now I know we are not alone.
    Although I'd love to see where she is now, I also feel my memories of 30 years back cannot be bettered in any way.
    So crazy to see the power she has over us all.
    Thanks for the page Dean.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I very much wish that some admirer as we meet her will give news of how she is doing. for indeed it lives in our hearts forever and ever.

      Delete
    2. No you aren't the only one and I've been infatuated with Rachel for as long as I can remember.

      Delete
  62. I recently saw the Venice 1989 concert and I immediately noticed that gorgeous woman singing and dancing in the background - I couldn't but keep looking at her!! So hot, so sexy in that purple dress, such a nice voice (amazing "gig in the sky" performance). I kind of became obsessed with her so Google took me to this place... glad to see I'm not the only one, as it's the kind of thing that makes me embarrassed - a man in his forties having a teenager’s infatuation!!

    Well, long live the late eighties' Rachel Fury and our obsession with her. We'll never find her, but hey, it's probably better like that. She can be whatever we want her to be in our minds. Love ya, Rachel!!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Never been on a forum like this where every six months or so a chap drops by saying "wow! I thought I was the only one who had developed a crazy crush on this lady" - I assume there are 1000s of similar forums with other groups of people falling for other (often obscure) artists! Does anyone know of any?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oliver - thanks for stopping by. It's amazing to me that a full 7 years after I wrote this piece, I'm still getting visitors to the post to leave their recollections on it. I remain as bewitched by Rachel Fury now as I ever was and I still hope for the day that she might see this post and smile.

      Delete
  64. Rachel...mi amor platonico........!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  65. I'm a girl and I was curious myself about Rachel and David's supposed affair. It breaks my heart if he cheated on Ginger, considering I always thought the guy was perfection. But it's nice to see so many guys as interested in Rachel as I am in David. Her affect on men is almost like David's on women. Almost....;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure I buy the rumours about David and Rachel but, in any case, I take your point about their relative magnetism.

      Delete
    2. I always wondered if the song "One Slip" had a connection to him & Rachel considering the chemistry viewed in DSOT towards the end of the concert. It was obvious, but in later video versions those scenes were missing. The latest vid is on YouTube in 4k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13m5-0EOwIM Dated 5/22 Such clarity. We can all now view Rachel in HQ as she always was to me.

      Delete
  66. Hopefully, you're right. I just found out that Rachel did the background vocals for The Buggles, "Video Killed The Radio Star". She did the "Ooha, Ooha" parts. Thanks for replying. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Wow!! I did not know that!! That is so cool - I don't mind that song at all. Hey thanks for having a look at my piece. I'm amazed that after all this time, this piece still generates so much interest! I probably shoulda monetized it or something! Haha! Anyways - Tha K you!

      Delete
  67. Here's the link - https://www.discogs.com/Buggles-Video-Killed-The-Radio-Star/master/80390

    ReplyDelete
  68. LOL! You're welcome - and hello from New York City, USA!

    ReplyDelete

  69. I think it's impossible to find information about her when there's nothing particular about her on the internet. Social network or some profile or some personal publication of it. The only possible way is if someone comes here saying that you know her personally and live in the same city as she and us with real information. I believe there's some British who are interested and who can get to Hertford and find out and do away with our mystery.

    ReplyDelete
  70. FINALLY!!!!

    https://www.loudersound.com/news/pink-floyd-the-later-years-16-disc-collection-announced

    They may call it "The Later Years" but for us its "The Rachel Years....(& Some Other Stuff)"

    Not only does it promise Rachel in Hi-Def and 5.1 Surround Sound, there is additional footage not in the original.

    Only catch is the price....hopefully later on they will release the concerts individually on cd/Blu-ray


    Mike in Jersey


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OH MY GOD!!! This looks incredible Mike!!! Thanks for posting this mate!!!

      Delete
  71. No thanks needed Dean! I am absolutely thrilled to spread the word among the faithful!

    It's all of us who are eternally grateful to you for keeping this post and comments page going! I check it once a week, and it's loads of fun when someone new discovers it and realizes they are not alone in this world!

    Now a few questions remain concerning the boxed set:
    1)Among the archival footage are there interviews with Rachel?
    2)Have they done any recent interviews with the performers looking back on these concerts? My feeling is if they did, it would be just with Gilmour and Mason as they would have to pay others, (or give them microscopic cut of the sales). Which brings us to...
    3)Did they have to contact everyone involved and get them to sign off and/or agree to monetary terms before they could release this?
    That would mean they would have had done our work for us and found Rachel! I am not optimistic about this as usually backup musicians and singers have to waive any image and performance rights-otherwise they don't get hired in the first place!

    Anyway time (and money) will tell....

    All the best,

    Mike in Jersey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha!! You know, I've had more bloody eyes on this one post in the 8 years since I published it than the 4 books I have written! It's incredible how many people have stopped by to read it.

      I just checked my local JB HI-FI store here and they have it listed for $550 Australian Dollars.

      Hmmmm...maybe if I could sell some more books...(hahaha).

      Have a great weekend Mike!

      Delete
  72. Hey, Dean!
    I did some research and found that the little girl in the movie bears no resemblance to Rachel Fury. I think it's not her. Just the common names and surnames. And also the girl in the black and white photo would actually be a backing vocals of the Howard Devoto band, follow the link:http://www.newwavephotos.com/popupphot.php?img=HowardDevoto/11904HowardDevoto.jpg&width=460&des=Howard%20Devoto,%20Brielpoort,%20Deinze,%20Belgium,%20September%204,%201983

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nope, it's her, she's Rachel Fury. Even wikipedia claims it and even pink floyd's tourbook mentioned that Fury worked with Howard Devoto. She was bit fat during 1983, but that's definitely her

      Delete
  73. Hi Dean!

    Sorry a bit late on sending you this:

    Pink Floyd have uploaded some of the material from the new boxed set.

    Here's the one we have been waiting for:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5CLAE8231A

    Needless to say, the comments quickly turn to the subject of Rachel!

    Don't know if any of the commentators are posters here.
    (I did not post your link in the YouTube comments, as I think that is up to you, if you so wish).

    Hopefully, more and never released footage will be coming out.

    That commentator Ted has the right idea....Floyd would make a fortune selling it on this site alone!!


    All the best,

    Mike in Jersey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Mike!

      Thanks for the heads up on this mate! This is really cool! I might post my link actually.

      Best wishes for Christmas!

      Dean

      Delete
  74. And a Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Hola! Vivo en Perú...y al igual que ustedes soy un Floydiano mas... Y también admirador de la Belleza y Encanto de Rachel Fury... Gracias por la información que han compartido!.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Hola! Vivo en Perú...y al igual que ustedes soy un Floydiano mas... Y también admirador de la Belleza y Encanto de Rachel Fury... Gracias por la información que han compartido!.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Hilarious to see so many people saying exactly the same thing as I feel about this Goddess. Was in Sydney during the DSOT tour, they were in black dresses and all good as gold. But the one on the end near us was spellbinding in looks, movement and sound, all the time. And like many bros here I am amazed and yet delighted that we all feel exactly the same way. My guess is that her retreat from public life was in part due to her magnetism. Those who have experienced 'fame' of any size know what it's like, often a total pain in the ass. Her level of attraction would have been one hell of a burden to carry around in the performing world, let alone the real one.

    ReplyDelete
  78. The same thing pay my attention, watching the DSOT video ...watching every musician in scene, then I became charming of Rachel Fury presence ...She's a poem made as a beautiful woman, I surrended by her . And how she looks David chief , it was bewitched !!!

    ReplyDelete
  79. I just googled back up singers of 1989 Venice concert to see who she is/was and was amazed it was far from just me who had a fascination with her presence. She's very very similar in looks to the love of my life, who after 7 years broke off with me and married a millionaire who was also much better looking than me. So it goes.

    ReplyDelete
  80. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  81. Excellent site Dean! Add me to the list of Rachel Fury admirers! I just cannot believe that she still remains elusive after so many people researching for so many years. I'm 4 years older than she, so hopefully something will turn up before we all disappear! On another note related to the wonderful Pink Floyd, I used to chat with Scott Page (Floyd's Sax player on DSOT) quite often on Twitter - he's a really nice guy who always used to make an effort to reply or answer questions, but I noticed yesterday that he hasn't been seen for around 12 months - I hope he is OK.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for dropping in! I'm amazed that, after all this time, this one post of mine still garners so much interest! If I'd sold the number of books that this post has received in visits - I could retire! I had a conversation with a fan recently and we're fairly convinced that something bad happened to Rachel in the aftermath of DSOT. It seems inconceivable that she had so much hope for a music career only to torpedo it a few short years afterwards. I hope she's okay.

      Likewise with Scott Page. There's a lot we're not privvy to about those days.

      Delete
  82. I couldn't tell my wife (newly married at the time) that I had (still do) a "thing " for Rachel!
    She is petty hot no doubt, but that isn't what got me.
    It was a combination of that smile (also loved that little gap in the front teeth), her eyes that I could just look intimately and get happily lost, and her moves Oh how that body moves (should be illegal) !

    Her moves were not just moves, but sensuous and alluring with a little touch of a cavalier attitude as if she knows she can drive anyone mad with with desire (to this day I still think of her).

    I hope she is happy, I know that I am when I see her in the Delicate Sound of Thunder film!

    The Blu Ray of this concert just came out and you know I'm young to get it and pause the disc on her and watch her move in slow motion!

    Thanks for giving me a place to vent this long held obsession!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew in WimbledonJuly 26, 2020 at 12:00 PM

      I completely agree with you. Her moves are so sensual and voice so beautiful. Like you i hope she's really happy, wherever she is.

      Delete
  83. Dean, solo hay una explicación para entender por que hemos leído y encontrado tu blog, y es ella, Rachel Fury (Rachel Brannock), es imposible no enamorarse de ella y sus movimientos. En la década de los 80 debió ser difícil a toda la banda no hacerlo, (enamorarse) más aún a David Gilmour que siempre estuvo tan cerca en los recitales y quizás mas en los ensayos. Los que crecimos con Pink Floyd seremos fans hasta el fin.
    Algún día un historiador deberá escribir los detalles de la banda, sus giras anécdotas y tantos otros temas, y no podrán olvidar a Rachel y su voz inolvidable.
    Y como soy un Mason de mas cerca me llaga esa desconocida historia de quien fue parte de la banda.
    Un abrazo señores en tiempos de pandemia para ver y escuchas esta gran banda,

    NOSAM, Santiago Chile. 2020-06-16

    ReplyDelete
  84. Hola muchachos me pasa lo mismo que a todos ustedes desde que la vi me enamore de esa mujer y de inmediato hice lo mismo..buscar información de ella para saber donde esta y como esta porque a pesar que en el 87 yo solo tenia 7 años y desde ese tiempo a la fecha van 33 años y sin saber cuantos años tendría ella ahí me imagino que a pesar de la edad que debe tener en la actualidad pensando que esta bien así y todo me gustaría verla saber de ella y decirle que sigue siendo un amor platónico que perdurara en el tiempo para mi como para todos los que nos volvemos locos al admirarla en los escenarios de la gira "Delicate Sound of Thunder aahhh rachel te amo !!

    ReplyDelete
  85. Stunning, mesmerizing and unforgettable lady! I also wonder what happened to her.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Hello friends!!! I'm a fan of Rachel Fury! I saw her the first time in a DSOT clip in 1988 or 1989. Then I had a copy of the show in Venice ... Beautiful !!! I thought that only I had a passion for her, but I discovered that there were several !!! In the times of the internet and Google I discovered forums like these that help answer questions. I always look for some information, but I find nothing. I suppose she said she was very disappointed in the artistic world. Simply disappearing is something radical for an artist in career solification. I would like to know only if you are with a family or live a peaceful life. A big hug for you friends and fans of a person who has marked many people.

    ReplyDelete
  87. Watching the restored and re-edited DSOT on Blu Ray that came in the mail today.. Rachel is something to behold in crystal clear images.

    ReplyDelete
  88. I am watching the Sony release of the concert (via iTunes) at the Nassau Coliseum which we fondly remember from the NY Islanders games. We had left Long Island by then.
    Rachel was really gorgeous. Sorry we were not there to attend.

    ReplyDelete
  89. She’s a smoke show, Gilmour got her out of the business obviously

    ReplyDelete
  90. Nice pic and some info here: https://deadorkicking.com/rachel-fury-dead-or-alive/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've seen that photo before. Not convinced it's her.

      Delete
  91. I was at that 87 tour twice, once indoors and second outdoors. For the indoor, we were in seats stage right, right in the line of sight of the backup singers towards center stage. I couldn't keep my eyes off of Rachael. She stole the show!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is awesome. Never ceases to amaze me just how profound an experience that would have been. I'm truly envious!

      Delete
  92. I think she lives in southern London

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think she lives or lived in dublin 6w

      Delete
    2. Dublin 6w? Are you referring to the "Control of Dogs" letter written to "Ms Brennock" found halfway down on this site: https://dogforum.co.uk/threads/letter-from-south-dublin-county-council.43631/

      Also, could Rachel have been a teacher in Dublin too?

      Delete
  93. I'll add my name here as well. I graduated from high school in 1988 and have known who Pink Floyd was for decades. I followed a video link a couple weeks ago to the remixed DSOT; I arrived for the music but am now combing the internet for anything else I can find thanks to Rachel. Spectacular! Glad to see I'm not the only one; it's no surprise that on most of the videos I run across she's the topic of conversation in half the comments.

    One video I've run across that is interesting is here:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IVDVLeXBmQ
    This is a set up and sound check for a concert in Toronto; she's singing for sound check in a very candid fashion from about 1:30 to 2:00 and looking like she's having fun. I wish her the absolute best where ever she is now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing thelat video link. I've not seen that footage before. Each of these clips are getting more and more precious.

      Delete
  94. Hello Dean From Austrailia,
    I somehow came upon your article, and wanted to clarify that it is me singing "Respect" on the Fishermans recording. I understand your love for Rachel, but she wasn't even there. If you notice there is only one background vocal, and that was Durga. Just to clarify things. :)
    All my best,
    Machan (pka...Margret Taylor...the girl on the left on the Delicate Sound of Thunder Tour)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Machan! I'm so pleased to know that you've visited and had a read. I have noted your comment and have updated the original piece accordingly. Thank you for clarifying that information about The Fishermen gigs - I really appreciate it!

      Delete
    2. There is still much confusion about these secret gigs.
      To begin with, this same recording of Respect is included on a YouTube channel belonging to Simon Dodd, credited to ‘Rachel Fury and the Fishermen’.

      I’ve just read Nick Mason’s account of the MLoR tour and he states that the band began doing these jam sessions in Australia, with the “new recruits” taking the lead”. More significantly, he says they called themselves ‘The Fisherman’s’ (after the Fisherman’s Friend” throat lozenge (popular in the UK, I don’t know about Australia). He doesn’t say anything about which singers were involved, though in this recording the lead singer on Respect is clearly American, not only in her vocal duties but the between-song chat, supporting Machan’s claim of having performed this role. (Durga appears to sing lead on some tracks, e.g. ‘Rocksteady’)

      As there don’t appear to be any other recordings of this band I doubt we’ll ever find out what Rachel’s lead vocals sounded like (assuming she did in fact ever appear in these impromptu performances). To the best of my knowledge in fact the only recording of her singing a lead role - not counting The Great Gig in the Sky, of course - remains her early outing as Weeny Bopper, which is not quite the legacy one would wish for her.

      Andrew

      Delete
  95. Respect machan!excellent done.You,rachel,durga and lorelei were the best background singers of PF.
    George from austria

    ReplyDelete
  96. I'm French and this blog is like a serie or a thriller. The research after Rachel Fury, so many yrs after is desapearence is incredible, a real story. All of you remain passionated by that talented and beautiful singer and I thank you all for your infos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Much appreciated my friend. I love that this post remains my most successful work.

      Delete
    2. Glad I found this page about the beautiful Rachel Fury ... she has always been a figure that has caught my attention ever since I first saw the DSOT video and the famous 1989 Venice concert. That girl it has always fascinated me and I am pleased to note that I am not the only one to have suffered this effect. I can't explain why ... that's just the way it is. I leave the link of this gem for those who have not seen it: at 11:21 there is our darling who is picked up by Jon Carin and spanked :)

      https://fb.watch/9P7w1MlaZh/

      Delete
    3. I’ve joined Facebook with considerable distaste just to watch that and saw someone talking about Japanese street food for several minutes. I’m deleting the account ASAP.

      Delete
  97. Glad I found this page about the beautiful Rachel Fury ... she has always been a figure that has caught my attention ever since I first saw the DSOT video and the famous 1989 Venice concert. That girl it has always fascinated me and I am pleased to note that I am not the only one to have suffered this effect. I can't explain why ... that's just the way it is. I leave the link of this gem for those who have not seen it: at 11:21 there is our darling who is picked up by Jon Carin and spanked :)

    https://fb.watch/9P7w1MlaZh/

    ReplyDelete
  98. Hi Dean. Hope your are doing well. Loved your "flaming" Star Wars video....which by coincidence has a connection to this youtube channel I have been meaning to send you for ages....Obi Wan Kenobi....It's all Rachel/Floyd videos that he has remastered. Here is just one...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrHWI1AIjf4
    A concert that was filmed the year before DSOT...But scrapped for some unknown reason.....Could it be the director featured Rachel as much as the musicians?

    There is also fan footage from Madison Square Garden besides upgraded sound and video from DSOT.

    (I am hoping he can find some footage from the Athens show.)

    Maybe you would like to contact the guy running the channel and tell him about this site? Needless to say, his comment section is just full Rachel fans....But you had this site first!



    All the best,

    Mike in Jersey


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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for posting that Mike! I've reached out to him with the link to this post. Hopefully he'll take a look!

      Delete
  99. I love Rachel. Hope there'll be a Blu-ray release of Pink Floyd's concert in Venice 89', she looked stunning in purple. A huge fan from Malaysia

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  100. Amo essa mulher desde que a vi pela primeira vez...espero sinceramente que esteja bem e dedicando-se a pautas importantes (defesa dos animais). Espero por uma outra encarnação para poder conhecê-la pessoalmente!!!
    (sonho maravilhoso...amor verdadeiro)

    ReplyDelete
  101. Hi Dean,
    I just came across this brilliant blog as I saw DSOT concert (NY stage) on Sky Arts at the weekend and it reminded me how captivating Rachel Fury was/is all that time ago & I never really forgot her, so I googled to see what & where she is now and found your site. It's wonderful to find so many people who feel the same way - she definitely makes an impression.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you my friend! I appreciate your kind words!

      Delete
  102. Hello Dean from Australia

    Have just watched the DSOT NY concert shown again on Sky Arts (in UK) and then, almost by chance, gladly discovered this site, finding I'm far from the only chap to have 'noticed' the divine Rachel Fury! In the interim I did also look on IMDb, which took me to a posting that said Rachel retired from the world of entertainment after that Pink Floyd tour in order to spend more time with her family, as her father had become terminally ill. It seems she did return briefly to sing with a group of Durga McBroom's the following year, but little or nothing since. It also said she is a vegan, enhancing what others have posted about her involvement in animal rights activism, whose gain therefore represents a serious loss to the world of entertainment!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Geoff! Thanks for visiting and that K you for that piece of information regarding Rachel's father! That is something completely new to me and offers some additional insights into why Rachel may have stepped away from the stage. Really appreciate this!

      Delete
    2. Hello again Dean. Many thanks for your reply. Have double-checked the info I found on IMDb and can indeed confirm its authenticity. I probably ought to amend my earlier posting by removing the word 'activism' (with its negative connotations) in
      favour of the phrase 'animal welfare rights' to indicate Rachel's longstanding passionate interest in the issue - the IMDb article says this is matched by an equal concern for human rights: so, a lady with a good heart all round. As many others have said, I hope she is happy in her life.

      Delete
    3. I’d be very interested to know how and where you checked the authenticity of the IMDb entry on Rachel. Aside from that post, there appear to be nothing but ‘rumours’, even according to her former band mates. Someone somewhere must have more solid information.

      Andrew

      Delete
  103. Rachel tiene un magnetismo ùnico, no puedes no caer ante sus encantos. Mi pregunta es...existiò alguna vez de verdad? O fuè una especie de holograma tipo Jessica Rabbit? (es broma) . Muy buena pàgina, saludos desde Argentina.

    ReplyDelete
  104. The whole Delicate Sound of Thunder tour was awesome. I saw a show from the Pulse tour in 1994 as a teenager and disappointed that Rachel was not there. Funny how so many were and still are captivated by her voice and stage presence.

    If you haven't yet seen, there are several YouTube channels that highlight the late 80's tours:
    Funkydung - https://www.youtube.com/user/2braindamage/videos
    Obi Wan Kenobi - https://www.youtube.com/user/miskuamakus/videos

    Curious to know if there are there any other YouTube channels and/or sites that feature Floyd late-80's tours images or videos? Any updates on Rachel since the early 90's?

    ReplyDelete
  105. Haha I cannot believe I just
    Found this thread. Totally was in awe and still is with that woman.
    Mezmerized by her in those videos! Cheers everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  106. It's a great thread isn't! Do you think many backing singers who didn't even spend so much time with a band, who inspire such devotion? There is something about her which is totally transfixing. The combination of her beautiful face, sensual hip swaying and the emotion she puts into her vocal is stunning. Is she actually crying at the end of her TGGITS solo?

    ReplyDelete
  107. Add me to this list as one who still watches the videos constantly just to see Rachel and be in awe of how mesmerizing she was onstage. It is a mystery why she didn't continue to perform and just vanished from everything. Some people are just too special I guess and need to live their lives away from the spotlight and attention. I only hope she is happy and well. Steve S.

    ReplyDelete
  108. Wow. 22 years old and the closest person out of 80,000 at the Pontiac silver dome and I'm the closest person to Gilmore and who I now know 34 years later is Rachel Fury. During comfortably numb, tears are coming down her face and the entire stadium is lit up with lighters. It was a religious experience. She and that moment left an indelible mark. Just watched the video of that show and that lead me here. Unbelievable...

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  109. There were tensions between rachel and machan taylor and david told durga to put it it in order or all will be fired.Therefore durga was standing in the middle between the two. It is a pity that rachel does not tell the story in her own words.I cant believe that no one knows where she is and what she is doing
    George from graz austria

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    1. Now *that's* something I've never heard about before. Where does this information come from George? Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. there is an interview with Durga Machan and scott Page where they discuss their tour with PF.
      m.youtube.com/watch?v=igFFYV178F4

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    3. there is a you tube video interview with Durga Machan and scott Page .There discuss their Tour with PF.
      m.youtube.com/watch?v=igFFYV178F4

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    4. No, you got that wrong. The tension was between Rachel and Scott Page, she didn't like him. Steve O'rourke was the one to tell them to sort it out.

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    5. Yes you are right it was steve o'rourke but as i understand the tension was between rachel and marchan.Why she should not like scott page?

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    6. It may have been the mullet she didn’t like. If so it’s further testament to her good taste.

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    7. For some reason the site isn’t allowing me to post a comment with my Google account even though I am already logged into it. I assume this is why there are so many Anonymous posts here. The ‘help’ page doesn’t.

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  110. There is a video interview on you tube from JT Curtis music with Durga Machan and Scott Page where they discuss the Delicate Sound of Thunder Tour.
    O-tone Durga: she (Rachel) had no thing with David - i knew where she parked her butt at night.
    They talked als about the remaining of Rachel. They speculated that she had been in Australia .No one had a real idea where she is.(or they pretend not to know)
    Machan says its a mystery.
    What ever happend--Rachel should not push away her time with PF.and the music buisness.It was a great part of her life and she should stand by it even she had perhaps suffered disappointments
    George from Graz Austria

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    1. It’s me reluctantly Anonymous again. (Andrew from England, in case anyone’s curious). In case anyone hasn’t seen it, there is a more recent interview by JT Curtis with Machan alone in which the mystery of Rachel’s disappearance is again mentioned.

      Machan reiterates that she has no idea about Rachel’s whereabouts and both she and the host say people can stop asking. Predictably, this did not prevent me attempting to ask about - or rather allude to - a couple of points that intrigued me in both this and the previous chat. Three attempted comments failed to appear, which led me to suspect that the name Rachel was being blocked. I then made a further post in which I addressed this, while avoiding using Rachel’s name. This, too, failed to appear.

      There are in fact only two comments below the video, which was uploaded five months ago. I th.

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    2. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d8sezRwjyII&t=624s&pp=ygUNbWFjaGFuIHRheWxvcg%3D%3D

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    3. Andrew - thanks for this information. I'm sorry you've had trouble posting here - I have no control over the comment settings. I try to keep them as open as I can while trying to filter out spam.

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    4. You’re welcome, Dean. My reference to my frustration at apparently being obliged to comment anonymously wasn’t meant as a complaint against you. I really appreciate this page, which, aside from its value as a source of information - such as it is - makes me feel better about my own obsession with Rachel.

      FWIW I knew nothing about her or the mystery surrounding her disappearance until very recently, though I knew her name and remembered her vividly since seeing (almost certainly) the Venice concert on TV more than 30 years ago. I’ve not yet rewatched it but am looking forward to doing so shortly. She made a deep impression on me - the image of her head rocking from side to side during Run Like Hell seared itself into my brain like hardly anything else has ever done - and evidently triggered feelings that have stayed with me, albeit mostly dormant until I started watching more of the DSOT footage quite recently, mostly on Obi Wan Kenobi’s YouTube channel. It was from the comments to those videos, and Obi Wan’s replies, that I discovered that Rachel had had a similar effect on, evidently, thousands of others - males, at any rate - including those who, unlike me, were too young to have seen her performances originally, and I’ve since devoured every comment I could find on the mystery surrounding her withdrawal from public view.

      I am intensely jealous of the YouTube commenters who attended one or more of the DSOT concerts in person - many of whom claim to have been close to the stage and in some cases to have made eye contact with Rachel. This is particularly annoying as, had I made sufficient effort, I might have been among them. (I was born in 1957 and have always loved Pink Floyd of the Syd Barrett era, with a more casual interest in the later incarnations of the band, which I now regret.) It’s probable that the first I knew of the DSOT tour, in fact, was through the film of its final performance - talk of missed opportunity!

      Anyway, an obsession has, it is fair to say, been born. Thanks to this page there is at least something approaching a support group, which I and fellow sufferers desperately need. I say “sufferers” with good reason, as I’m sure you don’t need me to explain. In the event the mystery is never resolved, our mutual condition may well be acknowledged by the medical world, and be identified as Fury Syndrome.

      Please keep the faith!

      Andrew

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    5. Thanks Andrew - it amazes me that, of all the pieces of writing I've written (including my books), this one has been read the most. Man, if I had a dollar for every person who has visited this piece, I could retire.

      I was thinking recently, my ultimate goal would be to find Rachel and sit down with her for a one on one interview. That would be a life's achievement for me.

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    6. A footnote: have you by any chance seen the Japanese film Dolls by Takeshi Kitano? If you have you don’t need to ask why I’m bringing it up. If not, I’ll explain in due course.

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    7. It’s a long time since I’ve seen it but I was reminded of it by the speculation over Rachel’s withdrawal from public life. It has, I think, four loosely connected tales on the theme of love, one of which is about an idol singer who suddenly disappears, and the - fairly extreme - efforts of one fan to find her. All I will add is that I hope the explanation for Rachel’s withdrawal is nothing like this.

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    8. Haha - Well, I've never considered myself an extreme fan (although Jon Carin might disagree) but Rachel's singing and presence certainly struck me at a sweet spot in my life (mid teens) and has never left me. This peice (and the revised iteration of it that appears in my new book) was just a love letter to Rachel.

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    9. I appear to have missed previous references to Jon Carin in this respect by assume he is aware of your interest. As for the film, it is fair to say the fan - played by Takeshi Kitano himself - goes to lengths to meet his idol that few if any would be likely to emulate but I’ll leave you to find out the details for yourself.

      BTW I’ve attempted another couple of posts prior to the above that haven’t appeared. I hope they weren’t deemed inappropriate.

      Andrew

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    10. It wasn't here it was at Facebook. I reached out to him and shared the article and his response was a little disheartening.

      I've never censored comments here but it might have been the case that I didn't moderate yours in the past. I was getting so many comments at one point, I couldn't keep up. I welcome all commentary that isn't spam. I just have to moderate it first.

      I have over the years, entertained this idea that Rachel might reach out and acknowledge this piece. I have even dreamed of interviewing her and having a conversation about those PF years and her career before and after.

      That she has proven such an enigma is a source of endless fascination to me all these years later.

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    11. The other attempts I alluded to were made yesterday but I’m having persistent problems with my internet connection so it’s quite possible that those efforts coincided with loss of service, resulting in you not seeing them.

      One was about the David Gilmour song Yes, I Have Ghosts. The second was a response to your comment about wanting to interview Rachel, including some thoughts about how this might conceivably be accomplished. I included suggestions for a title for a resulting article or even book, such as the obvious ‘Wish You Were Here’, and ‘On the Turning Away’. I thought if we put our heads together we might be able to work out a plan of action that might eventually bear fruit. I have little in the way of concrete proposals at this point but it can do little harm to entertain High Hopes.

      Andrew

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    12. Could you say more about Jon Caron’s response? According to his Facebook profile he now has thousands of messages that he doesn’t have time to respond to - or even read, quite probably - so a further approach to him would be unlikely to be productive. I note he’s currently touring with Roger Waters, ironically enough.

      I have in fact only recently joined FB myself, purely to pursue Rachel studies. This is of course largely limited to the fan page. I had seen the vast majority of the photos but a few were new to me, including a couple showing her onstage with Howard Devoto’s band. No source is given and one comment suggests they’re taken from a video, though I can find no live footage. One intriguing shot is merely captioned with the usual reference to Rachel’s PF backing singer duties but is obviously from an earlier period as she is dressed in punky fashion and standing alone in front of a drum kit.

      Another image is a particularly beautiful head and shoulder shot with the usual PF reference but what intrigues me about it is that her hairstyle is quite different from how she wore it on the DSOT tour, at least in any photo or footage I’ve previously seen. I’ve sent the person who uploaded it an inquiry about the source but heard nothing so far.

      Unfortunately I don’t even know how to save photos from FB so can’t add it to my gallery, let alone attach it here. I’ll post a link to the FB page in case you haven’t seen it before.

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    13. i forgot to add my name as usual though I doubt you were in the dark given my hyperactivity. I just wanted to add that unfortunately I can’t even work out how to enter a link from FB here, though it’s obviously possible given how many such links have been posted. The only means I can see for saving / downloading either images or entire pages is to share them with FB friends, a fan page, or my own profile, none of which are what I want.

      In short, it’s all just another brick in the wall, so to speak, and this particular wall shows not the slightest sign of subsiding.

      That reminds me that there used to be a ‘wall’ on FB that people posted on. I remember seeing a clip from a chat show in which the host - Conan O’Brien, I believe - referred to this while interviewing Roger, making him grin broadly in what appeared genuine mirth. The wall in question seems to have been one that came down, unlike the one concealing the truth about Rachel.

      However, I am nothing if not persistent, and even a restraining order would constitute a breakthrough of sorts.

      Andrew

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    14. No worries Andrew,

      With regards to Jon Carin, it was a while ago now but I think for memory, I either tagged him or I DM'ed him which elicited the response which went along the lines of something like, 'well that's creepy' - like he's never had a teenaged crush?

      I have personally withdrawn from Facebook. I've withdrawn from Social Media generally. I have been going through some health issues over the past three or four years and they have taken up the bulk of my attention span. While I have kept this site alive, I don't blog here anymore. I have a Wordpress site that I am using for that purpose now. And I'm trying to write a new novel which has taken up what little energy I have left.

      I would love to be more present but I just can't right now. I still enjoy receiving comments here though. Reading all of the individual experiences of seeing PF live during that magnificent tour are a joy for me.

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    15. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2904183386471848&set=a.1386637221559813&type=3&mibextid=cr9u03

      This is a link to the portrait that intrigues me so much, now that I’ve worked out how to enter it. You may not be able to see the image as you’re not on FB which is a shame as I wonder whether you’ve seen it before. I think it’s the best one I’ve seen of Rachel.

      Andrew

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    16. I do still have an account - it's just that I don't use it much. I took a look at that photo. I have seen it before though I can't recall where.

      I can't help you with the IMDB entry. My piece pre-dates that entry I believe.

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    17. I found another version of that photo on FB and could see someone had photographed a physical print (there’s a reflection of the flash on the photo paper in the uncropped version). It also shows she is wearing a white or cream T-shirt. I assumed it was a live shot because of the microphone - though it could conceivably be from a rehearsal - but doesn’t match any footage or other stills I’ve ever seen of her. Possibly from one of her recording sessions but there are no clues as to where or when, let alone who took it.

      As for the IMDB entry, I assume you’re alluding to my question above to the poster who said he had authenticated it. I reread the entry and noticed something I hadn’t seen before and that hasn’t been mentioned to my knowledge - it’s credited to a David Brennock. It would be, to say the least, most helpful if he would come forward to offer further information, though if he is a relative, as seems likely, this is probably a vain hope.

      There are, as you may have seen, a couple of additions from this year to the old thread on the PF forum that you contributed to, though neither offers anything in the way of information. One, pessimistically and rather distastefully, suggests that Rachel may have been ‘silenced’.

      Andrew

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    18. Yes, I’m back again. I should probably start my own blog rather than saturate this one. (I made an other couple of attempts yesterday, by the way, that have not been published, whether by intention or not I couldn’t say).

      This time I just wanted to post a link to a YouTube video that I’ve just encountered, though not yet watched in full. It consists, of all things, of a man addressing the camera for 45 minutes on the subject that is dear to all our hearts. Unfortunately I cannot comment on the value of the content, and may never be able to do so, because the address is in Spanish and without subtitles. Nevertheless it seems appropriate to add it to the videography of Rachel Studies.

      https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3jjjf0NA3yg&list=WL&index=1&pp=gAQBiAQB

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  111. A mysterious lady with a beautiful voice.

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  112. A week after P.F. had their concert in Venice i was for a few days in this wonderful town and the spirit of P.F. was still above Venice(and the garbage too).
    When i was home again the Austrian TV made a broadcast from the P.F. concert in Venice. There i admired the three background girls with the famous :The great gig in the sky. Rachel caught my eyes because she resambled a little bit my wife.
    Now more than 30 years later i am in pension and i had time to watch
    music videos and there i saw her again and i asked myself what had happend to this singer.....and i found nothing more as we all.
    I am astonished that Ms Brennock could vanish so perfektly from the surface of all sozial networks. All her friends, neighbours,relationship,
    and colleagues must preserve her mystery and identity.
    Only one picture of Rachel( in her fifties i think) i found in the Rachel fury fanpage. There are two photos.The one with the lady with the teeth gap is not Rachel but the other lady in the green chair that must be Rachel.
    Kind regards Georg from Graz Austria

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    1. Thank you for sharing your memories Georg!

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    2. Hello George, Do you mean the Facebook fan page? I have been scouring it quite diligently of late but have not encountered either image that you mention. May I ask why you are so certain that one of them is of Rachel in her fifties? Given the widely accepted assumption that she wishes to avoid publicity, it seems strange, to say the least, that she would have her photo taken outside of very controlled circumstances.

      I would appreciate a link if possible and any clarification you can give.

      Andrew (UK)

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  113. Con todo respeto para Machan pero he escuchado "RESPECT" y la voz es de Rachel Fury en la grabación de FISHERMAN, saludos Dean desde Tampico, Tamaulipas, México¡¡¡
    Arturo Pang Castillo

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  114. Hermosa mujer y cantante

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  115. Tommy from BavariaApril 29, 2023 at 2:39 AM

    Ahoi Dean, I share your addiction to Rachel and also for reminding names of women in the credits. Maybe you find it interesting to take a look on Sharon Owens, a background singer and dancer on the 1996 Tina Turner Wildest Dreams tour. It is on the Live in Amsterdam DVD and she is mezmerizing as Rachel on my Pink Floyd BluRay.

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    1. Cheers Tommy! I shall have a look for that. Thanks for stopping by.

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  116. I had the pleasure to see Tina in one of the SEVEN sold out shows in Munichs Olympiahalle and Sharon Owens had such a sexy appearance on stage, that I bought the DVD immediately, when it was published. Sharon is the curly of the two black dancers, the other is her twin sister. Enjoy :-)

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