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United States Gail Ann Dorsey is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter known for her extensive collaborations, particularly as David Bowie's bassist and backing vocalist for over two decades.
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Request A ShowGail Ann Dorsey had a significant 20-year collaboration with David Bowie, serving as his bass player on multiple tours (1995-2004) and contributing to nine of his albums. She was especially recognized for her lead vocals on live versions of 'Under Pressure' and duets with Bowie on songs like 'The London Boys' and 'Aladdin Sane.' Her work with Bowie included the albums 'Earthling' (1997), 'Heathen' (2002), 'Reality' (2003), and 'The Next Day' (2013).
Dorsey recorded and toured with Tears for Fears from 1993 to 1996, contributing to their album 'Elemental' as a bass player and participating in the writing of 'Queen of Compromise' for 'Raoul and the Kings of Spain'.
Gail Ann Dorsey is featured in an article by Ernie Ball discussing her impressive career as a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and recording artist across various music genres.
BassBros features Gail Ann Dorsey in a blog post, highlighting her work as a committed and skilled session musician with an extensive list of collaborations across the music industry.
La Bella Strings lists Gail Ann Dorsey as an artist, noting her establishment through collaborations with musicians such as Boy George, Ann Pigalle, and Donny Osmond, and her first high-profile gig as a guest vocalist with The Charlie Watts Big Band.
Dorsey signed with Warner Music Group in December 1987 and released her first solo album, 'The Corporate World', in 1988.
Dorsey moved to Island Records in 1991, signed by founder Chris Blackwell, and released her second solo album 'Rude Blue' in 1992.
In 1997, Dorsey recorded "Planet of Dreams," a duet with David Bowie, for the EMI UK benefit CD release, 'Long Live Tibet'.
Gail Ann Dorsey was born on November 20, 1962, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She began playing guitar at the age of nine, drawing inspiration from artists like Mark Farner, Terry Kath, Jimi Hendrix, and Nancy Wilson. Dorsey acquired a bass guitar shortly after her 14th birthday, though she did not fully embrace the role of a bassist until she was 20. She also engaged with screenwriting, attending the California Institute of the Arts in the School of Film and Video on a full scholarship for her screenplays and Super 8 films. After three semesters, she decided to shift her focus back to a career in music.
At 22, Dorsey moved to London, where her musical career began to take shape. She formed a musical collaboration called 20To and secured her first recording deal with CBS Records. During this period, she also composed music for the Theatre of Black Women play Chiaroscuro in 1985 and was part of the band for the show. Her early collaborations included work with artists such as Boy George, Anne Pigalle, and Donny Osmond. A notable early achievement was her appearance as a guest vocalist in the original lineup of The Charlie Watts Big Band, performing at Ronnie Scott’s in 1985. Her solo career gained momentum with an appearance on The Tube, a weekly music television program. In 1987, she signed with Warner Music Group and released her debut solo album, “The Corporate World,” in 1988, produced by Nathan East. The album received critical acclaim, including a five-star review and a spot on Q magazine’s Top 50 Albums of the Year list.
In 1991, Dorsey moved to Island Records and released her second solo album, “Rude Blue,” in 1992, featuring prominent musicians such as Mark Pender, Richie “La Bamba” Rosenberg, Carla Azar, Carol Steele, and the James Brown horn section. After nearly 12 years in England, she relocated to Woodstock, New York, in 1994. Her career took a significant turn in 1995 when she was recruited for David Bowie’s Outside Tour, marking the beginning of a 20-year collaboration that included multiple tours and nine of his albums. She became known for her bass playing and vocal contributions, notably singing lead on live versions of “Under Pressure” and dueting with Bowie on other songs. Throughout her career, Dorsey has also worked with a diverse array of artists, including The National, Lenny Kravitz, Bryan Ferry, Tears for Fears, The The, and many others, establishing her reputation as a versatile and respected session musician.
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