Gary Shail
Gary Shail embarked on his career in television and film in 1977, quickly gaining recognition for his portrayal of Spider in the 1979 iconic film Quadrophenia. He also captured audience attention as Steve, the rebellious teenager in the beloved television series The Metal Mickey.
In 1980, Shail showcased his talent in the mini-series The Further Adventures of Oliver Twist. He continued to make his mark in the industry with memorable roles, such as Oscar Drill in Shock Treatment, the 1981 sequel to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Guy Raines in the 1983 BBC production Johnny Jarvis. Notably, he composed the original songs and theme for Johnny Jarvis, earning a nomination for the esteemed Ivor Novello Awards. In 1988, he took on the gritty role of "Billy White," a tough pimp, in the Jack the Ripper mini-series featuring Michael Caine. His television credits also include appearances in The Bill, Casualty, and The Professionals.
Shail transitioned into music production in 1995, collaborating with Natural Sound Source in London to create music for television, film, and advertising. In 2004, he produced the Arabic fusion album Infinity in Dubai.
In 2010, he returned to the studio to work on his autobiographical album, Daze Like This, which featured a mix of new compositions and reimagined themes from Johnny Jarvis. The album garnered critical acclaim but did not achieve widespread success, partly due to Shail's hesitance to adapt to the digital music landscape. In October 2015, he released his memoir, I Think I'm On The Guest List, published by New Haven Publishing Ltd.