Simon Apple

Simon Apple
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Genres Progressive rock, Pop rock, Jazz rock, Christian rock
Years active 1987–present
Labels Independent, Trunk Records
Website Official website
Members Dan Merrill (vocals, guitar)
Jeff Miller (piano, guitar)
Buzz Saylor (drums)

Simon Apple is an American progressive rock band based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

History

Early Years

The band was formed in late 1987 in the Reading, Pennsylvania area (outside of Philadelphia) as a cover band playing music of Genesis, Rush, Electric Light Orchestra, Supertramp, Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, Kansas, Billy Joel, Elton John, Marillion, Level 42, Earth Wind & Fire, Bruce Hornsby, Toto, etc. The original line-up included Jeff Miller (keyboards), Buzz Saylor (drums), Mark Ludwig (guitar), Kurt Manderbach (bass), Brad Weisman (vocals). The band also incorporated a 3-piece horn section on select gigs (Dave Miller - sax, Harry Stevenson - trumpet, Lou Zanine - trombone). The band later went through a few personnel changes that included Alisa Anderson (vocals), Warren Daugherty (bass) replacing Weisman & Manderbach. At the time, the horn section was dropped, but Dave Miller remained on sax as a feature on many Pink Floyd and Supertramp songs.

1992-1995

Saylor and Miller decided to stop performing as a cover band and pursue their own songs. The band invited guitarist Eric Beebe to join. The band became a 3-piece, with additional players live, adding Stefon Pizzuto on bass, and Kevin Checket on drums. Saylor became the lead vocalist at this time.

1996-1999

John Feldmann took over as lead vocalist and live guitarist. Jeff Miller performed guitar in addition to keyboards in studio on From The Toybox. Saylor went back to the drum seat. Beebe and Checket had departed. Pizzuto remained in the live band. In early 1998 Simon Apple independently released their first single "It's Over", taken from their debut CD From The Toybox.

2000-2007

Feldmann left the band due to family commitments. Miller and Saylor invited Dan Merrill from Portland, Maine, to join the band. Writing and production then began on what would become River To The Sea.

The 2004 album release, River To The Sea, featured several Grammy-winning and multi-platinum guest artists.

Discography

Albums

EPs

Member solo albums

Dan Merrill

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