Guy Babylon (December 20, 1956 – September 2, 2009) was a keyboardist/composer, most noted for his work with Elton John.
Babylon was born in New Windsor, Maryland. Growing up listening to the likes of Led Zeppelin, Yes and Gentle Giant, he attended Francis Scott Key High School and then moved on to the University of South Florida, earning a BFA in music composition. Upon graduation, he moved to Los Angeles, California. In 1988, he joined Elton John's studio and touring band, appearing on the album Sleeping With the Past. In 1990, he performed with the group Warpipes, a side project of fellow Elton John member Davey Johnstone.
Guy Babylon also arranged many Elton John introductions, including those used in "Bennie and the Jets" and "Pinball Wizard". 2001 was a good year for Babylon, as he won a Grammy Award for his contributions on the Elton John / Tim Rice musical Aida. Babylon also worked extensively on the Elton John / Bernie Taupin musical Lestat, (based on the Anne Rice novels). Until his death, he lived in Los Angeles with his wife and children, and was a member of Elton John's six-member touring and recording band. He died of a heart attack on September 2, 2009, while swimming in a pool.
Famous quotes containing the words guy and/or babylon:
“Andrews: Do you mind if I ask a question frankly? Do you love my daughter?
Peter: Any guy that’d fall in love with your daughter ought to have his head examined.
Andrews: Now that’s an evasion.
Peter: She grabbed herself a perfect running mate. King Westley! The pill of the century. What she needs is a guy that’d take a sock at her once a day, whether it’s coming to her or not.”
—Robert Riskin (1897–1955)
“The stars which shone over Babylon and the stable in Bethlehem still shine as brightly over the Empire State Building and your front yard today. They perform their cycles with the same mathematical precision, and they will continue to affect each thing on earth, including man, as long as the earth exists.”
—Linda Goodman (b. 1929)