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Lee was born on June 16th 1963, in London. He has remained in London to this day. A love of music was inherited from his father (who, himself achieved "pop success" as lead vocalist with Lee Diamond & The Cherokees in the late '60s) and his grandmother who used to sing in pubs in her native Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland.

Lee is influenced by many diverse forms of music from pop to heavy rock, jazz to classical, folk to avant garde. Favourite albums: Relayer – Yes, Paradise Lost – Symphony X, In A Glass House – Gentle Giant, Scarlet’s Walk – Tori Amos, Scenes From A Memory – Dream Theater, Wind & Wuthering – Genesis, Abbey Road – the Beatles, Greatest Hits – Abba.

Lee also majored in art at college and it is his design that graces the cover of the first album from Konchordat - "English Ghosts". Lee is in a relationship, has a cat but desperately wants a dog, is a "chocoholic" and doesn't have a nut allergy. Lee is also quite possibly insane!

 

CV

·         Lead voice in school choir (including performance at St. Pauls Cathedral, London)​

·         Learned cello at 13 years of age.

·         First band (while still at school) "Fallout" playing percussion/backing vocals.

·         Joined contemporary rock band "Monolith" as lead vocalist (1980-81). It was in this band, he first met Steve.

·         After leaving "Monolith" in early '81, first attempt at new band called "Tesco Shopping Trolley" (featuring Stuart Martin) fails.

·         Formation of progressive rock band, "Arque" in 1981. Lead vocals (plus additional guitar & keyboards).

·         Assorted session work through 1981-2.

·         First recording: "Tales From The Crypt" e.p released, featuring two self penned songs out of three.

·         In early '82 drafted in Steve Cork on bass/bass pedals and, in early '83, Stuart Martin on guitar.

·         "Arque" secure residencies at local venues 'The Tramshed', in Woolwich and 'The Old Tiger's Head' in Lee Green.

·         "Document" e.p released (produced by Dave Hewson) released, featuring two self penned songs, one co-written with Steve and one co-written with keyboard player Neil Watts

·         "Arque" appear in local press, pirate radio and are interviewed on BBC Radio Kent ('Kent Rocks' show). Bronze Records (home of Uriah Heep, Motorhead and Robin George show interest.

·         Allied to the burgeoning Prog-Rock Revival, signing up Keith Goodwin as publicist. Support gigs with noted bands such as Quasar follow.

·         Break up of "Arque", leading to "After Dark" - a more commercial/AOR band in 1986. Lead vocals/percussion.

·         "Exhibit One" 12" vinyl e.p (produced by Dave Hewson) released. Two self penned songs and two co-written with Steve.

·         Residency at 'The Tramshed', Woolwich.

·         "The Splendour Falls" e.p (produced by Mike Myers) released. Two self penned songs feature alongside a composition from Steve.

·         At the end of 1988, "After Dark" (now called "The Main Event") folds.

·         1989 starts with a new band, "Union" playing commercial edged 'Prog Pop'. Lead vocals/percussion/additional keyboards.

·         "Union" release the "Letter Of Introduction" e.p: three songs, two of which are self penned.

·         Showcase gig in London's Covent Garden (at 'The Rock Garden').

·         Prestigious appearance at London's Hammersmith Palais opening proceeding for Kate Bush at a fan club convention. Residency at the Royal Standard, Walthamstow.

·         "Union" splits up in 1993.

·         1993-1994: solo composition and assorted session work (vocals/keyboards/bass guitar).

·         Joined 'function band' "Just Us" (keyboards/vocals) in 1995. Played media-covered gala for Multiple Sclerosis charity.

·         Audition tapes sent to Genesis, after Phil Collins left the band. Needless to say...didn't get the gig. "No wonder they broke up afterwards!!!" Also auditioned for G2enesis (a "tribute band"). This, too, came to nothing..."probably just as well".

·         Began work on new ideas for a progressive project called "Masque" (essentially a 'label' for self penned songs) in 1996 (and ongoing...).

·         More guest session work throughout 1997-8 (vocals/keyboards/bass guitar).

·         Joined a 'loose folk collective' in late 1998 called "Instruments Of Torture". Bass/keyboards/vocals/acoustic guitar.

·         Broke away from "I.O.T" in 2002 to form "Thymentyde" playing harder edged electric folk rock. Bass/vocals/keyboards.

·         Release of "Over The Undertow" album in 2004. All songs are reworkings of traditional pieces.

·         Various gigs across the UK at Medieval re-enactment events throughout 2004-6.

·         Release of "Stranded" e.p in 2006. Three traditional pieces.

·         First appearance at 'Folk Ale Festival' in Kent.

·         Offshoot project formed called "SydeEffekt" with "Thymentyde" colleague Ray Box in 2007. Playing progressive folk. Vocals/keyboards/bass/drums & percussion.

·         Release of eponymously titled album "SydeEffekt". One self penned song featured.

·         Appearances with "Thymentyde" at second 'Folk Ale Festival' and at events throughout the UK, features material from the "SydeEffekt" album.

·         Quits "Thymentyde" at the end of 2007. Band folds. "SydeEffekt" still ongoing.

·         End of 2008, phone call received: Lee Harding and Steve Cork are musical re-united after 16 years. Plans made for new progressive rock project called "Konchordat".

·         First "Konchordat" album released, “English Ghosts” – with all but one of the songs being written or co-written by Lee Harding.

·         Quits "Konchordat" acrimoniously, mid 2010, after “personal and professional differences” with new (and one time guest) member, Stuart Martin, during writing sessions for what would be the second album. The remaining duo (Cork and Martin) systematically remove any reference of Lee Harding’s time with the band and attempt to belittle his musical output and musicianship. Thankfully, among many - especially those who were 'there' at the project's start, this unprofessional ploy fails.

·         A call ‘out of the blue’ from poet/author/artist, Chris Madoch, saying that previous work was very good and well respected sees the start of a new project – "Queer Messiah Banned" which begins almost immediately work with "Konchordat" ended. Unfortunately this project ceases after a year of writing and recording demos when Madoch grows impatient and bored of the project.

·         At the close of 2012, Lee Harding begins work on a new project – going very much back to his Progressive Rock/Contemporary roots. This project will see input from a vast array of talented guest musicians from the UK and overseas. Within the space of a year, enough songs have been written for at least 3 albums. The name of the project is…

​FIRMAMENT.​

 

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INSTRUMENTS

Voice, Keyboards, Guitars & Bass, Drums & Percussion, Cello, Celtic Harp.