The Progressive, conceptual Rock band known as the ALAN PARSONS PROJECT were created in 1974, initially as a project between THE BEATLES and PINK FLOYD studio engineer Alan Parsons and keyboard player Eric Woolfson, the pair having met in the canteen of Abbey Road Studios. Other musicians in the first studio band unit, which commenced recording in August 1975, included erstwhile PILOT guitarist Ian Bairnson, bassist David Paton and drummer Stuart Tosh.

The group's debut album, 'Tales Of Mystery And Imagination' in May 1976, broke the charts both in Britain and America, setting up the release of a follow up a year later. A challenging work based upon the works of Edgar Allan Poe, the opening ALAN PARSON'S PROJECT opus would go on to sell over eight million copies and be universally recognised as a landmark Progressive Rock outing. Notably, actor Leonard Whiting supplied narration to the song 'The Raven'. In the UK the album was originally simply branded as 'The Alan Parsons Project', switching to 'Tales Of Mystery And Imagination' after it had achieved gold sales status. In the USA the album peaked at no. 38 on the national charts. A single, '(The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Feather', reached no. 37.

Second album, 'I Robot', was based upon Isaac Asimov's sci-fi novel of the same name and featured guest lead vocals from Lenny Zaketek, Steve Harley, Jack Harris, Allan Clarke of THE HOLLIES, Peter Straker, Jaki Whitren and David Townshend together with new keyboard player Duncan Mackay. However, with Asimov having already granted the rights to his novel the album theme was generalised and the book title subtly revised to exclude a comma. The track 'Don't Let it Show' was subsequently covered by PAT BENATAR on her album 'In The Heat Of The Night'. 'I Robot' proved a commercial chart success, reaching no. 9 in the USA, 11 in Canada and 30 in the UK.

The June 1978 album also saw personnel changes, 'Pyramania' finding ex-10CC drummer Stuart Elliot supplanting Stuart Tosh. Vocals were handled by Colin Blunstone,Jack Harris, John Miles, Lenny Zakatek, Dean Ford and David Paton.

The ALAN PARSONS PROJECT scored a huge hit across Europe with August 1979's 'Eve' album. This work would be the only album to feature female lead vocalists, in Lesley Duncan and Clare Torry, both of whom had contributed to PINK FLOYD's 'Dark Side Of The Moon'. Also featured was the Orchestra Of The Munich Chamber Opera. In Austria the album was only held off the top spot by PINK FLOYD's 'The Wall'.

For the 1980 album 'Turn Of A Friendly Card' another guest lead vocalist was brought in with Chris Rainbow. Once again the record just missed the no. 1 position in Austria but maintained a tenacious grip in the charts for many months. The ALAN PARSONS PROJECT continued to use guest lead vocalists throughout their career, including ex-ZOMBIES man COLIN BLUNSTONE, Gary Brooker, Elmer Gantry of VELVET OPERA and STRETCH, David Paton and JOHN MILES.

The group scored a massive American hit in 1982 with 'Eye In The Sky' which reached no. 3 in the Billboard charts, the album of the same name being inspired by another sci-fi novel by Phillip K. Dick and reaching the top ten in America also finally landing the band a no.1 in Austria. In 1986 the band added bassist Lawrence Cottle, whose previous credits included session work for BLACK SABBATH's 'Tyr' album and further additions included keyboard player Richard Cottle and singer Geoff Barradale. Such was the band's standing that over 40 million records had been sold by 1986.

The group continued to issue new product on a regular basis, most achieving chart placings in the United Kingdom as well as the United States. In 2003 Woolfson made an ambitious return with his lavish ERIC WOOLFSON'S POE endeavour. The album, 'Tales Of Mystery And Imagination', proved to be a direct continuation of the Edgar Allan Poe themes from the debut ALAN PARSONS PROJECT album.