SYNERGY / Larry Fast

Larry Fast is best known for his series of pioneering electronic music albums recorded under the project name SYNERGY.

The shimmering electronic textures of the first SYNERGY album in 1975 led to an invitation for Larry to come to Europe and work with the distinguished British-German band Nektar, then enjoying Top 20 success in the US. Following an album ("Recycled") and a tour with Nektar, Larry was contacted by Peter Gabriel who had recently left Genesis. Larry was asked to contribute to Peter's subsequent solo albums and tours. Larry's synthesizer playing is heard on all of Peter's early solo albums, but Peter's breakthrough albums, his third solo record (the one with "Games Without Frontiers" and "Biko"), and "Security" ("Shock The Monkey") feature Larry's electronic production skills, as well as him introducing Peter to programmable drum machines, leading to a newfound emphasis on rhythm in Peter's music. Larry also rounded out the production team on many of Peter's albums.

During his career Larry has worked as an electronic music composer/arranger and producer contributing to numerous platinum-selling recordings with world-renown artists. Performers as diverse as Nektar, Bonnie Tyler, Foreigner, Hall & Oates, Annie Haslam (Renaissance), The Strawbs, Meat Loaf, Barbra Streisand, and many others have called on Larry's electronic production talents.

Larry's production credits show the influence that his control of music technology has had on other artists’ styles. Larry has worked with an endless stream of world-class artists and producers, as well as a producer himself. Artists as diverse as Hall & Oates, Foreigner, Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora and David Bryan, Barbra Streisand, Annie Haslam (Renaissance), The Strawbs, Randy Newman, Joan Armatrading, Meat Loaf and many others have called on Larry's talents. In recognition of this expertise, as well as being an electronic arranger and sound consultant, Larry Fast/SYNERGY has been the recipient of Keyboard Magazine's annual award for Best Synthesist. Other projects have included new albums and tours with former Peter Gabriel bandmates Tony Levin and Jerry Marotta performing as the Grammy® nominated Tony Levin Band; as co-writer and co-producer on Annie Haslam's newest recordings, The Strawbs 50th Anniversary shows, and numerous other projects. Larry has also appeared onstage as a member of Wendy Carlos' Switched On Bach Ensemble.

Larry’s media experience stems from decades of projects for companies such as Disney, XM Satellite Radio and Tribune Broadcasting, and contributing to documentary and feature film projects. Larry is co-producer and co-writing historian for the documentary film Saving The Great Swamp airing on PBS about a conflict more than 50 years ago seeking to stop construction of a massive jetport. 

With a degree in history from Lafayette College plus additional studies in architecture and engineering technology, Larry has been appointed to several government historic preservation positions. As a technology history specialist, Larry serves on the board of the Thomas Edison National Historic Park and EMEAPP.org. His developments in infrared audio technology have earned him several patents.  

Synergy® is a registered US trademark used by permission of Synergy Electronic Music, Inc.