Glass Tiger, hailing from Canada, attained broad commercial recognition in 1986 through the arrival of their debut album The Thin Red Line, an effort that earned quadruple platinum status. Anchored in anthemic pop/rock laced with new wave textures, the set showcased the ensemble’s defining singles “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” and “Someday.” The band completed two further studio albums before suspending activities in 1993. Returning in 2003 chiefly as a live act, they unveiled their fourth long-player, 31, in 2018, then the 33 EP in 2019 and the holiday set Songs for a Winter Night in 2020.
Originally known as Tokyo, the Newmarket, Ontario-based outfit coalesced in 1983 with vocalist Alan Frew, bassist Wayne Parker, keyboardist Sam Reid, drummer Michael Hanson, and guitarist Al Connelly at its core. Their Capitol Records bow, 1986’s The Thin Red Line, became the fastest-selling debut in Canadian history and yielded five charting singles, most notably the worldwide success “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone),” which prominently featured Bryan Adams on the chorus. That album secured three Juno Awards and two Grammy nominations for the group. Their 1988 follow-up, Diamond Sun, attained triple platinum certification in Canada, propelled by the title track and the number-two single “I’m Still Searching,” and coincided with Hanson’s departure, after which Connelly, Frew, Parker, and Reid carried on. The 1991 album Simple Mission contained the U.K. charting track “My Town,” on which Frew shared lead vocals with Rod Stewart.
Following their 1993 hiatus, the musicians reconvened a decade later for touring duties, augmented by drummer Christopher McNeil. They marked 31 years together with the 2018 release of 31, helmed by producer Johnny Reid and featuring guest spots from Julian Lennon and Alan Doyle. Their fifth studio album, 33, surfaced the next year. In 2022 they issued the star-studded holiday LP Songs for a Winter’s Night, which mixed seasonal standards, original material, and a cover of the Gordon Lightfoot-penned title track.
