Helicon

In 1983 Chris Norman and Ken Kolodner established Helicon. Norman, a college drop-out handling flute and whistle, joined forces with Kolodner, who held a Ph.D. while overseeing hammered dulcimer and fiddle. The pair launched their joint performances and tours on the strength of a mutual fascination with Celtic music, an influence already evident on the 1985 debut album Daybreak. Robin Bullock was brought in during 1986 on guitar and cittern, at which point the ensemble began venturing past its Celtic base to sample musical traditions extending from South America to China.