Gillian Mary Smyth was an English musician best known for co-founding the psychedelic rock group Gong with her partner Daevid Allen in 1967. She also released music with spinoff groups Mother Gong and Planet Gong as well as releasing several solo albums and albums in collaboration with other members of Gong. In Gong, she often performed under the name Shakti Yoni, contributing poems and vocals dubbed "space whispers".
Smyth performing with Gong in Tel Aviv, 2009
Gilli Smyth with Daevid Allen, Hyde Park, 1974
Gong are a psychedelic rock band that incorporates elements of jazz and space rock into their musical style. The group was formed in Paris in 1967 by Australian musician Daevid Allen and English vocalist Gilli Smyth. Band members have included Didier Malherbe, Pip Pyle, Steve Hillage, Mike Howlett, Tim Blake, Pierre Moerlen, Bill Laswell and Theo Travis. Others who have played on stage with Gong include Don Cherry, Chris Cutler, Bill Bruford, Brian Davison, Dave Stewart and Tatsuya Yoshida.
Gong live in Tel Aviv, 31 October 2009 (left to right) Steve Hillage, Gilli Smyth, Chris Taylor, Dave Sturt, Daevid Allen
Gilli Smyth and Daevid Allen, Hyde Park, 1974
Steve Hillage, Hyde Park, 1974
Kavus Torabi and Cheb Nettles both joined the band in 2014.