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Gryphon was a UK progressive rock group that evolved from a hardcore medieval-folk style into a diverse rock ensemble. They gained recognition for their lengthy progressive pieces on the album "Red Queen" and memorable pastoral pop-rock on "Treason." The band formed in 1973 with members Richard Harvey, Brian Gulland, Graeme Taylor, and David Oberle. In 1974, Philip Nestor joined the group but left in 1975, leading to the addition of Malcolm Bennett and Ernest Hart. Gryphon disbanded after releasing their final album, "Treason," in 1977. Initially, Richard Harvey and Brian Gulland, both Royal College of Music graduates, started the group as an all-acoustic ensemble that blended traditional English folk music with medieval and Renaissance influences. They were later joined by guitarist Graeme Taylor and drummer/percussionist Dave Oberlé. Following their self-titled debut, the band expanded their sound to include electric guitars and keyboards, as well as wind instruments like bassoons and krumhorns, which were not commonly used in rock music. Gryphon's early recordings often resembled rural English folk or Renaissance chansons. After their third album, "Red Queen to Gryphon Three," and a subsequent tour supporting Yes, their instrumentation became more conventional, reducing the use of non-standard instruments. Fans and critics generally regard "Midnight Mushrumps" and the all-instrumental "Red Queen to Gryphon Three" as their finest works.

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