Gregory James Norton (born March 13, 1959) is an American musician, formerly of the band

Hüsker Dü Hüsker Dü () was an American punk rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist/vocalist Bob Mould, bassist/vocalist Greg Norton, and drummer/vocalist Grant Hart. They first gained notabili ...

Early life

Norton was born in Davenport, Iowa, as this was the most local Catholic hospital to his family’s home in

Rock Island, Illinois Rock Island is a city in and the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The original Rock Island, from which the city name is derived, is now called Arsenal Island. The population was 37,108 at the 2020 census. Located on ...

. He attended Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.

Career

Norton first began playing with the band that would become

with

Grant Hart Grantzberg Vernon Hart (March 18, 1961 – September 13, 2017) was an American musician, best known as the drummer and co-songwriter for the punk rock band Hüsker Dü. After the band's breakup in 1988, he released his first solo album '' ...

Bob Mould Robert Arthur Mould (born October 16, 1960) is an American musician, principally known for his work as guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for alternative rock bands Hüsker Dü in the 1980s and Sugar in the 1990s. Early years Born in Malone ...

, and keyboardist Charlie Pine in 1979 as "Buddy and the Returnables," after meeting them through his job at St. Paul record store Cheapo Records. Norton played bass on all of Hüsker Dü's recordings from its formation to its breakup album '' Warehouse: Songs and Stories''. While the majority of the band's songwriting was done by bandmates Bob Mould and Grant Hart, Norton contributed the songs "M.T.C.," "Don't Have a Life" and "Let's Go Die" to Hüsker Dü's debut EP ''

Land Speed Record The land speed record (or absolute land speed record) is the highest speed achieved by a person using a vehicle on land. There is no single body for validation and regulation; in practice the Category C ("Special Vehicles") flying start regula ...

''. After Hüsker Dü disbanded in 1988, Norton formed the band Grey Area with Hüsker Dü engineer and former member of Fine Art Colin Mansfield as well as Jo Jones. After Grey Area disbanded in 1991, Norton left the music business to focus on the restaurant business, opening The Norton's Restaurant (now closed) in

Red Wing, Minnesota Red Wing is a city in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, along the upper Mississippi River. The population was 16,547 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Goodhue County. This city is named for early 19th-century Dakota Sioux c ...

. Norton returned to the recording industry in 2006, with a new avant jazz band, Gang Font feat. Interloper. The group is composed of Norton, Dave King (of The Bad Plus, Happy Apple,

Halloween, Alaska Halloween, Alaska is a Minnesota-based band consisting of James Diers (voice, guitar, keys), Jake Hanson (brother of Tapes 'n Tapes drummer Jeremy Hanson, guitar), Bill Shaw (electric bass guitar), and Dave King (acoustic and electronic drums). ...

, 12 Rods and the Love-Cars), Erik Fratzke of Zebulon Pike and Happy Apple, and Craig Taborn. In 2016, Norton joined

La Crosse, Wisconsin La Crosse is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of La Crosse County. Positioned alongside the Mississippi River, La Crosse is the largest city on Wisconsin's western border. La Crosse's population as of the 2020 census ...

band Porcupine as their bass player to replace Davey Reinders. Norton has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the

Minneapolis Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with list of lakes in Minneapolis, thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. ...

nightclub First Avenue for his work with Hüsker Dü. The stars recognize performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue. Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh.

References

External links

Greg Norton's MySpace
{{DEFAULTSORT:Norton, Greg 1959 births Living people American punk rock bass guitarists Alternative rock bass guitarists People from Rock Island, Illinois Hüsker Dü members Hardcore punk musicians American restaurateurs Guitarists from Minnesota Guitarists from Illinois American male bass guitarists 20th-century American bass guitarists 20th-century American male musicians