I started out my musical career in the 60’s as a drummer & vocalist, singing and playing in a band both in the UK & on the Continent. Some of my first professional engagements in Germany was at the famous Star Club and Top Ten Club Hamburg, where my group 'Linda Laine and the Sinners' played alongside Elton Johns first band 'Bluesology'. I have many little anecdotes I could relate but chose to share the following with you. Reg Dwight (Elton)
was the keyboard player with Bluesology & they wouldn’t let him sing too much, he only sang 2 songs then...but look at him now, we all had a great time together.
During the 60's I recorded many times at the EMI Abbey Road Studios made famous by the Beatles. When appearing on the same bill as the Beatles I asked Ringo Starr politely to move his drums, to which he replied " We've got a roadie who does that" !. What a night that was, the 'Beatles' were fabulous, just four nice lads from Liverpool who couldn't believe the success they had found. The State Ballroom Kilburn had never seen anything like it before......Beatlemania had finally arrived.
I once appeared on a TV show called Discs A Gogo recorded in Bristol and an unknown singer named Tom Jones was on the same show, he was very pleasant to talk to but had to dash off after recording the show to do a gig at a Working Mens Club in Wales with his group The Squires ....................the rest is history.
During the 70's I worked as a session musician for various music publishers & songwriters in and around London recording several times at Ex Beatles producer George Martin's famous Air London studios where I recorded for RCA records. I also recorded for the BBC recording many radio shows for Terry Wogan & Jimmy Young with my band Peanuts, which was a group managed by the Barron Knights manager, Tony Averne.
On to the present.
For the past few years I have been taking bookings as a solo keyboard player/vocalist and enjoy playing & singing a variety of music, particularly songs from the 'Great American Songbooks' and great pop classics. The majority of my bookings are for private functions, such as Weddings, Anniversaries, Private Parties, Restaurants, Hotels & Golf Clubs (Functions). I am always busy with Christmas & New Year functions so it is advisable to book early for these. I sing & play a variety of music appropriate to the function & the requirements of the person booking me.
Harmonica
The Harmonica is another one of my instruments I play & it is featured on 3 songs on my CD.
I particularly enjoy the Harmonica style of Stevie Wonder.
The Barron Knights
As well as my solo work as a keyboard player & vocalist, I am a member of the Barron Knights and have been their keyboard player, and one of their vocalists for the past 4 years playing in Theatres all over England, during which time I have had the pleasure of meeting & working with many wonderful stars including Frank Carson, Paul Daniels & Debbie McGee, Jonathon Morris
(From the TV sitcom Bread), Bobby Davro, Duncan Norvelle and also with groups from the 60’s,
‘The Tremeloes’, ‘The Fortunes’ & ‘Marmalade’.
Some commonly asked questions .
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