Roy Phillips

Roy Phillips
Phillips in 1968
Phillips in 1968
Background information
Birth nameRoy Godfrey Phillips
Born (1941-05-05) 5 May 1941 (age 83)
Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, England
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Keyboards, guitar
Years active1957–present
Websiteroyphillips.org

Roy Godfrey Phillips (born 5 May 1941) is a British musician. He was a member of The Soundtracks (a backing group of The Dowlands), The Saints and The Peddlers.

Background

Phillips is known as the voice and keyboard sound of well-known popular trio, The Peddlers which was formed in Manchester in 1964 .[1][2]

In later years, Phillips was so taken with New Zealand, he decided to move there in 1981.[3] After rejecting living in Auckland, Philips moved to Paihia, where he ran a café for eight years, before moving to Queenstown. Since 2002, he has lived in Christchurch, after moving there to marry his wife, Robyn.[4]

He is still performing and writing music.

Career

1960s

During the 1960s, Phillips was a member of The Song Peddlers which with addition of Trevor Morais became a trio. The lineup also included Tab Martin. The group were managed by Alan Lewis. A single "Rose Marie" bw "I'm Not Afraid" was released on the Philips label in 1964.[5] The group then became The Peddlers.[6][7] Also in 1964, and now known as The Peddlers they had some minor success with their debut single, "Let The Sun Shine In" which was written by Teddy Randazzo.[8][9][10]

Phillips was one of the musicians placed in the 1967 Beat Instrumental Gold Star Awards. He shared the no. 12 spot with Keith Emerson in the Keyboard Player category.[11] Also in the same awards, The Peddlers were placed at no. 18 in the Best Group on Stage category.[12]

The group would go on to have hits with "Birth" and "Girlie".[13][14]

1970s

In 1976, his group, Peddlers which he had led since 1964 broke up.[15] In the same year, Phillips's solo album Mr Peddler was released on Warner Bros. It also had a limited release as a private pressing on the Wild Cherry label as Heavy on the Light Side. The Wild Cherry release differed slightly from the Warner Bros. one.[16][17] Also that year he had a single " Spanish Sun" bw "The Office Party" out on the Sol-Doon label.[18]

1980s to 1990s

In 1983, Phillips had a single released on the Warrior label which included releases by artists the Mike McGregor Band, Mantra and Herbs. The single was "New Zealand, New Zealand" bw "Takapuna".[19][20] In 1987, his single "Step by step" bw "All girl planet" was released on Zulu Z006.[21] Also in the late 1980s, Phillips headed the Sunday bill at the 6th Southern Comfort Jazz and Blues Festival that was held in New Zealand over the Queen's Birthday weekend.[22][23]

2000s

In 2006, he appeared on the television show Close Up, interviewed by John Sellwood.[24]

In 2007, a song by Phillips, "Closer" was featured on a Lord Large album, The Lord's First XI. The album also featured recordings by Glenn Tilbrook, Clem Curtis, Dean Parrish and Linda Lewis.[25][26] Phillip's involvement in the project came about as a result of Large's friend, producer/drummer Jones who was honeymooning in New Zealand and had found a new drinking buddy who happened to be Phillips.[27]

His album called "Blue Groove" (2014) was produced and recorded at Roy's "Groove Room" Studios in Christchurch.[citation needed]

In August, 2017, he appeared at Peppers Beachfront restaurant in Gisborne, New Zealand.[28]

Discography (selective)

Singles
Title Catalogue Year Notes #
" Spanish Sun" / "The Office Party" Sol-Doon SDR 014 1976 [29]
"New Zealand, New Zealand" / "Takapuna" Warrior WAR 1009 1983
"Step By Step" / "A Girl Planet" Zulu Records Z 006 1987 [30][31]
Albums
Title Catalogue Year Notes #
Mr. Peddler Warner Bros. Records Z 26001 1976 New Zealand release[32]
Heavy On The Light Side Wild Cherry WCHLS 26776 1977 Private press release of Mr Peddler[33][34]
That's Way 'Tis Beyond Sound 2006 [35]
Blue Groove 2014 [36][37]
Standard Procedure 1 2019 [38]
Appears on
Act Album title Catalogue Year Song Notes #
Lord Large The Lord's First XI Acid Jazz Records AJXLP182 [39]

Citations

  1. ^ Jazz Forum, Issues 116-121 – Page 11
  2. ^ Stuff.co.nz, 16 June 2013 – Mood music for the meth-lab – Grant Smithies
  3. ^ The Gisborne Herald, 24 August 2017 – Smooth grooves with Peddler Roy Phillips by Mark Peters
  4. ^ Stuff.co.nz, 16 June 2013 – Mood music for the meth-lab – Grant Smithies
  5. ^ Mersey Beat – On My Liverpool Beat (cont.), FLAMINGOS By Bill Harry
  6. ^ AllMusic – The Peddlers – Music Biography, Credits and Discography
  7. '^ KinemaGigz – Peddlers Biogz 'P The Peddlers
  8. ^ 45Cat – The Peddlers – Discography, UK
  9. ^ Making Time – The Peddlers
  10. ^ Tootoot – Peddlers, The, Details
  11. ^ Beat Instrumental, Feb. 1967 – Page 20 BEAT INSTRUMENTAL'S 1967 GOLD STAR AWARDS, KEYBOARD PLAYER
  12. ^ Beat Instrumental, Feb. 1967 – Page 21 BEAT INSTRUMENTAL'S 1967 GOLD STAR AWARDS, Best Group on Stage
  13. ^ AllMusic – The Peddlers, Artist Biographyby Bruce Eder
  14. ^ Billboard, 30 May 1970 – Page 74 Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD, NEW ZEALAND SINGLES
  15. ^ Nostalgia Central – Music – 1960s, Peddlers, The
  16. ^ Discogs – Roy Phillips, Discography, Albums
  17. ^ Popsike – ROY PHILLIPS/PEDDLARS – HEAVY ON THE LIGHT SIDE – RARE PRIVATE PRESS JAZZ LP, Description
  18. ^ Global Dog Productions – 45 Discography for Sol Doon Records – UK
  19. ^ AudioCulture, 8 May 2013 – Warrior – Simon Grigg
  20. ^ When the Pakeha Sings of Home: A Source Guide to the Folk & Popular Songs of New Zealand, By Mike Harding – Page 77, Page 84
  21. ^ The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television – Catalogue → 21510, Step by step
  22. ^ Jazz Forum, Issues 116-121 – Page 11
  23. ^ Tommy Adderley (1940–1993): The Man and His Contributions to Pop, Jazz, and Rock Music in New Zealand, By Christine Mintrom – Page 149
  24. ^ The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound – Catalogue → TZP326971 CLOSE UP – ROYPHILLIPS
  25. ^ Discogs – Lord Large – The Lord's First XI
  26. ^ Scoop.co.nz, Wednesday, 19 July 2017 – The Voice of ‘the Peddlers’
  27. ^ Bisikleta Productions, Friday, 17 July 2009 – PAUL WELLER PENNED TUNE DONE BY LORD LARGE
  28. ^ The Gisborne Herald, 24 August 2017 – Smooth grooves with Peddler Roy Phillips by Mark Peters
  29. ^ Global Dog Productions – 45 Discography for Sol Doon Records – UK
  30. ^ Discogs – Roy Phillips, Discography, Singles & EPs
  31. ^ 45Cat – Roy Phillips – Discography, All Records
  32. ^ Discogs – Discography, Albums
  33. ^ Popsike – ROY PHILLIPS – Heavy On The Light Side VINYL LP
  34. ^ Popsike – 70s Easy Listening Pop Piano ROY PHILLIPS heavy on light side Rare UK Vinyl LP
  35. ^ National Library of Australia – 2006, English, Sound, Recorded musicedition:
    That's way 't is (sound recording) / Roy Phillips.
    Phillips, Roy, 1943-
  36. ^ NZ Musician – Home > Roy Phillips: Blue Groove
  37. ^ Gisborne Herald, 24 August 2017 – Smooth grooves with Peddler Roy Phillips By Mark Peters
  38. ^ GetJazz.net – Roy Phillips – Standard Procedure 1 (2019)
  39. ^ Discogs – Roy Phillips, Credits

References

  • Phillips, Roy. "Roy Phillips – a potted history". Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  • Thompson, Gordon (2007). "Birth of a Nation: 1941". Skidmore College. Retrieved 6 December 2009.