Roy Phillips
{{Short description|British musician (1941–2025)}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image = Roy Phillips British musician (cropped).png
| caption = Phillips in 1968
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name = Roy Godfrey Phillips
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1941|5|5|df=y}}
| birth_place = Poole, Dorset, England
| death_date = {{death date and age|2025|04|24|1941|5|5|df=y}}
| death_place = Christchurch, New Zealand
| instrument = Keyboards, guitar
| genre =
| occupation = Musician
| years_active = 1957–2025
| website = {{URL|royphillips.org}}
}}
Roy Godfrey Phillips (5 May 1941 – 24 April 2025) was a British musician. He was a member of The Soundtracks (a backing group of The Dowlands), The Saints and The Peddlers.
Background
Phillips was known as the voice and keyboard sound of well-known popular trio, The Peddlers which was formed in Manchester in 1964.Jazz Forum, Issues 116-121 – [https://books.google.com/books?id=_RRMAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Roy+Phillips%22Peddlers Page 11]Stuff.co.nz, 16 June 2013 – [http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/8782413/Mood-music-for-the-meth-lab Mood music for the meth-lab – Grant Smithies]
In later years, Phillips was so taken with New Zealand, he decided to move there in 1981.The Gisborne Herald, 24 August 2017 – [http://gisborneherald.co.nz/entertainment/2957912-135/smooth-grooves-with-peddler-roy-phillips Smooth grooves with Peddler Roy Phillips by Mark Peters] After rejecting living in Auckland, Philips moved to Paihia, where he ran a café for eight years, before moving to Queenstown. From 2002, he lived in Christchurch, after moving there to marry his wife, Robyn.
Phillips died in Christchurch on 24 April 2025, at the age of 83.{{Cite web |last=Cammick |first=Murray |author-link=Murray Cammick |date=24 April 2025 |orig-date=4 June 2020 |title=Roy Phillips |url=https://www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/roy-phillips |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=AudioCulture |language=en |ref=AudioCulture}}
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.Mersey Beat – [http://www.triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/a-z/liverpool-beat4.shtml On My Liverpool Beat (cont.), FLAMINGOS By Bill Harry] The group then became The Peddlers.AllMusic – [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-peddlers-mn0000893398 The Peddlers – Music Biography, Credits and Discography]KinemaGigz – [https://www.kinemagigz.com/%27p%27.htm#The Peddlers 'Biogz P' : The Peddlers] 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.45Cat – [http://www.45cat.com/artist/the-peddlers The Peddlers – Discography, UK]Making Time – [http://www.makingtime.co.uk/peddlers.html The Peddlers]Tootoot – [https://tootoot.fm/en/5477116790165009088ccaac/ Peddlers, The, Details]
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.Beat Instrumental, Feb. 1967 – [https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Beat-Instrumental/6802-Beat-Instrumental-1968-02-OCR.pdf Page 20 BEAT INSTRUMENTAL'S 1967 GOLD STAR AWARDS, KEYBOARD PLAYER] Also in the same awards, The Peddlers were placed at no. 18 in the Best Group on Stage category.Beat Instrumental, Feb. 1967 – [https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Beat-Instrumental/6802-Beat-Instrumental-1968-02-OCR.pdf Page 21 BEAT INSTRUMENTAL'S 1967 GOLD STAR AWARDS, Best Group on Stage]
The group would go on to have hits with "Birth" and "Girlie".AllMusic – [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-peddlers-mn0000893398 The Peddlers, Artist Biographyby Bruce Eder]Billboard, 30 May 1970 – [https://books.google.com/books?id=fSkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22The+Peddlers%22Girlie+Billboard&pg=RA1-PA74 Page 74 Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD, NEW ZEALAND SINGLES]
= 1970s =
In 1976, his group, Peddlers which he had led since 1964 broke up.Nostalgia Central – [https://nostalgiacentral.com/music/artists-l-to-z/artists-p/peddlers-the/ Music – 1960s, Peddlers, The]
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.Discogs – [https://www.discogs.com/artist/646807-Roy-Phillips?filter_anv=0&subtype=Albums&type=Releases Roy Phillips, Discography, Albums]Popsike – [https://www.popsike.com/ROY-PHILLIPSPEDDLARS-HEAVY-ON-THE-LIGHT-SIDE-RARE-PRIVATE-PRESS-JAZZ-LP/321652320460.html ROY PHILLIPS/PEDDLARS – HEAVY ON THE LIGHT SIDE – RARE PRIVATE PRESS JAZZ LP, Description] Also that year he had a single "My Spanish Sun" bw "The Office Party" out on the Sol-Doon label.Global Dog Productions – [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/s/sol_doon.html 45 Discography for Sol Doon Records – UK]
= 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".AudioCulture, 8 May 2013 – [https://www.audioculture.co.nz/labels/warrior Warrior – Simon Grigg]When the Pakeha Sings of Home: A Source Guide to the Folk & Popular Songs of New Zealand, By Mike Harding – [https://books.google.com/books?id=_fjZAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Roy+Phillips%22 Page 77, Page 84]
In 1987, his single "Step By Step" bw "All Girl Planet" was released on Zulu Z006.The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television – [https://ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?record_id=215203 Catalogue → 21510, Step by step] Also in the late 1980s, Phillips headed the Sunday bill at the Sixth Southern Comfort Jazz and Blues Festival that was held in New Zealand over Queen's Birthday Weekend.Jazz Forum, Issues 116-121 – [https://books.google.com/books?id=_RRMAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Roy+Phillips%22 Page 11]Tommy Adderley (1940–1993): The Man and His Contributions to Pop, Jazz, and Rock Music in New Zealand, By Christine Mintrom – [https://books.google.com/books?id=P7gOFPeHjs0C&dq=%22Roy+Phillips%22New+Zealand%2C+New+Zealand%22&pg=PA149 Page 149]
= 2000s =
In 2006, he appeared on the television show Close Up, interviewed by John Sellwood.The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound – [https://ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?record_id=724062 Catalogue → TZP326971 CLOSE UP – ROYPHILLIPS]
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.Discogs – [https://www.discogs.com/Lord-Large-The-Lords-First-XI/release/3159193 Lord Large – The Lord's First XI]Scoop.co.nz, Wednesday, 19 July 2017 – [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1707/S00256/the-voice-of-the-peddlers.htm The Voice of ‘the Peddlers’] 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.Bisikleta Productions, Friday, 17 July 2009 – [http://bisikletaproductions.blogspot.com/2009/07/ PAUL WELLER PENNED TUNE DONE BY LORD LARGE]
His album called Blue Groove (2014) was produced and recorded at Roy's "Groove Room" Studios which he set up at his home in Christchurch after moving there in 2002.
In August 2017, he appeared at Peppers Beachfront restaurant in Gisborne.
Discography (selective)
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ Singles |
| scope="col" class="unsortable" | Title
! scope="col" | Catalogue ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes # |
|---|
| scope="row" | "Spanish Sun" / "The Office Party"
| Sol-Doon SDR 014 | 1976 |
| scope="row" | "New Zealand, New Zealand" / "Takapuna"
| Warrior WAR 1009 | 1983 | |
| scope="row" | "Step By Step" / "A Girl Planet"
| Zulu Records Z 006 | 1987 | Discogs – [https://www.discogs.com/artist/646807-Roy-Phillips?filter_anv=0&subtype=Singles-EPs&type=Releases Roy Phillips, Discography, Singles & EPs]45Cat – [http://www.45cat.com/artist/roy-phillips Roy Phillips – Discography, All Records] |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ Appears on |
| scope="col" class="unsortable" | Act
! scope="col" | Album title ! scope="col" | Catalogue ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Song ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes # |
|---|
| scope="row" | Lord Large
| The Lord's First XI | Acid Jazz Records AJXLP182 | | |
Citations
{{reflist}}
References
- {{cite web |first=Roy |last=Phillips |title=Roy Phillips – a potted history |url=http://www.royphillips.org/then.html |accessdate=6 December 2009 |ref=Phillips}}
- {{cite web |first=Gordon |last=Thompson |publisher=Skidmore College |title=Birth of a Nation: 1941 |year=2007 |url=http://www.skidmore.edu/~gthompso/britrock/60brchro/60brch41.html |accessdate=6 December 2009 |ref=Thompson}}
External links
- {{IMDb name| 0680759}}
- {{discogs artist|Roy Phillips}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Phillips, Roy}}
Category:Entertainers from Poole
Category:English pop guitarists
Category:English male guitarists
Category:English multi-instrumentalists