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.

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

Background

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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

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1960s

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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  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. ^ AllMusicThe 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

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  • 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.