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Roy Phillips
British musician (1941–2025) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.
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Background
Phillips was 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. From 2002, he lived in Christchurch, after moving there to marry his wife, Robyn.[2]
Phillips died in Christchurch on 24 April 2025, at the age of 83.[4]
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Career
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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 "My 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 Sixth Southern Comfort Jazz and Blues Festival that was held in New Zealand over 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 which he set up at his home in Christchurch after moving there in 2002.[4]
In August 2017, he appeared at Peppers Beachfront restaurant in Gisborne.[3]
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Discography (selective)
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External links
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