Roger Ferris Explained

Roger Ferris[1] is a British pop music composer, prevalent throughout the 1970s and 1980s.[2] He is father of British pianist, arranger, and producer and Steinway & Sons global ambassador Dominic Ferris.[3] [4]

Composition work

In 1975 Ferris wrote the Top 30 UK chart hit single[5] [6] "My Last Night With You" for The Arrows.[7] The song was produced by Mickie Most on his RAK label,[8] [9] and as recorded by The Arrows was also a top 30 chart hit in Switzerland.[10] Ferris wrote two more songs for The Arrows, both released in 1975 in the UK and Europe: "Hard Hearted" and "Broken Down Heart", both released in 1975. "Broken Down Heart" was the B-side of the first version of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll"[11] (made famous in the US by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts in 1981).[12]

In 1979, Ferris went on to co-write with Glo Macari a further two international hits for RAK. These were "Boy Oh Boy",[7] recorded by Racey and also produced by Mickie Most, and "Babe It's Up To You", recorded by Smokie.[13] Both songs charted in various European territories.[14] [15] [16] [17]

Prior to his association with RAK, Ferris was the lyricist for the theme song of the 1970s comedy film, On the Buses.[18] [3]

Sound engineering work

Ferris was a sound engineer on recordings by The Beatles at Abbey Road Studios in the late 1960s.[19] He assisted on the following tracks on Let It Be (1970):[20] [21]

1990s - 2010s

Since the 1990s, Ferris has been the bass player and co-writer for the British blues trio Smokestack.[22] The band were invited to guest for a live session on the Paul Jones blues programme on BBC Radio 2 in 1999.[23]

He has a musical duo with songwriter and musician Glo Macari.[3] Glo Macari is part of the Macari family, who run the musical instrument store Macari's on Denmark Street, London.[24] [3] [4]

Family

Roger Ferris's son is the British pianist, music producer and arranger Dominic Ferris.[4] Dominic graduated from the Royal College of Music.[25] [26] [3] He is a global ambassador for Steinway & Sons pianos,[27] [28] [29] and currently tours the world with various musical acts.

Dominic arranged and recorded piano at Abbey Road Studios[30] for the UK number one album by Elvis Presley: If I Can Dream. Dominic joined the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra as Assistant Musical Director and pianist for the accompanying UK arena tour and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for the US anniversary tour. The arena tour finished with a performance at Graceland with Priscilla Presley for the Elvis 40th Anniversary Celebrations.[31] [32] [33] [34]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Artist: Roger Ferris. Secondhandsongs.com. 24 April 2023.
  2. Web site: Roger Ferris. Discogs.com. 23 April 2023.
  3. Web site: LATEST NEWS LIVE Glo Macari and Roger Ferris. 23 April 2023. YouTube.
  4. Web site: DOMINIC FERRIS. Dominicferris.com. 23 April 2023.
  5. Web site: my last night with you | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company. Officialcharts.com. 23 April 2023.
  6. Web site: Retro Charts. Everyhit.com. 23 April 2023.
  7. Web site: Discogs - Tracks Beta. Discogs.com. 23 April 2023.
  8. Web site: 45cat - Arrows - My Last Night With You / Movin' Next Door To You - RAK - Netherlands - 5C 006-96260. 45cat.com. 23 April 2023.
  9. Web site: Arrows - My Last Night With You. 23 April 2023. Discogs.com.
  10. Web site: Arrows - My Last Night With You. 23 April 2023. Hitparade.ch.
  11. Web site: Arrows - I Love Rock 'n' Roll. 23 April 2023. Discogs.com.
  12. Web site: Outsight Radio Hours interview, 12 February 2012. 18 March 2012.
  13. Web site: Smokie - Babe It's Up To You. 23 April 2023. Discogs.com.
  14. Web site: spanishcharts.com - Smokie - Babe It's Up To You. October 20, 2017.
  15. Web site: austriancharts.at - Smokie - Babe It's Up To You. March 6, 2020.
  16. Web site: dutchcharts.nl - Smokie - Babe It's Up To You. March 6, 2020.
  17. Web site: Smokie - Babe It's Up To You. Swisscharts.com . March 6, 2020.
  18. Web site: Roger Ferris (Hon Member). Onthebusesfanclub.com. 23 April 2023.
  19. Book: Matteo, Steve . 2004-10-01 . The Beatles' Let It Be 33/1/3 . Continuum . 109 . 0826416349 .
  20. Book: Margotin . Philippe . Guesdon . Jean-Michel . 2013-10-22 . All The Songs: The Story Behind Every Beatles Release . Black Dog & Leventhal . 978-1579129521 .
  21. Web site: The Day Phil Spector Finished Work on the Beatles' 'Let It Be'. Dave. Lifton. Ultimate Classic Rock. 23 April 2023.
  22. Web site: Smokestack. Smokestack.co.uk. 23 April 2023.
  23. Web site: Smokestack. Smokestack.co.uk. 23 April 2023.
  24. Web site: Macaris (official website). 1 July 2014.
  25. Web site: Why is it important to transform the entrance of the Royal College of Music?. 23 April 2023. YouTube.
  26. News: 5 minutes with Dominic Ferris, The Piano Brothers. 5 Minutes With. 6 March 2020.
  27. News: Pianist Dominic Ferris records original piano arrangements for Steinway Spirio. Pianist Magazine. 6 March 2020.
  28. Web site: DOMINIC FERRIS Official on Instagram: "Film shoot at Steinway Hall London today presenting the new Steinway & Sons online brochure. Thank you to everyone at @steinwayhalluk for looking after us and to our fabulous director @somiarian. Always a pleasure to play these gorgeous instruments. . Instagram. 23 April 2023.
  29. Web site: Steinway & Sons. 23 April 2023. YouTube.
  30. Web site: Bridge Over Troubled Water (ABBEY ROAD RECORDING for Elvis Presley's 'If I Can Dream' album). 23 April 2023. YouTube.
  31. Web site: Elvis Presley scores new chart record with 12th UK Number 1 album. Officialcharts.com. 23 April 2023.
  32. Web site: Discogs.com Dominic Ferris profile. Discogs.com. March 6, 2020.
  33. Web site: Allmusic.com Dominic Ferris profile. AllMusic.com. March 6, 2020.
  34. News: ElvisMatters In Gesprek Met Dominic Ferris . ElvisMatters. 6 March 2020.

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