| Background: | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Birth Name: | Roy Godfrey Phillips |
| Birth Date: | 5 May 1941 |
| Birth Place: | Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, England |
| Instrument: | Keyboards, guitar |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Years Active: | 1957–present |
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.
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.
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]
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]
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]
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.
In August, 2017, he appeared at Peppers Beachfront restaurant in Gisborne, New Zealand.[28]
| 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] |
| 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] | |