Francis Lickerish
Encyclopedia
John Francis Lickerish, known professionally as Francis Lickerish (born 11 April 1954 in Cambridge), is a British composer, guitarist
and lutenist, and founder member of British art-rock band The Enid
.
Lickerish was a member of The Enid
from its creation in 1974 until 1980, and appears on their first four studio albums and the two 'Live At Hammersmith' albums. He is an alumnus of the Finchden Manor school, as are fellow Enid founders Robert John Godfrey
and Stephen Stewart.
Lickerish appears uncredited as the session bass guitarist on the Kim Wilde
song Kids In America
.
After leaving The Enid
he graduated from Sheffield Hallam University
, later pursuing a career in counselling, and is a respected professional in the fields of adult addiction and family services, http://www.francislickerish.co.uk, working at Clouds House
, The Priory and Capio Nightingale Hospital http://www.nightingalehospital.co.uk/medical-professionals/all-therapists/francis-lickerish/.
After a 20 year absence from the music industry, he formed a new band Secret Green
, in 2006, who released their first album 'To Wake The King' in May 2009.
Lickerish is married with three children and lives in Dorset, England.
was his storytelling. He would sit, often cross-legged, on stage and narrate a long "shaggy dog" style story while the roadies changed instruments or re-arranged the stage for the next set. Having their roots in traditional tales, the stories were novel time-fillers which would captivate an audience of thousands and entertain them while otherwise boring technical work was going on. A favourite of Enid fans was the story of The Archangel Barry. This was the introduction to "Albion Fayre" in which an angel exhorted the band to write music with "more notes in it".
His magnum opus however was the story of Fand
. This ancient myth was amalgamated with the legends of King Arthur
to create an epic and magical tale that was at once fresh and rooted in tradition.
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and lutenist, and founder member of British art-rock band The Enid
The Enid
The Enid is a British rock band founded in 1975 by Robert John Godfrey, Stephen Stewart and Francis Lickerish. Another early member was William Gilmour, who subsequently founded his own band Craft and now plays keyboards in Lickerish's band Secret Green....
.
Lickerish was a member of The Enid
The Enid
The Enid is a British rock band founded in 1975 by Robert John Godfrey, Stephen Stewart and Francis Lickerish. Another early member was William Gilmour, who subsequently founded his own band Craft and now plays keyboards in Lickerish's band Secret Green....
from its creation in 1974 until 1980, and appears on their first four studio albums and the two 'Live At Hammersmith' albums. He is an alumnus of the Finchden Manor school, as are fellow Enid founders Robert John Godfrey
Robert John Godfrey
Robert John Godfrey is a British composer, pianist and founder member of The Enid.Born on the Leeds Castle estate in Kent, England, Godfrey was educated at Finchden Manor in Tenterden, which was described by its founder George Lyward as a "therapeutic community for adolescents", other alumni of...
and Stephen Stewart.
Lickerish appears uncredited as the session bass guitarist on the Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde is an English pop singer, author and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the number 2 UK Singles Chart new wave classic "Kids in America". In 1987 she had a major hit in the United States when her version of The Supremes' classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On"...
song Kids In America
Kids in America (song)
"Kids in America" is a New Wave song by British singer Kim Wilde, released in the United Kingdom as her debut single in January 1981, and in the US in 1982. It has famously been covered by many artists from different genres.-Background:...
.
After leaving The Enid
The Enid
The Enid is a British rock band founded in 1975 by Robert John Godfrey, Stephen Stewart and Francis Lickerish. Another early member was William Gilmour, who subsequently founded his own band Craft and now plays keyboards in Lickerish's band Secret Green....
he graduated from Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University is a higher education institution in South Yorkshire, England, based on two sites in Sheffield. City Campus is located in the city centre, close to Sheffield railway station, and Collegiate Crescent Campus is about two miles away, adjacent to Ecclesall Road in...
, later pursuing a career in counselling, and is a respected professional in the fields of adult addiction and family services, http://www.francislickerish.co.uk, working at Clouds House
Clouds House
Clouds House is a Grade II listed building located near the village of East Knoyle in rural Wiltshire. Designed in the 19th century by Philip Webb for Percy and Madeline Wyndham, Clouds was Webb’s grandest design following on from Red House in Bexleyheath for the artist and close friend William...
, The Priory and Capio Nightingale Hospital http://www.nightingalehospital.co.uk/medical-professionals/all-therapists/francis-lickerish/.
After a 20 year absence from the music industry, he formed a new band Secret Green
Secret Green
Secret Green is a British rock band, founded in 2007, by Francis Lickerish, Hilary Palmer and Jon Beedle. Recent additions to the band William Gilmour and Matt Hodge complete the line-up...
, in 2006, who released their first album 'To Wake The King' in May 2009.
Lickerish is married with three children and lives in Dorset, England.
Work with The Enid
Francis Lickerish's skill as a musician is second only to his skill as a storyteller. A much awaited feature of concerts given by The EnidThe Enid
The Enid is a British rock band founded in 1975 by Robert John Godfrey, Stephen Stewart and Francis Lickerish. Another early member was William Gilmour, who subsequently founded his own band Craft and now plays keyboards in Lickerish's band Secret Green....
was his storytelling. He would sit, often cross-legged, on stage and narrate a long "shaggy dog" style story while the roadies changed instruments or re-arranged the stage for the next set. Having their roots in traditional tales, the stories were novel time-fillers which would captivate an audience of thousands and entertain them while otherwise boring technical work was going on. A favourite of Enid fans was the story of The Archangel Barry. This was the introduction to "Albion Fayre" in which an angel exhorted the band to write music with "more notes in it".
His magnum opus however was the story of Fand
Fand
Fand is an early Irish sea goddess, later described as a "Queen of the Fairies". Her name is variously translated as "Pearl of Beauty" or "A Tear"...
. This ancient myth was amalgamated with the legends of King Arthur
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
to create an epic and magical tale that was at once fresh and rooted in tradition.
Studio Albums
- The EnidThe EnidThe Enid is a British rock band founded in 1975 by Robert John Godfrey, Stephen Stewart and Francis Lickerish. Another early member was William Gilmour, who subsequently founded his own band Craft and now plays keyboards in Lickerish's band Secret Green....
- In the Region of the Summer StarsIn the Region of the Summer StarsIn The Region Of The Summer Stars is The Enid's debut album. It is based on the Tarot sequence and on the writings of Charles Williams. It was released in 1976 by EMI...
(1976) (BUK BULP 2014) - The EnidThe EnidThe Enid is a British rock band founded in 1975 by Robert John Godfrey, Stephen Stewart and Francis Lickerish. Another early member was William Gilmour, who subsequently founded his own band Craft and now plays keyboards in Lickerish's band Secret Green....
- Aerie Faerie NonsenseAerie Faerie NonsenseAerie Faerie Nonsense is The Enid's second album. It was released in 1977 by EMI and later re-released by The Enid in 1983 following its deletion from the EMI catalogue.-Release:...
(1977) (EMI International INS 3012) - The EnidThe EnidThe Enid is a British rock band founded in 1975 by Robert John Godfrey, Stephen Stewart and Francis Lickerish. Another early member was William Gilmour, who subsequently founded his own band Craft and now plays keyboards in Lickerish's band Secret Green....
- Touch Me (1978) (Pye NSPH 18593) - The EnidThe EnidThe Enid is a British rock band founded in 1975 by Robert John Godfrey, Stephen Stewart and Francis Lickerish. Another early member was William Gilmour, who subsequently founded his own band Craft and now plays keyboards in Lickerish's band Secret Green....
- Six Pieces (1979) (Pye NH 116) - Secret GreenSecret GreenSecret Green is a British rock band, founded in 2007, by Francis Lickerish, Hilary Palmer and Jon Beedle. Recent additions to the band William Gilmour and Matt Hodge complete the line-up...
- To Wake The King (2009) (Holyground HG137)
Live Albums
- The EnidThe EnidThe Enid is a British rock band founded in 1975 by Robert John Godfrey, Stephen Stewart and Francis Lickerish. Another early member was William Gilmour, who subsequently founded his own band Craft and now plays keyboards in Lickerish's band Secret Green....
- Live at Hammersmith (Vol 1) (Recorded 1979) (1984) (ENID 1) - The EnidThe EnidThe Enid is a British rock band founded in 1975 by Robert John Godfrey, Stephen Stewart and Francis Lickerish. Another early member was William Gilmour, who subsequently founded his own band Craft and now plays keyboards in Lickerish's band Secret Green....
- Live at Hammersmith (Vol 2) (Recorded 1979) (1984) (ENID 2)