Ian Parker (singer-songwriter guitarist)
Encyclopedia
Ian Parker is an English
singer-songwriter and guitarist.
Born in Birmingham, he was brought up in near-by Stourbridge
. Inspired by The Beatles
, he began playing guitar at the age of 8. His interest in music flourished during his teenage years and following the completion of a BSc (HONS) degree in Psychology at the University of Derby
, his musical career began.
In his early teens he began to focus heavily on electric guitar after hearing the music of Jimi Hendrix
and Cream
. From here Parker became passionately interested the blues, studying the music and its history at every opportunity. In 2003 he recorded his debut album Inside for German blues label Ruf. He went on to release a further three albums and two live DVDs through the company.
In addition to his interest in the blues, Parker has always considered himself to be a singer-songwriter. His influences are far-ranging and his music has largely revolved around a balance between his song-writing and his blues guitar playing. His most recent recording, a five track EP called Demons and Doubters released through Equator, marked a subtle change in direction away from blues-rock towards a more mainstream guitar-lead singer-songwriter identity.
shortly after he was born. He attended Ham Dingle Primary School where his interest in music was first stimulated whilst singing songs in morning assembly. He was selected to sing in the junior choir, which he did not enjoy due to the fact that he was the only boy involved.
His earliest interest was in motorcycle speedway and he became a firm fan of local team, the Cradley Heathens
. At the age of 8, on hearing The Beatles
' album, Rubber Soul
, Parker begged his parents for a guitar. He also began taking piano lessons at this time, but his passion for the guitar far outweighed his willingness to practise the piano.
At the age of 11, Parker went to The Grange Comprehensive School. He soon became interested in developing his electric guitar playing and began listening to the music of Jimi Hendrix
and Cream
. He was asked to join the school swing band on electric guitar, but his inability to read music hindered his progress. In his final year at The Grange he started his first semi-professional band Strange Brew, named after the Cream
song
. The band played in local pubs and built a reputation for their interpretations of songs from the late sixties blues-rock era.
Parker took A-levels at King Edward VI college of Stourbridge, before moving to Derby, England to study a BSc (HONS) degree in Psychology
. He developed his music alongside his studies and continued to play pub gigs at weekends.
On completion of his degree, he moved back to Stourbridge and formed his first professional band.
, where they opened for Jeff Beck
. Significantly, Beck's manager Ralph Baker of Equator Music was impressed with his performance and remained in contact with Parker over the next few years.
Parker's Alibi disbanded in early 2002, and Parker spent the next few months writing songs and contemplating his next musical move. During this period he worked part time in a local psychiatric unit.
With lots of new material and a new band, he formed The Ian Parker Band and signed to Ruf Records in 2003 as a solo artist.
(Prince
- Purple Rain
). His debut album Inside (Ruf1094) was released in October of that year, and established Parker as an accomplished singer-songwriter and guitarist.
In March 2004, he appeared on the German live music TV show, Rockpalast
and a live DVD of his performance was released in June 2005, entitled Whilst The Wind (Ruf3007). In addition, a live album
documenting Parker's performance in Hannover during his December 2004 European Tour, was also released in June 2005 under the same title (Ruf1102).
In September 2005, Parker wrote and recorded five songs for a Ruf Records project album, Pilgrimage (Ruf1112) which was recorded in Clarksdale Mississippi and Memphis Tennessee, and released in January 2006. A live DVD entitled "Blues Caravan - The New Generation" was also released in 2006. The release of Pilgrimage extended Parker's touring activities throughout Europe and into the USA. Also instrumental in bringing Parker and his music to the USA, was Greg Lewis and his New Jersey radio show Rock-it Science on local station WNTI. Greg became a fan of Parker's music on hearing a Parker's Alibi live album called "Exposed" in 2000. He played Parker's songs on his show over the next few years and worked tirelessly to persuade local festival organisers and promoters to book him. Parker's first live shows in the New Jersey area took place in August 2006.
On return from America in September 2005, Parker began a lengthy artistic process based around his rediscovery of the roots artists who had inspired him as a teenager. The resulting album, Where I Belong (Ruf1120), was released in January 2007 and produced by Matt Butler, whose extensive CV includes Sir Paul McCartney
. The ensuing promotional tour culminated in the recording of The Official Bootleg (MT006), which captures the highlights of the final UK leg of an eighteen month long tour of Europe and the UK with fellow band members Morg' Morgan (keys), Wayne Proctor (drums), and Steve Amadeo (bass).
, Portishead, Massive Attack
), and Jon Jacobs (who learned his trade with Sir George Martin
at Air Studios). Demons and Doubters marks a subtle change in direction away from blues-rock towards a more mainstream guitar-lead singer/songwriter approach.
During 2010, Parker focused on acoustic shows, either solo, as a duo (with Morg Morgan on keyboards, or Wayne Proctor on percussion) or trio (with Steve Amadeo on bass and Chris Eaton on slide guitar). Due to popular demand, the acoustic show at The Globe, Cardiff, was recorded and released as a live album entitled The Bare Bones on 21 March 2011. Morg played on three songs, and four of the eleven tracks were previously un-recorded.
Continuing the solo acoustic direction, Parker played a 30 minute support at London's Royal Albert Hall
, opening for Italian rock star Zucchero on Saturday 28 May 2011.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
singer-songwriter and guitarist.
Born in Birmingham, he was brought up in near-by Stourbridge
Stourbridge
Stourbridge is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, in the West Midlands of England. Historically part of Worcestershire, Stourbridge was a centre of glass making, and today includes the suburbs of Amblecote, Lye, Norton, Oldswinford, Pedmore, Wollaston, Wollescote and Wordsley The...
. Inspired by The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, he began playing guitar at the age of 8. His interest in music flourished during his teenage years and following the completion of a BSc (HONS) degree in Psychology at the University of Derby
University of Derby
The University of Derby is a university in the city of Derby, England. The main site is on Kedleston Road, Allestree in the north-west of Derby close to the A38 opposite Markeaton Park...
, his musical career began.
In his early teens he began to focus heavily on electric guitar after hearing the music of Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
and Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
. From here Parker became passionately interested the blues, studying the music and its history at every opportunity. In 2003 he recorded his debut album Inside for German blues label Ruf. He went on to release a further three albums and two live DVDs through the company.
In addition to his interest in the blues, Parker has always considered himself to be a singer-songwriter. His influences are far-ranging and his music has largely revolved around a balance between his song-writing and his blues guitar playing. His most recent recording, a five track EP called Demons and Doubters released through Equator, marked a subtle change in direction away from blues-rock towards a more mainstream guitar-lead singer-songwriter identity.
Early life
Parker's family moved to StourbridgeStourbridge
Stourbridge is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, in the West Midlands of England. Historically part of Worcestershire, Stourbridge was a centre of glass making, and today includes the suburbs of Amblecote, Lye, Norton, Oldswinford, Pedmore, Wollaston, Wollescote and Wordsley The...
shortly after he was born. He attended Ham Dingle Primary School where his interest in music was first stimulated whilst singing songs in morning assembly. He was selected to sing in the junior choir, which he did not enjoy due to the fact that he was the only boy involved.
His earliest interest was in motorcycle speedway and he became a firm fan of local team, the Cradley Heathens
Cradley Heath Heathens
Cradley Heath Heathens are a defunct motorcycle speedway team from Dudley, England.-History:Cradley Heath speedway team was formed in 1947 and first raced at Dudley Wood Stadium on 21 June 1947 after a number of away appearances prior to the opening of the newly built stadium...
. At the age of 8, on hearing The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' album, Rubber Soul
Rubber Soul
Rubber Soul is the sixth studio album by the English rock group The Beatles, released in December 1965. Produced by George Martin, Rubber Soul had been recorded in just over four weeks to make the Christmas market...
, Parker begged his parents for a guitar. He also began taking piano lessons at this time, but his passion for the guitar far outweighed his willingness to practise the piano.
At the age of 11, Parker went to The Grange Comprehensive School. He soon became interested in developing his electric guitar playing and began listening to the music of Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
and Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
. He was asked to join the school swing band on electric guitar, but his inability to read music hindered his progress. In his final year at The Grange he started his first semi-professional band Strange Brew, named after the Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
song
Strange Brew (song)
"Strange Brew" is a 1967 song by British supergroup Cream. Released in late May of that year as the lead single from their album Disraeli Gears, this song features Eric Clapton on lead vocals rather than the usual lead by Jack Bruce. The single peaked at number 17 on the UK charts in June of that...
. The band played in local pubs and built a reputation for their interpretations of songs from the late sixties blues-rock era.
Parker took A-levels at King Edward VI college of Stourbridge, before moving to Derby, England to study a BSc (HONS) degree in Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
. He developed his music alongside his studies and continued to play pub gigs at weekends.
On completion of his degree, he moved back to Stourbridge and formed his first professional band.
Early career
Determined to forge a career in music for himself, Parker formed Monty Turnbull with three other local musicians including Morg' Morgan who went on to play with Parker for the next fourteen years. The band developed a good local reputation, which soon expanded nationally as they travelled outside of the Birmingham area. After a change of personnel, and a new focus on original material, new bass player Chris Lomas renamed the band Parker's Alibi in 1999, just prior to their appearance at London's Shepherds Bush EmpireShepherds Bush Empire
The O2 Shepherds Bush Empire is a music venue in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, run by the Academy Music Group. It was built in 1903, as a music hall, and in 1953 became the BBC Television Theatre...
, where they opened for Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
. Significantly, Beck's manager Ralph Baker of Equator Music was impressed with his performance and remained in contact with Parker over the next few years.
Parker's Alibi disbanded in early 2002, and Parker spent the next few months writing songs and contemplating his next musical move. During this period he worked part time in a local psychiatric unit.
With lots of new material and a new band, he formed The Ian Parker Band and signed to Ruf Records in 2003 as a solo artist.
The Ruf Years
Parker's career took off in the summer of 2003, when he signed to Ruf Records following a personal introduction to US record producer, David Z.David Z.
David Z is a music producer, engineer, mixer, and writer from Minneapolis, Minnesota who currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He is most well known for his long-standing work with Prince, but has also contributed to award winning albums by Etta James, Billy Idol, BoDeans, Buddy Guy, Neneh...
(Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
- Purple Rain
Purple Rain (album)
Purple Rain is the sixth studio album by Prince, the first to officially be credited to Prince and The Revolution, and is the soundtrack album to the 1984 film Purple Rain.Purple Rain is regularly ranked among the best albums in pop music history...
). His debut album Inside (Ruf1094) was released in October of that year, and established Parker as an accomplished singer-songwriter and guitarist.
In March 2004, he appeared on the German live music TV show, Rockpalast
Rockpalast
Rockpalast is a German music television show that broadcasts live on German television station Westdeutscher Rundfunk . Rockpalast started in 1974 and continues to this day. Hundreds of rock and jazz bands have performed on Rockpalast...
and a live DVD of his performance was released in June 2005, entitled Whilst The Wind (Ruf3007). In addition, a live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
documenting Parker's performance in Hannover during his December 2004 European Tour, was also released in June 2005 under the same title (Ruf1102).
In September 2005, Parker wrote and recorded five songs for a Ruf Records project album, Pilgrimage (Ruf1112) which was recorded in Clarksdale Mississippi and Memphis Tennessee, and released in January 2006. A live DVD entitled "Blues Caravan - The New Generation" was also released in 2006. The release of Pilgrimage extended Parker's touring activities throughout Europe and into the USA. Also instrumental in bringing Parker and his music to the USA, was Greg Lewis and his New Jersey radio show Rock-it Science on local station WNTI. Greg became a fan of Parker's music on hearing a Parker's Alibi live album called "Exposed" in 2000. He played Parker's songs on his show over the next few years and worked tirelessly to persuade local festival organisers and promoters to book him. Parker's first live shows in the New Jersey area took place in August 2006.
On return from America in September 2005, Parker began a lengthy artistic process based around his rediscovery of the roots artists who had inspired him as a teenager. The resulting album, Where I Belong (Ruf1120), was released in January 2007 and produced by Matt Butler, whose extensive CV includes Sir Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
. The ensuing promotional tour culminated in the recording of The Official Bootleg (MT006), which captures the highlights of the final UK leg of an eighteen month long tour of Europe and the UK with fellow band members Morg' Morgan (keys), Wayne Proctor (drums), and Steve Amadeo (bass).
Equator
Parker spent much of 2008 writing new material, and at the beginning of 2009 under the management of Ralph Baker of Equator Music, sessions began in Bath's Riverside Studios. The resulting five track EP, Demons and Doubters (Equator), was recorded under the guidance and supervision of Clive Deamer (Robert PlantRobert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
, Portishead, Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
), and Jon Jacobs (who learned his trade with Sir George Martin
George Martin
Sir George Henry Martin CBE is an English record producer, arranger, composer and musician. He is sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Beatle"— a title that he often describes as "nonsense," but the fact remains that he served as producer on all but one of The Beatles' original albums...
at Air Studios). Demons and Doubters marks a subtle change in direction away from blues-rock towards a more mainstream guitar-lead singer/songwriter approach.
During 2010, Parker focused on acoustic shows, either solo, as a duo (with Morg Morgan on keyboards, or Wayne Proctor on percussion) or trio (with Steve Amadeo on bass and Chris Eaton on slide guitar). Due to popular demand, the acoustic show at The Globe, Cardiff, was recorded and released as a live album entitled The Bare Bones on 21 March 2011. Morg played on three songs, and four of the eleven tracks were previously un-recorded.
Continuing the solo acoustic direction, Parker played a 30 minute support at London's Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
, opening for Italian rock star Zucchero on Saturday 28 May 2011.
Studio albums
- Inside (2003)
- Where I Belong (2007)
- Demons And Doubters EP (2009)
Live albums
- Lost & Found (2003)
- …whilst the wind (2005)
- The Official Bootleg (2008)
- The Bare Bones (2011)
Single
- Your Love Is My Home (2007)
DVD
- …whilst the wind live (2005)
Projects
- CD: Blues Caravan Pilgrimage (2005)
- DVD: Blues Caravan - The New Generation live (2006)
Awards and honours
- In March 2004, Parker appeared on German live music TV show, RockpalastRockpalastRockpalast is a German music television show that broadcasts live on German television station Westdeutscher Rundfunk . Rockpalast started in 1974 and continues to this day. Hundreds of rock and jazz bands have performed on Rockpalast...
, as part of the Crossroads Festival. Parker and his band were voted the number one act of the festival. - In August 2006, in Dordrecht, The Netherlands, he received the Arrow Big Rivers Festival Award for 'Most Impressive Artist'. Every year this prestigious award is given to the musician who makes the biggest impression, not only on the audience but also on the festival organisers.
External links
- Official Website: IanParkerMusic.com
- Dutch Fansite: IanParkerMusic.nl
- German Fansite: IanParkerMusic.de.tl