List of nontraditional bagpipe usage
Encyclopedia
Classical Works Featuring Bagpipes
- Sinfonia Concertante for Six Solo Instruments and Orchestra, S. 98.6, by P.D.Q. Bach features bagpipes as one of the six instruments.
- The Brendan Voyage (1983), The Pilgrim (1983) and Granuaile (1985), all by Shaun DaveyShaun Davey- Early years :Shaun Davey was born in Belfast in 1948. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin in the history of Art in 1971. He then took a master's degree at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. In the late 1970s, he made his first recording, "Davey and Morris," with Donal Lunny and others...
, are orchestral works featuring the uilleann pipesUilleann pipesThe uilleann pipes or //; ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland, their current name, earlier known in English as "union pipes", is a part translation of the Irish-language term píobaí uilleann , from their method of inflation.The bag of the uilleann pipes is inflated by means of a...
. - The Relief of Derry Symphony (1990), also by Shaun DaveyShaun Davey- Early years :Shaun Davey was born in Belfast in 1948. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin in the history of Art in 1971. He then took a master's degree at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. In the late 1970s, he made his first recording, "Davey and Morris," with Donal Lunny and others...
, includes a highland pipe band. - Tulsa, an opera by Lindsay DavidsonLindsay DavidsonLindsay Davidson was taught the Great Highland bagpipes by Pipe Major James Inglis of Wallacestone and District Pipe Band from aged nine. He was the last person Inglis taught before his death. Later instructors included Bert Barron MBE, P/M John Matheson, BEM and John Graham...
- Orkney Wedding, With SunriseOrkney Wedding, With SunriseOrkney Wedding, With Sunrise is a classical orchestral composition by the English composer Peter Maxwell Davies. It is notable for being one of the few pieces in classical repertoire to feature a bagpipe solo....
(1984) by Sir Peter Maxwell DaviesPeter Maxwell DaviesSir Peter Maxwell Davies, CBE is an English composer and conductor and is currently Master of the Queen's Music.-Biography:... - Cross Lane Fair for Northumbrian PipesNorthumbrian smallpipesThe Northumbrian smallpipes are bellows-blown bagpipes from the North East of England.In a survey of the bagpipes in the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford University, the organologist Anthony Baines wrote: It is perhaps the most civilized of the bagpipes, making no attempt to go farther than the...
and Orchestra by Sir Peter Maxwell DaviesPeter Maxwell DaviesSir Peter Maxwell Davies, CBE is an English composer and conductor and is currently Master of the Queen's Music.-Biography:... - Arthur's Return, for bagpipes and string orchestra (1983) by John DavisonJohn Davison (composer)John Davison was an American composer and pianist.Born in Istanbul, Turkey, he grew up in Upstate New York and in New York City, and studied music at the Juilliard School's lower school, Haverford College, then received his master's degree from Harvard University, where he focused on Renaissance...
(Commissioned by the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia and premiered in Dover, Delaware on September 23, 1983, by the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, dir. Marc Mostovoy; Roderick MacDonald, bagpipe) - Joan of Arc: An Opera in Three Acts (1993) by Steven Jobe includes bagpipes in the orchestra.
- Sinfonia mit Dudelsack und Drehleier "Die Bauernhochzeit" (Sinfonia with Bagpipe and Hurdy-Gurdy "Peasant Wedding") by Leopold MozartLeopold MozartJohann Georg Leopold Mozart was a German composer, conductor, teacher, and violinist. Mozart is best known today as the father and teacher of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and for his violin textbook Versuch einer gründlichen Violinschule.-Childhood and student years:He was born in Augsburg, son of...
, first performed in 1756 - Ur Og and Aji, for 4 bagpipes, bass clarinet, and tabla by Canadian composer Michael O'Neill.
- Illusion of Control, for uilleann pipes, saxophone, electronics and 3D visuals (2010), a collaboration between Pedro Rebelo, Brian Cullen, Franziska Schroeder and Ivan Goff.
- Numerous works by French Baroque composers such as Jean-Philippe RameauJean-Philippe RameauJean-Philippe Rameau was one of the most important French composers and music theorists of the Baroque era. He replaced Jean-Baptiste Lully as the dominant composer of French opera and is also considered the leading French composer for the harpsichord of his time, alongside François...
and Jacques HotteterreJacques-Martin HotteterreJacques-Martin Hotteterre , also known as Jacques Martin or Jacques Hotteterre, was a French composer and flautist. Jacques-Martin Hotteterre was the most celebrated of a family of wind instrument makers and wind performers.-Biography:Jacques-Martin Hotteterre was born in Paris, the son of Martin...
featuring the Musette de courMusette de courThe musette de cour or baroque musette is a musical instrument of the bagpipe family. Visually, the musette is characterised by the short, cylindrical shuttle-drone and the two chalumeaux. Both the chanters and the drones have a cylindrical bore and use a double reed, giving a quiet tone similar to...
Bagpipes in jazz
- U.S. musician Rufus HarleyRufus HarleyRufus Harley, Jr. was an American jazz musician of mixed Cherokee and African ancestry, known primarily as the first jazz musician to adopt the Scottish great Highland bagpipe as his primary instrument.-Biography:Although born near Raleigh, North Carolina, at an early age Harley moved with...
(1936-2006) was the first jazz performer to use the Great Highland Bagpipes as his primary instrument. - The American jazz saxophonist Albert AylerAlbert AylerAlbert Ayler was an American avant-garde jazz saxophonist, singer and composer.Ayler was among the most primal of the free jazz musicians of the 1960s; critic John Litweiler wrote that "never before or since has there been such naked aggression in jazz" He possessed a deep blistering tone—achieved...
(1936–1970) used great highland bagpipe on two albums: New Grass (1968) and Music is the Healing Force of the Universe (1969). - Peter Bennink, a Dutch saxophonist and the brother of drummer Han BenninkHan BenninkHan Bennink is a Dutch jazz drummer and percussionist. On occasion his recordings have featured his playing on clarinet, violin, banjo and piano....
, also uses bagpipes in a jazz context.
- New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
/New YorkNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
based musician David WatsonDavid Watson (musician)David Watson is a musician originally from New Zealand. Watson has lived and worked in New York City since 1987.Originally known as a guitarist, since 1991 Watson's work has also featured new music for the Highland Bagpipes....
released a new musicContemporary classical musicContemporary classical music can be understood as belonging to the period that started in the mid-1970s with the retreat of modernism. However, the term may also be employed in a broader sense to refer to all post-1945 modern musical forms.-Categorization:...
composition for pipe bands on the Midwest Label in 1996. A release from 1998 entitled Wax and Wane featured his bagpipe played in context with NYC downtownDowntown musicDowntown music is a subdivision of American music, closely related to experimental music. The scene the term describes began in 1960, when Yoko Ono—one of the Fluxus artists, at that time still seven years away from meeting John Lennon—opened her loft at 112 Chambers Street to be used...
musicians like Ikue MoriIkue Mori, also known as Ikue Ile, is a drummer, composer, and graphic designer.-Biography:Ikue Mori was born and raised in Japan. She says she had little interest in music before hearing punk rock...
, and turntablist Otomo Yoshihide. He also released the all bagpipe CD Skirl in 1999 featuring a variety of different percussion players, such as Cyro BaptistaCyro BaptistaCyro Baptista is a Brazilian musician, teacher, and recording artist specializing in percussion in the genres of jazz and world music....
, and jazz drummer Tony BuckTony BuckTony Buck is a drummer and percussionist. He graduated from the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music , becoming involved in the Australian jazz scene....
.
- Lammas from the U.K were around in the 90s (winners of a British jazz award ) and features Tim Garland trading licks and solos with Uilleann piper Steafan Hannigan ( Sin E, Afro Celts) On a couple of albums
Bagpipes in rock (single or few songs)
- GWARGWARGwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
. The US metal shock-horror fantasy combo use bagpipes in the song The Horror Of Yig on the album Scumdogs of the UniverseScumdogs of the UniverseScumdogs of the Universe is the second album by Satirical Shock rock band Gwar. The album is their first album on Metal Blade Records and was released in 1990. It is to this date the band's best selling album and greatly expanded the band's horizons...
. - The White StripesThe White StripesThe White Stripes was an American rock band, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The group consisted of the songwriter Jack White and drummer Meg White . Jack and Meg White were previously married to each other, but are now divorced...
used bagpipes in their song "Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn" on their 2007 release "Icky Thump." - Depeche ModeDepeche ModeDepeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
on Songs of Faith and DevotionSongs of Faith and DevotionSongs of Faith and Devotion is the eighth album by the British electronic music group Depeche Mode, released in 1993 on Mute Records. The album incorporated more guitar textures than previous releases. Upon its release, Songs of Faith and Devotion reached number one in both the UK and US album...
featured Uilleann Piper Steafan Hannigan on "Judas" - Gary BarlowGary BarlowGary Barlow is an English singer-songwriter, pianist and record producer. He is frontman and lead vocalist of pop group Take That and is currently the head judge on the eighth series of The X Factor. Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters...
also uses Uilleann pipes (again featuring Hannigan)on the late 90's solo release Twelve Months Eleven Days on the track "Yesterdays girl" - The AnimalsThe AnimalsThe Animals were an English music group of the 1960s formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during the early part of the decade, and later relocated to London...
, a British rock band from Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, featured Highland bagpipes on their 1968 anti-war song "Sky PilotSky Pilot (song)"Sky Pilot" is a 1968 song by Eric Burdon & The Animals, released on the album The Twain Shall Meet. When released as a single the song was split across both sides, due to its length. As "Sky Pilot " it reached number 14 on the U.S...
", released in the UK on The Twain Shall Meet album, and as a hit single 45 record in the USA. - The Jeff Beck Group with Rod StewartRod StewartRoderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
used bagpipes on their version of Tim RoseTim RoseTimothy Alan Patrick Rose , best known professionally as Tim Rose, was an American singer-songwriter, who spent much of his life in London, England and had more success in Europe than in his native country...
's "Morning DewMorning Dew"Morning Dew", also known as " Morning Dew", is a post-apocalyptic folk-rock song written by Canadian singer Bonnie Dobson in 1962.According to Dobson in a 1993 interview, "Morning Dew" was inspired by the film On the Beach....
" (1968) featured on the album Truth. - The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a Scottish group which featured the bagpipes in their 1974 single "Anthem."
- WizzardWizzardWizzard was a Birmingham-based band formed by Roy Wood, former member of The Move and co-founder of Electric Light Orchestra. The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits states, "Wizzard was Roy Wood just as much as Wings were Paul McCartney."-Biography:...
, a UK rock band, featured bagpipes on their 1974 single "Are You Ready to Rock." - Glen CampbellGlen CampbellGlen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
Featured and played Bagpipes on "Bonaparte's RetreatBonaparte's Retreat (Pee Wee King song)"Bonaparte's Retreat" is the title of a song written by American country music artist Pee Wee King. Various versions of the melody themes exist as traditional fiddle tunes dating back to before the turn of the 20th Century, and probably well before that. King's version was released as a single in...
" a single released in July 1974 - The hard rock band AC/DCAC/DCAC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
first gained renown for the marriage of bagpipes and rock and roll with their 1975 song "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)"It's a Long Way to the Top " is a song by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It is the first track of the group's album T.N.T., released in December 1975, and was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott...
"; Highland bagpipes were held in the video by band member Bon ScottBon ScottRonald Belford "Bon" Scott was a Scottish-born Australian rock musician, best known for being the lead singer and lyricist of Australian hard rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980...
, who in his youth had played bagpipes and drums in the Fremantle, Western AustraliaFremantle, Western AustraliaFremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
Scots Pipe Band. There were two other pipers recorded for the song. - Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir 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...
's song "Mull of KintyreMull of Kintyre (song)"Mull of Kintyre" is a song written by Paul McCartney and Denny Laine and performed by Wings. The song was written in tribute to the picturesque Kintyre peninsula in Scotland, where McCartney has owned High Park Farm since 1966, and its headland or Mull of Kintyre.The song was Wings' biggest hit...
" (1977) with the band WingsWings (band)Wings were a British-American rock group formed in 1971 by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney that remained active until 1981....
, made strong use of bagpipes for a characteristically Scottish sound. - Dave KellyDave Kelly (musician)David 'Dave' Kelly , is a British bluessinger, guitarist and composer, who has been active on the British blues music scene since the 1960s...
Scottish singer/guitarist in his 1980 album "Crowning of a Simple Man" featured a bagpipe solo blended in with Celtic fiddle and penny whistle on the song "Ballad of J.C." - Don HenleyDon HenleyDonald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
, on his 1982 CD I Can't Stand Still, makes use of the uillean pipes on two tracks: "L'Eile" (a short solo instrumental by Paddy Moloney) and "Lilah",(a vocal number with Moloney playing backup). - On Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
's 1982 album Beautiful Vision, Sean Folsom played uilleann pipes on the song "Celtic Ray"; the song was later re-recorded with The ChieftainsThe ChieftainsThe Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1962, best known for being one of the first bands to make Irish traditional music popular around the world.-Name:...
. - Australian singer John FarnhamJohn FarnhamJohn Peter Farnham, AO, formerly billed as Johnny Farnham , is an English-born Australian pop singer. He was a teen pop idol from 1964 to 1979, and has since forged a career as an adult contemporary singer. His career has mostly been as a solo artist although he briefly replaced Glenn Shorrock as...
used bagpipes in his hit song "You're the VoiceYou're the VoiceAs a lead promotion for their first live album Rock the House Live! in 1991, US rock band Heart released their live version of "You're the Voice" as a single. It was captured during the US leg of their Brigade world tour in November 1990...
." which was released in 1986. - In 1987, Ron WilsonRon Wilson (drummer)Ron Wilson was an American musician and recording artist, best known as an original member and drummer of The Surfaris, an early surf rock group of the 1960s...
of the SurfarisThe SurfarisThe Surfaris were an American surf rock band formed in Glendora, California in 1962. They are best known for two songs that hit the charts in the Los Angeles, California area, and nationally by May 1963: "Surfer Joe" on the A-side and "Wipe Out" on the B-side of a 45 RPM single.-Career:The original...
, the drummer famous for the surf rock song "Wipe Out", recorded the song "Louie, Louie" with Sean Folsom on Highland bagpipes, as well as the song "Moonshine" with Sean on the uilleann pipes. The album is called Lost It in the Surf. - Australian band The ChurchThe Church (band)The Church is an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980. Initially associated with new wave and the neo-psychedelic sound of the mid 1980s, their music later became more reminiscent of progressive rock, featuring long instrumental jams and complex guitar interplay...
(formed 1980) featured a bagpipe-like sound (using an ebow) in a portion of their 1988 hit, "Under the Milky WayUnder the Milky Way"Under the Milky Way" is a single by Australian alternative rock band The Church released in February 1988 with their album, Starfish. The song was written by bass guitarist and vocalist Steve Kilbey and his then-girlfriend, Karin Jansson...
." Their guitarist, Marty Willson-PiperMarty Willson-PiperMarty Willson-Piper is a guitarist and member of Australian independent rock band The Church.After busking his way around the world, he arrived in Australia...
, also featured bagpipes on the songs "Melody of the Rain" and "Forever" from his 1989 solo album Rhyme. The piper on the latter two tracks is identified as "Tusker the Busker." - Steve EarleSteve EarleStephen Fain "Steve" Earle is an American singer-songwriter known for his rock and Texas Country as well as his political views. He is also a producer, author, a political activist, and an actor, and has written and directed a play....
's "Copperhead Road", released in October 1988, makes use of bagpipes throughout the song played through a keyboard. - Dave Shaw plays pipes on The Men They Couldn't HangThe Men They Couldn't HangThe Men They Couldn't Hang are a British folk punk group. The original group consisted of Stefan Cush , Paul Simmonds , Philip "Swill" Odgers , Jon Odgers and Shanne Bradley .- Controversy and success:Their first single, "The Green Fields...
's CD Waiting for Bonaparte released in 1988. - British progressive rockProgressive rockProgressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
musician Kate BushKate BushKate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
featured Davy SpillaneDavy SpillaneDavy Spillane is a songwriter and a player of uilleann pipes and low whistle.early yearsDavy was born in Dublin in 1959 . At the age of 12 he started playing the uilleann pipes. His father encouraged him and inspired him with his love of all music genres...
performing on uillean pipes during the title track to The Sensual WorldThe Sensual World-Personnel:*Haydn Bendall: engineer*Andrew Boland: engineer*Stoyanka Boneva: vocals*Kate Bush: piano, keyboards, vocals, background vocals, producer*Paddy Bush: mandolin, background vocals, valiha, whip, tupan*Clare Connors: violin...
, released in October 1989. - Peter GabrielPeter GabrielPeter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
's "Come Talk to Me," from his 1992 album Us, features an opening passage played by bagpipes. He also incorporates bagpipe-like synthesizer effects on his track "BikoBiko (song)"Biko" is a protest song by British rock musician Peter Gabriel. The song was included on Gabriel's third album, Peter Gabriel . It is about Steve Biko, a noted black South African anti-apartheid activist. Biko had been arrested by the South African police in late August 1977...
" from his third self-titled albumPeter Gabriel (III)Peter Gabriel is Peter Gabriel's third album. The album contains two of Gabriel's most famous songs, the U.K. Top 10 hit "Games Without Frontiers" and the political song "Biko", about the late anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko...
. - Sting used Northumbrian smallpipes, played by Kathryn TickellKathryn TickellKathryn Tickell is an English player of the Northumbrian smallpipes and fiddle. She has recorded over a dozen albums, and toured widely.-Life and career:...
, on his hit song "Fields of Gold," from his 1993 album Ten Summoner's TalesTen Summoner's TalesTen Summoner's Tales is the fourth solo studio album by the rock musician Sting. The title is a combined pun of his given name, Gordon Sumner, and a character in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, the summoner... - The German power metalPower metalPower metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Blind GuardianBlind GuardianBlind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres...
used bagpipes played by a guest musician on the tracks "The Piper's Calling" and "Somewhere Far Beyond" from Somewhere Far BeyondSomewhere Far BeyondSomewhere Far Beyond is the fourth studio album by German power metal act Blind Guardian.It was released in 1992 and produced by Kalle Trapp...
and later by drummer/flutist/piper Frederik Ehmke, on the albums A Twist in the MythA Twist in the MythA Twist in the Myth is the eighth studio album by the German power metal band Blind Guardian. It was originally set to be released on September 5, 2006 in Europe , but Nuclear Blast changed the release date to September 1, 2006.The album was released in several different formats: a normal version,...
and At the Edge of TimeAt the Edge of TimeAt the Edge of Time is the ninth studio album by the German power metal band Blind Guardian. A two CD version of the album was released, with the second disc containing 8 tracks. The artwork for the album was created by Colombian artist Felipe Machado Franco. The album was released in Europe on...
. - British group Tears for FearsTears for FearsTears for Fears are an English new wave band formed in the early 1980s by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith.Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, they were initially associated with the New Wave synthesiser bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into...
incorporated the bagpipes into their 1985 hit "ShoutShout (Tears for Fears song)"Shout" is a song by the British band Tears for Fears.Written by Roland Orzabal and Ian Stanley and sung by Orzabal , it was the band's eighth single release and sixth UK Top 40 hit, peaking at #4 in January 1985...
". - Bagpipes were used in GravewormGravewormGraveworm is a symphonic black metal band from Bruneck, Italy with strong influences from gothic metal .-History:...
's symphonic death metal cover of "Fear of the DarkFear of the Dark (song)"Fear of the Dark" is a song written by Steve Harris, bass player and main songwriter for Iron Maiden, as the title track to Iron Maiden's 1992 album Fear of the Dark...
" by Iron MaidenIron MaidenIron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
on their 2001 album Scourge of MaliceScourge of MaliceScourge of Malice is the third studio album by the symphonic black metal band Graveworm, released in 2001 through Last Episode. The 7th track is often mislabeled on most P2P networks as being performed by Cradle of Filth, Children of Bodom, or Kalmah.-Track listing:# "Dreaded Time " – 1:48#...
. - The Darkness used bagpipes in the song "Hazel Eyes" on an album released in November 2005.
- Bob Weir & Rat DogRatdogRatDog , is an American rock band. The group began as a side project for Grateful Dead rhythm guitarist Bob Weir and bassist Rob Wasserman. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in December 1995, following the death of Jerry Garcia on August 9, 1995, RatDog became Bob Weir's primary band...
, the ex-Grateful Dead rocker featured American champion piper Jori ChisholmJori ChisholmJori Lance Chisholm is an American professional bagpipe player and teacher who lives in Seattle, Washington. He has played with the six-time Grade One World Champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band since 1998 and has been a featured solo performer for the band on multiple occasions...
live in concert and on a live concert recording. - ScorpionsScorpions (band)Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
, a German heavy metal group, used bagpipes to open their song "Wild Child" on their album Pure InstinctPure InstinctPure Instinct is the thirteenth studio album by German heavy metal band Scorpions, released in 1996.The cover art for this album like many previous Scorpions album cover was replaced with an alternative cover for some releases due to the nudity on the original cover...
, released in 1996. - Lacuna CoilLacuna CoilLacuna Coil is an Italian gothic metal band from Milan. Formed in 1994, the group has had two name changes since being previously known as Sleep of Right and Ethereal and was inspired by the combination of gothic imagery and music...
, an Italian Gothic rock band from MilanMilanMilan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, featured Highland bagpipes on their 2006 song "Virtual Environment" released on their album Enjoy the SilenceEnjoy the Silence"Enjoy the Silence" is Depeche Mode's twenty-fourth UK single, released on 16 January 1990, and the second single from the then upcoming album Violator....
. - The punk rockPunk rockPunk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
cover bandCover bandA cover band , is a band that plays mostly or exclusively cover songs. New or unknown bands often find the cover band format marketable for smaller gigs, and these bands may be known as a wedding band, party band and function band. A band whose covers consist mainly of songs that were chart hits is...
Me First and the Gimme GimmesMe First and the Gimme GimmesMe First and the Gimme Gimmes is a punk rock supergroup and cover band that formed in 1995. The Gimmes work exclusively as a cover band. The band is named after a children's book of the same name by Gerald G. Jampolsky and Diane V. Cirincione...
feature a purposely horrible bagpiper in the song I'm So Lonesome I Could CryI'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer-songwriter Hank Williams in 1949. The song about loneliness was largely inspired by his troubled relationship with wife Audrey Sheppard...
. - French black metal band ArtefactArtefact (band)Artefact was a black metal band from Nice, France. According to the band itself, its name is taken from the medieval fantasy universe, and evokes a magical item....
used bagpipes on the song "Blizzard Dwarf Army" from the album Magic SpellcraftMagic SpellcraftMagic Spellcraft is the second Artefact album, recorded at Finnvox studio in 2005. It was released by Rupture Music on May 18, 2006. In this second opus, created and recorded when coming back from Wacken Open Air Festival, where they won third prize during a Wacken Battle, Artefact shows a powerful...
released in May 2006. - Ben Upton played bagpipe in the 2003 song "Beer In The Shower" by Toxic NarcoticToxic NarcoticToxic Narcotic is an American crust punk band from Boston, Massachusetts who formed in 1989. Though many label them crust or hardcore, they do not self-identify with any one specific subgenre of DIY punk. Their songs typically include anti war, violence, and green peace lyrics...
, a hardcore punk band. - Australian Alternative Rock band JebediahJebediahJebediah is an Australian alternative rock band formed in 1994 in Perth, Western Australia. The group consists of vocalist and guitarist Kevin Mitchell, guitarist Chris Daymond, bassist Vanessa Thornton, and Kevin's brother Brett Mitchell on drums...
featured bagpipes on their single " Fall Down", released in October 2001 - MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
used bagpipes on her Re-Invention World Tour in 2004 when Lorne CousinLorne Cousin-Overview:Los Angeles based Scottish bagpiper Lorne Cousin has performed with Madonna, Missy Elliott, Stella McCartney, and Brian Cox, among many others.-Trivia:...
performed onstage individually and with her as part of "Into the GrooveInto the Groove"Into the Groove" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna from the 1985 film Desperately Seeking Susan. It was featured on the 1985 re-issue of her second studio album, Like a Virgin, and released on July 23, 1985 by Sire Records as the album's fourth single outside North America...
". - MuseMuse (band)Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard...
had a bagpipe accompaniment at one of their shows in Scotland, whilst performing one of their songs.
Bagpipes in rock (common usage)
- Finn's Fury, a New York Celtic rockCeltic rockCeltic rock is a genre of folk rock and a form of Celtic fusion which incorporates Celtic music, instrumentation and themes into a rock music context...
band use bagpipes on many songs. They often perform on stage with the Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums. - Dropkick MurphysDropkick MurphysDropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
, a Boston, Mass. Irish-American punk band use bagpipes in many of their songs. An example of this would be their covers of the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
anthem "TessieTessie"Tessie" is both the anthem of the Boston Red Sox and also the title of a newer song by the punk rock band Dropkick Murphys. The original "Tessie" was from the 1902 Broadway musical The Silver Slipper. The newer song, written in 2004, recounts how the singing of the original "Tessie" by the Royal...
" on EP album of the same nameTessie (EP)Tessie is an EP by Dropkick Murphys released in 2004. It features two covers of the official anthem of the Boston Red Sox, "Tessie". Among the songs included on the CD, only "The Burden " and "Tessie " appear exclusively on this release...
. - The New York-based Irish-rock band Black 47Black 47Black 47 are a New York City based celtic rock band with Irish Republican sympathies, whose music also shows influence from reggae, hip hop, folk and jazz...
(formed 1989) incorporates the uilleann pipes with a horn section consisting of alto saxophone and trombone. - British folk-rock songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson has used Northumbrian smallpipes on two of his albums: 1988's AmnesiaAmnesia (album)Amnesia is an album by Richard Thompson, recorded and released in 1988.After Across a Crowded Room and Daring Adventures had not troubled the compilers of hit parades, Polydor declined their option to renew their contract with Thompson...
, on the track "Pharaoh," and 1994's Mirror BlueMirror BlueMirror Blue is an album by Richard Thompson released in 1994.The follow-up to 1991's successful Rumor And Sigh was recorded in January 1993 with Mitchell Froom once again in the producer’s chair. Despite the increase in sales for his previous two albums, Mirror Blue was held back...
, on the track "Beeswing." In both cases the piper is Alistair Anderson. Thompson's guitar playing is influenced by pipe music, and he has cited Billy PiggBilly PiggBilly Pigg was an English player of Northumbrian smallpipes. He was a Vice-President and an influential member of the Northumbrian Pipers Society from 1930 until his death.-Life and music:...
as one of his influences. - The GermanGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
band Corvus CoraxCorvus Corax (band)Corvus Corax is a German band known for playing Neo-Medieval music using an abundance of authentic instruments. Their name is the latin name for the Common Raven. The band was formed in 1989 by Castus Rabensang, Wim and Meister Selbfried in East Germany...
(formed 1989) uses bagpipes extensively, alongside various authentic medieval instruments. - The Scottish-Canadian punk rockPunk rockPunk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band Real McKenziesReal McKenziesThe Real McKenzies is a North American Celtic punk band founded in 1992 and based in Vancouver, British Columbia.In addition to writing and performing original music, Real McKenzies perform traditional Scottish songs, giving them a new punk-influenced sound...
(formed 1992) has featured bagpipes on all their albums, played by various pipers. Their most recent piper, Matt MacNasty, has been playing with the group since their 2003 album Oot & AbootOot & AbootOot & Aboot is the fourth album by the band Real McKenzies, released in 2003.-Track listing:#"Cross the Ocean"#"Droppin' Like Flies"#"Ye Banks and Braes"#"Get Lost"#"Lest We Forget"#"Heather Bells"#"Dance Around the Whisky"#"Oot & Aboot"...
and also played on their albums 10,000 Shots10,000 Shots*Tracks 9 and 10 were mistakenly swapped on the album's track listing. The track listed as "13" actually plays the song "The Skeleton and the Tailor" and vice versa....
and Off the LeashOff the LeashOff the Leash is the sixth album by Scottish-Canadian celtic punk band The Real McKenzies. It was recorded in 2008 and released on August 5th of that year.-Track listing:# "Chip"# "The Lads Who Fought & Won"# "The Ballad Of Greyfriars Bobby"...
, released in 2005 and 2008 respectively. - The GermanGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
band SchelmishSchelmishSchelmish are a German Mittelalter rock band from of the city of Bonn. The band originally formed in 1999 for a birthday celebration for band member Des Demonia's mother. The language of their songs varies between German, English, Latin, French and several old languages.-History:The inspiration for...
uses the medieval bagpipes extensively, along with other various authentic medieval instruments. - The nu metalNu metalNu metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It is a fusion genre which combines elements of heavy metal with other genres, including grunge and hip hop...
band KoЯnKornKorn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
often uses bagpipes in their songs (played by vocalist Jonathan DavisJonathan DavisJonathan Houseman Davis is the lead vocalist and frontman for the nu metal band Korn. Davis was ranked 16th on Hit Parader 's list of "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists".-Early life:...
). Korn used bagpipes in the soft, restrained opening of "Shoots and Ladders" from their self-titled debut album. It marked the first time that bagpipes were included by KornKornKorn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
on a song. Other KoRn songs that include bagpipes are: "LowriderLowrider]A lowrider is a style of car originated by Chicano communities that sits lower to the ground than most other cars. Many lowriders have their suspension systems modified so that their ride can change height at the flip of a switch...
" from Life is PeachyLife Is PeachyLife Is Peachy is the second studio album by the American nu metal band Korn, released on October 15, 1996 through Immortal/Epic Records. Following the success of their 1994 self-titled debut, Korn earned a second double platinum album in the United States, certified by the Recording Industry...
"My Gift to You" from Follow the LeaderFollow the Leader (Korn album)Follow the Leader is the third studio album by American nu metal band Korn. The album was released on August 18, 1998, through Immortal/Epic. This was their first album not produced by Ross Robinson...
, "Dead" from Issues, "Let's Do This Now" from Take a Look in the MirrorTake a Look in the MirrorTake a Look in the Mirror is the sixth studio album by Korn, and is the last studio album to feature their full original lineup, with Brian "Head" Welch departing from the band soon afterwards...
, and the first 11 seconds of I Will Protect You from UntitledUntitled Korn albumThe untitled eighth studio album by American nu metal band Korn was released on July 31, 2007, through Virgin Records. The standard edition holds thirteen tracks, whereas the deluxe edition holds fourteen...
uses bagpipes. Also "Liar", "Seen It All", "10 or a 2-Way" all end off with bagpipes playing and are all on See You on the Other Side. Bagpipes can also be heard on "Lead the Parade", track 6 on the bands ninth studio album "Korn III: Remember Who You Are. - AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
punk rockers Flatfoot 56Flatfoot 56Flatfoot 56 is a Celtic punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The group's use of Scottish Highland bagpipes has led to their classification as a Celtic punk band, comparable to Dropkick Murphys or Flogging Molly.-History:...
(formed 2000) use Highland bagpipes in many of their songs. - The GermanGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
medieval metal/industrial metalIndustrial metalIndustrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
band TanzwutTanzwutTanzwut is a German Neue Deutsche Härte and medieval metal band which originated as a sideproject of Corvus Corax-members.- History :Their name is the German term for "dancing mania", but is directly translated with "dance-rage". Tanzwut are known for their heavy use of bagpipes, an unusual...
uses bagpipes. - The German heavy metalHeavy metal musicHeavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
bands In ExtremoIn ExtremoIn Extremo is a German medieval metal band originating from Berlin. The band's musical style combines metal with medieval traditional songs, blending the sound of the standard rock/metal instruments with historical instruments...
uses bagpipes extensively. - The German hard rockHard rockHard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
/heavy metal/folk bands Subway to SallySubway to SallySubway to Sally was founded in Potsdam, Germany, in the early 1990s. It is a rock band with clear folk and medieval influences, later also with gothic and metal elements added to the mix...
and SchandmaulSchandmaulSchandmaul is a German medieval folk rock band from the vicinity of Munich.As well as using modern instruments like the bass or electric guitar, the band utilizes instruments typically used in Medieval folk songs, such as the bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy or shawm, to produce their trademark folk rock...
use bagpipes. - The German death metalDeath metalDeath metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
band SuidakraSuidakraSuidAkrA is a melodic death metal band from Germany with Celtic folk influences. During their fourteen-year career, they have performed over 200 live shows for several European and Russian tours, as well as a North American tour...
used bagpipes on their album Command to Charge, released in 2005. - The German power metalPower metalPower metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Grave DiggerGrave Digger (band)Grave Digger are a German heavy metal/power metal band formed in 1980. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s.-Band history:...
incorporated bagpipes in many of their songs, from their concept album "Tunes Of War". - The SwissSwitzerlandSwitzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
folk metal band EluveitieEluveitieEluveitie is a folk metal band from Winterthur, Switzerland. The band formed in 2002 and their first EP, Vên came out in 2003. The band then released a full-length album, Spirit in June 2006. In November 2007, Eluveitie was signed by Nuclear Blast....
use Galican bagpipes, played by Sevan Kirder (2003–2008), and Päde Kistler (2008-) in all their music. - The Irish-influenced American punk band Flogging MollyFlogging MollyFlogging Molly is a seven-piece Irish-descendant band from Los Angeles, California, that is currently signed to their own record label, Borstal Beat Records.-Early years:...
(formed 1998, Los Angeles) incorporates uillean pipes into some of their songs. - The Toronto-based Scottish-punk band Enter the HaggisEnter the HaggisEnter the Haggis is a Canadian Indie/Celtic/Folk Rock world-fusion band based in Toronto, Canada. Commonly called ETH, the band has been playing and recording since 1996. Their latest studio album, "Whitelake" is the band's ninth album....
(formed 1996) frequently makes use of Highland bagpipes. - NeurosisNeurosis (band)Neurosis is a post-metal band, based in Oakland, California. They formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band, and their sound progressed towards a doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music...
have used bagpipes on their albums Through Silver in BloodThrough Silver In BloodThrough Silver in Blood is the fifth album from the Oakland, California band Neurosis and their first record for new label Relapse Records. The album was reissued in July 2009 on Neurot Recordings.-Track listing:#"Through Silver in Blood" – 12:11...
(April 1996) and Times of Grace (May 1999). - The Australian folk/rock band BrotherBrother (band)Brother is a rock band incorporating Celtic rock , mongrel rock, Australian rock, didgeridoo, and vocals. They record on their own Rhubarb Records label, and have gained a worldwide following with their meld of Celtic music and dress with alternative rock and style.-Band history:The Richardson...
often pairs bagpipes with the didgeridooDidgeridooThe didgeridoo is a wind instrument developed by Indigenous Australians of northern Australia around 1,500 years ago and still in widespread usage today both in Australia and around the world. It is sometimes described as a natural wooden trumpet or "drone pipe"...
in their songs. - The often surreal band Forest for the TreesForest for the TreesForest for the Trees was a group started by Carl Stephenson in 1993. The project produced only a single full length album during its duration. Self-titled, the album was released in 1997 after being delayed by a nervous breakdown that kept Stephenson from working on it for several years. Forest for...
makes liberal use of bagpipes. - The Spanish folk metal band Mägo de OzMägo de OzMägo de Oz is a Spanish folk/heavy metal band from Begoña, Madrid formed in mid-1988 by drummer Txus di Fellatio. In 1992, the band were finalists in the Villa de Madrid contest. Then, they went onto achieve great success in Spain, and in 1995, were declared Revolution Rock Band...
uses bagpipes in many songs, e.g. "El Atrapasueños" ("The Dreamcatcher"). - Though not actual bagpipes, the Scottish band Big CountryBig CountryBig Country are a Scottish rock band formed in Dunfermline, Fife in 1981. They were most popular in the early to mid-1980s, but they still release material for a cult following...
would often use guitars that, by the use of electronics, were very similar sounding to bagpipes. - Bad HaggisBad HaggisBad Haggis is a Celtic band with roots in Scottish music. The American group is led by piper Eric Rigler, who has played on dozens of movie soundtracks...
, featuring Eric RiglerEric RiglerEric Rigler is an American player of the Uilleann pipes, Great Highland Bagpipes, and tin whistle. He plays on his own and with the band Bad Haggis, and has been featured on a number of movie soundtracks. He has been described as "the most recorded bagpiper of all time"...
, who it has been speculated is the most recorded bagpiper alive, utilizing Highland and uilleann bagpipes. Rigler also played on the Braveheart soundtrack, and for Phil Collins' cover of "True Colors." - Dutch black metalBlack metalBlack metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
ers Black Nocturnal Darkness also incorporated bagpipes, specially in their early years. Also the folk metalFolk metalFolk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with traditional folk music...
of Magnor (a side project of Black Nocturnal Darkness) makes use of this instrument. - The Battlefield Band, while playing mostly traditional Scottish music, has a tradition of ending their first set with one or another of Creedence Clearwater RevivalCreedence Clearwater RevivalCreedence Clearwater Revival was an American rock band that gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a number of successful singles drawn from various albums....
's hit songs. - Canadian rock band The MudmenMudmenMudmen are a Canadian rock band that formed in Toronto, Ontario in 2000. Initially comprising vocalist Zoy Nicoles, guitarist Lonny Knapp, bassist Tommy Skilton, drummer Ryan McCaffrey and bagpipe-playing brothers Robby and Sandy Campbell...
(formed in 1998) has released three albums. The group consists of six men, and two of which (brothers who are both former world's strongest men) play Highland pipes within the band. - Portuguese group GaitafoliaAssociação Gaita-de-foleThe Associação Gaita-de-fole is a non-profit organization, founded officially in 1994 by enthusiasts of the Portuguese folk traditions — specially the related with the Galician and Transmontan bagpipes...
(formed in 1998), which mix traditional music for the Transmontan bagpipe with modern sets. - Irish folk-metal band CruachanCruachan (band)Cruachan [kroo-a-khawn] is a Celtic metal band from Dublin, Ireland that has been active since the 1990s. They have been acclaimed as having "gone the greatest lengths of anyone in their attempts to expand" the genre of folk metal. They are recognised as one of the founders of the genre of folk metal...
uses bagpipes in songs, also uses many folk instruments. - Paddy MoloneyPaddy MoloneyPaddy Moloney is one of the founders of the Irish musical group The Chieftains and has played on every one of their albums.He was born in Donnycarney in Dublin. His mother bought him a tin whistle when he was six and at the age of eight he started to learn the Uilleann pipes. He also plays button...
of The ChieftainsThe ChieftainsThe Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1962, best known for being one of the first bands to make Irish traditional music popular around the world.-Name:...
played uilleann pipesUilleann pipesThe uilleann pipes or //; ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland, their current name, earlier known in English as "union pipes", is a part translation of the Irish-language term píobaí uilleann , from their method of inflation.The bag of the uilleann pipes is inflated by means of a...
on British progressive rock musician Mike OldfieldMike OldfieldMichael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
's album-length work OmmadawnOmmadawnOmmadawn is the third record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1975 on Virgin Records. The cover photograph was by David Bailey. It peaked at #4 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was reissued in June 2010 with additional content.- Album history :...
and also the track "Taurus II" in the album Five Miles OutFive Miles OutFive Miles Out is the seventh record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1982, at a time when his music was moving away from large-scale symphonic pieces towards a more accessible pop style. It is one of the very few albums on which Oldfield sings lead vocals, as he is noted for not having any...
. Oldfield himself plays Northumbrian smallpipesNorthumbrian smallpipesThe Northumbrian smallpipes are bellows-blown bagpipes from the North East of England.In a survey of the bagpipes in the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford University, the organologist Anthony Baines wrote: It is perhaps the most civilized of the bagpipes, making no attempt to go farther than the...
in the title track of QE2QE2 (album)QE2 is the sixth record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1980 on Virgin Records.The album contained both original Oldfield compositions as well as two cover version of pieces recorded by other bands .- Album analysis :The longest tracks on the album are "Taurus I" and the title track, "QE2",...
. - Neutral Milk HotelNeutral Milk HotelNeutral Milk Hotel was an American indie rock band formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Jeff Mangum in the early 1990s. The band was noted for its experimental sound, obscure lyrics and eclectic instrumentation....
utilized uilleann pipesUilleann pipesThe uilleann pipes or //; ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland, their current name, earlier known in English as "union pipes", is a part translation of the Irish-language term píobaí uilleann , from their method of inflation.The bag of the uilleann pipes is inflated by means of a...
on track 10 (often referred to as the Untitled Track) of their album In the Aeroplane Over the SeaIn the Aeroplane Over the SeaIn the Aeroplane Over the Sea is the second studio album by American indie rock band Neutral Milk Hotel, released in the United States on February 10, 1998 on Merge Records...
. - Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaacAshley MacIsaacAshley Dwayne MacIsaac is a Canadian professional fiddler from Cape Breton Island.His album Hi™ How Are You Today?, featuring the hit single "Sleepy Maggie", with vocals in Scottish Gaelic by Mary Jane Lamond was released in 1995...
incorporated Highland bagpipes in his band The Kitchen Devils. Piper Scott Long from the former fiddler's back up band appears on the double platinum recording Hi How Are You Today and Helters Celtic. - Seven Nations, an American Celtic-rock band, features Highland bagpipes and shuttle pipes in many of their songs. Band member Scott Long plays pipes.
- Argentine celtic folk rock band SkiltronSkiltronSkiltron is an ArgentinianFolk Metal band formed in 2004 by Matias Pena and Emilio Souto. This musical fusion is common in many groups in Europe, but is remarkable in South America, and especially in Argentina, Skiltron being a pioneer group of the genre....
makes heavy use of the bagpipes in a style common in Europe but still rare in South America. - South African trio Haggis and Bong uses bagpipes and drums with no lyrics.
- NightwishNightwishNightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
, a Finnish symphonic metalSymphonic metalSymphonic metal is a term used to describe heavy metal music that has symphonic elements; that is, elements that are either borrowed from classical music or, as with progressive rock music, create a style reminiscent of it, e.g...
band, on their Dark Passion PlayDark Passion PlayDark Passion Play is the sixth studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, released on 26 September, 2007 in Finland, 28 September in Europe and 2 October 2007 in the United States. It was the first Nightwish album with the band's current lead singer, Anette Olzon, and the first album...
album, used Uilleann pipes on several songs, most notably "Last of the Wilds". - SladeSladeSlade are an English rock band from Wolverhampton, who rose to prominence during the glam rock era of the early 1970s. With 17 consecutive Top 20 hits and six number ones, the British Hit Singles & Albums names them as the most successful British group of the 1970s based on sales of singles...
mimicked the bagpipe sound in "Run RunawayRun Runaway"Run Runaway" is a hard rock song performed by English band Slade. The song was written by Jim Lea and Noddy Holder and was on their 1983 album The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome...
" with electric guitars played in harmony, rather than actual bagpipes. - Latvian folkFolk metalFolk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with traditional folk music...
black metal band SkyforgerSkyforgerSkyforger is a heavy metal band from Latvia which was formed in 1995 out of the remains of doom metal band Grindmaster Dead. Most of their songs are about pagan gods and warfare; they also play traditional Latvian folk songs and metal covers. Although Skyforger is known for their folk metal, their...
uses bagpipes. - DixebraDixebraDixebra is a rock band from Asturias, Spain.Dixebra was founded in 1987 in the Asturian city of Avilés with the idea of creating a rock band that would use the Asturian language in their lyrics with the aim of creating music that reflects the multiple realities of the country. The word dixebra is...
, a Spanish rock band, uses bagpipes in almost all of their songs. The Asturian bagpipe has been replaced by an electronic bagpipeElectronic bagpipesThe electronic bagpipes are an electronic instrument emulating the tone and/or playing style of the bagpipes. Most electronic bagpipe emulators feature a simulated chanter, which is used to play the melody. Some models also produce a harmonizing drone...
in later years. - DispatchedDispatchedDispatched was a Swedish melodic death metal band from Södertälje formed in 1992.-Biography:Dispatched was formed just before New Year's Eve, 1991 by Daniel Lundberg and Krister Andersson. Jonas Kimbrell and Emanuel Astrom joined the band later that same year...
used bagpipes on their album Terrorizer: The Last Chapter...Terrorizer: The Last Chapter...Terrorizer: The Last Chapter... is a the third album by Dispatched. It was first released in 2003.-Track listing:# "Terrorizer"# "Rebellion"# "Wicked Dreams"# "Beneath the World of Chaos"# "Waste Some Steel"# "Override"# "Mechanical"...
released in 2003. - Prague-based celtic punkCeltic punkCeltic punk is punk rock mixed with traditional Celtic music. The genre was founded in the 1980s by The Pogues, a band of punk musicians in London who celebrated their Irish heritage. Celtic punk bands often play covers of traditional Irish folk and political songs, as well as original compositions...
band Pipes And PintsPipes and PintsPipes and Pints are a celtic punk band from Prague, Czech Republic, combining punk rock with Highland bagpipes.Pipes and Pints were formed in 2006 by Vojta Kalina with a dream of a band that combines punk rock with dirty folk music such as The Pogues...
(formed 2006) incorporates highland bagpipes extensively in their music. - Scottish group The Red Hot Chilli Pipers uses bagpipes in everything they do, including many covers of contemporary songs.
- The Singers of Chipuco is another American band that usually uses bagpipes in their songs.
Bagpipes in other forms of music
- Eugenio Gracia has recorded the album called Chitos (Burgeons), played with Gaita de boto, native from Aragon, distinctive for its tenor drone running parallel to the chanter. See http://egchitos.blogspot.com/
- Pipapelli, from Western North Carolina, uses the Great Highland Bagpipes more like a guitar than anything else. Run through a guitar wah peddle to create the original "Western Carolina Wah-pyps". Pipapelli plays tunes from Koko Taylor to Blues Brothers to Led Zeppelin, with many of the tunes driven by the lead bagpipes. See at www.myspace.com/pipapelli
- Xufu, a Catalan Bagpipe Player, has recorded a hip-hop song "5" with his bagpipe. See at http://www.vallverdu.cat/pagines/SdN%20CD.htm
- NiteworksNiteworksNiteworks is an Electronic Celtic fusion band from the Isle of Skye. The band are known for writing new songs in Scottish Gaelic and melding the bagpipes and traditional Gaelic song such as puirt a beul with techno and house beats.-History:Niteworks came together in early 2008...
, an electronic dance group from Skye use the Scottish smallpipe in combination with Gaelic song and electronic dance music. Their piper Allan MacDonald is the son of Dr. Angus MacDonald of the Glenuig MacDonalds, esteemed Scottish Pipers. - Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo has had an ongoing free form psychedelic project for some years, "Glacial," with piper David Watson (see above).
- Canadian band Godspeed You! Black EmperorGodspeed You! Black EmperorGodspeed You! Black Emperor is a Canadian post-rock band which originated from Montreal, Quebec in 1994...
used bagpipes for the opening of East Hastings from their LP F♯a♯∞F♯A♯∞F♯ A♯ ∞ is the debut album of the Canadian post-rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor. It was released twice, first in 1997 by Constellation Records and then again on 8 June 1998, by Kranky as an expanded edition that ran for 63:27...
. - Originally a hymn, "Amazing GraceAmazing Grace"Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn with words written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton , published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God,...
" is often thought of as a bagpipe tune since it is particularly powerful on the pipes and is commonly heard at funerals when the pipes are present. It was popularized by a hit single recorded by the Royal Scots Greys under PM Jimmy Pryde, which was one of the first popular recordings of bagpipes played with another instrument. - American funk band ParliamentParliament (band)Parliament was a funk band most prominent during the 1970s. It and its sister act Funkadelic, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
used bagpipes on the track "Silent Boatman", from their 1970 debut Osmium. - Scottish/Indian/Jazz fusion band Ronak Baja use Highland bagpipes extensively in their album "Linking Road" (2008)
- The late Canadian-born Scottish musician Martyn BennettMartyn BennettMartyn Bennett was a Scottish musician who was born in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada...
(1971-2005) played Highland bagpipe and Scottish smallpipe in combination with hip-hop and electronic dance music on all of his albums. - Mark SaulMark SaulMark Saul is a Celtic fusion musician from Melbourne, Australia. He plays Highland Bagpipes, wooden flute, and tin whistle, in addition to creating the electronic aspects of his music....
is a Celtic fusionCeltic FusionCeltic fusion is an umbrella term for modern music which incorporates influences considered "Celtic," or Celtic music which incorporates modern music. It is a syncretic musical tradition which borrows freely from the perceived "Celtic" musical traditions of all the Celtic nations, as well as from...
musician from Melbourne, Australia who plays the Great Highland Bagpipes, wooden fluteFluteThe flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, and tin whistleTin whistleThe tin whistle, also called the penny whistle, English Flageolet, Scottish penny whistle, Tin Flageolet, Irish whistle and Clarke London Flageolet is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. It is an end blown fipple flute, putting it in the same category as the recorder, American Indian flute, and...
, in addition to creating the electronic aspects of his music. - Bagpipes (played by Rufus Harley) are featured on the title track of the 1995 album Do You Want More?!!!??! by the U.S. hip hop group The RootsThe RootsThe Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
. - Rufus Harley also played bagpipes on the track "Sweaters", on Laurie AndersonLaurie AndersonLaura Phillips "Laurie" Anderson is an American experimental performance artist, composer and musician who plays violin and keyboards and sings in a variety of experimental music and art rock styles. Initially trained as a sculptor, Anderson did her first performance-art piece in the late 1960s...
's art-rock album Big Science (1982). - The British musician Paul DunmallPaul DunmallPaul Dunmall is a British jazz saxophonist who plays tenor and soprano saxophone as well as the baritone and the more exotic Saxello and the Northumbrian pipes.He has a long discography on the Duns Limited Edition label....
plays free improvised musicFree improvisationFree improvisation or free music is improvised music without any rules beyond the logic or inclination of the musician involved. The term can refer to both a technique and as a recognizable genre in its own right....
on the border pipesBorder pipesThe border pipes are a type of bagpipe related to the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe. It is perhaps confusable with the Scottish smallpipe, although it is a quite different and much older instrument...
. - Orchestra Macaroon - Breakfast In Balquhidder -Scottish Latin-AmericanLatin AmericaLatin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
jazz folk-rock with the apposite "Warning: This product may contain traces of bagpipes". - WorldbeatWorldbeatWorldbeat is a music genre that primarily refers to a blending of Western pop music with traditional/folk or world music influences...
ensemble Afro Celt Sound SystemAfro Celt Sound SystemThe Afro Celt Sound System is a musical group which fuses modern electronic dance rhythms with traditional Irish and West African music...
have a signature sound that highlights the uilleann pipesUilleann pipesThe uilleann pipes or //; ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland, their current name, earlier known in English as "union pipes", is a part translation of the Irish-language term píobaí uilleann , from their method of inflation.The bag of the uilleann pipes is inflated by means of a...
in its fusion of traditional Celtic and African musical textures. - Part of Orbital'sOrbital (band)Orbital are a British electronic dance music duo from Sevenoaks, England consisting of brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll. Their career initially ran from 1989 until 2004, but in 2009 they announced that they would be reforming and headlining The Big Chill, in addition to a number of other live shows...
single, "Style", includes a remix with (probably synthesized) bagpipes called "Big Pipe Style". The original was played with a Stylophone. - In the video game Dance Dance Revolution EXTREMEDance Dance Revolution ExtremeDance Dance Revolution Extreme is a music video game by Konami and is the eighth release in the main Dance Dance Revolution series. It was released on December 25, 2002 for Japanese arcades and on October 9, 2003 for the Japanese PlayStation 2...
, the song Bag is composed of synthesized bagpipe sounds. - Belle & Sebastian's 1998 release, The Boy with the Arab StrapThe Boy with the Arab StrapThe Boy with the Arab Strap is the third album from the Scottish band Belle & Sebastian. The inspiration for the album's name came from the band Arab Strap, who are also from Scotland and briefly toured with Belle & Sebastian. An Arab strap is a sexual device for retaining an erection.Arab Strap...
, has bagpipes played by Iain "Chic" Mackay on the track Sleep the Clock Around. - Modern Celtic-fusion band Lucid DruidLucid DruidLucid Druid is a Celtic fusion band that formed in Clearwater, Florida in 2003. The band self-proclaims their sound as "Traditional Celtic Music of the early 21st century," and "Eclectic World-Fusion Music," describing their multi-faceted and jam-induced music....
features bagpipes as the primary instrument in their 5-piece, all-instrumental line-up. Their repertoire is based around the original compositions of piper Adam QuinnAdam QuinnAdam Steven Quinn is an American bagpipe player, instructor, and prolific composer of bagpipe music, who resides in Clearwater, Florida...
(formerly of the Simon Fraser University Pipe BandSimon Fraser University Pipe BandThe Simon Fraser University Pipe Band is a grade one pipe band affiliated with Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada . The band has consistently placed in the top three in world competition and has won the Grade One World Pipe Band Championships six times: 1995, 1996, 1999,...
). - Latin musician Rubén BladesRubén BladesRubén Blades Bellido de Luna is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, Latin jazz musician, and politician, performing musically most often in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres...
used Eric Rigler (of Bad Haggis, above) to play bagpipes on his Grammy-winning Mundo (2002). Rigler joined Blades on tour, later Blades joined Bad Haggis for their DVD project Span (2004). - On her 1994 album The Mask and MirrorThe Mask and MirrorThe Mask and Mirror is an album by Loreena McKennitt that was released in 1994. The album has been certified Gold in the United States.- Overview :Like most of Loreena McKennitt's albums, The Mask and Mirror is heavily influenced by her travels...
Canadian New Age Celtic singer Loreena McKennittLoreena McKennittLoreena Isabel Irene McKennitt, CM, OM, is a Canadian singer, composer, harpist, accordionist and pianist who writes, records and performs world music with Celtic and Middle Eastern themes. McKennitt is known for her refined, clear soprano vocals...
introduced the song "The Two Trees" with a piping solo intro. called "Ce He Mise Le Ulaingt?" ("Who Am I to Bear It?")with Uilleann pipesUilleann pipesThe uilleann pipes or //; ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland, their current name, earlier known in English as "union pipes", is a part translation of the Irish-language term píobaí uilleann , from their method of inflation.The bag of the uilleann pipes is inflated by means of a...
played by Patrick Hutchinson. - A bagpipe was used in the 1965 song "I Love How You Love Me" by Nino Tempo & April StevensNino Tempo & April StevensNino Tempo & April Stevens are a brother and sister act from Niagara Falls, New York. Formed in the early 1960s when Nino Tempo and April Stevens signed as a duo with Atco Records, the group had a string of Billboard hits and earned a Grammy Award as "best rock & roll record of the year" for the...
. Further information about and a recording of the song. - DRAM! is the latest band to employ bagpipes in an electronic/bagpipe fusion featuring the piper who played with MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, Lorne CousinLorne Cousin-Overview:Los Angeles based Scottish bagpiper Lorne Cousin has performed with Madonna, Missy Elliott, Stella McCartney, and Brian Cox, among many others.-Trivia:...
. - On EminemEminemMarshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
's album Relapse on the song "Bagpipes from Baghdad." - E.J. Jones played Scottish smallpipes on the song, "The Traveling Storm," from Robert Earl KeenRobert Earl KeenRobert Earl Keen, Junior is an American Texas Country singer-songwriter. He is popular with fans of traditional country music, folk music, college radio, and alt-country. Keen currently resides in Kerrville, Texas and maintains a ranch in Medina, Texas.-Early life:Growing up in Houston, Texas,...
's CD, "What I Really MeanWhat I Really MeanWhat I Really Mean is an album by Texas-based folk singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen, first released in the United States on May 10, 2005 by Koch Entertainment.-Track listing:*All tracks written by Robert Earl Keen, except where noted....
". - Stefan Hannigan plays Uilleann pipes as part of the wedding band in an episode of "FriendsFriendsFriends is an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series revolves around a group of friends in Manhattan. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
" - "The One with Ross's Wedding". - The Rogues, a kilted Rock/Celtic/Folk/Classical/World group from Texas is probably the single heaviest bagpiping group outside of Highland Games bands.
- Laurel Massé (formerly with Manhattan Transfer) used Great Highland bagpipes, played by Nancy Tunnicliffe, on her 2000 recording Feather and Bone.
- Composer John Powell used warpipesGreat Irish WarpipesThe Great Irish Warpipes are an instrument that in modern practice is identical, and historically was analogous or identical to the Great Highland Bagpipe. "Warpipes" is an English term; The first use of the Gaelic term in Ireland is recorded in a poem by John O'Naughton , in which the bagpipes...
in the orchestral score of the 2010 feature film How to Train Your DragonHow to Train Your Dragon: Music from the Motion PictureHow to Train Your Dragon: Music from the Motion Picture was composed by John Powell for the film of the same name and released by Varèse Sarabande on March 23, 2010. The score earned Powell his first Academy Award nomination and his third BAFTA nomination, which he lost to The Social Network and...
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