Roy Phillips

 ( 1941 Births ) 

Roy Godfrey Phillips (5 May 1941 – 24 April 2025) was a British musician. He was a member of The Soundtracks (a backing group of The Dowlands), The Saints and The Peddlers.

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Background Phillips was known as the voice and keyboard sound of well-known popular trio, The Peddlers which was formed in Manchester in 1964. Jazz Forum, Issues 116-121 – Page 11 Stuff.co.nz, 16 June 2013 – Mood music for the meth-lab – Grant Smithies

In later years, Phillips was so taken with New Zealand, he decided to move there in 1981. The Gisborne Herald, 24 August 2017 – Smooth grooves with Peddler Roy Phillips by Mark Peters After rejecting living in Auckland, Philips moved to Paihia, where he ran a café for eight years, before moving to Queenstown. From 2002, he lived in Christchurch, after moving there to marry his wife, Robyn.

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Career

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1960s During the 1960s, Phillips was a member of The Song Peddlers which with addition of Trevor Morais became a trio. The lineup also included Tab Martin. The group were managed by Alan Lewis. A single "Rose Marie" bw "I'm Not Afraid" was released on the Philips Records label in 1964.Mersey Beat – On My Liverpool Beat (cont.), FLAMINGOS By Bill Harry The group then became The Peddlers.AllMusic – The Peddlers – Music Biography, Credits and DiscographyKinemaGigz – Peddlers 'Biogz P' : The Peddlers Also in 1964, and now known as The Peddlers they had some minor success with their debut single, "Let The Sun Shine In" which was written by Teddy Randazzo.45Cat – The Peddlers – Discography, UKMaking Time – The PeddlersTootoot – Peddlers, The, Details

Phillips was one of the musicians placed in the 1967 Beat Instrumental Gold Star Awards. He shared the no. 12 spot with Keith Emerson in the Keyboard Player category. Beat Instrumental, Feb. 1967 – Page 20 BEAT INSTRUMENTAL'S 1967 GOLD STAR AWARDS, KEYBOARD PLAYER Also in the same awards, The Peddlers were placed at no. 18 in the Best Group on Stage category. Beat Instrumental, Feb. 1967 – Page 21 BEAT INSTRUMENTAL'S 1967 GOLD STAR AWARDS, Best Group on Stage

The group would go on to have hits with "Birth" and "Girlie".AllMusic – The Peddlers, Artist Biographyby Bruce Eder Billboard, 30 May 1970 – Page 74 Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD, NEW ZEALAND SINGLES

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1970s In 1976, his group, Peddlers which he had led since 1964 broke up.Nostalgia Central – Music – 1960s, Peddlers, The In the same year, Phillips's solo album Mr Peddler was released on Warner Bros. It also had a limited release as a private pressing on the Wild Cherry label as Heavy on the Light Side. The Wild Cherry release differed slightly from the Warner Bros. one.Discogs – Roy Phillips, Discography, AlbumsPopsike – ROY PHILLIPS/PEDDLARS – HEAVY ON THE LIGHT SIDE – RARE PRIVATE PRESS JAZZ LP, Description Also that year he had a single "My Spanish Sun" bw "The Office Party" out on the Sol-Doon label.Global Dog Productions – 45 Discography for Sol Doon Records – UK

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1980s to 1990s In 1983, Phillips had a single released on the Warrior label which included releases by artists the Mike McGregor Band, Mantra and Herbs. The single was "New Zealand, New Zealand" bw "Takapuna".AudioCulture, 8 May 2013 – Warrior – Simon Grigg When the Pakeha Sings of Home: A Source Guide to the Folk & Popular Songs of New Zealand, By Mike Harding – Page 77, Page 84 In 1987, his single "Step By Step" bw "All Girl Planet" was released on Zulu Z006.The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television – Catalogue → 21510, Step by step Also in the late 1980s, Phillips headed the Sunday bill at the Sixth Southern Comfort Jazz and Blues Festival that was held in New Zealand over Queen's Birthday Weekend. Jazz Forum, Issues 116-121 – Page 11 Tommy Adderley (1940–1993): The Man and His Contributions to Pop, Jazz, and Rock Music in New Zealand, By Christine Mintrom – Page 149

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2000s In 2006, he appeared on the television show Close Up, interviewed by John Sellwood.The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound – Catalogue → TZP326971 CLOSE UP – ROYPHILLIPS

In 2007, a song by Phillips, "Closer" was featured on a Lord Large album, The Lord's First XI. The album also featured recordings by Glenn Tilbrook, Clem Curtis, Dean Parrish and Linda Lewis.Discogs – Lord Large – The Lord's First XI Scoop.co.nz, Wednesday, 19 July 2017 – The Voice of ‘the Peddlers’ Phillip's involvement in the project came about as a result of Large's friend, producer/drummer Jones who was honeymooning in New Zealand and had found a new drinking buddy who happened to be Phillips.Bisikleta Productions, Friday, 17 July 2009 – PAUL WELLER PENNED TUNE DONE BY LORD LARGE Phillips' vocals were recorded at Midnight Studios in Christchurch, New Zealand.

In 2006, he recorded his album, That's Way 'Tis, which was tribute to his late father, Frankie Phillips. Scoop, Wednesday, 19 July 2017 - The Voice of ‘the Peddlers’

His album called Blue Groove (2014) was produced and recorded at Roy's "Groove Room" Studios which he set up at his home in Christchurch after moving there in 2002.

In August 2017, he appeared at Peppers Beachfront restaurant in Gisborne.

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Death Phillips died in Christchurch, New Zealand on 24 April 2025, at the age of 83.

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Discography (selective)

+ Singles

+ Albums

+ Appears on

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Citations

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External links

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