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Roy HarperGuitar player
Date of Birth: 12.06.1941
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Biography of Roy Harper
Roy Harper was born on June 12, 1941, in Manchester. His mother died a month after giving birth, and he was mostly raised by his stepmother. From a young age, Roy had an interest in literature, particularly poetry, and music. He was initially a big fan of blues, especially Huddie Leadbetter and Big Bill Broonzy, as well as folk performers like Woody Guthrie.
At the age of 18, he discovered Miles Davis, which sparked his interest in serious music. In his early teens, he formed a band called De Boys with his brothers David and Harry, but their attempt at playing skiffle was unsuccessful as none of them were skilled musicians.
At 15, Roy ran away from home due to the unbearable atmosphere. His father wanted him to focus on his studies and get a higher education, while his stepmother, who was a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses sect, was overly concerned about saving his soul. He joined the Royal Air Force (RAF), but he didn't enjoy the service and tried to make it more bearable by playing skiffle in an amateur band. To get discharged from the RAF, Roy faked a nervous breakdown and was sent to a psychiatric ward in an army hospital, where he received electroshock therapy. After spending four months there, he was transferred to the Lancaster Psychiatric Hospital, where he lasted only two days. After being severely beaten three times, Roy escaped through a bathroom window in his pajamas with the help of his pregnant girlfriend, who later left him the next day after the escape. These experiences influenced his song "Committed" from his debut album.
A few days later, Roy was arrested in London for participating in anti-government protests and attempting to climb the clock tower at St. Pancras Station. He spent a year in prison, during which he was in charge of the prison library. It was during this time that he developed a serious interest in literature, reading Steinbeck, Nietzsche, Kerouac, and works by Beat poets. He also began writing his own poetry. After his release from prison, Roy started performing in small London clubs and on the streets to make a living. He eventually settled at the folk club "Les Cousins" in Soho, where he shared the stage with musicians like Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Al Stewart, and Cat Stevens.
In 1966, a small independent label called "Strike" gave him the opportunity to record his debut album, "The Sophisticated Beggar," which was recorded in just two days. Roy sold his own records on Oxford Street. The album received positive reviews, and his next album, "Come Out Fighting Genius Smith," solidified his success.
In 1968, Roy Harper performed a series of free concerts in London's Hyde Park, showcasing material from his upcoming album, "Folkjokeopus," which was released in 1969 on Liberty Records. In early 1970, he was introduced to producer Peter Jenner, who had discovered Pink Floyd. With Jenner's help, Roy signed a contract with Harvest Records (a division of EMI) and released 10 albums recorded at Abbey Road Studios. His first album with Harvest, "Flat, Baroque and Bersek," was released in 1970 and featured musicians from THE NICE: Keith Emerson, Lee Jackson, and Brian "Blinky" Davison. The album included the popular song "I Hate the White Man," which addressed the genocide of Native Americans, and "Another Day," a lyrical ballad about love, which was later covered by various artists.
In 1971, Led Zeppelin dedicated a song called "Hats off to Roy Harper" to him on their third album. Roy's next album, "Stormcock," released in 1971, is considered his best work. It included the song "Same Old Rock," featuring Jimmy Page under the pseudonym S. Flavius Mercurius, and was heavily influenced by Arabic music.
Throughout the 1970s, Roy Harper continued to release albums and collaborate with various musicians. He played the role of Mike Preston in the film "Made" in 1972 and also composed the film's soundtrack. In 1975, he formed the band Trigger and supported Pink Floyd on their UK tour. Trigger released the album "HO" in 1975, which received positive reviews.
In the 1980s, Roy Harper's health deteriorated, and he took a break from active music-making. In 1990, he made a comeback with the release of the critically acclaimed album "Once," featuring collaborations with Dave Gilmour and Kate Bush. Roy formed his own record label, Science Friction, in 1993, and reissued his previous albums on CD.
Over the years, Roy Harper's health continued to fluctuate, but he managed to continue his musical career. He celebrated his 60th birthday with a concert at the Royal Festival Hall in London in 2001. His son, Nick Harper, also became a musician and collaborated with his father on various projects.
Despite his immense talent and the support of esteemed friends, Roy Harper never achieved widespread popularity in the rock music scene. Some attribute this to his reluctance to commercialize his music. However, he remains highly respected among a dedicated fanbase.