Darrel Higham
Encyclopedia
Darrel Higham is an English rockabilly guitarist.
with British rockabilly
bands in the late 1980s. By the mid-1990s, he had created the band that would become his main gigging and recording project: Darrel Higham & The Enforcers. Higham's solo projects include session work as guitarist with Chrissie Hynde
, Jeff Beck
, Rocky Burnette, Billy Lee Riley, Shakin' Stevens
(on the 1999 UK tour). Eddie Cochran
's last road band - The Kelly Four - employed Higham as their front man for a six month period in 1992 for gigs and recordings in the US.
In 1996, he also appeared in London's Prince Of Wales Theatre
playing the role of Scotty Moore and Eddie Cochran for 8 months in a revival of Jack Good
's Elvis: The Musical. This would lead to further roles as Eddie Cochran in touring theatre shows around the UK for a couple of years afterwards.
Higham co-owns Embassy Studios, a sixteen track analogue recording studio near Basingstoke, with Foot Tapping Records boss, Clive Duffin. They also run a small recording label, Ambassador Records. Higham is endorsed by Peavey and plays their amplifiers exclusively. He also helped design the company's first semi acoustic guitar - The Rockingham. He now plays a variety of guitars including a Gretsch White Falcon, a Gibson ES-5 and a Kay Thin Line re-issue.
From 2008 onwards he has also found success as lead guitarist in the Imelda May
band, whose albums Love Tattoo
and Mayhem
reached number one in Ireland, as well as having toured the US as support acts to Jeff Beck
and Jamie Cullum
.
He is married to the singer Imelda May
.
In 2011 he shared the lead vocal duties with his wife, Imelda May
, on the Jeff Beck DVD, A Rock 'n' Roll Party.
Higham is a fan of the English football team, Sunderland AFC.
Career
Higham started playing lead guitarGuitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
with British rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
bands in the late 1980s. By the mid-1990s, he had created the band that would become his main gigging and recording project: Darrel Higham & The Enforcers. Higham's solo projects include session work as guitarist with Chrissie Hynde
Chrissie Hynde
Christine Ellen "Chrissie" Hynde is an US musician best known as the leader of the rock/new wave band the Pretenders. She is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and has been the only constant member of the band throughout its history.-Early life and career:Hynde is the daughter of a part-time...
, 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...
, Rocky Burnette, Billy Lee Riley, Shakin' Stevens
Shakin' Stevens
Shakin' Stevens, also known as "Shaky" is a platinum selling Welsh rock and roll singer and songwriter who holds the distinction of being the UK's biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980s . His recording and performing career began in the late 1960s, although it was not until 1980 that he saw...
(on the 1999 UK tour). Eddie Cochran
Eddie Cochran
Eddie Cochran , was an American rock and roll pioneer who in his brief career had a small but lasting influence on rock music through his guitar playing. Cochran's rockabilly songs, such as "C'mon Everybody", "Somethin' Else", and "Summertime Blues", captured teenage frustration and desire in the...
's last road band - The Kelly Four - employed Higham as their front man for a six month period in 1992 for gigs and recordings in the US.
In 1996, he also appeared in London's Prince Of Wales Theatre
Prince of Wales Theatre
The Prince of Wales Theatre is a West End theatre on Coventry Street, near Leicester Square in the City of Westminster. It was established in 1884 and rebuilt in 1937, and extensively refurbished in 2004 by Sir Cameron Mackintosh, its current owner...
playing the role of Scotty Moore and Eddie Cochran for 8 months in a revival of Jack Good
Jack Good (producer)
Jack Good is a pioneering former TV television producer, musical theatre producer, record producer, musician and painter of icons.-Career:...
's Elvis: The Musical. This would lead to further roles as Eddie Cochran in touring theatre shows around the UK for a couple of years afterwards.
Higham co-owns Embassy Studios, a sixteen track analogue recording studio near Basingstoke, with Foot Tapping Records boss, Clive Duffin. They also run a small recording label, Ambassador Records. Higham is endorsed by Peavey and plays their amplifiers exclusively. He also helped design the company's first semi acoustic guitar - The Rockingham. He now plays a variety of guitars including a Gretsch White Falcon, a Gibson ES-5 and a Kay Thin Line re-issue.
From 2008 onwards he has also found success as lead guitarist in the Imelda May
Imelda May
Imelda Mary Higham, Clabby , known as Imelda May, is an Irish vocalist and musician. She began her career in music at 15 and released her debut album in 2005. She also plays the bodhrán and guitar...
band, whose albums Love Tattoo
Love Tattoo
Love Tattoo is the second album by Irish singer Imelda May. "Johnny Got A Boom-Boom" and "Big Bad Handsome Man" were released as singles. The album reached number 1 in the Official Irish Top 100 Album Chart.-Track listing:...
and Mayhem
Mayhem (Imelda May album)
Mayhem is the third studio album by Irish rockabilly singer Imelda May, released on 3 September 2010 in Ireland and on 4 October 2010 in the United Kingdom.-Background:...
reached number one in Ireland, as well as having toured the US as support acts to 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...
and Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum is an English pop and jazz-pop singer-songwriter. Though he is primarily a vocalist/pianist he also accompanies himself on other instruments including guitar and drums. Since April 2010, he has been presenting a weekly jazz show on BBC Radio 2, broadcast on Tuesdays from 19:00.- Early...
.
He is married to the singer Imelda May
Imelda May
Imelda Mary Higham, Clabby , known as Imelda May, is an Irish vocalist and musician. She began her career in music at 15 and released her debut album in 2005. She also plays the bodhrán and guitar...
.
In 2011 he shared the lead vocal duties with his wife, Imelda May
Imelda May
Imelda Mary Higham, Clabby , known as Imelda May, is an Irish vocalist and musician. She began her career in music at 15 and released her debut album in 2005. She also plays the bodhrán and guitar...
, on the Jeff Beck DVD, A Rock 'n' Roll Party.
Higham is a fan of the English football team, Sunderland AFC.
Published works
- Don't Forget Me - The Eddie Cochran Story (with Julie MundyJulie MundyJulie Mundy is a writer on 20th century history and popular culture, especially Elvis Presley.In 2003, Graceland chose Julie Mundy to document Elvis Presley's wardrobe and his influence on twentieth century popular culture....
; Mainstream Publications, 2000)
Discography
- Mobile Corrosion (Nervous, 1995)
- Hal Weston & the Offbeats (Pink & Black, 1996)
- Darrel Higham & the Barnshakers EP (Goofin' 1997)
- The Cochran Connection, Volume 1 (Rockstar, 1997)
- Howlin' at my Baby (Vampirella, 1998)
- High Class Baby (Goofin', 1998)
- Leather Heart EP (Vampirella, 2000)
- How To Dance The Bop (Spindrift, 2000)
- Ghost Of Love (Hunka Burnin', 2001)
- The Sweet Georgia Brown Sessions (Foot Tapping, 2002)
- The Cochran Connection, Volume 2 (Rockstar, 2004)
- Believe What You Hear - A Tribute To Ricky Nelson (Foot Tapping, 2004)
- Midnight Commotion (Foot Tapping, 2004)
- Kat Men with Slim Jim PhantomSlim Jim PhantomSlim Jim Phantom is the drummer for Stray Cats. Alongside band mates Brian Setzer and Lee Rocker, he spearheaded the neo-rockabilly movement of the early 1980s.-Biography:...
(Kat Fight, 2006) - Crazy With Love (Foot Tapping, 2006)
As Darrel Higham & The Enforcers
- Let's Rock Tonight (Fury, 1996)
- Rockin' at The Coconut Top (Crazy Love, 1996)
- For EP Fans Only (16/8 Records, 1997)
- Unleashed (Vampirella, 1999)
- Urban Jamboree (Foot Tapping, 2003)
- Live at The Thunderbird Club (Rockstar, 2004)
- A Monochrome Dream (Foot Tapping, 2008)
As Bob & The Bearcats
- Hold On Tight (Pollytone, 1994)
- On The Rampage (Pollytone, 1995)
- High Heels & Homicide (Pollytone, 1996)
- Rollin' to the Jukebox Rock (Vampirella, year unlisted)
External links
- Darrel Higham & The Enforcers
- http://www.myspace.com/darrelhighamandenforcers1