Frank Farrell (musician)
Encyclopedia
Frank Farrell was a British rock bassist, vocalist and songwriter born in Birmingham, England. Over a professional career that spanned thirty years he is best known as the bassist of British rock band Supertramp
and for his musical association with Leo Sayer
. Farrell co-wrote the song "Rosie Had Everything Planned" with Roger Hodgson
while with Supertramp and a number of songs with Sayer including the worldwide chart hit Moonlighting
.
In 1968 he was recruited by Birmingham psychodelic-rock band "Breakthru" at the same time as drummer Richard "Plug" Thomas. Breakthru went on to become one of the more successful Birmingham-based rock bands of the period, playing several high profile festivals including the "Festival of Flower Children" at Woburn Abbey
on a bill with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, the Bee Gees, Eric Burdon and the Small Faces. Breakthru also featured at the National Jazz and Blues Festival
s in 1967 and 1968.
The band was signed to Mercury Records in early 1968 and released an unsuccessful single "Ice Cream Tree" b/w "Julius Caesar". The follow-up single, a rock adaption written by Farrell and loosely based on the Peer Gynt Hall of the Mountain King Overture, was never released but the twenty minute long stage version of the number would become a centrepiece of the band's show.
Breakthru then undertook an extensive tour of Germany and Switzerland in the second half of 1969, only returning to the UK in December of that year. The band split on their return with Farrell and vocalist, Gary Aflalo, moving to London. Aflalo joined the original London cast of Hair and Farrell became head road manager for American singing act Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon
during their seven month tour of the UK.
in a Paddington basement. Having released their first album on the A&M
(UK division)'s label to little success the band was preparing material for their forthcoming Indelibly Stamped.
Having already written several songs during the Breakthru years Farrell wrote the song "Rosie Had Everything Planned" in conjunction with Roger Hodgson and the song was eventually included on the Indelibly Stamped album, with Farrell playing bass, piano and accordion during the recording sessions. Farrell played and toured with Supertramp for nearly two years, eventually leaving in late 1972.
In October 2007 former Supertramp guitarist Roger Hodgson paid tribute to Farrell by performing "Rosie Had Everything Planned" to a packed house at Birmingham Symphony Hall. Hodgson remarked before the concert "Frank is no longer with us but I'd like to perform the Supertramp song I wrote with him, Rosie Had Everything Planned, when I play the Symphony Hall. As he was from Birmingham it would be a nice link and I will actually announce that I was doing it as a tribute to his memory."
over the musical style.
Almost immediately Farrell joined Renaissance
and remained with them as bassist on and off until early 1974, sharing the bass slot with John Wetton
.
left the band at short notice to work on Greenslade
's new album Spyglass Guest
, and Farrell switched to keyboards for the remainder of the tour, returning to the bass when the band toured the US.
Between Autumn 1974 and early 1975 Farrell and Sayer co-wrote a large number of songs together, ten of which would feature on the album Another Year and one song Moonlighting
that would reach number 2 on the UK singles chart in August 1975, later becoming a hit in most territories worldwide.
.
Farrell had struggled with a moderately heavy drinking habit throughout most of his adult life.
He was fifty years old when he died.
Supertramp
Supertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
and for his musical association with Leo Sayer
Leo Sayer
Leo Sayer is a British singer-songwriter, musician, and entertainer whose singing career has spanned four decades. Sayer became a naturalised Australian citizen in 2009. Sayer was a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s...
. Farrell co-wrote the song "Rosie Had Everything Planned" with Roger Hodgson
Roger Hodgson
Charles Roger Pomfret Hodgson is a British musician and songwriter, best known as the former co-frontman, and founding member, of progressive rock band Supertramp....
while with Supertramp and a number of songs with Sayer including the worldwide chart hit Moonlighting
Moonlighting (song)
Moonlighting is a popular single about a young couple eloping to be married at Gretna Green, recorded by Leo Sayer.Written by Sayer and Frank Farrell and co-produced by Adam Faith, "Moonlighting" made Number 2 on the UK Singles Chart in September 1975....
.
Early days
His first public appearances were with the Birmingham based 1960s beat band "The Silverlinks" that he joined in 1964. He then went on to play bass and provide backing vocals in the Ray King Soul Band that toured widely in the West Midlands.In 1968 he was recruited by Birmingham psychodelic-rock band "Breakthru" at the same time as drummer Richard "Plug" Thomas. Breakthru went on to become one of the more successful Birmingham-based rock bands of the period, playing several high profile festivals including the "Festival of Flower Children" at Woburn Abbey
Woburn Abbey
Woburn Abbey , near Woburn, Bedfordshire, England, is a country house, the seat of the Duke of Bedford and the location of the Woburn Safari Park.- Pre-20th century :...
on a bill with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, the Bee Gees, Eric Burdon and the Small Faces. Breakthru also featured at the National Jazz and Blues Festival
National Jazz and Blues Festival
The National Jazz and Blues Festival was the precursor to the Reading Rock Festival and was the brainchild of Harold Pendleton, the manager of the prestigious Marquee Club in Soho....
s in 1967 and 1968.
The band was signed to Mercury Records in early 1968 and released an unsuccessful single "Ice Cream Tree" b/w "Julius Caesar". The follow-up single, a rock adaption written by Farrell and loosely based on the Peer Gynt Hall of the Mountain King Overture, was never released but the twenty minute long stage version of the number would become a centrepiece of the band's show.
Breakthru then undertook an extensive tour of Germany and Switzerland in the second half of 1969, only returning to the UK in December of that year. The band split on their return with Farrell and vocalist, Gary Aflalo, moving to London. Aflalo joined the original London cast of Hair and Farrell became head road manager for American singing act Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon
Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon
Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon were a U.S. vocal soul group, prominent in the late 1960s and early 1970s.-Career:Originally known simply as The Bandwagon, they were formed in 1967 and featured Artie Fullilove, Billy Bradley, Terry Lewis and lead singer Johnny Johnson Johnny Johnson and the...
during their seven month tour of the UK.
The Supertramp years
When the Bandwagon tour came to an end in early 1970 Farrell returned to bass playing and started rehearsing with the then largely unknown SupertrampSupertramp
Supertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
in a Paddington basement. Having released their first album on the A&M
A&M
-College and universities:*An "Agricultural and Mechanical" university is one that includes a college of agriculture and a college of engineering, provided for by the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act of 1862. -College and universities:*An "Agricultural and Mechanical" university is one that...
(UK division)'s label to little success the band was preparing material for their forthcoming Indelibly Stamped.
Having already written several songs during the Breakthru years Farrell wrote the song "Rosie Had Everything Planned" in conjunction with Roger Hodgson and the song was eventually included on the Indelibly Stamped album, with Farrell playing bass, piano and accordion during the recording sessions. Farrell played and toured with Supertramp for nearly two years, eventually leaving in late 1972.
In October 2007 former Supertramp guitarist Roger Hodgson paid tribute to Farrell by performing "Rosie Had Everything Planned" to a packed house at Birmingham Symphony Hall. Hodgson remarked before the concert "Frank is no longer with us but I'd like to perform the Supertramp song I wrote with him, Rosie Had Everything Planned, when I play the Symphony Hall. As he was from Birmingham it would be a nice link and I will actually announce that I was doing it as a tribute to his memory."
Later work
In the late spring 1973 Farrell became the inaugural musical director of the first Rocky Horror Show and moved to playing piano in the house band. However, shortly after the show's premier, at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in June 1973, Farrell resigned after a falling out with the show's writer Richard O'BrienRichard O'Brien
Richard Timothy Smith , better known under his stage name Richard O'Brien, is an English writer, actor, television presenter and theatre performer. He is perhaps best known for writing the cult musical The Rocky Horror Show and for his role in presenting the popular TV show The Crystal Maze...
over the musical style.
Almost immediately Farrell joined Renaissance
Renaissance (band)
Renaissance are an English progressive rock band, most notable for their 1978 UK top 10 hit "Northern Lights" and progressive rock classics like "Carpet of the Sun", "Mother Russia" and "Ashes Are Burning".-Original incarnation :...
and remained with them as bassist on and off until early 1974, sharing the bass slot with John Wetton
John Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton is an English bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth. He has been a professional musician since the late 1960s...
.
Leo Sayer
During his time with Renaissance Farrell was spotted by Leo Sayer and recruited to fill the bass slot in the band Sayer was forming to tour the UK, Europe and the US. During the UK leg keyboardist Dave GreensladeDave Greenslade
Dave Greenslade is a British keyboards player. He has played in his own eponymous band, Greenslade, and others including Colosseum, If and Chris Farlowe's Thunderbirds....
left the band at short notice to work on Greenslade
Greenslade
Greenslade is an English progressive rock band. It was originally formed in the autumn of 1972 with the following line-up:* Dave Greenslade - keyboards...
's new album Spyglass Guest
Spyglass Guest
Spyglass Guest is the third studio album from the British progressive rock band Greenslade, released in 1974.-Track listing:# "Spirit of the Dance" – 5:08# "Little Red Fry Up" – 5:11...
, and Farrell switched to keyboards for the remainder of the tour, returning to the bass when the band toured the US.
Between Autumn 1974 and early 1975 Farrell and Sayer co-wrote a large number of songs together, ten of which would feature on the album Another Year and one song Moonlighting
Moonlighting (song)
Moonlighting is a popular single about a young couple eloping to be married at Gretna Green, recorded by Leo Sayer.Written by Sayer and Frank Farrell and co-produced by Adam Faith, "Moonlighting" made Number 2 on the UK Singles Chart in September 1975....
that would reach number 2 on the UK singles chart in August 1975, later becoming a hit in most territories worldwide.
Death
After his close association with Leo Sayer ended Farrell continued to be involved in the music industry, writing songs, recording and playing as a session musician for TV shows and tours behind major artists, including spells with American guitarists, Joe Jammer and Tim BuckleyTim Buckley
Timothy Charles Buckley III was an American vocalist, and musician. His music and style changed considerably through the years; his first album was mostly folk oriented, but over time his music incorporated jazz, psychedelia, funk, soul, avant-garde and an evolving "voice as instrument," sound...
.
Farrell had struggled with a moderately heavy drinking habit throughout most of his adult life.
He was fifty years old when he died.