Tommy Eyre
Encyclopedia
Tommy Eyre was a session keyboardist
from Sheffield
, England
, who appeared on records by Joe Cocker
, John Martyn, Alex Harvey
, Greg Lake
, Michael Schenker
, Gary Moore
, B.B. King, John Mayall
, Tracy Chapman
and Wham!
. He is perhaps most famous for playing on Joe Cocker
's UK chart-topper "With A Little Help From My Friends
", on which he arranged the distinctive organ introduction, and Gerry Rafferty
's "Baker Street
".
. In 1968 he joined Joe Cocker
's Grease Band
where he played the organ on With A Little Help From My Friends. In the same year Eyre moved to London to work with The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation and later with a progressive rock band called Blue Whale, founded by drummer Aynsley Dunbar
. After a short period with the band Juicy Lucy
, Eyre joined the duo Mark-Almond
and played on two of their albums. After that, in 1972, Eyre and bassist Roger Sutton resumed their own project Strabismus which they had started in 1969, and which was now called Riff Raff
. With Riff Raff Eyre recorded three albums, one of them not being released until 2001.
Together with singer Alan Marshall from Riff Raff, Eyre joined the band ZZebra
in 1974 for their first album, replacing keyboarder and singer Gus Yeadon
. Eyre played on some of the tracks but is not credited on the album. With Zzebra he recorded a second album in 1975.
In August 1977, Eyre became a member of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band
, with whom he stayed until 1979
. After that, Eyre recorded an album with John Martyn and did a promotion tour with him in 1980
. In June 1981, he joined Greg Lake
for his solo project, and in 1982 became a member of Gary Moore
's band.
, for whom he became musical director. His works with Wham! include the successful album "Make it Big" in 1984 with the singles "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go", "Freedom
", "Everything She Wants
", and Michael's solo record "Careless Whisper
". A massive world tour included China in April 1985, which generated massive media coverage as it was the first visit to China by a Western popular music act.
, BBM
, and several recordings with Gary Moore in 1982 and throughout the nineties. Another act for whom Eyre has contributed session work was Gerry Rafferty
. His 1978 album City to City
included Rafferty's hit Baker Street on which Eyre played synthesizer and keyboards. The track "Whatever's written in your heart", was recorded with Tommy playing piano and Gerry singing beside him.
During the 1990s, Eyre recorded several albums together with his wife the American violinist Scarlet Rivera, many of them influenced by traditional Irish or Scottish music. Later in the nineties he also produced some solo albums with instrumental piano music.
. He died of cancer
on 23 May 2001, aged 51.
His younger brother is session guitarist Simon Eyre, who has worked with artists such as Paul Weller
, the Lighthouse Family, Robert Palmer, Sister Sledge
, and Randy Crawford
.
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
from Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, who appeared on records by Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker
John Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE is an English rock and blues musician, composer and actor, who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of The Beatles...
, John Martyn, Alex Harvey
Alex Harvey (musician)
Alex Harvey was a Scottish rock musician. With The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, he built a reputation as an exciting live performer during the 1970s glam rock era.-Biography:...
, Greg Lake
Greg Lake
Gregory Stuart "Greg" Lake is an English musician, songwriter and producer, best known as a vocalist and bassist of King Crimson, and the bassist, guitarist, vocalist, and lyricist of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.-1960s: King Crimson:...
, Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker is a German rock guitarist, best known for his tenure in UFO, in addition to his solo band. He first rose to fame as a founding member of the Scorpions, then achieved fame in the mid 1970s as the lead guitar player for UFO. Since leaving UFO in 1978, he has been leading the...
, Gary Moore
Gary Moore
Robert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
, B.B. King, John Mayall
John Mayall
John Mayall, OBE is an English blues singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, whose musical career spans over fifty years...
, Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her singles "Fast Car", "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution", "Baby Can I Hold You", "Give Me One Reason" and "Telling Stories". She is a multi-platinum and four-time Grammy Award-winning artist.-Biography:Tracy Chapman was born in Cleveland,...
and Wham!
WHAM!
Wham! were a short-lived British musical duo formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the early 1980s. They were briefly known in the United States as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with an American band....
. He is perhaps most famous for playing on Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker
John Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE is an English rock and blues musician, composer and actor, who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of The Beatles...
's UK chart-topper "With A Little Help From My Friends
With a Little Help from My Friends
-Joe Cocker version:Joe Cocker's version was a radical re-arrangement of the original, in a slower, 6/8 meter, using different chords in the middle eight, and a lengthy instrumental introduction...
", on which he arranged the distinctive organ introduction, and Gerry Rafferty
Gerry Rafferty
Gerald "Gerry" Rafferty was a Scottish singer songwriter best known for his solo hits "Baker Street", "Right Down the Line", "Days Gone Down", "Night Owl", "Get It Right Next Time", and with the band Stealers Wheel, "Stuck in the Middle with You". Rafferty was born into a working-class family in...
's "Baker Street
Baker Street (song)
"Baker Street" is a ballad written and first recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty. Released as a single in 1978, it reached #1 in Canada, #2 in the US, #3 in the UK, #1 in Australia and #9 in the Netherlands...
".
Career
Eyre began piano lessons at the age of four and started playing guitar when he was in his teens. In 1968 he joined Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker
John Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE is an English rock and blues musician, composer and actor, who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of The Beatles...
's Grease Band
The Grease Band
The Grease Band was a rock band that started out as Joe Cocker's backing band. They recorded two albums in the 1970s. They are probably most widely known for their performance of The Beatles song, "With a Little Help from My Friends", with Joe Cocker at the Woodstock Festival in 1969...
where he played the organ on With A Little Help From My Friends. In the same year Eyre moved to London to work with The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation and later with a progressive rock band called Blue Whale, founded by drummer Aynsley Dunbar
Aynsley Dunbar
Aynsley Thomas Dunbar is an English drummer. He has worked with some of the top names in rock, including Eric Burdon, John Mayall, Frank Zappa, Ian Hunter, Lou Reed, Jefferson Starship, Jeff Beck, David Bowie, Whitesnake, Sammy Hagar, UFO, and Journey...
. After a short period with the band Juicy Lucy
Juicy Lucy (band)
Juicy Lucy is a blues-rock band formed on April 1, 1969. After the demise of The Misunderstood, vocalist Ray Owen, steel guitarist Glenn Ross Campbell, and saxophone player Chris Mercer formed Juicy Lucy...
, Eyre joined the duo Mark-Almond
Mark-Almond
Mark–Almond were an English band of the late 1960s and early 1970s, who worked in the territory between rock and jazz.In 1970 Jon Mark and Johnny Almond formed Mark-Almond...
and played on two of their albums. After that, in 1972, Eyre and bassist Roger Sutton resumed their own project Strabismus which they had started in 1969, and which was now called Riff Raff
Riff Raff (band)
Riff Raff was a UK progressive rock band formed by keyboardist Tommy Eyre in 1972.The band was a continuation on the back of drummers Rod Coombes and Joe Czarnecki's aka Joe Peter's project originally called 'Crikey' started in 1969 and completed in 1970 when Rod had to accept growing tour...
. With Riff Raff Eyre recorded three albums, one of them not being released until 2001.
Together with singer Alan Marshall from Riff Raff, Eyre joined the band ZZebra
ZZebra
Zzebra were a British fusion and afro prog band active in the UK in the early 1970s.The band was formed when Terry Smith and Dave Quincy , both left the band If, when it broke up, and joined Lasisi "Loughty" Amao ex-Osibisa , Gus Yeadon ex-The Love Affair , Liam Genockey and John McCoy .They...
in 1974 for their first album, replacing keyboarder and singer Gus Yeadon
. Eyre played on some of the tracks but is not credited on the album. With Zzebra he recorded a second album in 1975.
In August 1977, Eyre became a member of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Alex Harvey (musician)
Alex Harvey was a Scottish rock musician. With The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, he built a reputation as an exciting live performer during the 1970s glam rock era.-Biography:...
, with whom he stayed until 1979
. After that, Eyre recorded an album with John Martyn and did a promotion tour with him in 1980
. In June 1981, he joined Greg Lake
Greg Lake
Gregory Stuart "Greg" Lake is an English musician, songwriter and producer, best known as a vocalist and bassist of King Crimson, and the bassist, guitarist, vocalist, and lyricist of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.-1960s: King Crimson:...
for his solo project, and in 1982 became a member of Gary Moore
Gary Moore
Robert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
's band.
Wham!
One of Eyre's longest and most successful associations has been with the duo Wham!WHAM!
Wham! were a short-lived British musical duo formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the early 1980s. They were briefly known in the United States as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with an American band....
, for whom he became musical director. His works with Wham! include the successful album "Make it Big" in 1984 with the singles "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go", "Freedom
Freedom (Wham! song)
"Freedom" is a song by British pop duo Wham! in 1984, becoming the group's second UK #1 hit. It was written by George Michael, one half of the duo.-History:...
", "Everything She Wants
Everything She Wants
"Everything She Wants" is a song by British pop duo Wham!, released in 1984 on Epic Records on a double A-side with "Last Christmas". It was written by George Michael, one half of the duo.- History :...
", and Michael's solo record "Careless Whisper
Careless Whisper
"Careless Whisper" is a 1984 single by George Michael , released by Epic Records in the UK, Japan, and other countries; and by Columbia Records in North America. The song was George Michael's first solo single although he was still performing in Wham! at the time...
". A massive world tour included China in April 1985, which generated massive media coverage as it was the first visit to China by a Western popular music act.
Session work
Eyre, who had done studio work for many artists before, started working predominantly as a session musician from the late 1980s. His studio work included recordings with Ian GillanIan Gillan
Ian Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
, BBM
BBM
BBM is the name of the short-lived power trio formed in 1993, by long established artists, bassist Jack Bruce, drummer Ginger Baker and guitarist Gary Moore. They released just one album, entitled Around The Next Dream, which was released on the Virgin record label...
, and several recordings with Gary Moore in 1982 and throughout the nineties. Another act for whom Eyre has contributed session work was Gerry Rafferty
Gerry Rafferty
Gerald "Gerry" Rafferty was a Scottish singer songwriter best known for his solo hits "Baker Street", "Right Down the Line", "Days Gone Down", "Night Owl", "Get It Right Next Time", and with the band Stealers Wheel, "Stuck in the Middle with You". Rafferty was born into a working-class family in...
. His 1978 album City to City
City to City
City to City is an album by Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty. It was Rafferty's first solo release in six years - and first release of any kind since 1975 - due to his tenure in the band Stealer's Wheel and subsequent legal proceedings which prevented Rafferty from releasing any new solo...
included Rafferty's hit Baker Street on which Eyre played synthesizer and keyboards. The track "Whatever's written in your heart", was recorded with Tommy playing piano and Gerry singing beside him.
During the 1990s, Eyre recorded several albums together with his wife the American violinist Scarlet Rivera, many of them influenced by traditional Irish or Scottish music. Later in the nineties he also produced some solo albums with instrumental piano music.
Private life
Eyre lived most of his life in England up until the mid-1980s with his first wife Lorraine Eyre. They divorced in 1988 but remained close until his death. Since the late 80s he lived in the USA with his American wife, the violinist Scarlet RiveraScarlet Rivera
Scarlet Rivera is an American violinist. She is best known for her work with Bob Dylan, in particular on his album Desire and as part of the Rolling Thunder Revue.-Early career:...
. He died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
on 23 May 2001, aged 51.
His younger brother is session guitarist Simon Eyre, who has worked with artists such as Paul Weller
Paul Weller
Paul Weller is an English singer-songwriter. Starting with the band The Jam , Weller then went on to branch out musically to a more soulful style with The Style Council...
, the Lighthouse Family, Robert Palmer, Sister Sledge
Sister Sledge
Sister Sledge is an American musical group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 1972 and consisting of four sisters: Kim Sledge Debbie Sledge , Joni Sledge , and Kathy Sledge . They are granddaughters of the former opera singer Viola Williams. The sisters used to perform under the name of "Mrs...
, and Randy Crawford
Randy Crawford
Randy Crawford is an American jazz and R&B singer. She has been more successful in Europe than in the United States, where she has not entered the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist...
.
Discography
- Joe CockerJoe CockerJohn Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE is an English rock and blues musician, composer and actor, who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of The Beatles...
& The Grease Band - With A Little Help From My FriendsWith a Little Help from My Friends-Joe Cocker version:Joe Cocker's version was a radical re-arrangement of the original, in a slower, 6/8 meter, using different chords in the middle eight, and a lengthy instrumental introduction...
(1969) - Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation - To Mum From Aynsley And The Boys (1969)
- Blue WhaleBlue WhaleThe blue whale is a marine mammal belonging to the suborder of baleen whales . At in length and or more in weight, it is the largest known animal to have ever existed....
- Blue Whale (1970) - Jaklin - Jaklin (1969)
- Mark-Almond - Mark-Almond (1971)
- Mark-Almond II - Mark-Almond II (1972)
- Riff RaffRiff Raff (band)Riff Raff was a UK progressive rock band formed by keyboardist Tommy Eyre in 1972.The band was a continuation on the back of drummers Rod Coombes and Joe Czarnecki's aka Joe Peter's project originally called 'Crikey' started in 1969 and completed in 1970 when Rod had to accept growing tour...
- Riff Raff (1973) - Riff RaffRiff Raff (band)Riff Raff was a UK progressive rock band formed by keyboardist Tommy Eyre in 1972.The band was a continuation on the back of drummers Rod Coombes and Joe Czarnecki's aka Joe Peter's project originally called 'Crikey' started in 1969 and completed in 1970 when Rod had to accept growing tour...
- Original Man (1974) - ZZebraZZebraZzebra were a British fusion and afro prog band active in the UK in the early 1970s.The band was formed when Terry Smith and Dave Quincy , both left the band If, when it broke up, and joined Lasisi "Loughty" Amao ex-Osibisa , Gus Yeadon ex-The Love Affair , Liam Genockey and John McCoy .They...
- Zzebra (1974) - ZZebraZZebraZzebra were a British fusion and afro prog band active in the UK in the early 1970s.The band was formed when Terry Smith and Dave Quincy , both left the band If, when it broke up, and joined Lasisi "Loughty" Amao ex-Osibisa , Gus Yeadon ex-The Love Affair , Liam Genockey and John McCoy .They...
- Panic (1975) - Alex HarveyAlex Harvey (musician)Alex Harvey was a Scottish rock musician. With The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, he built a reputation as an exciting live performer during the 1970s glam rock era.-Biography:...
- Rock DrillRock DrillRock Drill is the last studio album by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, which was released in the UK in 1978. This album did not feature the band's keyboardist Hugh McKenna, owing to an internal dispute - however three songs from the album are co-credited to him. McKenna has since recorded his...
(1978) - Alex HarveyAlex Harvey (musician)Alex Harvey was a Scottish rock musician. With The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, he built a reputation as an exciting live performer during the 1970s glam rock era.-Biography:...
- The Mafia Stole My GuitarThe Mafia Stole My GuitarThe Mafia Stole My Guitar is the second album produced by Alex Harvey. Alex recorded this album with an entirely different band, the first album he recorded with the different band was the album Alex Harvey Presents: The Loch Ness Monster which was made at the time, the remaining four members of...
(1979) - John MartynJohn MartynJohn Martyn, OBE , born Iain David McGeachy, was a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. Over a forty-year career he released twenty studio albums, working with artists such as Eric Clapton and David Gilmour...
- Grace and DangerGrace and Danger-Background:The album was written and recorded while John Martyn was in the process of divorcing from his wife Beverley and the songs strongly reflect the emotional upheaval that he was experiencing at the time. Phil Collins played drums and provided backing vocals...
(1980) - Greg LakeGreg LakeGregory Stuart "Greg" Lake is an English musician, songwriter and producer, best known as a vocalist and bassist of King Crimson, and the bassist, guitarist, vocalist, and lyricist of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.-1960s: King Crimson:...
- Greg LakeGreg Lake (album)Greg Lake is the self-titled debut solo album of singer Greg Lake, released in 1981. It features ex-Thin Lizzy member Gary Moore on guitar, and the song "Love You Too Much" co-written with Bob Dylan...
(1981) - Greg LakeGreg LakeGregory Stuart "Greg" Lake is an English musician, songwriter and producer, best known as a vocalist and bassist of King Crimson, and the bassist, guitarist, vocalist, and lyricist of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.-1960s: King Crimson:...
- ManoeuvresManoeuvresManoeuvres is the second solo album of singer Greg Lake, released in 1983. It features ex-Thin Lizzy member Gary Moore on guitar again. It is Lake's last original studio album on his own to date.-Songs:#"Manoeuvres" - 4:02...
(1983) - Gary MooreGary MooreRobert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
- Corridors of Power (1982) - Wham!WHAM!Wham! were a short-lived British musical duo formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the early 1980s. They were briefly known in the United States as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with an American band....
- Fantastic (1983) - Wham!WHAM!Wham! were a short-lived British musical duo formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the early 1980s. They were briefly known in the United States as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with an American band....
- Music From The Edge of HeavenMusic from the Edge of HeavenMusic from the Edge of Heaven is the third and final studio album from the British pop duo Wham!, in 1986.The album was only released in Japan and the Americas; other territories got The Final instead...
(1985) - Wham!WHAM!Wham! were a short-lived British musical duo formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the early 1980s. They were briefly known in the United States as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with an American band....
- Make It Big (1984) - Ray RussellRay Russell (musician)Raymond 'Ray' Russell is an English session musician who is primarily a guitarist. He is also renowned as a record producer, composer and session musician....
- A Table Nearer the Band (1990) - Gary MooreGary MooreRobert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
- After Hours (1992) - Gary MooreGary MooreRobert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
- Blues for GreenyBlues for GreenyBlues For Greeny is a 1995 cover album by Gary Moore in honour of Peter Green, founder of the band Fleetwood Mac.-Track listing:#"If You Be My Baby" Blues For Greeny is a 1995 cover album by Gary Moore in honour of Peter Green, founder of the band Fleetwood Mac.-Track listing:#"If You Be My Baby"...
(1995) - Gary MooreGary MooreRobert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
- Blues AliveBlues AliveBlues Alive is an album by the Northern Irish guitar player Gary Moore released in 1993. It is a collection of live recordings taken from a 1992 tour and draws most of its material from Moore's then-recent Still Got the Blues and After Hours albums....
(1993) - BBMBBMBBM is the name of the short-lived power trio formed in 1993, by long established artists, bassist Jack Bruce, drummer Ginger Baker and guitarist Gary Moore. They released just one album, entitled Around The Next Dream, which was released on the Virgin record label...
- Around The Next Dream" (1994) - Keb' Mo'Keb' Mo'Keb' Mo is an American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter, currently living in Nashville, Tennessee, United States.-Early life:From early on he had an appreciation for the blues and gospel music...
- Keb' Mo'Keb' Mo'Keb' Mo is an American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter, currently living in Nashville, Tennessee, United States.-Early life:From early on he had an appreciation for the blues and gospel music...
(1994) - Ritual (Uruguay) - A New Map Of The World (2000)
Albums with Scarlet Rivera
- Scarlet Rivera - Magical Christmas (1997)
- Scarlet Rivera - Behind the crimson veil (1998)
- Scarlet Rivera - Celtic Myst (1998)
- Scarlet Rivera - Celtic Dreams (1998)
- Scarlet Rivera - Celtic Spirit (1997)
- Scarlet Rivera - Voice of the Animals (2001)
- Scarlet Rivera - Contemporary piano & cello Christmas classics (1999)
- Scarlet Rivera - Baroque at Christmas (2001)
Solo albums
- Tommy Eyre - Moonlight piano, vol. 1 (1998)
- Tommy Eyre - Moonlight piano, vol. 2 (1998)
- Tommy Eyre - Moonlight piano, vol. 3 (1998)
- Tommy Eyre - Ivory Christmas - piano classics (1995)
- Tommy Eyre - A highland Christmas (1997)
- Tommy Eyre - Have yourself a jazzy little Christmas (1999)
External links
- Biography of Tommy Eyre at The Phil Brodie Band Website