roy young

Biography

Roy Frederick Young was a British rock and roll singer, pianist, and keyboard player born on 20 October 1934 in London[1]. He moved to Oxford at age five, where he learned boogie-woogie piano in snooker clubs and at home. After leaving school at 14, he joined the Merchant Navy and traveled the world, performing for crews and passengers. While in Australia, he saw the film Blackboard Jungle, which inspired him to pursue a professional music career upon returning to England[1][2].

Young's recording career began in the late 1950s, with his first single "Just Keep It Up" / "Big Fat Mama" released in 1959 for Fontana Records[1]. He gained prominence through appearances on British television shows including Oh Boy!, Drumbeat, and Boy Meets Girls, where he performed in the style of Little Richard, earning the stage name Roy "Rock 'em" Young[1][2]. In 1961, he moved to Hamburg and performed at the Top Ten Club and Star-Club, where he met the Beatles in spring 1962[1]. According to Young, Brian Epstein offered him a place in the Beatles, but he declined due to his existing Star-Club contract[1].

After returning to England in 1964, Young joined Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers as keyboard player and second vocalist, touring with the Beatles in 1966 and featuring on their hit version of "Got To Get You Into My Life"[1][2]. He formed the Roy Young Band in 1969, releasing two albums: The Roy Young Band (1971) and Mr. Funky (1972)[1]. Throughout his career, Young recorded and performed with numerous legendary artists including Chuck Berry, David Bowie, Marvin Gaye, and Willie Mitchell. He continued performing internationally until his death on 27 April 2018[1].

Fun Facts

• Young turned down an offer from Brian Epstein to join the Beatles after they returned to England and signed their record contract, because he had an existing contract with the Star-Club in Hamburg[1]
• In his youth, Young was an accomplished snooker player and became close friends with Cliff Thorburn, who became the 1981 world snooker champion, before his enthusiasm for the sport was replaced by his passion for rock and roll after hearing Bill Haley's 'Rock Around the Clock'[3]
• Young recorded the song 'Baby, You're Good For Me' in 1971, which was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice for the Albert Finney film Gumshoe[1][2]
• At age 86, legendary Motown arranger Gil Askey came out of retirement specifically to write horn and string arrangements for Young's Melbourne recordings in 2003, saying 'Just listen to the personality in his voice. Ain't nobody like this anymore'[1]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Jack Good - Television show producer who gave Young his first major break on British television (Oh Boy! TV show) [1958]
• Little Richard - Stylistic influence and inspiration for Young's early performance style (Early recordings and TV performances) [1950s-1960s]
• Willie Mitchell - Executive producer and mentor who worked with Young on his Memphis album (Memphis album) [2005-2007]

Key Collaborators

• The Beatles - Performed with the band at the Star-Club in Hamburg and toured with them (Live performances) [1962-1966]
• Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers - Keyboard player and second vocalist in the group managed by Brian Epstein (Got To Get You Into My Life (hit version), Sam and Dave covers) [1964-1969]
• Chuck Berry - Toured and recorded with Young's band (Live tours and recordings) [1970s]
• David Bowie - Recorded together on the album Low (Low album) [1976]
• Tony Sheridan - Performed and recorded with Young at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg (Recordings and live performances) [1961-1962]
• Marvin Gaye - Guest performer on Young's EMI album (EMI album) [Early 1980s]
• Gil Askey - Legendary Motown arranger who wrote horn and string arrangements for Young's recordings (Melbourne recordings) [2003]

Artists Influenced

• Dennis Elliott - Band member of Roy Young Band who later joined Foreigner (Roy Young Band albums) [1971-1972]
• Onnie McIntyre - Band member of Roy Young Band who later joined the Average White Band (Roy Young Band albums) [1971-1972]

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not found in search results)