Charlie Morgan
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Charlie Morgan (born John Charles Morgan, 9 August 1955, Hammersmith, London, England) is an English drummer and percussionist.
[edit] Life and career
Educated mostly in West London, at St Peter's Primary School, Hammersmith, Chiswick & Bedford Park Preparatory School, and Latymer Upper School (also responsible for the education of such luminaries as actors, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman and comedian Mel Smith).
Morgan spent a brief interlude in Geneva, Switzerland between 1967-69, where he learnt to speak fluent French, and also first began playing drums. Upon his return to London, Morgan continued his education at Latymer, eventually leaving school in 1973 to pursue a career in the music industry.
After several early attempts at stardom, signing recording contracts with a several bands (with invariably disastrous consequences),[citation needed] he decided to concentrate on session work. Morgan's successes came with Kate Bush's, Lionheart album in 1978, followed by a single and world tour with the final line-up of the Tom Robinson Band. In 1980/81 he toured and recorded with the British singer-songwriter, Judie Tzuke.
By 1985, he was one of the busiest session drummers in Europe, which attracted the attention of Elton John, who booked him to play on his Ice on Fire album. Later that year John invited him to play with his band at Live Aid. This was the start of a thirteen year period of recording and touring with John.
Amongst the other artists Morgan has recorded with are: Paul McCartney, Tina Turner ("We Don't Need Another Hero", from the movie: Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome), Nik Kershaw (Human Racing, The Riddle and Radio Musicola), Tracey Ullman ("They Don't Know"), Matt Bianco, Gary Moore, Alan Stivell and Pete Townshend (The Iron Man: A Musical).
He recently relocated from Orlando, Florida to Nashville, Tennessee, where he lives with his wife, Jerilyn. He has been a regular player with 1980s hit-band, Orleans since 2000. From his house in Nashville, he runs an independent, home-based studio, Manicdrums Productions Inc., where he records drum tracks for clients from all over the world.
In December 2007, Glen E. Moore finished an interview with Morgan about his experiences with the Elton John band for the East End Lights magazine. There are also various comments regarding his collaborations with other well known artists that he has previously worked with.
Morgan co-wrote the theme music to the ITV TV series, The Bill, with bassist, Andy Pask.