Ian Parker

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For the psychologist, see Ian Parker (psychologist)

Ian Parker (born in Irvine, North Ayrshire on 26 November 1953) is a Scottish keyboard player.

He showed a natural ability to play the piano from a very early age. He started piano lessons when he was seven. His early influences were The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Stax and Atlantic Soul. In 1964 he played in the school rock band "Timor Mortis" playing covers of such artistes as Deep Purple, Cream and Black Sabbath, which led to him forming a gigging band playing clubs and pubs.

He attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow between 1972 - 1975 and obtained D.R.S.A.M. qualifications. He then moved down to London where he played with the house band at the Hammersmith Palais. This led to him joining the Tom Robinson Band, recording the album TRB Two and touring the UK, U.S., Canada and Japan.

In the late eighties he joined Clannad recording the albums Past Present, Anam, Banba, Lore, & Landmarks.

The early nineties saw him touring with the likes of Elkie Brooks, Killing Joke and Joan Armatrading, and this was also the time he joined The Hollies for whom he still plays keyboard.

Between 1994 and 1995 he recorded a solo album, Count the Waves.