Ian Parker (keyboardist)

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

Ian has played keyboards with the Hollies since 1991 and with Clannad since 1988, extensively touring the world and recording with both bands. He has also played with Elkie Brooks, Joan Armatrading, Killing Joke, Tom Robinson Band, Three Degrees, Moya Brennan, Chuck Berry, the Nolans, Wall Street Crash, and the Platters, and has been Musical Director for the Drifters, Del Shannon, Percy Sledge and the Chi-Lites.

He has played on many recordings including The Essential Clannad (2012), Then Now Always – The Hollies (2010), Staying Power – The Hollies (2006), Clannad: Live in Concert (2005), Landmarks – Clannad (1998) – received Grammy Award, Lore Clannad (1996), Peggy Sue Got Married (Not Fade Away) – Buddy Holly and The Hollies (1996), Banba – Clannad (1993), Anam – Clannad (1991), Past Present – Clannad (1989), TRB Two – Tom Robinson Band (1979).

He has written or co-written songs featured on the recordings Maire – Maire Brennan (1992): No Easy Way and Voices of the Land, TRB Two – Tom Robinson Band (1979): All Right All Night, Crossing Over The Road.

He co-produced with Ray Stiles the 2006 Hollies recording Staying Power.

He composed all the music for the Granada TV series Dominatrix Re-loaded (2004) and for the short film Dial M for Mistress shown at the Raindance Film Festival Soho London (2005). His TV appearances include the Jay Leno Show with Clannad, David Letterman Show with Joan Armatrading, Later with Jools Holland with Clannad, and Top of the Pops with the Tom Robinson Band.

He has written and recorded two solo albums Count The Waves (1996) and Celtic (1999)

Early life

Ian Parker was born on 26 November 1953 in the coastal town of Irvine, Ayrshire to David and Anne Parker. He showed a natural ability to play the piano from a very early age and started piano lessons when he was seven. His early influences were The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Stax and Atlantic Soul. In 1969 he started playing with the Ravenspark Academy school rock band "Timor Mortis" performing covers of such artistes as Deep Purple, Cream and Black Sabbath. Other members of the band were Andy Baird vocals, Alan Aitken guitar, Davie Stafford bass and Alistair 'Mub' McKinnon drums. This led to him forming a gigging band, which was originally called 'Tight Express' and also had Alan Aitken and Mub McKinnon as its members. This band later expanded to a four piece with Leo Bigham joining on bass and vocals and became 'The Duck', playing clubs and pubs. The line up now was Ian Parker keyboards and vocals, Alan Aitken guitar, Mub McKinnon drums, and Leo Bigham bass and vocals. Later when Ian left to move to London, Aitken, Bigham and McKinnon formed the band Joe Lethal.

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.

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