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{{for|the Australian author|Pip Williams (author)}}
{{for|the Australian author|Pip Williams (author)}}
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{{BLP sources|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name = Pip Williams
| name = Pip Williams
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Williams produced more than 170 recordings, in many genres of music, including successful collaborations with [[Status Quo (band)]] and [[The Moody Blues]].<ref name=tank>{{cite web | title=The Art of Record Production Conference, London — MusicTank | website=musictank.co.uk | date=16 February 2009 | url=http://www.musictank.co.uk/events/the-art-of-record-production-conference-london | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719121048/http://www.musictank.co.uk/events/the-art-of-record-production-conference-london | archive-date=19 July 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
Williams produced more than 170 recordings, in many genres of music, including successful collaborations with [[Status Quo (band)]] and [[The Moody Blues]].<ref name=tank>{{cite web | title=The Art of Record Production Conference, London — MusicTank | website=musictank.co.uk | date=16 February 2009 | url=http://www.musictank.co.uk/events/the-art-of-record-production-conference-london | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719121048/http://www.musictank.co.uk/events/the-art-of-record-production-conference-london | archive-date=19 July 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref>


Williams started his musical career as [[lead guitarist]] with [[west London]] touring band, The Sovereigns, formed in mid-1965. In late 1966, The Sovereigns were signed to [[King Records (United States)|King Records]] and cut one [[45 rpm record]], released in January 1967. This included Williams' and Freddie Tillyer's "Bring Me Home Love". After this Williams became lead guitarist for [[The Fantastics]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Warburton | first=Nick | title=The Fantastics – British tours 1967-1970 | website=Garage Hangover | date=16 July 2015 | url=https://garagehangover.com/the-fantastics-british-tours-1967-1969/ | access-date=23 September 2023}}</ref> then with [[Jimmy James (singer)|Jimmy James and the Vagabonds]] in July 1969.<ref>{{cite web | last=Warburton | first=Nick | title=Pip Williams | website=Garage Hangover | date=31 March 2019 | url=https://garagehangover.com/tag/pip-williams/ | access-date=23 September 2023}}</ref>
Williams started his musical career as guitarist for [[The Fantastics]] and [[Jimmy James (singer)|Jimmy James and the Vagabonds]]. Progressing from performer to [[session musician]] in the early 1970s under the patronage of [[The Sweet|Sweet]] producer [[Phil Wainman]], he became one of the most in-demand session guitarists of the era, playing on early hit records for Sweet including "Funny Funny", "Co-Co", "Poppa Joe" and "Little Willy", and on [[The Walker Brothers]]' hit "[[No Regrets (Tom Rush song)|No Regrets]]".<ref name="Discogs"/>


Progressing from performer to [[session musician]] in the early 1970s under the patronage of [[The Sweet|Sweet]] producer [[Phil Wainman]], he became one of the most in-demand session guitarists of the era, playing on early hit records for Sweet including "Funny Funny", "Co-Co", "Poppa Joe" and "Little Willy", and on [[The Walker Brothers]]' hit "[[No Regrets (Tom Rush song)|No Regrets]]".<ref name="Discogs"/>
He moved into production in the late 1970s; his work for [[Graham Bonnet]] attracted the attention of Status Quo, who hired him to produce their album ''[[Rockin' All Over the World (album)|Rockin' All Over the World]]''. He produced a further nine albums for the group, the most recent their 2007 effort, ''[[In Search of the Fourth Chord]]''. He is also known for producing The Moody Blues albums ''[[Long Distance Voyager]]'' and ''[[The Present (Moody Blues album)|The Present]]'', the former being a United States [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] hit. In 1984 he produced "[[I Should Have Known Better (Jim Diamond song)|I Should Have Known Better]]" for [[Jim Diamond (Scottish musician)|Jim Diamond]], which topped the [[UK Singles Chart]]. Other collaborators include [[Shirley Bassey]], [[Richard O'Brien]], [[Dr. Feelgood (band)|Dr. Feelgood]], [[Barclay James Harvest]], [[Bucks Fizz (band)|Bucks Fizz]], [[Kevin Ayers]], [[Geordie (band)|Geordie]] and [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]] (''[[Sonic Origami]]'').<ref name="Discogs"/> He also produced and co-wrote a number of tracks on Sweet's 1980 album, ''[[Waters Edge]]'', and worked with their singer, [[Brian Connolly]], on a number of his solo efforts.


He moved into [[record production]] in the late 1970s. His work for [[Graham Bonnet]] attracted the attention of Status Quo, who hired him to produce their album ''[[Rockin' All Over the World (album)|Rockin' All Over the World]]''. He produced a further nine albums for the group, including ''[[In Search of the Fourth Chord]]''.{{cn|date=September 2023}}
Williams is also a prolific arranger, from the [[String section|string]] arrangements for the Moody Blues and [[Colin Blunstone]], to the [[oriental]] [[ostinato]] patterns on [[Carl Douglas]]' "[[Kung Fu Fighting]]". Other collaborators in this field include [[Barbara Dickson]], [[Ringo Starr]], [[The Sensational Alex Harvey Band]] and [[The Kinks]].<ref name="Discogs"/> His most recent work in this field has been with the Finnish [[symphonic metal]] group [[Nightwish]], having contributed [[orchestra]]l arrangements for their 2004 album, ''[[Once (Nightwish album)|Once]]'', its 2007 follow up ''[[Dark Passion Play]]'', their 2011 album ''[[Imaginaerum]]'', their 2015 album, ''[[Endless Forms Most Beautiful (album)|Endless Forms Most Beautiful]]'' and its 2020 follow up ''[[Human. :II: Nature.]]''. He also worked at the band's leader and keyboardist's first solo album, ''[[Music Inspired by the Life and Times of Scrooge]]''. Williams also has recorded, produced and mixed a live album for the [[Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band]]. He has as well orchestrated several songs for [[Indica (Finnish band)|Indica]] on their 2010 album ''[[A Way Away]]'' .


He is also known for producing The Moody Blues albums ''[[Long Distance Voyager]]''<ref name=dome2021>{{cite web | last=Dome | first=Malcolm | title=How Long Distance Voyager revitalised The Moody Blues | website=Louder | date=30 May 2021 | url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-long-distance-voyager-revitalised-the-moody-blues | access-date=23 September 2023}}</ref> and ''[[The Present (Moody Blues album)|The Present]]'',{{cn|date=September 2023}} the former being a huge hit in the United States. The album took two months to record, and both [[Justin Hayward]] and [[John Lodge (musician)|John Lodge]] attributed much of its success to Williams.<ref name=dome2021/>
Williams is currently{{when|date=September 2023}} a course leader teaching [[music technology]] at [[University of West London]], [[Ealing]].


In 1984 he produced "[[I Should Have Known Better (Jim Diamond song)|I Should Have Known Better]]" for [[Jim Diamond (Scottish musician)|Jim Diamond]], which topped the [[UK Singles Chart]]. Other collaborators include [[Shirley Bassey]], [[Richard O'Brien]], [[Dr. Feelgood (band)|Dr. Feelgood]], [[Barclay James Harvest]], [[Bucks Fizz (band)|Bucks Fizz]], [[Kevin Ayers]], [[Geordie (band)|Geordie]], and [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]] (''[[Sonic Origami]]'').<ref name="Discogs"/> He also produced and co-wrote a number of tracks on Sweet's 1980 album, ''[[Waters Edge]]'', and worked with their singer, [[Brian Connolly]], on a number of his solo efforts.{{cn|date=September 2023}}
==See also==

*[[London College of Music]]
Williams is also a prolific arranger, from the [[String section|string]] arrangements for the Moody Blues and [[Colin Blunstone]], to the [[oriental]] [[ostinato]] patterns on [[Carl Douglas]]' "[[Kung Fu Fighting]]". Other collaborators in this field include [[Barbara Dickson]], [[Ringo Starr]], [[The Sensational Alex Harvey Band]] ,and [[The Kinks]].<ref name="Discogs"/> More recent work in this field was with the Finnish [[symphonic metal]] group [[Nightwish]], having contributed [[orchestra]]l arrangements for their 2004 album, ''[[Once (Nightwish album)|Once]]'', its 2007 follow up ''[[Dark Passion Play]]''; their 2011 album ''[[Imaginaerum]]''; their 2015 album, ''[[Endless Forms Most Beautiful (album)|Endless Forms Most Beautiful]]'';<ref name=kenta>{{cite interview|first=Pip| last=Williams | title=Nightwish's Arranger Pip Williams from UK sits down and tells it all about “Endless Forms Most Beautiful”. | website=Kenta Press Agency | date=22 February 2015 | url=https://kentapress.wordpress.com/2015/02/22/nightwishs-arranger-pip-williams-from-uk-sits-down-and-tells-it-all-about-endless-forms-most-beautiful/ | access-date=23 September 2023}}</ref> and its 2020 follow up ''[[Human. :II: Nature.]]''. He also worked on the band's leader's first solo album, ''[[Music Inspired by the Life and Times of Scrooge]]''.{{cn|date=September 2023}}

Williams recorded, produced and mixed a live album for the [[Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band]], ''Wrestle Poodles...And Win''.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band – Wrestle Poodles...And Win (2006, CD) | website=Discogs | date=13 November 2006 | url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8292529-The-Bonzo-Dog-Doo-Dah-Band-Wrestle-PoodlesAnd-Win | access-date=23 September 2023}}</ref> He also orchestrated several songs for [[Indica (Finnish band)|Indica]] on their 2010 album ''[[A Way Away]]''.{{cn|date=September 2023}}

Since 2004 Williams has been a course leader teaching [[music technology]] at [[University of West London]], [[Ealing]], London.<ref>{{cite web | title=Pip Williams - Music Technology|publisher= [[University of West London]] | via=YouTube|date= 21 January 2017| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZA7vFHmhLU | access-date=23 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{linkedin|pip-williams-96870214}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pip-williams-mn0000850856/credits Pip Williams] on [[Allmusic]]


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Revision as of 06:50, 23 September 2023

Pip Williams
Birth namePhilip Malcolm Williams
Born (1947-10-07) 7 October 1947 (age 76)
Hillingdon, Middlesex, England

Philip Malcolm "Pip" Williams (born 7 October 1947) is an English record producer, arranger and guitarist, best known for producing albums for Status Quo and The Moody Blues and acting as well as supervising the orchestra parts and orchestra arrangements for the Finnish metal band Nightwish.

Early life

Williams was born on 7 October 1947 in Hillingdon, Middlesex.[1]

He became inspired to play the guitar after listening to records by The Shadows and Buddy Holly.[1]

Career

Williams produced more than 170 recordings, in many genres of music, including successful collaborations with Status Quo (band) and The Moody Blues.[2]

Williams started his musical career as lead guitarist with west London touring band, The Sovereigns, formed in mid-1965. In late 1966, The Sovereigns were signed to King Records and cut one 45 rpm record, released in January 1967. This included Williams' and Freddie Tillyer's "Bring Me Home Love". After this Williams became lead guitarist for The Fantastics.[3] then with Jimmy James and the Vagabonds in July 1969.[4]

Progressing from performer to session musician in the early 1970s under the patronage of Sweet producer Phil Wainman, he became one of the most in-demand session guitarists of the era, playing on early hit records for Sweet including "Funny Funny", "Co-Co", "Poppa Joe" and "Little Willy", and on The Walker Brothers' hit "No Regrets".[1]

He moved into record production in the late 1970s. His work for Graham Bonnet attracted the attention of Status Quo, who hired him to produce their album Rockin' All Over the World. He produced a further nine albums for the group, including In Search of the Fourth Chord.[citation needed]

He is also known for producing The Moody Blues albums Long Distance Voyager[5] and The Present,[citation needed] the former being a huge hit in the United States. The album took two months to record, and both Justin Hayward and John Lodge attributed much of its success to Williams.[5]

In 1984 he produced "I Should Have Known Better" for Jim Diamond, which topped the UK Singles Chart. Other collaborators include Shirley Bassey, Richard O'Brien, Dr. Feelgood, Barclay James Harvest, Bucks Fizz, Kevin Ayers, Geordie, and Uriah Heep (Sonic Origami).[1] He also produced and co-wrote a number of tracks on Sweet's 1980 album, Waters Edge, and worked with their singer, Brian Connolly, on a number of his solo efforts.[citation needed]

Williams is also a prolific arranger, from the string arrangements for the Moody Blues and Colin Blunstone, to the oriental ostinato patterns on Carl Douglas' "Kung Fu Fighting". Other collaborators in this field include Barbara Dickson, Ringo Starr, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band ,and The Kinks.[1] More recent work in this field was with the Finnish symphonic metal group Nightwish, having contributed orchestral arrangements for their 2004 album, Once, its 2007 follow up Dark Passion Play; their 2011 album Imaginaerum; their 2015 album, Endless Forms Most Beautiful;[6] and its 2020 follow up Human. :II: Nature.. He also worked on the band's leader's first solo album, Music Inspired by the Life and Times of Scrooge.[citation needed]

Williams recorded, produced and mixed a live album for the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Wrestle Poodles...And Win.[7] He also orchestrated several songs for Indica on their 2010 album A Way Away.[citation needed]

Since 2004 Williams has been a course leader teaching music technology at University of West London, Ealing, London.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Pip Williams Discography". Discogs.com. 7 October 1947. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  2. ^ "The Art of Record Production Conference, London — MusicTank". musictank.co.uk. 16 February 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011.
  3. ^ Warburton, Nick (16 July 2015). "The Fantastics – British tours 1967-1970". Garage Hangover. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  4. ^ Warburton, Nick (31 March 2019). "Pip Williams". Garage Hangover. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  5. ^ a b Dome, Malcolm (30 May 2021). "How Long Distance Voyager revitalised The Moody Blues". Louder. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  6. ^ Williams, Pip (22 February 2015). "Nightwish's Arranger Pip Williams from UK sits down and tells it all about "Endless Forms Most Beautiful"". Kenta Press Agency (Interview). Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  7. ^ "The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band – Wrestle Poodles...And Win (2006, CD)". Discogs. 13 November 2006. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Pip Williams - Music Technology". University of West London. 21 January 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2023 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ Pip Williams on LinkedIn

External links