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{{for|the Australian author|Pip Williams (author)}}
{{multiple issues|
{{original research|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{BLP sources|date=April 2014}}}}
⚫
| name = Pip Williams
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Philip Williams
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1947|10|07|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Hillingdon, Middlesex]], England
| death_date =
| occupation = Musician, lecturer in [[music technology]]
| years_active = 1965– present
| label =
| associated_acts =
| website =
⚫
}}


'''Pip Williams''', (born '''Philip Malcolm Williams''', 7 October 1947, [[Hillingdon]], [[Middlesex]]<ref name="Discogs">{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Pip+Williams |title=Pip Williams Discography |publisher=Discogs.com |date=1947-10-07 |accessdate=2015-10-20}}</ref>) is a [[record producer]], [[arrangement|arranger]] and [[guitarist]], best known for producing [[album]]s for [[Status Quo (band)|Status Quo]] and [[The Moody Blues]] and acting as well as supervising the [[orchestra]] parts and orchestra arrangements for [[Nightwish]].
'''Philip "Pip" Williams''' (born 7 October 1947), sometimes spelt '''Phillip''', is an English [[record producer]], [[arrangement|arranger]], and [[guitarist]]. He is best known for producing albums for [[Status Quo (band)|Status Quo]] and [[The Moody Blues]], but has also worked with a large number of well-known musicians. He has also supervised the [[orchestra]] parts and orchestra arrangements for the Finnish [[metal music|metal]] band [[Nightwish]].

{{as of|2023}} Williams teaches [[music technology]] at the [[University of West London]].

==Early life==
Philip<ref>{{cite web | title=Williams, Pip, 1947- |website= Library of Congress (Name Authority File) | date=22 February 1999 | url=https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2008108614.html | access-date=23 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Johnson | first=B. | title=The Lives of Brian: The Sunday Times bestselling autobiography from legendary AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson | publisher=Penguin Books Limited | year=2022 | isbn=978-1-4059-4560-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hQ4mEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT125 | access-date=23 September 2023 | page=125}}</ref> (or Phillip<ref name="Discogs"/><ref>{{cite book | last=Tobler | first=J. | title=Abba - Uncensored on the Record | publisher=Coda Books Limited | year=2012 | isbn=978-1-908538-23-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-hkbqflhfKoC&pg=PT87 | access-date=23 September 2023 | page=87}}</ref>) Williams was born on 7 October 1947 in [[Hillingdon]], [[Middlesex]].<ref name="Discogs">{{cite web | title=Pip Williams Discography | website=[[Discogs]] | url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/257660-Pip-Williams?anv=Phillip%20Williams&filter_anv=1 | access-date=23 September 2023}}</ref>

He became inspired to play the guitar after listening to records by [[The Shadows]] and [[Buddy Holly]],<ref name="Discogs"/> and trained as a musician.<ref name=bjh/>


==Career==
==Career==
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 became inspired to play the [[guitar]] after listening to [[gramophone record|records]] by [[The Shadows]] and [[Buddy Holly]]. He 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 [[Sweet (band)|Sweet]] producer [[Phil Wainman]], he became one of the most in-demand session guitarists of the era, playing on early [[hit record]]s 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"/>


Williams started his musical career as a guitarist and [[session musician]] in 1962, playing in [[Hamburg]], Germany. He worked with American soul singer [[Jimmy Ruffin]], as his musical director.<ref name=bjh/> He became [[lead guitarist]] of [[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 name=fantastics>{{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|quote=Pip Williams, who wasn't long married and needed to return home, left while the band was in Naples and returned home, subsequently joining Jimmy James & The Vagabonds.}}</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><ref name=fantastics/>
⚫
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 would produce a further nine albums for the group, the most recent being 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]]'', the former being a [[United States]] [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] [[record chart|chart]] [[chart-topper|topper]]. 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 [[singing|singer]], [[Brian Connolly]], on a number of his [[solo (music)|solo]] efforts.


⚫
Progressing from performer to [[session musician]] in the early 1970s under the patronage of [[The Sweet|Sweet]] producer [[Phil Wainman]],<ref name=fantastics/> 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"/>
⚫
Some of his most creative work has come out of his ability as an arranger.{{citation needed|date=January 2009}} 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 [[Finland|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]]'', and their most recent album, ''[[Endless Forms Most Beautiful (album)|Endless Forms Most Beautiful]]''. 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 [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]], produced and [[remix|mixed]] a [[live album]] for the [[Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band]]. More recently, Williams orchestrated several songs for [[Indica (Finnish band)|Indica]] on their 2010 album ''[[A Way Away]]'' .


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]]''.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Williams is currently a course leader teaching [[music technology]] at [[University of West London]], [[Ealing]]. He now lives in [[Slough]], [[Berkshire]] and has two children, Samantha (born 1971) and Joe (born 1984).


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]]'',<ref name=bjh/> 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/>
==See also==

*[[London College of Music]]
He produced [[Kiki Dee]]'s 1981 album ''[[Perfect Timing (Kiki Dee album)|Perfect Timing]]'', which included her duet with [[Elton John]], "[[Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever]]", and a hit single, "Star".<ref>{{cite web | title=Perfect Timing | website=Record Collector Magazine | date=31 May 2008 | url=https://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/album/perfect-timing | access-date=23 September 2023}}</ref> In 1983 he produced ''Ring of Changes'' for [[Barclay James Harvest]].<ref name=bjh>{{cite journal |journal= Friends of Barclay James Harvest Newsletter| date= June 1983| issue=25|url=https://www.bjharvest.co.uk/fobjh-25.pdf |title=Some of the people behind Ring of Changes: Pip Williams| pages=8–9}}</ref>

⚫
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]], [[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.{{citation needed|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"/> 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]]''.{{citation needed|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]]''.{{citation needed|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>

==Personal life==
Williams married in 1969.<ref name=fantastics/>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb name|0931485}}
*[http://www.musictank.co.uk/events/the-art-of-record-production-conference-london The Art of Record Production Conference, London @ Musictank.co.uk]
*[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pip-williams-mn0000850856/credits Pip Williams] on [[Allmusic]]


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

{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
⚫
| NAME =Williams, Pip
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = English musician
| DATE OF BIRTH = 7 October 1947
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
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}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Pip}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Pip}}
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[[Category:Academics of the University of West London]]
[[Category:Academics of the University of West London]]
[[Category:People from Hillingdon]]
[[Category:People from Hillingdon]]
[[Category:English guitarists]]
[[Category:English pop guitarists]]
[[Category:English male guitarists]]
[[Category:Status Quo (band)]]
[[Category:Status Quo (band)]]
[[Category:English session musicians]]
[[Category:English session musicians]]

Latest revision as of 02:21, 6 March 2024

For the Australian author, see Pip Williams (author).

Pip Williams
Birth namePhilip Williams
Born (1947-10-07) 7 October 1947 (age 76)
Hillingdon, Middlesex, England
Occupation(s)Musician, lecturer in music technology
Years active1965– present

Philip "Pip" Williams (born 7 October 1947), sometimes spelt Phillip, is an English record producer, arranger, and guitarist. He is best known for producing albums for Status Quo and The Moody Blues, but has also worked with a large number of well-known musicians. He has also supervised the orchestra parts and orchestra arrangements for the Finnish metal band Nightwish.

As of 2023 Williams teaches music technology at the University of West London.

Early life[edit]

Philip[1][2] (or Phillip[3][4]) Williams was born on 7 October 1947 in Hillingdon, Middlesex.[3]

He became inspired to play the guitar after listening to records by The Shadows and Buddy Holly,[3] and trained as a musician.[5]

Career[edit]

Williams produced more than 170 recordings, in many genres of music, including successful collaborations with Status Quo (band) and The Moody Blues.[6]

Williams started his musical career as a guitarist and session musician in 1962, playing in Hamburg, Germany. He worked with American soul singer Jimmy Ruffin, as his musical director.[5] He became lead guitarist of 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.[7] then with Jimmy James and the Vagabonds in July 1969.[8][7]

Progressing from performer to session musician in the early 1970s under the patronage of Sweet producer Phil Wainman,[7] 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".[3]

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[9] and The Present,[5] 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.[9]

He produced Kiki Dee's 1981 album Perfect Timing, which included her duet with Elton John, "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever", and a hit single, "Star".[10] In 1983 he produced Ring of Changes for Barclay James Harvest.[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, Bucks Fizz, Kevin Ayers, Geordie, and Uriah Heep (Sonic Origami).[3] 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.[3] 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;[11] 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.[12] 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.[13][14]

Personal life[edit]

Williams married in 1969.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Williams, Pip, 1947-". Library of Congress (Name Authority File). 22 February 1999. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  2. ^ Johnson, B. (2022). The Lives of Brian: The Sunday Times bestselling autobiography from legendary AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson. Penguin Books Limited. p. 125. ISBN 978-1-4059-4560-8. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Pip Williams Discography". Discogs. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  4. ^ Tobler, J. (2012). Abba - Uncensored on the Record. Coda Books Limited. p. 87. ISBN 978-1-908538-23-9. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Some of the people behind Ring of Changes: Pip Williams" (PDF). Friends of Barclay James Harvest Newsletter (25): 8–9. June 1983.
  6. ^ "The Art of Record Production Conference, London — MusicTank". musictank.co.uk. 16 February 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d Warburton, Nick (16 July 2015). "The Fantastics – British tours 1967-1970". Garage Hangover. Retrieved 23 September 2023. Pip Williams, who wasn't long married and needed to return home, left while the band was in Naples and returned home, subsequently joining Jimmy James & The Vagabonds.
  8. ^ Warburton, Nick (31 March 2019). "Pip Williams". Garage Hangover. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  9. ^ a b Dome, Malcolm (30 May 2021). "How Long Distance Voyager revitalised The Moody Blues". Louder. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Perfect Timing". Record Collector Magazine. 31 May 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band – Wrestle Poodles...And Win (2006, CD)". Discogs. 13 November 2006. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  13. ^ "Pip Williams - Music Technology". University of West London. 21 January 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2023 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ Pip Williams on LinkedIn

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pip_Williams&oldid=1212080434"