Lee Sheriden

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Lee Sheriden


Img_capt = Lee Sheriden
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Roger Pritchard
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1949|04|11
Bristol, United Kingdom
Died =
Origin =
Instrument = Vocals, Guitar
Genre = Pop music
Occupation = Singer
Years_active = 1973–present
Label = Pye Records
Influences =
URL =

Lee Sheriden (born Roger Pritchard, 11 April 1949) is a British singer/songwriter, best known as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.

Early career

As a child Sheriden learned the piano and later took up the guitar when he joined his first group at the age of 14. This group appeared on a television talent show but he soon found his way into other groups. After he left school he became a resident musician on the Top Rank club circuit. [ [http://www.geocities.com/juniortvtimes2006/77No34/1977_no34_brotherhood1.htm "Look-In" 1977 No.34 (page 15)] ] In the early 1970s Sheriden released a solo single on the Deram label, called "Sweetest Tasting Candy Sugar". [ [http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/sunra/953/biograf-.html Fortunecity.com - Lee Sheriden Biography] ] The song failed to be a hit, but it brought him to the attention of Tony Hiller, who was looking for songwriters for his publishing company. Sheriden signed up with Tony Hiller Music and soon after Hiller, aware that Sheriden could also sing, asked him to be a part of the new Brotherhood of Man line-up. Sheriden agreed and along with Martin Lee and Nicky Stevens, he appeared on various television and radio shows. Hiller began composing songs with Sheriden and Lee with the view to putting together an album. In 1973 the group released two singles "Happy Ever After" and "Our World of Love", but neither charted. In late 1973 they were joined by singer Sandra Stevens and the now four-piece group secured a record deal with the Pye spin-off Dawn Records. Sheriden along with Hiller wrote the first single "When Love Catches Up On You", but it was the second release "Lady" which gained them attention by becoming a hit in Europe. [ [http://www.tonyhiller.com/photo5.html Tony Hiller.com - Brotherhood of Man story] ]

Success in Europe

With an album completed and released before the end of 1974, the group scored their next big hit with "Kiss Me Kiss Your Baby". According to Sheriden, during writing sessions for their second album, he came up with a song called "Save Your Kisses for Me", which the others rejected initially. He then presented it to them again as Hiller was looking for a song to enter in the following year's . This time they went with it and after some rewriting the song won the contest in 1976. [ [http://www.songs4europe.com/20.html Songs4Europe.com - 1976 Song for Europe] ] It went on to win the Eurovision Song Contest and became a No.1 in many countries, selling over a million copies in the UK alone. [ [http://www.abrq49.hemscott.net/biography.htm Official Brotherhood of Man website - Biography] ] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4459511.stm#lee BBC.co.uk - Lee Sheriden interview] ]

The writing team of Sheriden, Hiller and Lee continued for the next few years, writing hit singles and albums for the group. Sheriden himself also acted as Musical Director on the recordings. Two more UK No.1s followed in the form of "Angelo" (1977) and "Figaro" (1978). [ [http://www.chartstats.com/chart.php?week=19770820 Chartstats.com - "Angelo" at No.1] ] [ [http://www.chartstats.com/chart.php?week=19780211 Chartstats.com - "Figaro" at No.1] ] As a songwriter, Sheriden has received three Ivor Novello Awards. [ [http://www.abrq49.hemscott.net/biography.htm Brotherhood of Man website - Biography] ]

As chart success dwindled, Sheriden was keen to move on to other things and in late 1981 made the decision to leave the group and study for a Degree in Music. He was replaced by Barry Upton in 1982, but it was just two years before the band split completely. [ [http://www.tonyhiller.com/photo5.html Tonyhiller.com - Biography] ]

In 1986, Sheriden agreed to reunite with Martin Lee, Sandra Stevens and Nicky Stevens and the group were again touring. The line-up still continues to this day and the group appear regularly on television around Europe as well as performing in concert. [ [http://www.abrq49.hemscott.net/tours.htm Official Brotherhood of Man website - Tours] ]

Personal life

Sheriden is married with two daughters. [ [http://www.geocities.com/juniortvtimes2006/77No34/1977_no34_brotherhood3.htm "Look-In" 1977 No.34 (page 18)] ] He is also very interested in the Stock Market. He is able to read and write music, as well as having achieved a Degree in Music.

References