Pete Solley

Peter Solley (born 19 October 1948) is a Hammond organ player, pianist and a Grammy-nominated record producer. He has recorded with Eric Clapton, Al Stewart and Whitesnake as well as producing records for Ted Nugent, Motörhead, The Romantics, Peter Frampton, The Sports, and many others.

At the age of 13 he won a scholarship to Trinity College of Music in London and after graduating became a session musician. In the late 1960s he played in The Thunderbirds, the backing group for vocalist Chris Farlowe, and in the backing band of singer Terry Reid.

ca. 1970 Solley was a founding member of British progressive rock band Paladin, whose second LP "Paladin Charge!" featured a cover design by Roger Dean. Following the break-up of Paladin in 1973, bassist Peter Beckett joined Steve Kipner and Steve Groves in the pop band Tin Tin.

After declining membership of several groups [ [http://www.procolharum.com/pstxt1.htm ProcolHarum.com] ] in 1977 he became a member of the Progressive rock group Procol Harum playing synthesisers (this allowed Chris Copping to take over on bass guitar). During his time with the group he recorded one album, "Something Magic", and toured extensively to promote the album. Shortly afterwards the group broke up.

In the 80s Solley began writing TV jingles for clients including British Airways, BMW cars, and Coca Cola, and he became an in-demand rock record producer; his credits include hit albums for the Australian bands Sports ("Don't Throw Stones") and Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons ("Screaming Targets", "Hats Off Step Lively"). Solley's best-known production (and his personal favourite) is the 1980 single "What I Like About You" by Detroit power-pop band The Romantics.

In 1997 he briefly rejoined Procol Harum for a concert in Redhill and in 2004 played with their lead singer/song writer and pianist, Gary Brooker for a concert in Guildford. He currently runs a company producing MIDI files.

Notes

In 2008, Peter Solley and his wife opened a deli serving Peter's own gelato and other items at 550 Route 30 in Newfane, VT.

External links

* [http://www.procolharum.com/procolps.htm Procol Harum.com biography of Peter Solley]
* [http://www.petersolleyproductions.com Peter Solley's home page]