Roy Harper | Artist

Roy Harper is an English folk rock singer, songwriter and guitarist born 1941 in Rusholme, Manchester. From an early age Harper was drawn to blues artists like Lead Belly, Big Bill Broonzy and Josh White, as well as the Classical composer Sibelius. After a brief stint in the Airforce which ended with him being discharged, forced to undergo electro-shock therapy and committed to a Mental Institution, from which he escaped after one day. Harper then busked around North Africa, Europe and London for several years before landing a residency at London's famous folk music club Les Cousins in 1965. Harper's first album, Sophisticated Beggar, was recorded in 1966 after he was spotted at Les Cousins and signed to Strike Records. Winning a strong cult following, Harper attracted some heavy friends in Jimmy Page and Pink Floyd's manager Peter Jenner, who got him signed to the influential progressive rock label Harvest. Jimmy Page became a strong supporter of Harper, playing guitar on many of his albums and penning the song "Hats off to (Roy) Harper" from Led Zeppelin III. Harper also sang lead vocals on "Have a Cigar" from Pink Floyd's 1975 release Wish You Were Here. Harper has released 24 studio albums including the magnificent Stormcock from 1971 and Bullinamingvase from 1977. Other standout albums include Folkjokeopus, Flat Baroque and Berserk, Valentine, HQ, The Green Man and the live release Flashes From the Archives of Oblivion.

Artist Website: royharper.co.uk

Featured Albums: Roy Harper

Related Artists: Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd