Chris Copping
Encyclopedia
Chris Copping is a musician
and singer-songwriter
who was a member of Procol Harum
in the 1970s, and has also composed for TV
and film
. He predominantly plays organ
, piano
and bass guitar
.
In 1960 he joined a group
called The Paramounts as a guitar
ist but left in December 1962 to go to study chemistry
at Leicester University. Diz Derrick replaced him in the group until they split up in October 1966.
From 1963 until 1966 he studied at Leicester University, receiving an honours degree in chemistry
. From 1966 to 1969, he worked for the government and studied for a PhD. During this time his first marriage had broken up and he had returned to playing music, initially playing the organ in a pub, then playing traditional German music. In 1969, he was invited by Robin Trower
to replace Matthew Fisher
on organ and David Knights
on bass in Procol Harum (at which point that band consisted entirely of ex-The Paramounts musicians).
Between December 1969 and March 1977 Copping recorded
seven albums
with the group and toured extensively. During this time Copping alternated between bass guitar and Hammond organ as other musician
s joined the group. After recording the album, Something Magic
, he left the group and was replaced by Dee Murray
for the accompanying tour, after which the group broke up.
In 1978 he moved to Australia where he continues to play and compose
. In recent years Copping has worked with artists
such as Mark Hilton, JoJo Leslie and Astrid Munday, as well as composing music
for a number of short film
s (Miss Fortune, The Web and Slim Pickings).
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
who was a member of Procol Harum
Procol Harum
Procol Harum are a British rock band, formed in 1967, which contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 single "A Whiter Shade of Pale"...
in the 1970s, and has also composed for TV
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
and film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
. He predominantly plays organ
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
, piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
.
In 1960 he joined a group
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
called The Paramounts as a guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist but left in December 1962 to go to study chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
at Leicester University. Diz Derrick replaced him in the group until they split up in October 1966.
From 1963 until 1966 he studied at Leicester University, receiving an honours degree in chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
. From 1966 to 1969, he worked for the government and studied for a PhD. During this time his first marriage had broken up and he had returned to playing music, initially playing the organ in a pub, then playing traditional German music. In 1969, he was invited by Robin Trower
Robin Trower
Robin Leonard Trower , known professionally as Robin Trower, is an English rock guitarist who achieved success with Procol Harum during the 1960s, and then again as the bandleader of his own power trio.-Biography:...
to replace Matthew Fisher
Matthew Fisher
Matthew Fisher is an English organist and singer-songwriter, and was responsible for the organ sound on the 1967 single, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum.-Biography:...
on organ and David Knights
David Knights
David Knights was the original bass guitarist in Procol Harum. He played bass on the hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale". He was in the band long enough to play on their first three albums...
on bass in Procol Harum (at which point that band consisted entirely of ex-The Paramounts musicians).
Between December 1969 and March 1977 Copping recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
seven albums
Procol Harum discography
-Studio albums:-Live albums:-Compilation albums:* 1969 Flyback 4: The Best of Procol Harum * 1970 Pop Giants Vol...
with the group and toured extensively. During this time Copping alternated between bass guitar and Hammond organ as other musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
s joined the group. After recording the album, Something Magic
Something Magic
Something Magic, by Procol Harum, was released in 1977.After this album was released, Copping left the band. Dee Murray replaced him for the North American tour promoting this album.- Side one :#"Something Magic" - 3:37...
, he left the group and was replaced by Dee Murray
Dee Murray
Dee Murray was an English bassist, best known as a member of Elton John's original rock band.-Biography:Murray was born David Murray Oates in Southgate, London in 1946...
for the accompanying tour, after which the group broke up.
In 1978 he moved to Australia where he continues to play and compose
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. In recent years Copping has worked with artists
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
such as Mark Hilton, JoJo Leslie and Astrid Munday, as well as composing music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
for a number of short film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
s (Miss Fortune, The Web and Slim Pickings).