Paul Griggs
Encyclopedia
Paul Griggs is a British musician
born on 20 November 1944 in St. Albans, Hertfordshire
. He first played professionally in the band The Cortinas, formed in 1963. It released one unsuccessful single in 1968 and was renamed Octopus the same year.
Octopus, which included Griggs' brother Nigel, supported many well-known groups including Cream
and Yes
and they released one LP
(Restless Night, Penny Farthing
, April 1971) and several singles. During its existence, Octopus had several members who later joined famous groups: Drummer Brian Glascock
, John Cook and Tim Reeves of Mungo Jerry
, and brother Nigel Griggs
and Malcolm Green
, both later of New Zealand
group, Split Enz
. According to the Nottinghan Post, "There was a point – when Octopus cut a single and album – when it looked like fame would be theirs ... but it didn't happen."
When Octopus disbanded, Paul joined vocal group Guys 'n' Dolls and its first single "There's a Whole Lot of Loving" reached number two in the British charts. Griggs did not feature on this recording. It had been pre-recorded by session musicians. This was followed by other chart placements.
In September 1978 Guys n' Dolls supported Frank Sinatra
for a week of concerts at the Royal Festival Hall in London and in the same year they took part in the Yamaha Song Festival in Tokyo
.
Guys n' Dolls spent their last years in Holland and during that time Paul released two solo singles, the first a medly of Shadows instrumentals under the title of "Guitar Collection" foe EMI Holland. The second a cover of the Beatles song "You Won't See Me" for "Dureco". After the group disbanded in 1985 Griggs assumed responsibility for Everyday Music Ltd in England and concentrated on writing and producing. In 1986 he was a finalist in A Song for Europe
with his composition, "I'm Sorry" which was performed by Chad Brown, and a year later his song "No More Tears" was runner-up in "The Buddy Holly Sonng Contest" that was organised and judged by Paul McCartney
. Griggs received his award from McCartney himself at a dinner in London. Griggs has also released a solo CD on his own Fenman label called "My Songs" (Fen 001CD)on which he played and composed everything. In 1997 he made a guest appearance on the BBC 2 quiz Never Mind the Buzzcocks
.
Griggs' song "I don't wanna Lose You" was recorded by Lonnie Donegan
and featured on Lonnie's album Muleskinner Blues.
In 2008 Griggs self-published a memoir, Diary of a Musician (Fenman Paperback) based on the diaries he kept from 1960. It is available only from his own website.
Octopus
Guys 'n' Dolls
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....
born on 20 November 1944 in St. Albans, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
. He first played professionally in the band The Cortinas, formed in 1963. It released one unsuccessful single in 1968 and was renamed Octopus the same year.
Octopus, which included Griggs' brother Nigel, supported many well-known groups including Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
and Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
and they released one LP
LP record
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
(Restless Night, Penny Farthing
Penny Farthing Records
Penny Farthing Records was established by UK record producer Larry Page, as a progression from his mildly successful 1960s record label, Page One Records. It did not repeat the top 20 hits of his earlier venture, but signed some artists of note....
, April 1971) and several singles. During its existence, Octopus had several members who later joined famous groups: Drummer Brian Glascock
Brian Glascock
Brian Glascock is known as a rock drummer for The Gods, Toe Fat, Bee Gees, Carmen, Captain Beyond and The Motels. He also played on albums by Joan Armatrading, Dolly Parton and Iggy Pop and performed in a music video with Nancy Wilson of Heart.He currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he...
, John Cook and Tim Reeves of Mungo Jerry
Mungo Jerry
Mungo Jerry is an English rock group whose greatest success was in the early 1970s, though they have continued throughout the years with an ever-changing line-up, always fronted by Ray Dorset. They are remembered above all for their hit "In the Summertime". It remains their most successful and most...
, and brother Nigel Griggs
Nigel Griggs
Nigel Griggs is a musician who played bass guitar in Split Enz. He is the brother of Paul Griggs from the 1970s vocal group Guys 'n' Dolls...
and Malcolm Green
Malcolm Green (musician)
Malcolm Green is an English-born drummer best known as a member of New Zealand band Split Enz from 1976 to 1981.Green was recruited by Split Enz in Britain, where he had formerly played with Love Affair, The Honeycombs -- both of them long after their run of '60s hits -- and Octopus...
, both later of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
group, Split Enz
Split Enz
Split Enz were a New Zealand band of the 1970s and early 1980s featuring Phil Judd and brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. They achieved chart success in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada during the early 1980s ‒ most notably with the single "I Got You", and built a cult following elsewhere...
. According to the Nottinghan Post, "There was a point – when Octopus cut a single and album – when it looked like fame would be theirs ... but it didn't happen."
When Octopus disbanded, Paul joined vocal group Guys 'n' Dolls and its first single "There's a Whole Lot of Loving" reached number two in the British charts. Griggs did not feature on this recording. It had been pre-recorded by session musicians. This was followed by other chart placements.
In September 1978 Guys n' Dolls supported Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
for a week of concerts at the Royal Festival Hall in London and in the same year they took part in the Yamaha Song Festival in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.
Guys n' Dolls spent their last years in Holland and during that time Paul released two solo singles, the first a medly of Shadows instrumentals under the title of "Guitar Collection" foe EMI Holland. The second a cover of the Beatles song "You Won't See Me" for "Dureco". After the group disbanded in 1985 Griggs assumed responsibility for Everyday Music Ltd in England and concentrated on writing and producing. In 1986 he was a finalist in A Song for Europe
A Song for Europe
A Song for Europe may refer to:*A Song for Europe, former name of British pre-selection competition for the Eurovision Song Contest, now known as Eurovision: Your Country Needs You...
with his composition, "I'm Sorry" which was performed by Chad Brown, and a year later his song "No More Tears" was runner-up in "The Buddy Holly Sonng Contest" that was organised and judged by Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
. Griggs received his award from McCartney himself at a dinner in London. Griggs has also released a solo CD on his own Fenman label called "My Songs" (Fen 001CD)on which he played and composed everything. In 1997 he made a guest appearance on the BBC 2 quiz Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Never Mind the Buzzcocks is a comedy panel game television show with a pop music theme, currently without a permanent presenter. It stars Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding as team captains. The show is produced by Talkback Thames for the BBC, and is usually aired on BBC Two...
.
Griggs' song "I don't wanna Lose You" was recorded by Lonnie Donegan
Lonnie Donegan
Anthony James "Lonnie" Donegan MBE was a skiffle musician, with more than 20 UK Top 30 hits to his name. He is known as the "King of Skiffle" and is often cited as a large influence on the generation of British musicians who became famous in the 1960s...
and featured on Lonnie's album Muleskinner Blues.
In 2008 Griggs self-published a memoir, Diary of a Musician (Fenman Paperback) based on the diaries he kept from 1960. It is available only from his own website.
Discography
The Cortinas- "Phoebe's Flower Shop" / Too Much In Love (Polydor, May 1968)
Octopus
- "Laugh at the Poor Man" / "Girlfriend" (Penny FarthingPenny Farthing RecordsPenny Farthing Records was established by UK record producer Larry Page, as a progression from his mildly successful 1960s record label, Page One Records. It did not repeat the top 20 hits of his earlier venture, but signed some artists of note....
, Nov 1969) - "The River" / "Thief" (Penny Farthing, May 1970)
- Restless Night (Penny Farthing, April 1971)
Guys 'n' Dolls