Rick Fenn
Encyclopedia
Richard 'Rick' Fenn is an English rock guitarist. He is best known for being a member of the band 10cc
since 1976. He has also collaborated with Mike Oldfield
, Rick Wakeman
, Hollies singer Peter Howarth
and Pink Floyd
drummer Nick Mason
.
Rick’s musical career started in Oxford where he was leader of the school band ‘Bagshot Louie’. The band folded once school was out in 1971 and Rick moved to Cambridge, not as an undergraduate but to attend Cambridge College of Arts & Technology.
After completing an HND business studies course, Rick joined a Cambridge band called Hamilton Gray who moved to Manchester and became the band 'Gentlemen'. Their debut TV appearance on a show called 'So It Goes' (along with the Sex Pistols) resulted in a liaison with Paul Burgess who soon after, recommended him to 10CC which he joined towards the end of 1976 at the launch of the Deceptive Bends album and has been part of the team ever since.
From 1979 he also toured and recorded with Mike Oldfield and with him co-wrote the song “Family Man” which went on to become a big hit for Hall & Oates
all over the world and win him an A.S.C.A.P. award for best song in 1984.
In 1985 Rick wrote and recorded his own album “Profiles” with The Pink Floyd’s drummer Nick Mason. The single from the album, “Lie for a Lie” sung by David Gilmour
and featuring Maggie Reilly
was a hit in the U.S.A. Also in the 1980s Fenn and Mason formed Bamboo Music, a company that produced music jingles for corporate clients.
Over the years he has toured with artists such as Rick Wakeman
, Jack Bruce
, Elkie Brooks
and Wax
(with Andrew Gold
and Graham Gouldman
). As a guitarist, he has recorded with numerous artists among them Cliff Richard
, Peter Green
, Agnetha (ABBA) Marilyn, Sniff 'n' the Tears
, John Wetton
and Justin Hayward
.
From the late 80’s, Rick devoted more of his time to composing and wrote countless scores for T.V. documentaries, dramas and comedies (including series for Hale and Pace and Craig Charles) and a number of feature films. Amongst those were “White of the Eye
” which was another collaboration with Nick Mason. Over the years he has won several awards for high-profile commercial sound tracks.
One soundtrack that won him a Gold Clio award in America in 1989 for best song, featured Peter Howarth
on vocals. He went on to form a writing partnership with Peter, now the lead singer with the Hollies, and in 1990 they wrote a Rock opera called “Robin, Prince of Sherwood” which toured the UK for a year and spent four months in the West End. Rick and Peter have other projects in the pipeline. They also periodically assemble a troupe of high pedigree musicians and gig as the Feramones.
Rick most recently toured throughout Germany as part of the Nokia Night of the Proms Band where, as well as 10cc
, he played with Tears For Fears
, Robin Gibb
and Kim Wilde
.
When not working with 10CC, Rick now spends most of his time at his home in Australia.
10cc
10cc are an English art rock band who achieved their greatest commercial success in the 1970s. The band initially consisted of four musicians -- Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme -- who had written and recorded together for some three years, before assuming the "10cc" name...
since 1976. He has also collaborated with Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
, Rick Wakeman
Rick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
, Hollies singer Peter Howarth
Peter Howarth
Peter Howarth is the current lead singer of the British band The Hollies, joining in October 2004. He replaced Carl Wayne, who died earlier in the year...
and Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
drummer Nick Mason
Nick Mason
Nicholas Berkeley "Nick" Mason is an English drummer and songwriter, best known for his work with Pink Floyd. He was the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1965...
.
Rick’s musical career started in Oxford where he was leader of the school band ‘Bagshot Louie’. The band folded once school was out in 1971 and Rick moved to Cambridge, not as an undergraduate but to attend Cambridge College of Arts & Technology.
After completing an HND business studies course, Rick joined a Cambridge band called Hamilton Gray who moved to Manchester and became the band 'Gentlemen'. Their debut TV appearance on a show called 'So It Goes' (along with the Sex Pistols) resulted in a liaison with Paul Burgess who soon after, recommended him to 10CC which he joined towards the end of 1976 at the launch of the Deceptive Bends album and has been part of the team ever since.
From 1979 he also toured and recorded with Mike Oldfield and with him co-wrote the song “Family Man” which went on to become a big hit for Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates are an American musical duo composed of Daryl Hall and John Oates. They achieved their greatest fame in the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s. Both sing and play instruments. They specialized in a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues styles, which they dubbed "rock and soul."...
all over the world and win him an A.S.C.A.P. award for best song in 1984.
In 1985 Rick wrote and recorded his own album “Profiles” with The Pink Floyd’s drummer Nick Mason. The single from the album, “Lie for a Lie” sung by David Gilmour
David Gilmour
David Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
and featuring Maggie Reilly
Maggie Reilly
Maggie Reilly is a Scottish singer best known for her collaborations with the composer and instrumentalist Mike Oldfield...
was a hit in the U.S.A. Also in the 1980s Fenn and Mason formed Bamboo Music, a company that produced music jingles for corporate clients.
Over the years he has toured with artists such as Rick Wakeman
Rick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
, Jack Bruce
Jack Bruce
John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce is a Scottish musician and songwriter, respected as a founding member of the British psychedelic rock power trio, Cream, for a solo career that spans several decades, and for his participation in several well-known musical ensembles...
, Elkie Brooks
Elkie Brooks
Elkie Brooks is an English singer, formerly a vocalist with Vinegar Joe, and later a solo artist. Elkie has been nominated twice for Brit Awards' top female singer. She is known for her powerful husky voice...
and Wax
Wax (pop band)
Wax was a 1980s pop rock group consisting of Andrew Gold and 10cc guitarist/bassist Graham Gouldman. In the US, they were listed as Wax UK. The band is best known for the hit singles "Right Between the Eyes" and "Bridge to Your Heart".-History:...
(with Andrew Gold
Andrew Gold
Andrew Maurice Gold was an American singer, musician and songwriter. His works include the Top 10 single "Lonely Boy" , as well as the singles "Thank You for Being a Friend" , and "Never Let Her Slip Away" ....
and Graham Gouldman
Graham Gouldman
Graham Keith Gouldman is an English songwriter and musician who is a long-time member of British band 10cc.-Early life and 1960s pop career: 1946–1968:Gouldman was born in Broughton, Salford, England...
). As a guitarist, he has recorded with numerous artists among them Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
, Peter Green
Peter Green (musician)
Peter Green is a British blues-rock guitarist and the founder of the band Fleetwood Mac...
, Agnetha (ABBA) Marilyn, Sniff 'n' the Tears
Sniff 'n' the Tears
Sniff 'n' the Tears is a British rock band best known for their 1978 song "Driver's Seat", a hit in many countries . The exception was the UK itself where a problem with EMI's pressing plant meant that the single was not available following the band's appearance on Top of the Pops and it peaked...
, John Wetton
John Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton is an English bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth. He has been a professional musician since the late 1960s...
and Justin Hayward
Justin Hayward
Justin Hayward is an English musician, best known as singer, songwriter and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues.Hayward was born in Dean Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, England...
.
From the late 80’s, Rick devoted more of his time to composing and wrote countless scores for T.V. documentaries, dramas and comedies (including series for Hale and Pace and Craig Charles) and a number of feature films. Amongst those were “White of the Eye
White of the Eye (film)
White of the Eye is a 1987 British thriller film directed by Donald Cammell and starring David Keith and Cathy Moriarty. It was adapted in film by Donald Cammell and his wife China Kong from the novel Mrs. White, written by Laurence and Andrew Klavan....
” which was another collaboration with Nick Mason. Over the years he has won several awards for high-profile commercial sound tracks.
One soundtrack that won him a Gold Clio award in America in 1989 for best song, featured Peter Howarth
Peter Howarth
Peter Howarth is the current lead singer of the British band The Hollies, joining in October 2004. He replaced Carl Wayne, who died earlier in the year...
on vocals. He went on to form a writing partnership with Peter, now the lead singer with the Hollies, and in 1990 they wrote a Rock opera called “Robin, Prince of Sherwood” which toured the UK for a year and spent four months in the West End. Rick and Peter have other projects in the pipeline. They also periodically assemble a troupe of high pedigree musicians and gig as the Feramones.
Rick most recently toured throughout Germany as part of the Nokia Night of the Proms Band where, as well as 10cc
10cc
10cc are an English art rock band who achieved their greatest commercial success in the 1970s. The band initially consisted of four musicians -- Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme -- who had written and recorded together for some three years, before assuming the "10cc" name...
, he played with Tears For Fears
Tears for Fears
Tears for Fears are an English new wave band formed in the early 1980s by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith.Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, they were initially associated with the New Wave synthesiser bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into...
, Robin Gibb
Robin Gibb
Robin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....
and Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde is an English pop singer, author and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the number 2 UK Singles Chart new wave classic "Kids in America". In 1987 she had a major hit in the United States when her version of The Supremes' classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On"...
.
When not working with 10CC, Rick now spends most of his time at his home in Australia.
Discography
- Mason + Fenn:
- ProfilesProfilesProfiles is an album by Pink Floyd's drummer Nick Mason and 10cc's guitarist Rick Fenn, released in 1985. It is almost entirely instrumental, save for two songs: "Lie for a Lie," featuring Pink Floyd singer and guitarist David Gilmour and Mike Oldfield's early 80s singer Maggie Reilly; and...
– 1985 - Life Could Be a Dream – 1986
- White Of The EyeWhite of the Eye (film)White of the Eye is a 1987 British thriller film directed by Donald Cammell and starring David Keith and Cathy Moriarty. It was adapted in film by Donald Cammell and his wife China Kong from the novel Mrs. White, written by Laurence and Andrew Klavan....
– 1987 - Body Contact – 1987
- Tank Malling – 1989
- With 10cc10cc10cc are an English art rock band who achieved their greatest commercial success in the 1970s. The band initially consisted of four musicians -- Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme -- who had written and recorded together for some three years, before assuming the "10cc" name...
:
- Live & Let Live – 1977
- Bloody TouristsBloody TouristsBloody Tourists was the sixth studio album by 10cc and the second to be produced following the band's 1976 split. It yielded the singles "Dreadlock Holiday", which reached No.1 in the UK in August 1978, and "Reds in My Bed", which did not chart. "For You and I" was issued as a double a-side single...
– 1978 - Look Hear?Look Hear?Look Hear? is the seventh studio album by 10cc, released in 1980. It reached No.35 in the UK and No.180 in the United States. The album, recorded at the band's Strawberry Studios South in Dorking, Surrey, was the first by 10cc since its 1976 split to include songs written by neither Graham Gouldman...
– 1980 - Ten Out of 10Ten Out of 10Ten Out of 10 is the eighth studio album by 10cc and was released in 1981. It failed to chart in the US or UK. The album marked the first involvement with the band by American singer-songwriter Andrew Gold, who was also invited to join the band, but declined because of other commitments.Gouldman...
– 1981 - Windows in the JungleWindows in the JungleWindows in the Jungle is the ninth studio album by British pop band 10cc. It was released in October 1983 and was the last album by the band for nine years....
– 1983 - Best of 10cc – 1980
- The Collection – 1987
- AliveAliveAlive most commonly refers to Life. It may also refer to:-Publications:* Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors, a 1974 book by Piers Paul Read which documented the 1972 crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 in the Andes mountains...
– 1993 - Mirror Mirror – 1995
- Live in ConcertLive in ConcertLive in Concert is a 1999 live album and DVD by Natalie Merchant. The album and DVD were recorded at the Neil Simon Theatre in New York City. The setlist includes a rare cover of David Bowie's "Space Oddity". The U.S...
– 1985 (Video) - Changing Faces – 1998 (Video)
- Ultimate Collection – 2003
- Greatest Hits ... And MoreGreatest Hits ... And MoreGreatest Hits ... And More is the name of a 2006 compilation of songs by English pop group 10cc as well as pre-10cc and post-10cc work by its founding members, Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart and Kevin Godley and Lol Creme, performing as Godley & Creme...
– 2006 DVD - Clever Clogs DVD – 2008
- With Eric StewartEric StewartEric Stewart is an English musician, songwriter and record producer most known for his tenure with The Mindbenders in the 1960s, and 10cc from 1972 to 1995....
:
- Girls – 1980
- Frooty Rooties – 1982
- With Graham GouldmanGraham GouldmanGraham Keith Gouldman is an English songwriter and musician who is a long-time member of British band 10cc.-Early life and 1960s pop career: 1946–1968:Gouldman was born in Broughton, Salford, England...
:
- Animalympics – 1980
- And Another Thing... – 2000
- With Agnetha FältskogAgnetha FältskogAgnetha Åse Fältskog is a Swedish recording artist. She achieved success in Sweden after the release of her début album Agnetha Fältskog in 1968, and reached international stardom as a member of the pop group ABBA, which to date has sold over 375 million records worldwide, making it the fourth...
:
- Eyes of a WomanEyes of a WomanEyes of a Woman is the second of Agnetha Fältskog's 1980s post-ABBA solo albums. Eric Stewart produced. It was Fältskog's second album to reach the UK Top 40, reaching No.38. In Sweden, the album peaked at No. 2. It also reached the Top 20 in Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium.The album was...
– 1985
- With Peter HowarthPeter HowarthPeter Howarth is the current lead singer of the British band The Hollies, joining in October 2004. He replaced Carl Wayne, who died earlier in the year...
:
- Robin Prince of Sherwood – 1992
- Androcles and the Lion – 1995
- Circle of Four – 1995
- With Mike OldfieldMike OldfieldMichael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
:
- QE2QE2 (album)QE2 is the sixth record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1980 on Virgin Records.The album contained both original Oldfield compositions as well as two cover version of pieces recorded by other bands .- Album analysis :The longest tracks on the album are "Taurus I" and the title track, "QE2",...
– 1980 - Five Miles OutFive Miles OutFive Miles Out is the seventh record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1982, at a time when his music was moving away from large-scale symphonic pieces towards a more accessible pop style. It is one of the very few albums on which Oldfield sings lead vocals, as he is noted for not having any...
– 1982 - CrisesCrisesCrises is the eighth record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1983. Oldfield's well known hit "Moonlight Shadow" appears on the album.- Album analysis :...
– 1983 - IslandsIslands (Mike Oldfield album)Islands is the 11th album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1987. Guest singers on the album are Bonnie Tyler, Kevin Ayers, Anita Hegerland and Jim Price. A different track list and cover was used for the American edition....
– 1987
- With Rick WakemanRick WakemanRichard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
:
- Silent Nights – 1985
- Live at Hammersmith – 1985
- Crimes of Passion soundtrack – 1986
- With Sniff 'n' the TearsSniff 'n' the TearsSniff 'n' the Tears is a British rock band best known for their 1978 song "Driver's Seat", a hit in many countries . The exception was the UK itself where a problem with EMI's pressing plant meant that the single was not available following the band's appearance on Top of the Pops and it peaked...
:
- Love Action – 1981
- With Michael MantlerMichael MantlerMichael Mantler is a composer and trumpeter in new jazz and contemporary music.-Career: United States:Mantler was born in Vienna, Austria...
:
- Live – 1987 — with Jack BruceJack BruceJohn Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce is a Scottish musician and songwriter, respected as a founding member of the British psychedelic rock power trio, Cream, for a solo career that spans several decades, and for his participation in several well-known musical ensembles...
and Nick MasonNick MasonNicholas Berkeley "Nick" Mason is an English drummer and songwriter, best known for his work with Pink Floyd. He was the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1965... - Many Have No Speech – (Watt/ECM) — with Jack BruceJack BruceJohn Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce is a Scottish musician and songwriter, respected as a founding member of the British psychedelic rock power trio, Cream, for a solo career that spans several decades, and for his participation in several well-known musical ensembles...
Marianne FaithfullMarianne FaithfullMarianne Evelyn Faithfull is an award-winning English singer, songwriter and actress whose career has spanned five decades....
, Robert WyattRobert WyattRobert Wyatt is an English musician, and founding member of the influential Canterbury scene band Soft Machine, with a long and distinguished solo career... - The Watt Works Family Album – : (WATT/ECM) —
- Folly Seeing All ThisFolly Seeing All This-Reception:The Allmusic review by Peter Nappi awarded the album 3 stars stating "At once melodic and challenging, Folly Seeing All This is experimental chamber jazz at its most enjoyable".-Personnel:-Reception:...
– 1993: (ECM) —
- With Peter GreenPeter Green (musician)Peter Green is a British blues-rock guitarist and the founder of the band Fleetwood Mac...
:
- Blues for Dhyana – 1998
- The Clown – 2001
- With Tanita TikaramTanita TikaramTanita Tikaram is a British pop/folk singer-songwriter, best known for the hits "Twist in My Sobriety" and "Good Tradition" from her 1988 debut album, Ancient Heart...
:
- The Cappucino Songs – 1998