Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 2, 2026

Roy Phillips

Roy Godfrey Phillips was a British musician. He was a member of The Soundtracks, The Saints and The Peddlers.

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Jul 2, 2026
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Roy Phillips
Phillips in 1968
Phillips in 1968
Background information
Born
Roy Godfrey Phillips

(1941-05-05)5 May 1941
Poole, Dorset, England
Died24 April 2025(2025-04-24) (aged 83)
Christchurch, New Zealand
OccupationMusician
InstrumentsKeyboards, guitar
Years active1957–2025
Websiteroyphillips.org

Roy Godfrey Phillips (5 May 1941 – 24 April 2025) was a British musician. He was a member of The Soundtracks (a backing group of The Dowlands), The Saints and The Peddlers.

Background

Phillips was known as the voice and keyboard sound of well-known popular trio, The Peddlers which was formed in Manchester in 1964.12

In later years, Phillips was so taken with New Zealand, he decided to move there in 1981.3 After rejecting living in Auckland, Philips moved to Paihia, where he ran a café for eight years, before moving to Queenstown. From 2002, he lived in Christchurch, after moving there to marry his wife, Robyn.2

Career

1960s

During the 1960s, Phillips was a member of The Song Peddlers which with addition of Trevor Morais became a trio. The lineup also included Tab Martin. The group were managed by Alan Lewis. A single "Rose Marie" bw "I'm Not Afraid" was released on the Philips label in 1964.4 The group then became The Peddlers.56 Also in 1964, and now known as The Peddlers they had some minor success with their debut single, "Let The Sun Shine In" which was written by Teddy Randazzo.789

Phillips was one of the musicians placed in the 1967 Beat Instrumental Gold Star Awards. He shared the no. 12 spot with Keith Emerson in the Keyboard Player category.10 Also in the same awards, The Peddlers were placed at no. 18 in the Best Group on Stage category.11

The group would go on to have hits with "Birth" and "Girlie".1213

1970s

In 1976, his group, Peddlers which he had led since 1964 broke up.14 In the same year, Phillips's solo album Mr Peddler was released on Warner Bros. It also had a limited release as a private pressing on the Wild Cherry label as Heavy on the Light Side. The Wild Cherry release differed slightly from the Warner Bros. one.1516 Also that year he had a single "My Spanish Sun" bw "The Office Party" out on the Sol-Doon label.17

1980s to 1990s

In 1983, Phillips had a single released on the Warrior label which included releases by artists the Mike McGregor Band, Mantra and Herbs. The single was "New Zealand, New Zealand" bw "Takapuna".1819 In 1987, his single "Step By Step" bw "All Girl Planet" was released on Zulu Z006.20 Also in the late 1980s, Phillips headed the Sunday bill at the Sixth Southern Comfort Jazz and Blues Festival that was held in New Zealand over Queen's Birthday Weekend.2122

2000s

In 2006, he appeared on the television show Close Up, interviewed by John Sellwood.23

In 2007, a song by Phillips, "Closer" was featured on a Lord Large album, The Lord's First XI. The album also featured recordings by Glenn Tilbrook, Clem Curtis, Dean Parrish and Linda Lewis.2425 Phillip's involvement in the project came about as a result of Large's friend, producer/drummer Jones who was honeymooning in New Zealand and had found a new drinking buddy who happened to be Phillips.26 Phillips' vocals were recorded at Midnight Studios in Christchurch, New Zealand.

In 2006, he recorded his album, That's Way 'Tis, which was tribute to his late father, Frankie Phillips.27

His album called Blue Groove (2014) was produced and recorded at Roy's "Groove Room" Studios which he set up at his home in Christchurch after moving there in 2002.28

In August 2017, he appeared at Peppers Beachfront restaurant in Gisborne.3

Death

Phillips died in Christchurch, New Zealand on 24 April 2025, at the age of 83.28

Discography (selective)

Singles
Title Catalogue Year Notes #
"Spanish Sun" / "The Office Party" Sol-Doon SDR 014 1976 17
"New Zealand, New Zealand" / "Takapuna" Warrior WAR 1009 1983
"Step By Step" / "A Girl Planet" Zulu Records Z 006 1987 2930
Albums
Title Catalogue Year Notes #
Mr. Peddler Warner Bros. Records Z 26001 1976 New Zealand release31
Heavy On The Light Side Wild Cherry WCHLS 26776 1977 Private press release of Mr Peddler3233
That's Way 'Tis Beyond Sound 2006 34
Blue Groove 2014 3536
Standard Procedure 1 2019 37
Appears on
Act Album title Catalogue Year Song Notes #
Lord Large The Lord's First XI Acid Jazz Records AJXLP182 38
Citations

Citations

  1. Jazz Forum, Issues 116-121 – Page 11
  2. Stuff.co.nz, 16 June 2013 – Mood music for the meth-lab – Grant Smithies
  3. The Gisborne Herald, 24 August 2017 – Smooth grooves with Peddler Roy Phillips by Mark Peters
  4. Mersey Beat – On My Liverpool Beat (cont.), FLAMINGOS By Bill Harry
  5. AllMusic – The Peddlers – Music Biography, Credits and Discography
  6. KinemaGigz – Peddlers 'Biogz P' : The Peddlers
  7. 45Cat – The Peddlers – Discography, UK
  8. Making Time – The Peddlers
  9. Tootoot – Peddlers, The, Details
  10. Beat Instrumental, Feb. 1967 – Page 20 BEAT INSTRUMENTAL'S 1967 GOLD STAR AWARDS, KEYBOARD PLAYER
  11. Beat Instrumental, Feb. 1967 – Page 21 BEAT INSTRUMENTAL'S 1967 GOLD STAR AWARDS, Best Group on Stage
  12. AllMusic – The Peddlers, Artist Biographyby Bruce Eder
  13. Billboard, 30 May 1970 – Page 74 Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD, NEW ZEALAND SINGLES
  14. Nostalgia Central – Music – 1960s, Peddlers, The
  15. Discogs – Roy Phillips, Discography, Albums
  16. Popsike – ROY PHILLIPS/PEDDLARS – HEAVY ON THE LIGHT SIDE – RARE PRIVATE PRESS JAZZ LP, Description
  17. Global Dog Productions – 45 Discography for Sol Doon Records – UK
  18. AudioCulture, 8 May 2013 – Warrior – Simon Grigg
  19. When the Pakeha Sings of Home: A Source Guide to the Folk & Popular Songs of New Zealand, By Mike Harding – Page 77, Page 84
  20. The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television – Catalogue → 21510, Step by step
  21. Jazz Forum, Issues 116-121 – Page 11
  22. Tommy Adderley (1940–1993): The Man and His Contributions to Pop, Jazz, and Rock Music in New Zealand, By Christine Mintrom – Page 149
  23. The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound – Catalogue → TZP326971 CLOSE UP – ROYPHILLIPS
  24. Discogs – Lord Large – The Lord's First XI
  25. Scoop.co.nz, Wednesday, 19 July 2017 – The Voice of ‘the Peddlers’
  26. Bisikleta Productions, Friday, 17 July 2009 – PAUL WELLER PENNED TUNE DONE BY LORD LARGE
  27. Scoop, Wednesday, 19 July 2017 - The Voice of ‘the Peddlers’
  28. Cammick, Murray (24 April 2025) [4 June 2020]. "Roy Phillips". AudioCulture. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  29. Discogs – Roy Phillips, Discography, Singles & EPs
  30. 45Cat – Roy Phillips – Discography, All Records
  31. Discogs – Discography, Albums
  32. Popsike – ROY PHILLIPS – Heavy On The Light Side VINYL LP
  33. Popsike – 70s Easy Listening Pop Piano ROY PHILLIPS heavy on light side Rare UK Vinyl LP
  34. National Library of Australia – 2006, English, Sound, Recorded musicedition:
    That's way 't is (sound recording) / Roy Phillips.
    Phillips, Roy, 1943-
  35. NZ Musician – Home > Roy Phillips: Blue Groove
  36. Gisborne Herald, 24 August 2017 – Smooth grooves with Peddler Roy Phillips By Mark Peters
  37. GetJazz.net – Roy Phillips – Standard Procedure 1 (2019)
  38. Discogs – Roy Phillips, Credits
References

References

External links