Hats Off To Roy Harper!

Who? Roy Harper! One of the most talented and idiosyncratic musicians/songwriters ever. Roy Harper was also responsible for initiating and helping to set up the series of free concerts held in London's Hyde Park starting in 1968. In fact, today marks the day when the 1st Hyde Park Free Concert was held. Appearing on the bill that day 41 years ago - Roy Harper, Jethro Tull and Pink Floyd (both of these bands had been around for less than a year as professional recording rock bands).

It may take tolerant and trained ears to listen to any of Roy's solo albums from the late 60s and the 1970s. Harper's debut in 1967, Sophisticated Beggar, is a unique and interesting collection of songs. Good enough that it also caught the ears of Jimmy Page & Robert Plant of the newly formed Led Zeppelin. By 1970, they had recorded the song "Hats Off To Roy Harper" for their own album Led Zeppelin III. Harper was the toast of London's music elite by the end of the 60s. Harper's relationship with Pink Floyd lead to his signing with EMI's Harvest label and by 1971 had released the brilliant Stormcock.

No doubt, though, his biggest claim to fame, was in 1975 when he was invited by Pink Floyd down to Abbey Road studios to record the lead vocals on what would become one of the Floyd's most memorable songs "Have A Cigar" from their album Wish You Were Here Harper's vocals successfully implants a hard image of the rock n' roll business mover & shaker. The greasy, insincere tone to his vocals suggests exactly what the lyrics portray about the business side of music. Even back in 1975, long before I became employed in the music business for a major label, Harper's vocals aptly conveyed the image to me as a young lad. It was almost like I knew what to expect later on. Great song. Hats Off to Roy Harper! www.royharper.com