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Beggars Opera were a progressive rock band from Glasgow, Scotland, formed in Glasgow in 1969 by guitarist Ricky Gardiner. The line-up consisted of Ricky Gardiner (guitar/vocals) (born Richard Gardner, in 1948, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland), Alan Park (keyboards) (born 10 May 1951, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland), Martin Griffiths (vocals), Marshall Erskine (bass/flute) and Raymond Wilson (drums).
In 1970, after signing to Vertigo Records, the band recorded their first album Act One, and a single "Sarabande", which charted record in several European countries. The following year, for their second album, Waters of Change, the band were joined by Gordon Sellar (bass) (born 13 June 1947, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland). The single "Time Machine" from that album was successful in Germany, where the band toured extensively.
Erskine left the band before they recorded their third album, Pathfinder (1972), which included a cover version of Richard Harris' hit " MacArthur Park". Several other personnel changes ensued, with Pete Scott replacing Martin Griffiths in 1972, and Linnie Paterson replacing Pete Scott in 1973. By 1973's final album, Get Your Dog Off Me, Beggars Opera were reduced to a trio of Gardiner, Park and Sellar.
In 1974/76 a new version of Beggars Opera recorded two albums for Jupiter Records in Germany; "Sagittary", featuring Ricky Gardiner (guitar), Pete Scott (vocals), Virginia Scott (Mellotron) (born in 1948, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland) and Mike Travis (drums), and "Beggars Can't Be Choosers" with Clem Cattini replacing Mike Travis on drums.
Ricky Gardiner went on to play for David Bowie on the Low album, and with Iggy Pop on the Lust for Life album as well as his Idiot tour of 1976. He co-wrote "The Passenger" with Iggy Pop.
Alan Park (organist) worked with Sir Cliff Richard for many years as musical director.
A cover of the Beggars Opera hit "Time Machine" was published in 2011 by the German band Alias Eye on their album In-Between, featuring former Beggars Opera singer Martin Griffiths alongside his son Philip Griffiths, the frontman of this group.
Members:
Ricky Gardiner - guitar, vocals (1969-1973, 1974-1976)
Alan Park - keyboards (1969-1973)
Raymond Wilson - drums (1969-1973)
Martin Griffiths - vocals (1969-1972)
Marshall Erskine - bass, flute (1969-1972)
Gordon Sellar - bass (1971-1973)
Pete Scott - vocals (1972-1973, 1974-1976)
Linnie Paterson - vocals (1973)
Virginia Scott - Mellotron (1974-1976)
Mike Travis - drums (1974-1975)
Clem Cattini - drums (1975-1976)
"Waters of Change" (full album):
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