Roy Phillips

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.

In later years, Phillips was so taken with New Zealand, he decided to move there in 1981. 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. The group then became The Peddlers. 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.

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. Also in the same awards, The Peddlers were placed at no. 18 in the Best Group on Stage category.

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

1970s In 1976, his group, Peddlers which he had led since 1964 broke up. 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. Also that year he had a single "My Spanish Sun" bw "The Office Party" out on the Sol-Doon label.

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". In 1987, his single "Step By Step" bw "All Girl Planet" was released on Zulu Z006. 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.

2000s In 2006, he appeared on the television show Close Up, interviewed by John Sellwood.

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. 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. 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.

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.

Discography (selective) + Singles Title Catalogue Year Notes # "Spanish Sun" / "The Office Party" Sol-Doon SDR 014 1976

+ Albums Title Catalogue Year Notes # Mr. Peddler Warner Bros. Records Z 26001 1976 New Zealand release Heavy On The Light Side Wild Cherry WCHLS 26776 1977 Private press release of Mr Peddler That's Way 'Tis Beyond Sound 2006 Blue Groove 2014 Standard Procedure 1 2019

+ Appears on Act Album title Catalogue Year Song Notes # Lord Large The Lord's First XI Acid Jazz Records AJXLP182