Pip Pyle

Phillip "Pip" Pyle(4 April 1950 – 28 August 2006)was anEnglish-born drummer fromSawbridgeworth,Hertfordshire,who later resided in France. He is best known for his work in theCanterbury scenebandsGong,Hatfield and the NorthandNational Health.

Biography

Pyle joinedPhil Miller,a friend from kindergarten, and Phil's brother Steve, in forming Bruno's Blues Band, which rapidly evolved intoDelivery.However, Pyle left the band in 1970 after arguing with singerCarol Grimes.He briefly played in blues bandChicken ShackandSteve Hillage's bandKhan.

In 1971, drummerRobert Wyattasked Pyle to play instead of him on one track ofDaevid Allen's solo albumBanana Moon.From this, Pyle joined Allen inGong.While only in the band for eight months, Pyle played on bothCamembert ÉlectriqueandContinental Circus.Pyle was replaced byLaurie Allan,but rejoined Gong in 1989.

In 1972, Pyle worked withPaul Jones(who had been singing withManfred Mann) and with British singerBridget St John,before foundingHatfield and the Northwith the Miller brothers andRichard Sinclairin 1972. Steve Miller was soon replaced byDave Sinclair(Richard's cousin, from the bandCaravan) before finalizing on the lineup of Pyle, Phil Miller, Richard Sinclair and keyboardistDave Stewart.Hatfield and the Northwas released in 1974, while a second album,The Rotters' Club,followed the next year. As well as drumming, Pyle wrote many of the band's lyrics.

Following Hatfield, Pyle joined Miller and Stewart inNational Healthas well as playing in other projects, includingSoft HeapwithHugh Hopper,Elton DeanandAlan Gowen.He also played onNeil's Heavy Concept Album(1984), a spin-off from the television seriesThe Young Oneswith which Stewart was involved.

In 1984, Pyle metSophia Domancichand the two had a relationship until 1990. Pyle also started his own band, Pip Pyle's Equip'Out, including Domancich. Equip'Out releasedEquip'Out,Up!andInstants.He released one solo album,Seven Year Itch,in 1998 with guests including Miller, Sinclair, Stewart, Dean (saxello), Hopper (bass),Jakko Jakszyk,Barbara Gaskin,John Greaves(vocals),François Ovide,Fred T. Baker(bass),Paul Rogers(double bass),Lydia Domancich(piano, Sophia's sister) andDidier Malherbe(alto sax). Pyle also played in Miller's bandIn Cahootsfrom 1982 to 2001, appearing onCutting Both Ways,Split Seconds,Live 86-89,Live in Japan,Recent Discoveries,ParallelandOut of the Blue.

His last projects were his group Bash!, featuring the French guitaristPatrice Meyer,Fred Baker on bass andAlex Maguireon keyboards, and a Hatfield and the North reunion (also with Maguire). Bash! released the live albumBelle Illusion(Cuneiform Records), but only played five live shows in total (includingProgman Cometh), finding it difficult to attract interest from venues.

In 2005 Pyle joined Phil Miller and Richard Sinclair in a re-formation of Hatfield and the North, with Alex Maguire handling the keyboards. On 29 January, all three were reunited for the first time in fifteen years when Pyle sat in with the Richard Sinclair Band for a few old numbers ( "Above And Below", "Share It", "Halfway Between Heaven And Earth" and "Didn't Matter Anyway" ) during a gig atWhitstable's Horsebridge Arts Centre. The rejuvenated Hatfield made its official live debut on 18 March 2005 at theMean Fiddlerin London, and a brief tour of Europe followed in June. More international touring followed in 2005–06, including dates in Japan, Mexico, the US and Europe. On 26 August 2006 Pyle played his last gig inFeerwerd(Groningen),Netherlands.

He died inParison 28 August 2006.

Solo Discography

• 1986:L'Équipe Out(52e Rue Est)
• 1991:Equip' Out Up!(NTI Music 3 TMR 301)
• 1998:7 Year Itch(VoiceprintVP198CD)
• 1999:Pip Pyle's Equipe Out(Voiceprint VP213CD) (re-issue of 1st album)
• 2004:Belle Illusion(CuneiformRune 193) (partially recorded atProgman Cometh)
• 2004:Instants(Hux062)

Chronology

• 1966 - 1971Delivery
• 1971 - 1971Chicken Shack
• 1971 - 1971Khan
• 1971 - 1971Gong
• 1972 - 1975Hatfield and the North
• 1975 - 1976 The Weightwatchers (withElton DeanandKeith Tippett)
• 1977 - 1983National Health
• 1977 - 1988Soft Heap
• 1980 - 1981 Rapid Eye Movement
• 1982 - 2002In Cahoots
• 1984 - 1995 Pip Pyle's Equip'Out
• 1989 - 1996 Gong reformed
• 1991 - 1996Short Wave
• 1999 - 2006 Absolute Zero
• 2002 - 2006 Pip Pyle's Bash!
• 2005 - 2006 Hatfield and the North reformed

Filmography

• 2015:Romantic Warriors III: Canterbury Tales(DVD)

External links

• Official website
• Calyx biographyandchronology
• Interview with Pip Pyle
• Pip Pylediscography atDiscogs
• ObituaryinThe Independent
• Obituary by Dave Stewart of Hatfield and the North
• Pip Pyle's funeralonYouTube