Roger Ferris

Roger Ferris is a British pop music composer, prevalent throughout the 1970s and 80s.[1] He is father of British pianist, arranger, and producer and Steinway & Sons global ambassador Dominic Ferris.[2][3]

Composition work

In 1975 Ferris wrote the Top 30 UK chart hit single[4][5] "My Last Night With You" for The Arrows.[6] The song was produced by Mickie Most on his RAK label,[7][8] and as recorded by The Arrows was also a top 30 chart hit in Switzerland.[9] Ferris wrote two more songs for The Arrows, both released in 1975 in the UK and Europe: "Hard Hearted" and "Broken Down Heart", both released in 1975. "Broken Down Heart" was the B-side of the first version of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll"[10] (made famous in the USA by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts in 1981).[11]

In 1979, Ferris went on to co-write with Glo Macari a further two international hits for RAK. These were "Boy Oh Boy",[12] recorded by Racey and also produced by Mickie Most, and "Babe It's Up To You", recorded by Smokie.[13] Both songs charted in various European territories.[14] [15] [16] [17]

Prior to his association with RAK, Ferris was the lyricist for the theme song of the 1970s comedy film On the Buses.[18][19]

Sound Engineering work

Ferris was a sound engineer on recordings by The Beatles at Abbey Road Studios in the late 1960s.[20] He assisted on the following tracks on Let It Be (1970):[21][22]

1990s - 2010s

Since the 1990s, Ferris has been the bass player and co-writer for the British blues trio Smokestack.[23] The band were invited to guest for a live session on the Paul Jones blues programme on BBC Radio 2 in 1999.[24]

Roger has a musical duo with songwriter and musician Glo Macari.[25] Glo Macari is part of the Macari family, who run the famed instrument store Macari's on Denmark Street, London.[26][27][28]

Family

Roger Ferris's son is the British pianist, music producer and arranger Dominic Ferris.[29] Dominic graduated from the Royal College of Music.[30][31][32] He is a global ambassador for Steinway & Sons pianos,[33][34][35] and currently tours the world with various musical acts.

Dominic arranged and recorded piano at Abbey Road Studios [36] for the UK #1 album Elvis Presley: If I Can Dream. Dominic joined the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra as Assistant Musical Director and pianist for the accompanying UK arena tour and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for the USA anniversary tour. The arena tour finished with a performance at Graceland with Priscilla Presley for the Elvis 40th Anniversary Celebrations.[37][38][39][40]

References
  1. Discogs: Roger Ferris Discography
  2. YouTube: LATEST NEWS LIVE Glo Macari and Roger Ferris
  3. DominicFerris.com
  4. Official Charts UK: Singles - My Last Night With You
  5. Everyhit.com: UK Charts February 1975
  6. Discogs: My Last Night With You
  7. 45 Cat: My Last Night With You
  8. Discogs: Arrows: My Last Night With You
  9. Hit Parade Switzerland
  10. Discogs: I Love Rock 'n' Roll Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM
  11. "Outsight Radio Hours interview, 12 February 2012". Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  12. Discogs: Boy Oh Boy
  13. Discogs: Babe It's Up To You Vinyl, 7", Single
  14. "spanishcharts.com - Smokie - Babe It's Up To You". Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  15. "austriancharts.at - Smokie - Babe It's Up To You". Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  16. "dutchcharts.nl - Smokie - Babe It's Up To You". Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  17. "swisscharts.com - Smokie - Babe It's Up To You". Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  18. On The Buses Fan Club: Honorary Member Roger Ferris
  19. YouTube: LATEST NEWS LIVE Glo Macari and Roger Ferris
  20. Matteo, Steve (2004-10-01). The Beatles' Let It Be 33/1/3. Continuum. p. 109. ISBN 0826416349.
  21. Margotin, Philippe; Guesdon, Jean-Michel (2013-10-22). All The Songs: The Story Behind Every Beatles Release. Black Dog & Leventhal. ISBN 978-1579129521.
  22. Ultimate Classic Rock: Phil Spector Let It Be
  23. Smokestack official website
  24. Smokestack.co.uk Full BBC programme stream
  25. YouTube: LATEST NEWS LIVE Glo Macari and Roger Ferris
  26. "Macaris (official website)". Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  27. YouTube: LATEST NEWS LIVE Glo Macari and Roger Ferris
  28. DominicFerris.com
  29. DominicFerris.com
  30. YouTube: Why is it important to transform the entrance of the Royal College of Music? | date=18 Sep 2019
  31. "5 minutes with Dominic Ferris, The Piano Brothers". 5 Minutes With. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  32. YouTube: LATEST NEWS LIVE Glo Macari and Roger Ferris
  33. "Pianist Dominic Ferris records original piano arrangements for Steinway Spirio". Pianist Magazine. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  34. Instagram: Film shoot at Steinway Hall London today presenting the new Steinway & Sons online brochure.
  35. YouTube: Dominic Ferris presents the Steinway & Sons piano model range
  36. YouTube: Bridge Over Troubled Water (ABBEY ROAD RECORDING)
  37. UK Official Charts
  38. "Discogs.com Dominic Ferris profile". Discogs. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  39. "Allmusic.com Dominic Ferris profile". Allmusic. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  40. "ElvisMatters In Gesprek Met Dominic Ferris". ElvisMatters. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
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