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TOMMY EYRE
Sheffield, England.
June 5th 1949 ~ May 23rd 2001

Very versatile and prolific keyboardist, Tommy had an incredable career playing with many top bands and artists of almost every genre. His name should be included in any hall of fame for keyboardists, and although his musical contributions are very extensive, he'll always be remembered by two of his most famous works:
The playing in Joe Cocker's original version of 'With A Little Help From My Friends'. Tommy's organ arrangements gave the song such classy style, and the playing in the famous 'Baker Street' by singer Gerry Rafferty, another eternal song.
Born in Sheffield, he lived only half of his life in England, he moved to the States, where he lived with his wife, wonderful American violin player, Scarlet Rivera.
Sadly, he was diagnosed with cancer; after a long and brave struggle with this daunting disease, he finally left us in May 23rd, 2001. Rest in peace, Tommy...

BIOGRAPHY

BABYLON
This was Tommy's first known band.

JOE COCKER & THE GREASE BAND

JOE COCKER & THE GREASE BAND
Although Joe Cocker was the media star, his bands have always been commanded by the superb Chris Stainton, in those days on bass, it was another keyboard great playing back then, Tommy Eyre. After their earlier lineups, Joe and Chris assembled new personnel in April 1968.
Joe Cocker (vocals)
Mickey Gee (guitar)
Chris Stainton (bass)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Tommy Reilly (drums)
But soon after, in September 1968, Gee and Reilly left the band. New members in October 1968, included the superb Henry McCullough.
Joe Cocker (vocals)
Henry McCullough (guitar)
Chris Stainton (bass)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Kenny Slade (drums)
This was the lineup that recorded Joe Cocker's first album, the worldwide famous "With A Little Help From My Friends", although many other musicians were used on it. The complete lineup only appears in 1 song, a very beautiful rendition of 'Don't let me be misunderstood'. Some other great musicians in the album: Jimmy Page, Albert Lee, David Cohen (guitar), Carol Kaye (bass), Artie Butler, the great Matthew Fisher, Steve Winwood (keyboards), Paul Humpries, the much-missed B.J. Wilson, Clem Cattini, Mike Kellie (drums), Merry Clayton, Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, Madeline Bell, Sunny Weetman, Rosetta Hightower (backing vocals). Tommy plays in 'Just Like a Woman', 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood' (playing a fantastic organ solo) and the eternal "With A Little Help From My Friends". A classic album.

Finally, in 1999, the remastered version includes two bonus tracks: 'The New Age of Lily' (B-side of 'Marjorine' single) and 'Something's Coming On' the B-side of 'With a little help from my Friends' single).

By the time this album was released, Kenny Slade and Tommy had left the band (in January 69).

Recently, it has been released as a live album, taken from BBC recordings. It's called On Air. It contains superb (and wild!) performances. It's a pity the sound quality is not perfect, but believe me, the performances are great. Listening to the work they make in "With A Little Help From My Friends" (especially Tommy Eyre and the fantastic Henry McCullough), I can't help wondering why Joe Cocker needed to use Jimmy Page for the studio track! Henry McCullough rocks!! (listen to him, for example, in 'Can't be so bad', where Tommy's organ is also wild).

AYNSLEY DUNBAR RETALIATION
As you can guess by their name, this was a band commanded by superb drummer Aynsley Dunbar. For their third album, To Mum from Aynsley and the boys, Tommy is added to the original quartet. This album was produced by Aynsley's former boss, John Mayall.

They shared bill with Frank Zappa band in Belgium, in the Amougies Festival, in October 1969, and in Paris, where Zappa puts his eyes on Dunbar, and ... soon after, Aynsley breaks the band to join him. Tommy was also offered the job in Mothers of Invention, but at the last minute Ian Underwood decided to stay, so Tommy moved on to Blue Whale.

BLUE WHALE
This is the new band formed by Aynsley in 1969:
Tommy Eyre suggested Paul Williams for the vocalist role.

They released an album, Blue Whale, in a progressive style, with long jamming songs. The album was recorded during March-April 1970, in London.
After many years, this album has been finally released on CD, although it's really hard to find.

JAKLIN
They only released one album, 'Jaklin', before splitting.

JUICY LUCY
This band was formed by Glenn 'Ross' Campbell and Chris Mercer. But they went through many changes. For a short period, Tommy Eyre joined the band, when their original guitarist, Neil Hubbard, left. Tommy's mate, Paul Williams, called him to join them. But they didn't want a keyboardist, so Tommy played guitar while in the band!! But he soon left, being replaced by another great musician, Micky Moody.

STRABISMUS
Tommy and Roger Sutton reunite, starting their own project, called Strabismus. But the project was put on hold, when they got a call from Mark-Almond.
Alan Marshall (vocals)
Martin Ball (guitar)
Roger Sutton (bass)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Ritchie Dalton (sax)
Rod Coombes (drums)
The only recordings they made, has surfaced under the name Riff Raff, on the 'new' album 'Outside Looking In' . . Read further down for details.

MARK-ALMOND
Jon Mark (guitar) and Johnny Almond (sax, flute) were the members of this duo. Both played together in John Mayall band, recording the superb live album 'Turning Point' with Mayall and bassist Steven Thompson. In 1970, they started their career as a band, with Tommy Eyre and Roger Sutton. They decided not to take a drummer. This lineup released their first, self-titled album, Mark-Almond, produced by Hugh Murphy. In 1971, they were playing for a month on Ronnie Scott's jazz club, along with Charlie Mingus Band. Mingus' drummer, the veteran Danny Richmond was excited to join Mark-Almond on stage some nights. A new album released: Mark-Almond II. But Roger Sutton leaves the band in the summer of 1972. And Tommy Eyre was to follow Roger very soon...

RIFF RAFF
Really this is an updated Strabismus, in 1973, Rod Coombes, was wanting to form a studio band, Tommy and Roger Sutton were introduced to Peter Kirtley, guitarist, singer and composer who had been involved with all the major bands in his native Newcastle. His musical ideas fit perfectly with their plans and he was asked to join (it was Peter who came up with the name Riff Raff). Rod Coombes still had touring committments with Juicy Lucy, so Tommy brought in Kenny Slade from the Grease Band on drums and friend Alan Marshall on vocals.
Alan Marshall (vocals)
Pete Kirtley (guitar)
Roger Sutton (bass)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Kenny Slade (drums)
Alan soon left, and Kenny Slade left too finding the music too complex
RIFF RAFF'S second line-up
Pete Kirtley (guitar, vocals)
Roger Sutton (bass, vocals)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Aureo De Souza (drums)
Riff Raff wrote all their material, some written by drummer Rod Coomes and they released a self-titled album, recorded in September 1973, with help from sax player Bud Beadle. A very good album. By the time of their 2nd album, they had increased the lineup, with two members from Gonzalez: They released a superb album, 'Original Man'. Recorded in April-May 1974, it includes collaborations from Jo Newman (vocals) and Joe O'Donnell (viola). Sadly, Riff Raff was to disappear soon; Aureo De Souza wasn't allowed to stay on England, so he was forced to return to Brazil, the band finally split. But that's not the only material from them. Happily, 1999 has seen how a 'new' album has been released. It's Outside Looking In. It was recorded in 1972, after Tommy Eyre and Roger Sutton finished recording 1st Mark-Almond album. They had some free studio time, and they recorded the songs now appearing on this album. It's really a recording by Strabismus, but it has been released under Riff Raff name.

ZZEBRA
This band was formed in 1974 by keyboardist and lead singer Gus Yeadon (from Love Affair) with ex-If members Terry Smith and Dave Quincey. But Yeadon soon left. So, Tommy Eyre joins them, in order to play some keyboard parts on their first album
Their first album, Zzebra, was recorded during October 1974,

They started recording a new album soon after Tommy joined, but Terry Smith left in the middle of the recording. His replacement was Steve Byrd. And Tommy also brought an old friend for the vocals, Alan Marshall.

The 2nd album, Panic, was recorded along 1975. By the way, a little secret (kept until now). The album features an uncredited appearance by Jeff Beck playing a guitar solo on the song 'Put a Light On Me', co-written by great drummer Liam Genockey.

They started recording their 3rd album in Wales, but for some reason it was never released ... until now! Again, the great Disconforme label has released this 3rd album, called "Take It Or Leave It". It includes guest appearances by 4 members of Osibisa.

It's interesting noticing that this jazz-rock outfit later was used by Ian Gillan to complete his hard-rock bands (McCoy, Byrd and Genockey were members of the band; also Tommy, many years later, as we'll read).

DAN McCAFFERTY BAND
Dan McCafferty is the singer in Nazareth. He released his first, self-titled solo album, 'Dan McCafferty' in 1975. The keyboardist in the album was Hugh McKenna. When Nazareth toured that same year, it was agreed that Dan would make a solo spot, backed by ... Nazareth, but with the addition of a keyboardist. By the time of the tour, Hugh McKenna got quite ill, so Tommy Eyre was called to play in Dan McCafferty songs. So, the shows were: Nazareth songs, then a small break, they rolled the keyboards on stage, and Dan did his solo stuff with Nazareth plus Tommy. Another break, the keyboards were off again, and Nazareth did the rest of the setlist.

SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND
After several years with the same lineup, in August 1977, Hugh McKenna leaves the band, being substituted by Tommy.
Alex Harvey (vocals, guitar)
Zal Cleminson (guitar)
Chris Glen (bass)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Ted McKenna (drums)
After a new album, 'Rock Drill', in October 1977, Alex Harvey leaves the band (again), and Tommy goes with him.

ALEX HARVEY - THE NEW BAND
Alex Harvey starts his solo career with a new band in March 1979:
Alex Harvey (vocals, guitar)
Matthew Cang (guitar)
Gordon Sellar (bass)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Don Weller (sax, flute)
Simon Chatterton (drums)
They released an album, "The Mafia Stole My Guitar".

JOHN MARTYN (BAND)
In February 1981, Tommy Eyre joins John Martyn. He had recorded an album with him, 'Grace And Danger', and this was the tour line-up to promote it:
John Martyn (vocals, guitar)
Alan Thomson (bass)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Danny Cummings (percussion)
Jeffrey Allen (drums)
This lineup appears in the official video compilation by John Martyn, In vision 1973-1981. Tommy Eyre appears in 5 tracks.

GREG LAKE BAND
After the (first) split of Emerson, Lake & Palmer in 1979, Greg Lake called Gary Moore to help him to assemble a powerful live band, that's what Gary did, in what a way! This was June 1981.
Greg Lake (vocals, guitar)
Gary Moore (guitar)
Tristam Margetts (bass)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Ted McKenna (drums)
They released a first album, Greg Lake, although it includes many sessionmen. 'It Hurts', has some killer tracks, such as 'Nuclear Attack'. Tommy co-writes a song called 'The Lie'. Guests: Steve Lukather, Dean Parks, Snuffy Walden (guitar), Bill Cuomo, Greg Mathieson (keyboards), David Hungate (bass), the late Jeff Porcaro, Jody Leigh, Michael Giles (drums), Clarence Clemmons (sax).

They played at Reading Festival in August 1981, where the band amazed the audience, especially due to Gary Moore's playing. Fortunately, after years of looking for some recording of their performances, we are able to hear them, thanks to a King Biscuit release, Greg Lake in concert. The two King Crimson songs that they played show Gary Moore at his best. It was recorded on November 5th, 1981. There's also a limited special edition with one bonus track, 'C'est la vie'.

The last concerts by the band were played in December 1981. They started a second album, Manoeuvres, recorded with the same band, although I guess there must be session musicians too. It was recorded in February 1982, and released next year. It's uncertain if Tommy is featured there.

The band dispersed in April 1982, when Ted McKenna joined Michael Schenker Group (that would lead Tommy to perform some session work with them, as we'll read in the sessions page).

Greg Lake has released a 2CD compilation called Greg Lake: from the beginning, featuring tracks by King Crimson, Emerson Lake & Palmer, from Pete Sinfield solo album, Greg Lake own solo albums, and Emerson Lake & Powell (with Cozy Powell). Tommy Eyre is featured in some of the Greg Lake solo tracks (no unreleased material featuring Tommy). Other great musicians appearing here: from King Crimson (Robert Fripp, Mike Giles, Ian McDonald, Mel Collins, Pete Giles and guest Keith Tippett), from ELP (Keith Emerson, Carl Palmer, Cozy Powell), and from Lake's solo material (Geoff Downes, Mike Giles again).

Greg Lake started selling an album directly from his official website. It's called 'From the Underground: the official bootleg'. It contains unreleased material (studio and live). It contains tracks with The Shame (1967), Shy Limbs (1968), King Crimson (1969), Greg Lake solo (1973), Greg Lake Band (1981), Asia (1983), Emerson Lake & Powell (1986, with Cozy Powell), Greg Lake solo (1986), Emerson Lake & Palmer (1992 & 1993), Greg Lake Band (1994). Tommy appears in the two tracks with Greg Lake Band, 'Retribution Drive' and '21st Century Schizoid Man', both recorded live in 1981 at The Palladium, New York City.

Some fresh news. After 20 years, both studio albums, Greg Lake and Manoeuvres have been released on CD in the year 2000.

GARY MOORE BAND
Around May 1982, Gary Moore leads his own band, keeping Tommy with him. He plays in Corridors of Power. A fantastic album, from start to finish. With a superb lineup: Gary Moore (vocals, guitar), Neil Murray (bass), Tommy Eyre (keyboards), Ian Paice (drums), plus help from Jack Bruce (vocals in 1 song), the late Bobby Chouinard (drums, 1 song), Mo Foster (bass, 1 song).
By the way, the first edition of Corridors of Power came with a free EP, recorded live at the Marquee on August 26th, 1982. The tracks are: 'Rockin' every night', 'Back On The Streets' and 'Parisienne Walkways'.

But soon after the concert at Reading Festival in August 1982, Tommy leaves (being replaced by another great player, Don Airey).

WHAM!
The band where George Michael started his successful career, as a duo with Andrew Ridgeley.

After their first album, Tommy was asked to be musical director for them (as well as their keyboardist, of course). That lasted for about three and a half years.

Make It Big, is their second album. Some songs here were great hits, such as 'Careless Whisper'. It also includes an Isley Brothers cover. Musicians list include: Hugh Burns (guitar, from Jack Bruce Band, lately with Mike Oldfield), Deon Estus (bass), Tommy Eyre (keyboards), Andy Richards (keyboards), Steve Gregory (sax, from Gonzalez), Dave Baptiste (sax), Paul Spong (trumpet), Colin Graham (trumpet), Trevor Murrell (drums).

They were the first rock band ever to be allowed to perform in China (Jean-Michel Jarre had played with a symphony orchestra before them). This was April 1985:
There's a live video from those concerts: Wham! in China: Foreign skies.

Music from the 'Edge of Heaven' was their third album, with the hit 'I'm Your Man'. A great guest: Elton John on piano. Plus more great musicians: Hugh Burns (guitar), Robert Ahwai (guitar), Deon Estus (bass), John McKenzie (bass), Tommy Eyre (keyboards), Richard Cottle (keyboards), Andy Hamilton (sax), Dave Baptiste (sax), Paul Spong (trumpet), Danny Cummings (percussion), Charlie Morgan (drums), Trevor Murrell (drums).There are lots of Wham compilations, so Tommy Eyre will probably be featured in all of them.

After Wham!, Tommy worked mainly as a studio musician for records, TV and movies. He also started writing for TV..

MR. GONE
This jazz-rock band was formed in early 1986:
Unfortunately, they split around 1988, without having recorded any material.
MR. GONE - UPDATE
Tommy was my friend from 1976 on ( although I'd seen him play with Aynsley in the 1960's). I've been recording professionally for 32 years and never met a better musician than Tom. Just a small correction about the band Mr Gone mentioned ton Tommy's Page.
THEY DID RECORD.... I have 4 or 5 x 2" 24 track masters from a very hard day's work. I had the keys to "an un-named London studio..." where I used to freelance engineer. We nipped in on a Bank Holiday when nobody was around and recorded basically an album's worth of tracks. This was on second-hand tape which I had ( as tape was over 100 quid a reel even then), but the tape was fine and lined-up OK.
Lineup:
Tommy Eyre -keyboards
John Etheridge -Guitar
Dill Katz -Bass
Ted McKenna - Drums
From memory John Etheridge left holes for the solos to do later. This was all live apart from the guitar solos and really stirring stuff with some great playing. We fixed a couple of bass notes for Dill and that was about it as far as patching went. My great friend and ex-production partner Martin Hayles was as big a Tommy fan as I was, and we were both Tommy's mates. So I think it was Martin who probably recorded the John Etheridge solos. I remember Martin did one session on it when I couldn't make it as I was doing a session somewhere else.. Thankyou Gwyn

RAY RUSSELL BAND
Ray Russell is a very fine guitarist who has played in lots of albums and sessions (just a few examples: Mike Batt, Cliff Richard, Judie Tzuke, Tina Turner, Madeline Bell, Lulu, Victor Brox, Hudson Ford, and many more). He also has played in live bands by Frankie Miller (with Chris Mercer) or Simon Phillips (with Andy Timmons). His solo albums include some elements of fusion and jazz.He was invited to play at the Montreux Jazz Festival in July 1988.
This concert was recorded, and sometime later, it appeared as a collective live album, appropiately called Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

But Tommy surprises us, as he not only plays in the tracks by Ray Russell. He appears in all the tracks in the album, by two different artists. Other artists appearing were fine Spanish guitarist Joan Bibiloni, and wonderful violin player Scarlet Rivera. Tommy managed to play with them all.

IAN GILLAN (BAND)

Next, we find Tommy in the brand new band assembled by Ian Gillan to promote his solo album Naked thunder released on July 1990.
Ian Gillan (vocals)
Steve Morris (guitar)
Mick O'Donaghue (guitar)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Chris Glen (bass)
David Lloyd (backing vocals, guitar)
Ted McKenna (drums)
They released a live video, Ian Gillan live. The band disbanded at the end of 1990.

GARY MOORE BAND
Next Gary Moore album was called After hours. The album doesn't have a definite lineup (3 bassists, 2 drummers), but Tommy Eyre is the only keyboardist in the album. With two very special guests: B.B. King and Albert Collins. A very fine album.

After his change into blues, Gary started calling his live band Gary Moore and The Midnight Blues Band. It's almost the lineup of After Hours, with Andy Pyle back into the band.
This lineup releases a live album, Blues alive, recorded in 1992. Includes a guest appearance from Albert Collins in one song. All the material is blues, except a beautiful rendition of Gary's own 'Parisienne Walkways'. Listen to Tommy's solo on 'Further on up the Road', and how he replies there to Gary's guitar. Great!!

In July 1993, there's a new tour with a smaller lineup (no horn section or backing vocalists):
Gary Moore (guitar, vocals)
Andy Pyle (bass)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Graham Walker (drums)
They played two concerts (one of them in Spain), that same month. After the Spanish gig, the whole tour was cancelled, and Gary Moore went to play for some one-off gigs with Jack Bruce.

B. B. M. (Baker, Bruce, Moore,)
This supergroup was formed by:
Gary Moore (guitar, vocals)
Jack Bruce (bass, vocals)
Ginger Baker (drums)
The idea behind this agrupation was clear. They wanted to recreate a powerful blues trio, just in the style of Cream.

They released a very fine album, 'Around the Next Dream'. Yes, it's like Cream. That's what you find there, plus some pleasant surprises, such as the jazzy beautiful ballad 'Wrong Side of Town', sung by the delicious voice of Jack Bruce. The keyboards in the album were all played by Tommy Eyre. You can hear clearly his superb organ playing, for example, in the song 'High Cost Of Loving' or 'I Wonder Why'... Great.. great album.

The album was followed by a European tour
Gary Moore (guitar, vocals)
Jack Bruce (bass, vocals)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Ginger Baker (drums)
After that tour (May to July 1994), everybody went back to their solo careers, and Tommy carried on with Gary again.

GARY MOORE BAND
In April 1995, Gary Moore resurrects his Midnight Blues Band, with his friend Tommy Eyre.
Gary's next album is a full tribute to Peter Green, 'Blues for Greeny' whic included Peter Green's original songs as well as a version that Peter played with Fleetwood Mac, the beautiful 'Need Your Love So Bad'. There was a live video also released from the subsequent tour, recorded on April 27, 1995. After playing at Montreux Festival in July 1995, they canceled all the other gigs. Gary Moore's next step was another great change. He leaves the blues direction, turning into a more rocky style, and Tommy doesn't stay in his band. There are several Gary Moore compilations, and Tommy is featured on many, including 'Ballads and Blues' 1982-1994. This compilation features 3 unreleased tracks, as well as some alternate takes.

MINGUS BIG BAND
When he moved to New York, Tommy started playing with Mingus Big Band.

TOMMY EYRE & RITUAL


Photo with courtesy of Javier ~ Thankyou
Freddy Ramos (guitar)
Eduardo Marquez del Signore (bass)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Jose Luis Perez (drums)
Ritual is a band formed by three musicians from Uruguay. They released an album "PRESENCIA" in 1995, and in June 1997 they played a special concert in Montevideo.
Some songs from this concert are available on A NEW MAP OF THE WORLD (including Tommy playing a piece by Claude Debussy on the grand piano). The CD also includes new recordings (featuring Tommy and his wife Scarlet Rivera) as well as remixed and overdubbed versions of songs from the album Presencia.
The CD "A New Map of the World" on Disconforme Records/Spain 2000.
This can be bought on Amazon and other stores.

METRO
Metro is a band with a changing lineup, fronted by the great vocalist Alex Ligertwood. Tommy played with them from time to time, when he was available (another keyboardist for the band is Vince Dicola).

MILES DAVIS TRIBUTE BAND
In November 1999, Miles Davis receives posthumously an "Angel Award". Tommy assembled a special lineup for a Miles Davis tribute:
Brian Swartz
Jane Getz
Lon Price
Reggie McBride (bass)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Tony Braunagel (drums)
The performance was not recorded!!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
SCARLET RIVERA
&
TOMMY EYRE

Wonderful Scarlet Rivera and Tommy met first time at Montreux Festival in 1988. Several years later, they married. Tommy used to appear in Scarlet gigs whenever he was off the road. They have recorded many albums together along the years, although they're usually credited to Scarlet. Tommy Eyre plays keyboards in all of them, as well as acting as producer and composer with Scarlet. Here are a few Albums Tommy played on .. There are many more

Magical Christmas 1997

Behind The Crimson Veil - 1998
Scarlet Rivera (violin)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)
Bobbye Hall (percussion)

Celtic Myst - 1998:
Lesa MacEwan (vocals)
Scarlet Rivera (violin)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)

Celtic Dreams - 1998
Richard Cook (uilean pipes)
Scarlet Rivera (violin)
Tommy Eyre (keyboards)

A Classical Baroque Christmas

Contemporary Piano & Cello Christmas Classics
featuring cellist Peggy Baldwin.

And Many More

DISCOGRAPHY

Timeline: Bands/Discography:
· Babylon
· Joe Cocker & The Grease Band
lineup: Cocker/McCullough/Stainton/Eyre/Slade
With a little help from my friends (May 69, Regal) (remastered CD: 1999, with 2 bonus tracks)
On air (1998, Strange Fruit) (live)
· Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation
To Mum from Aynsley and the boys (1969, Liberty/Blue Thumb) (CD reissue: 1993, One Way)
Remains to be heard (1970, Liberty)
· Blue Whale
Blue Whale (1970, Warner)
· Jaklin
Jaklin (1969, Stable)
· Juicy Lucy
· Strabismus
· Mark-Almond
lineup: Mark/Almond/Eyre/Sutton
Mark-Almond (1970, Blue Thumb)
lineup: Mark/Almond/Eyre/Sutton/Richmond
Mark-Almond II (1971, Blue Thumb)
several lineups: Best of Mark-Almond (1974, MCA)
· Riff Raff
lineup: Kirtley/Sutton/Eyre/De Souza
Riff Raff (1973, RCA) (CD reissue: Disconforme, 1999)
lineup: Kirtley/Sutton/Eyre/Beadle/Gregory/De Souza
Original man (1974, RCA) (CD reissue: Disconforme, 1999)
several lineups: Outside looking in (1999, Disconforme)
· Zzebra
lineup: Smith/McCoy/Yeadon/Quincey/Amao/Genockey
Zzebra (1974) (CD reissue: Disconforme, 1999)
lineup: Marshall/Byrd/McCoy/Eyre/Quincey/Amao/Genockey
Panic (1975, Polydor) (CD reissue: Disconforme, 1999) (LP version) (CD version)
Take it or leave it (1999, Disconforme) (where have I seen this image?) :) :)
· Dan McCafferty Band
· Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Rock drill (1978, Mountain) (CD reissue: Samurai)
· Alex Harvey The New Band
The Mafia stole my guitar (Nov 79, RCA) (CD reissue: 1991, Mau Mau)
· John Martyn (Band)
In vision 1973-1981 (1982) (live video)
· Greg Lake Band
Greg Lake (Oct 81, Chrysalis) (CD reissue: Chrysalis, 2000)
Manoeuvres (1983, Chrysalis) (CD reissue: Chrysalis, 2000)
Greg Lake in concert (1995, KBFH) (live)
Greg Lake: from the beginning (1997, Rhino) (2CD, compilation)
The Official Bootleg (1999) (live with several bands)
· Gary Moore Band
lineup: Moore/Murray/Eyre/Paice
Corridors of Power (1982, Virgin)
lineup: Moore/Huhn/Murray/Eyre/Paice
"Live EP" (1982, Virgin) (live)
· Wham!
Fantastic! (1983, Columbia)
Make It Big (1984, Columbia)
Music from the Edge of Heaven (1986, Columbia)
Wham! in China: Foreign Skies (1986, CBS) (live video)
· Mr. Gone
Un-named & un-published album
· Ray Russell Band
A Table Near The Band ()
Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival (B&W) (collective live album)
· Ian Gillan (Band)
Ian Gillan Live (1990, Polygram) (live video)
· Gary Moore Band (again)
After hours
Blues alive (1993, Virgin)
· BBM (Baker Bruce Moore)
Around The Next Dream
· Gary Moore Band (again!)
Blues for Greeny (1995, Virgin)
Blues for Greeny live (1996, Warner) (live video)
Ballads and Blues 1982-1994 (1994, Virgin) (compilation with 3 unreleased tracks)
· Mingus Big Band
· Tommy Eyre & Ritual
Presencia (1995)
"A New Map of the World" (Disconforme Records/Spain 2000).
· Metro
· Miles Davis Tribute Band

Albums with Scarlet Rivera:
Magical Christmas (1997, BCI) (only as producer)
Behind the Crimson veil (1998, BCI) (alternate cover)
Celtic Myst (Sep 98, BCI) (alternate cover)
Celtic Dreams (Sep 98, BCI) (alternate cover)
Contemporary Piano & Cello Christmas Classics (1999, BCI)
A Classical Baroque Christmas ()
Solo Albums (library albums):
Moonlight piano, vol. 1 (BCI)
Moonlight piano, vol. 2 (BCI)
Moonlight piano, vol. 3 (BCI)
Moonlight Piano (BCI) (3CD, comprising the 3 volumes)
Ivory Christmas (1995, BCI)
UPDATE: Celtic Carols 1996-97
A Highland Christmas (1997, BCI)
Have Yourself A Jazzy Little Christmas (1999, BCI)
+ many others

Tommy's sessions with former bandmates:
Carol Grimes - Warm Blood (1974, Caroline)
Jon Mark - Songs for a Friend (1975, CBS)
Mark-Almond - To The Heart (1976, MCA)
John Martyn - Grace and Danger (1980)
John Martyn - Sweet Little Mysteries: the Island Anthology (1995, Island) (compilation)
MSG (Michael Schenker Group) - Assault Attack (Oct 82, Chrysalis)
Ian Gillan - Naked Thunder (Jul 90, Teldec) (remastered CD: 1998, Eagle)

Some More Sessions:
· Chris Harwood - Nice to meet Miss Christine (1970, Birth)
· Gillie McPherson - Poets and painters and performers of blues (1971, RCA)
· Roger Morris - First album (1972, Regal Zonophone)
· Laurie Styvers - Colorado kid (Mar 73, Chrysalis)
· Jack The Lad - It's Jack The Lad (1974, Charisma) (CD reissue, 1992: with 2 bonus tracks)
· Gary Shearston - Dingo (1974, Charisma)
· Gabor Szabo - Gabor Szabo live with Charles Lloyd - Spellbinder (1974, Blue Thumb)
· Tim Rose - The musician (1975, Atlantic) (CD reissue: Edsel, 1995, with 2 bonus tracks)
· Barry Melton - The fish (1975, UA)
· Strawbs - Nomadness (1976, A&M)
· Strawbs - Halcyon days (Feb 97, A&M) (compilation) (2CD)
· Joanna Carlin - Fancy that (1977, DJM)
· Melanie Harrold & Olly Blanchflower - Instinctive behaviour (1993, Munich)
· Limey - Silver eagle (1977, RCA)
· Pezband - Pezband (1977, Passport)
· Pezband - Laughing in the dark (1978, Passport)
· Pezband - Cover to cover (1981, Passport)
· Gerry Rafferty - City to city (1978, UA)
· Gerry Rafferty - Night owl (1979, UA)
· Gerry Rafferty - Clowns to the left, jokers to the right (1970-1982) (, ) (compilation)
· Gerry Rafferty - Right down the line (1989, EMI) (compilation)
· Gerry Rafferty - One more dream (the very best of Gerry Rafferty) (1989, EMI) (compilation)
· Andrew Matheson - Monterey shoes (1979, Ariola)
· Francesco De Gregori - Viva L'Italia (1979, RCA)
· Billy Rankin - single 'I wanna spend my life with you/Jump out the window' (1979, CBS)
· Gerry Rafferty - single 'Can't stop now / Jump out the window' (1979, CBS)
· Dennis O'Brien - Any other face (1979, Decca)
· Raphael Ravenscroft - Her father didn't like me anyway (1979)
· Speedometers - Day in the lights (1979, Acrobat)
· Rab Noakes - Rab Noakes (1980, MCA)
· Wall Street Crash - Wall street crash (1982)
· Exiled - Exiled (1980, RCA/Epic) (CD reissue: 1991, Epic)
· Space Monkey - On the beam (1985, MCA)
· Dumptruck - For the country (1987, Big Time)
· Daryl Hall - Soul alone (1993, Epic)
· Eddy Mitchell - Rio Grande (Jun 93, Polydor)
· Ian McNabb - Head like a rock (Jul 94, )
· Keb' Mo' - Keb' Mo' (Jun 94, Okeh)
· Keb' Mo' - Just like you (Jun 96, Okeh)
· Maria Muldaur - Meet me at midnite (Aug 94, Black Top)
· Terrell - Beautiful side of madness (Aug 96, Virgin)
· LA Guns - American hardcore (Oct 96, CMC)
· John Mayall - Blues from the lost days (Apr 97, Silverstone)
· John Mayall - Silver tones: the best of John Mayall (Nov 98, Silvestone) (compilation)
· John Mayall - Padlock on the blues (1999, Eagle)
· B.B. King -King of the blues (1992, MCA) (4CD boxset) (compilation)
· B.B. King - Deuces Wild (Nov 97, MCA)
· B.B. King - Makin' love is good for you (2000, )
· Dan Frechette - "unreleased album" (1999)
· Cal Hollow -Two bulb twilight (May 99, Jericho)
· Jake Andrews -Time to burn (May 99, Jericho)
· Coco Montoya - Suspicion (Jan 2000, Alligator)
· Tracy Chapman - Telling stories (2000, Elektra)
· Alexis Peña - "1st album" (2000)
· Suzy K. - As I am (Aug 2000)
· Wonderland - The end of bliss (Apr 2000, Jericho)
· Billy Mann - Earthbound (Sony)

Collective albums:
· VV.AA. (various artists) - Live-in world (Oct 1986, EMI) (2LP)
· VV.AA. (various artists) - Scouse the mouse (Dec 77, Polydor)
· VV.AA. (various artists) - Save The children (1988) (2LP) (CD reissue: 1996) (CD reissue)
· VV.AA. (various artists) - Organ-ized (1999, High Street)

Soundtracks:
· Original soundtrack (credited to Francis Monkman)
The long good Friday (1980, Silva Screen)

Many thanks to
Miguel Terol
for much of the above information, visit his amazing site,
he has some awesome biographies.
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UPDATES

TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND
TOMMY EYRE
by Brent Reilly

I had the pleasure of working with Tommy on several projects in the nineties. I was an assistant engineer at Red Zone Studios in Burbank, CA at that time. I actually recorded the keyboard parts that he did on the L.A. Guns American Hardcore record. The producer/engineer was getting hungry and he and Scarlet went out to eat. You know Tommy, he just want to get the music parts down. So he and I stayed and recorded the parts.

I also worked on another project of his and Scarlet's. It was called Celtic Carols. It was 06/97. Tommy wanted to record this in time for Xmas 1997. It was him, Scarlet, and this young kid named Eric Rigler, who played the Uileann Pipes and Bagpipes. At that time we did not know who Eric was. He would come in at night to record his parts after being down the street recording his parts for the score of this movie by James Cameron called "Titanic".

I have to tell you, after working on so many sessions I cannot even remember all of them, you know how it is. They kind of bleed into each other. These I will always remember. Tommy hopped up on a Hammond B3 hooked into a Leslie Cabinet. I have to tell you I still get chills just talking about it. Listening to him play on that Hammond was like a spiritual experience. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. Just listening to him work out arrangements and warming up was mesmerizing. As we both know, Tommy loved his drink. He would be slurring his words when it came to night recording. But even though he would be slurring, he would jump up on that Hammond and magic would come out. I could never figure out how he did that. He was an amazing musician, composer, and producer.

He and Scarlet were quite the power team. They were great together. I loved the sessions with Tommy. He always had a 1000 great stories for us, was a funny guy, and even though I was working......I just remember thinking that I have the greatest job in the world and they pay me for it. I am so glad that I got to work with him.
Many thanks to Brent ~ May 25th 2009
VISIT BRENT REILLY
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A TRIBUTE TO MY FRIEND
TOMMY EYRE
by Gwyn Mathias

Tommy Eyre was and is my favourite musician. Music just flowed out of him.... Tom never made any distinction between genres of music, and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of it. He had a wealth of knowledge about all sorts of music ( his favourite classical composer BTW was György Ligeti ) and EVERYTHING he played had soul. He loved McCoy Tyner and Chopin, blues, jazz, funk, soul, and rock 'n roll. You could put Tom onto the most banal 3-chord crappy popsong , and next thing everyone on the session would be all smiles and raving about the track! He always knew exactly what was needed, and he had both the mileage and the chops to do it - every time.

I met him on a session for a Joanna Carlin album circa 1976, although I'd previously seen him play live with Aynsley Dunbar's Retaliation . His playing instantly slew me. We clicked. I worked on keyboard stuff with him on the Gerry Rafferty "City-to-City" (Baker Street) album, and recorded the track "Whatever's Written in Your Heart" on it , which he and Gerry performed live. My great friend (and back then production partner) the producer/arranger/engineer Martin Hayles and I loved Tommy's playing so much we would try and get him any session we could. I particularly remember when we produced some titles at Berwick Street Studios for the wonderful Italian guitar player Vic Vea (Vittorio Vergeat). Mel Gaynor was on drums and John Giblin on bass. They would later work together in Simple Minds, but this was the first time they'd met. Tommy was on keys, Vic on guitar.

While I was getting the sounds they kicked into an impromptu jam of "Birdland". It was fantastic , and I slammed the tape machine into record in about 1 second flat.

Studio jams are usually rubbish, but this was the real deal, and I got 15 minutes of it on tape !. Sadly we only had the one reel of 2" tape for the session, and we didn't really have time to mix it down , because we had 4 titles to cut, and so we had to record over it. I've always bitterly regretted that.

Tom knew all the tricks for all the keyboards... eg detuning the bottom key of the clavinet to get the full octave in the left hand if needed......He truly knew the nature of the beast with the Hammond Organ, and could do note-for-note renditions of Gary Moore's guitar solos on Mini-Moog with the pitch bend wheel.

He knew I loved hearing him play Debussy's "Pour Le Piano" - and he'd play it for me every single time we saw each other.

I last saw him in the mid-90s at my studio, Odessa Wharf, in Rotherhithe. London. It was his day off from a tour (Gary Moore?) and he'd been drinking all day! I had a track I'd done with the band Workhouse called "A Lovin' Like Yours" that just screamed out for Tommy's Hammond playing, and when he came round to the studio with Martin Hayles for a social, I'm afraid I already had the Hammond mic'd up and the tape on. Tom sat down at the Hammond, pulled some drawbars out and got stuck in...magic came out. (I think by then he'd already downed probably 10 pints of beer and a bottle of Scotch during the day - well it was the day off!)

He would sit down at a piano or keyboard, his hands would touch the keys, and the hairs on your arm would stand up. An unbelievable musician and a wonderful human being. He had read a lot whilst touring, and I have heard him happily and knowledgeably discussing Black Hole Theory, - and taking a German music publisher to pieces on European Monetary Policy - point by point!

He can be heard on the soundtrack of the movie "The Long Good Friday" (with another great player also on keys -Francis Monckman ), and did quite a few sessions for the music for the Bergerac TV series. He made no distinctions - with Tom it was all music.

Sadly missed but never forgotten by all who knew him.
Many thanks to Gwyn ~ January 12th 2008
VISIT GWYN MATHIAS
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TOMMY EYRE with SCARLET
Celtic Carols 1996-97 CD
Many Thanks to Brent ~ May 2009
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TOMMY EYRE & MR. GONE
Information, recording and line up ~ (higher up on the page in the Biography)
Many thanks to Gwyn ~ January 2008
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TOMMY EYRE & RITUAL
Information, line-up and photo ~ (higher up on the page in the Biography)
Many thanks to Javier from Uruguay ~ November 2006
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