Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

March 14, 1947 in Bury, Lancashire, England

Death

:

February 17, 2017

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Peter Skellern was a British composer, pianist, and singer who was born on March 14, 1947, in Bury, Lancashire, England. He was the youngest of four children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a singer. Skellern started playing the piano at the age of seven and showed a natural talent for music. Skellern attended the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied composition and piano. He graduated in 1968 and started his career as a session musician, playing piano and singing backing vocals for various artists. He also worked as a music teacher and a church organist. In 1972, Skellern signed a recording contract with Decca Records and released his debut album, "You're a Lady." The title track became a hit single in the UK, reaching number three on the charts. Skellern's music was a blend of classical, pop, and jazz influences, and his distinctive voice and piano playing made him stand out from other artists of the time. Skellern continued to release albums throughout the 1970s, including "Not Without a Friend" (1973), "Hold On to Love" (1975), and "A String of Pearls" (1977). He also wrote music for television and film, including the theme song for the BBC sitcom "Billy Liar" and the score for the movie "The Plank." In the 1980s, Skellern's career took a different direction as he focused more on composing classical music. He wrote several works for orchestra, including "The Flight of the Dodo" (1981), "The Vision of William Blake" (1982), and "The Song of Songs" (1984). He also composed choral music, such as "The Nativity" (1987) and "The Crucifixion" (1990). Skellern's most famous work is "The Fruit of the Spirit," a choral suite based on the biblical passage from Galatians 5:22-23. The piece was commissioned by the Royal School of Church Music and premiered in 1988. It has since been performed by choirs around the world and is considered a modern classic of choral music. Skellern continued to compose and perform throughout the 1990s and 2000s, releasing albums such as "A Quiet Night Out" (1992) and "Who Plays Wins" (2001). He also worked as a radio presenter and wrote a memoir, "The Way You Tell Them," in 2008. In 2016, Skellern announced that he had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and had only months to live. He released a final album, "Last Will and Testament," which featured new recordings of some of his most famous songs, as well as new compositions. Skellern passed away on February 17, 2017, at the age of 69. Peter Skellern was a versatile and talented musician who made a significant contribution to both popular and classical music. His unique style and memorable compositions continue to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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