Roy Martin (musician)
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Roy Martin (born 1961)[1] is an English session drummer.
Roy Martin | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1961 (age 63) |
| Occupation | Drummer |
| Children | |
| Website | roymartin |
Early life
[edit]Martin was born in Liverpool.[2] Self-taught from a young age, he learnt by playing along to records in his family home. He grew up in Liverpool, playing in bands from his mid teens.
Career
[edit]Martin moved to New York City in 1984, after a band he was playing for was offered a record. The record did not suceed, however there he studied at the Drummers Collective.[3][4] There met Ron Saint Germain, a highly established producer who has worked with artists including Muse, Jimi Hendrix, Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. In 1986, He went on his first US tour with the English new wave/post-punk band Modern English as a drummer.[3] He has continued to perform with the band, most recently in 2025.[5][6] In 1988, after working in New York for an extended period of time, Martin returned to England for the birth of his first child.[7]
In 1992, he toured Europe with Gavin Friday and recorded with singer, songwriter David Grey. The next year he toured Europe again with the Australian band Diesel.[3]
In 2010, Martin performed on the official FIFA theme for the 2010 World Cup. He also did the drums for the opening ceremony of the Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United.[8]
Martin has worked with The Zutons, Snowy White (Pink Floyd, Thin Lizzy), Aretha Franklin, Modern English, Jimmy Barnes, David Gray, Patricia Kaas, The Christians, Bono (U2), Regina Belle, Thea Gilmore, Viv Stanshall, Lightning Seeds, Gavin Friday, Roland Gift (Fine Young Cannibals), Russell Watson, Robert Palmer, Pete Wylie, Barclay James Harvest[9]Show of Hands, Black, Shalom Hanoch, Cock Robin, Jack Bruce, Ant and Dec (Pj & Duncan), Oui 3, Nut, Paul Young (Mike + the Mechanics), Sad Café, Diesel, Gerry Thomas (Fatback Band), Elisha La'Verne, Donna McGhee, Johhny Conquest, Mike Peters (The Alarm), Glen Matlock, David Essex, Billy Brannigan, Show of Hands, Ronnie Peterson, Breed 77, Nigel Stonier, Terry Reid[10] (The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Fleetwood Mac) Dave McCabe (The Zutons, Joan Baez, Erin McKeown, Teitur, Athena Andreadis, and many other notable artists.
Influences
[edit]Martin's musical influences include Ian Paice, Andy Newmark, Jeff Porcaro and Steve Gadd.
Film soundtrack appearances
[edit]- Blame It on the Bellboy
- End of the Orange Season
- Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead
- And Now... Ladies and Gentlemen
Personal life
[edit]Martin is still working and currently lives in England. He is married with two children, Stevie and Gina.
Works
[edit]Selected performances
[edit]This is a partial list of recordings of songs on which Martin played.
- "Jimmy Lee" (1986) - Aretha Franklin
Discography
[edit]with Jimmy Barnes
[edit]- Flesh and Wood (1993)
References
[edit]- ^ "Roy Martin" (PDF). Sticks. 2000.
- ^ "Roy Martin" (PDF). Sticks. 2000.
- ^ a b c "Roy Martin" (PDF). Sticks. 2000.
- ^ "BATTEUR MAG" (PDF). BATTEUR MAG. 28 July 2005.
- ^ Greene, Andy (10 March 2020). "Modern English to Celebrate 40th Anniversary With U.S. Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ Conway, Tom. "From nuclear war love song to COVID theme: Modern English on 'I Melt With You' and more". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "Biography". Roy Martin official website. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
- ^ "Roy Martin: Drummer Made in England" (PDF). BATTEUR MAG. April 2010.
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions about Barclay James Harvest". bjharvest.co.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
- ^ "The Band Summer 2007". The Terry Reid Temple. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
