Roger Chapman
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- This article is about the singer, for the golfer see Roger Chapman (golfer)
Roger Chapman (born Roger Maxwell Chapman on April 8, 1942 in Leicester) is an English rock singer.
Roger "Chappo" Chapman is probably best known for his participation in the English progressive band Family in the late 1960s through the early 1970s and subsequently, from 1973 to 1978, in Streetwalkers, a rock/R&B band. Prior to Family he had sung with this band's precursor, the Farinas. His idiosyncratic brand of on-stage showmanship and characteristic vibrato led to him becoming a cult figure on the British rock scene. Chapman once claimed he was trying to sing like both Little Richard and especially his idol Ray Charles.
Family is also noteworthy for other members - Ric Grech (Music in a Dolls House and Family Entertainment) went on to Blind Faith, and John Wetton (Fearless and Bandstand) performed in King Crimson, Roxy Music, U.K, and Asia.
In the late 1970s Roger Chapman began a solo career and recorded his first solo album, Chappo.
In 1983, Mike Oldfield recorded the album "Crises" featuring the song "Shadow On The Wall" sung by Roger Chapman. The song turned out to be a huge hit for Mike Oldfield (along with the even more popular "Moonlight Shadow").
As other musical styles, such as Punk Rock became more popular in England, Chapman began to have more success in other European countries, especially Germany, where he has spent much of his time since the early 1980s, winning Artist of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Discography
Family
Albums
- Music in a Doll's House (Reprise, 1968)
- Family Entertainment (Reprise, 1969)
- A Song For Me (Reprise, 1970)
- Anyway (Reprise, 1970)
- Fearless (Reprise, 1971)
- Bandstand (Reprise, 1972)
- It's Only a Movie (Raft, 1973)
- Peel Sessions (Strange Fruit, 1989)
- BBC Radio 1 In Concert (Windsong, 1991)
- Family Live (Mystic Records, 2003)
- BBC Volume 1: 1968-1969 (Hux, 2004)
- BBC Volume 2: 1970-1973 (Hux, 2004)
All albums after Song For Me released in the U.S. by United Artists Records.
Singles
- Scene Through The Eye Of A Lens/Gypsy Woman (Liberty, 1967)
- Me My Friend/Hey Mr. Policeman (Reprise, 1968)
- Second Generation Woman/Hometown (Reprise, 1968)
- No Mules Fool/Friend Of Mine (Reprise, 1969)
- Today/Song For Lots (Reprise, 1970)
- Strange Band/The Weaver's Answer/Hung Up Down (Reprise, 1970)
- In My Own Time/Seasons (Reprise, 1971)
- Burlesque/The Rockin' R's (Reprise, 1972)
- My Friend The Sun/Glove (Reprise, 1973)
- Boom Bang/Sweet Desiree (Raft, 1973)
The single In My Own Time was included in the U.S. version of Anyway (United Artists, 1971).
Compilations
- Old Songs, New Songs (Reprise, 1971)
- Best Of Family (Reprise, 1974)
- From The Archives (Teldec, 1980)
- Best Of Family (Castle Communications, 1990)
- A's & B's (Castle Communications, 1992)
- A Family Selection (Castle Communications, 2000)
Streetwalkers
Albums
- Streetwalkers (1974, Reprise K 54017)
- DOWNTOWN FLYERS (1975, Mercury LP SRM-1-1060 (US), Vertigo 6360 123)
- RED CARD (1976, Mercury SMR-1-1083 (US), Vertigo 9102 010, Repertoire REP 4147-WP (CD))
- VICIOUS BUT FAIR (1977, Mercury LP SRM-1-1135 (US), Vertigo 9102 012)
- STREETWALKERS LIVE (1977, Vertigo 6641-703)
- BEST OF STREETWALKERS (1990, Vertigo CD, CA, LP 846-661)
- BBC RADIO ONE LIVE (1995, Windsong CD)
Singles
- Roxianna/Crack (1974, Reprise K 14357)
- Raingame/Miller (1975, Vertigo 6059 130)
- Daddy Rolling Stone/Hole In Your Pocket (1976, Vertigo 6059 144)
- Chilli Con Carne/But You're Beautiful 1977, Vertigo 6059 169)
Solo
Albums
- Chappo (1979)
- Live In Hamburg (1979)
- Mail Order Magic (1980)
- Hyenas Only Laugh For Fun (1981)
- The Riffburglar Album (aka Funny Cider Sessions) (1982)
- He Was, She Was (Double, Live) (1982)
- Swag (as the Riffbuglars) (1983)
- Mango Crazy (1983)
- The Shadow Knows (1984)
- Zipper (1985)
- Techno Prisoners (1987)
- Live In Berlin (1989)
- Walking The Cat (1989)
- Strong Songs - The Best Of... (1990)
- Hybrid and Lowdown (1990)
- Kick It Back (UK compilation) (1990)
- Under No Obligation (1992)
- King Of The Shouters (1994)
- Kiss My Soul (1996)
- A Turn Unstoned? (1998)
- Anthology 1979-98 (1998)
- In My Own Time (Live) (1999)
- Rollin' & Tumblin'(2001)
- One More Time for Peace (2007)