Roy Young (musician) facts for kids

Roy Frederick Young (born October 20, 1934 – died April 27, 2018) was a British rock and roll singer and piano player. He started recording music in the late 1950s.

Roy Young became well-known for performing in Hamburg, Germany, with the Beatles. Later, he joined the band Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers. He also released several albums with his own band. Roy Young even recorded music with famous artists like Chuck Berry and David Bowie.

Roy Young's Life and Music

Early Life and Musical Start

Roy Young was born in Poplar, a part of East London. When he was seven, his family moved to Oxford. He learned to play boogie-woogie piano at home and in snooker clubs.

Roy left school at 14 and joined the Merchant Navy. While in Australia, he watched the movie Blackboard Jungle. This film inspired him to become a professional singer and musician.

Becoming a Star

In 1958, Roy Young tried out for Jack Good's TV show Oh Boy!. He was successful, singing and playing piano like the famous artist Little Richard. He often appeared on other British TV music shows, including Drumbeat. On Drumbeat, the John Barry Seven band played with him.

Roy was known as Roy "Rock 'em" Young. He released his first song, "Just Keep It Up," in 1959. He put out more songs over the next two years, but they did not become big hits. Roy performed at the the 2i's Coffee Bar in Soho, London. He also toured around the UK and Ireland with artists like Cliff Richard and the Shadows.

Playing with The Beatles

In 1961, Roy Young started working at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg, Germany. There, he played with Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers. Ringo Starr, who later joined The Beatles, was briefly part of this group. Roy also recorded music with Tony Sheridan.

After that, Roy got a contract to play at the Star-Club, another famous club in Hamburg. This is where he met the Beatles. He started performing with them in the spring of 1962. Roy said that Brian Epstein, The Beatles' manager, offered him a spot in their band. However, Roy had to turn down the offer because he had a contract with the Star-Club.

Later Bands and Famous Collaborations

Roy Young returned to England in 1964. He joined Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers as their keyboard player and second singer. This band was also managed by Brian Epstein. Roy often sang duets with Cliff Bennett.

The group toured with The Beatles in 1966. Roy played on their hit song "Got To Get You Into My Life", which was produced by Paul McCartney of The Beatles. Roy stayed with the Rebel Rousers until they broke up in 1969.

After that, he formed the Roy Young Band. They released two albums: The Roy Young Band (1971) and Mr. Funky (1972). This band also played with Chuck Berry on tour. In 1971, Roy Young recorded a song called "Baby, You're Good For Me" for the movie Gumshoe. This song was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

In 1976, Roy Young recorded with David Bowie for his album Low. Roy continued to perform with the Roy Young Band in Canada and the US. He also worked with and managed Long John Baldry in the 1970s. In the 1980s, he toured the US with Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson. He also played at Star-Club reunion concerts.

Roy Young released his last album, Still Young, in 2006. He passed away in Oxford on April 27, 2018, at the age of 83.

Roy Young's Albums

Here are some of the albums Roy Young was part of:

• 1962: My Bonnie, an album by Tony Sheridan with The Beat Brothers. Roy plays on many songs, but not on the two songs that feature The Beatles.
• 1963: Twist at the Star Club Hamburg, a live album. Roy sings and plays on three songs. He also plays on Tony Sheridan's songs.
• 1964: Ain't She Sweet, an album that includes "Sweet Georgia Brown" recorded with The Beatles in 1962.
• 1971: The Roy Young Band
• 1972: Mr. Funky
• 1996: Tony Sheridan & The Beat Brothers Live and Dangerous. Roy Young sings lead on some of these live recordings.
• 2006: Still Young
• 2012: Roy Rock'Em Young