Dave Colquhoun | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Colquhoun performing with Rick Wakeman in 2010. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Dave Calhoun |
| Born | February 11, 1969 |
| Origin | Whitehaven, Cumbria, U.K. |
| Genres | Progressive rock, alternative rock, new wave, pop rock |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Member of | English Rock Ensemble |
| Formerly of | Bow Wow Wow, The Grass Virgins, Procol Harum, Ian Brown |
Dave Colquhoun (born 11 February 1969)[1] is an English guitarist and vocalist from Cumbria,[2] who is best known for his work with keyboardist Rick Wakeman and for his session work,[3] as well as being a guitar coach and for working on the Queen biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody.[2]
Life and career edit
Colquhoun was born in Cumbria[2] and is from Whitehaven where he also went to the school.[4]
He first came to the public eye when he became a member of new wave band Bow Wow Wow when the reunited in 1997, he replaced their guitarist Matthew Ashman who died in 1995. At this point in his career he went under the alias Dave Calhoun.[5][6]
In 2000, he was a member of Francis Dunnery's backing band,[7] The Grass Virgins, as second guitarist, alongside bass guitarist Matt Pegg, and singer/keyboard player Erin Moran.[8] This band formation toured the UK and performed on a larger tour and as a support slots with Hootie and the Blowfish.[9] Colquhoun was replaced by John Dunnery on later tours.[10]
Colquhoun appeared on former Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown's third album Music of the Spheres in 2001, he co-wrote two tracks, including the single "F.E.A.R.",[11] which was placed at No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart and was both a commercial and critical success.[12]
Colquhoun has been guitarist for Rick Wakeman since February 2002,[13] this has included tours with the English Rock Ensemble, which at times has included vocalists Ashely Holt, Damien Wilson[14] and Hayley Sanderson,[15] keyboardists Rick Wakeman and Adam Wakeman,[15] bassist Lee Pomeroy[14][16] and drummers Tony Fernandez, Ash Soan[16] and Adam Falkner.[17] and with the Rick Wakeman Trio, which has included Wakeman, Colquhoun and bassist Matt Pegg.[18]
In 2014, Colquhoun stood in with Procol Harum at short notice for the hospitalised Geoff Whitehorn at a live show and BBC recording at the Dominion Theatre, London, 24 November 2014.[19]
Colquhoun was a music coach for Oscar-winning Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, he aided Gwilym Lee and Rami Malik in mimicking the guitar styles of Brian May and Freddie Mercury.[2] Colquhoun had previously performed with May when the latter guested with Wakeman at 2015's Starmus Festival in Tenerife.[2][20] He had got the job when May asked him to do a gig with May and Kerry Ellis for Radio 2, in 2017, after which they stayed in touch.[2] He later received call from Becky Bentham, who was the Music Supervisor on the film, who asked him if he was available. His role was as body double and guitar support for Gwilym Lee, who was playing May.[2] After a director change, his services were no longer required.[2]
Since 2019, Colquhoun has continued to regularly tour with Wakeman.[21]
Personal life edit
Colquhoun is married to Jay Aston of Bucks Fizz, the got married in August 1999 in Greenwich, London. They have a daughter, Josie Alexandra (born 2003, Bromley, Greater London).[22] In 2011 they lived in Tatsfield, Surrey,[23] though he currently lives in Woldingham. In 2022, Aston revealed that their daughter Josie had been diagnosed and was battling Meningitis. She later revealed that her daughter was recovering, although it ‘would be slow’.[24]
Discography edit
| Year | Artist | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Moondigger | 423 | guitar, vocals, synth |
| 1997 | Zenshoppers | "Sorrows Wedding" | writing with Jay Aston |
| 2001 | Ian Brown | "F.E.A.R." | guitar with Francis Dunnery |
| 2002 | Jay Aston | Alive And Well | writing |
| 2005 | Rick Wakeman | Made In Cuba | guitar; recorded Live at the Karl Marx Theatre, La Habana, Cuba, April 2005 |
| 2006 | Retro | guitar | |
| Jay Aston | Lamb Or Lizard | acoustic and electric guitar and production | |
| 2007 | Rick Wakeman | Retro 2 | guitar |
| 2009 | The Six Wives Of Henry VIII Live At Hampton Court Palace | electric guitar | |
| 2012 | Journey To The Centre Of The Earth | guitar | |
| 2016 | Jay Aston | I Spy | production, guitar, bass, keyboards |
| 2017 | Downes Braide Association | Skyscraper Souls | lead guitar |
| Jay Aston | In Concert with Truth Is | guitar | |
| 2020 | Downes Braide Association | Live In England | lead guitar |
| Marc Almond | Chaos And A Dancing Star | guitar on one track | |
| Rick Wakeman & The English Rock Ensemble | The Red Planet | electric guitar | |
| 2023 | A Gallery Of The Imagination | guitars |
References edit
- ^ "David Colquhoun". www.procolharum.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Dave Colquhoun – Bohemian Rhapsody Guitar Coach – The Red Special". www.theredspecial.com. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Dave Colquhoun". WaterBear | The College of Music. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Dave Colquhoun on Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Bow Wow Wow Reunites For Tour". MTV. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ Bradley, Simon (24 September 2019). "How to play like Brian May". MusicRadar. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "David Colquhoun chats to Roland from BtP following his London appearance with Procol Harum". www.procolharum.com. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "IT BITES". www.progressrock.cz. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
On a tour of the UK, Dunnery formed a new backing band called The Grass Virgins, in which he became the second guitarist was Dave Colquhoun, bassist Matt Pegg and singer and keyboardist Erin Moran.
- ^ "IT BITES". www.progressrock.cz. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
Surprised and pleased that he remained alive Memory of quite popular sold concerts, Dunnery soon returned to a much larger tour and with the support of Hootie And Blowfish.
- ^ "IT BITES". www.progressrock.cz. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
The Grass Virgins performed as his backing band in the next few years despite changes in the line-up, when John Dunnery replaced Colquhoun,
- ^ Music of the Spheres (liner notes). Polydor Records. 2001. 589 126-1.
- ^ "Why Ian Brown's F.E.A.R. Is Actually Genius..." Radio X. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ Colquhoun, Dave. "Dave Colquhoun | LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble - In The Nick Of Time BACKGROUND MAGAZINE Review". www.backgroundmagazine.nl. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Rick Wakeman announces Rock Ensemble tour dates for 2022". louder. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b arcanafm (26 September 2020). "On Record – Rick Wakeman & The English Rock Ensemble: The Red Planet (Snapper)". Arcana.fm. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ Ewingpublished, Jerry (28 February 2022). "Tony Fernandez to sit out upcoming Rick Wakeman dates". louder. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Rick Wakeman Trio - International Piano Trio Festival - Ronnie Scott's". www.ronniescotts.co.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Dave Colquhoun". Beyond the Pale. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ Wakeman, Rick (8 July 2018). Rick Wakeman & The English Rock Ensemble - Live at Starmus, special guest Brian May (Full Concert). Event occurs at 2:15:50 – via YouTube.
- ^ Welch, Chris (2 March 2023). "RETURN OF THE CAPED CRUSADER". Chris Welch. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ "Search Births, Marriages and Deaths 1538 - 2006". findmypast.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2009.
- ^ "Ex-Bucks Fizz star's window shot". Daily Mirror. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
- ^ "Bucks Fizz's Jay Aston 'nearly lost' daughter, 18, after she was put in coma with meningitis". ITV News. 18 April 2022.