Neil Carter (musician)

Neil Carter
Carter with UFO at Burg Herzberg Festival 2019
Carter with UFO at Burg Herzberg Festival 2019
Background information
Birth nameNeil Andrew Carter
Born (1958-05-11) 11 May 1958 (age 66)
Bedfont, Middlesex, England
Genresclassical music, jazz, hard rock, heavy metal
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, examiner
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, clarinet, saxophone, keyboard, flute, bass guitar
WebsiteOfficial website

Neil Andrew Carter (born 11 May 1958) is an English musician who has worked in diverse genres throughout his career. Classically trained, he became a professional rock musician at the age of 17 and initially had his first "mainstream" experience with singer-songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan. He subsequently played guitar and keyboard for the hard rock band UFO (from 1980 until their first breakup in 1983), guitarist Gary Moore, and Wild Horses. He is credited for co-writing a number of Gary Moore's songs including the worldwide hit "Empty Rooms".

At 30 he left the rock world and developed a different career as a of woodwind (saxophone and clarinet). He became a music examiner for ABRSM in 2003. 2010 saw an unexpected return to rock with Gary Moore, playing festivals across Europe and a tour of Ukraine and Russia. Future tours and a Celtic rock album were to follow but this was curtailed by the death of Gary Moore in February 2011.

On 30 April 2019, it was announced that he would return to UFO for their 'Last Orders' tour, following the death of Paul Raymond with Carter replacing Raymond. The tour began in June 2019 in Germany and continued into 2022 after being postponed from 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Following this tour, UFO called it quits once again in April 2024.[1]

In 2024 ´Moggs Motel´ an album from the musical project of the same name, in which he participated and composed and featuring UFO´s Phil Mogg, was released to wide critical acclaim.

Brighton College career

Carter taught at Brighton College, from January 1993 holding the position of "Head of Woodwind and Brass". He taught one-on-one lessons on clarinet and saxophone. Carter was the conductor of the school Concert Band, and the school Saxophone Ensemble and led the School's Swing Band.[2]

Discography

With UFO

With Wild Horses

With Gary Moore

With Moggs Motel

See also

References

  1. ^ "How UFO Aimed for the Stars With 'Lights Out'". ultimateclassicrock.com. 13 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Brighton College music department activities". Archived from the original on 23 October 2008. Retrieved 18 July 2008.