BIOGRAPHY
Roy was born in Birmingham and went to see the Shadows at the age of 12 at Birmingham Town Hall. Influenced by Hank Marvin’s sound, he took up playing guitar and formed a group called The Falcons at the age of fourteen. He turned professional with Birmingham band Gerry Levene and the Avengers and later joined Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders, who later became The Idle Race.
During this period he began writing songs and at 17 formed “The Move” who went on to enjoy multiple chart hits all written by Roy including “Flowers in the Rain” which was the first record played on Radio one, also “Night of fear”, “I Can hear the Grass Grow” and of course “Blackberry Way”
In 1970, he teamed up with Jeff Lynne, who joined “The Move” for the final two albums.
Roy had an ambition to form a classically based band featuring live strings rather than guitars and with Jeff Lynne they formed “The Electric Light Orchestra”.
They managed to convince EMI that it was time to start this project and the first album which Jeff and Roy co-wrote and co-produced was released.
Sadly Roy had disagreements with the management and with regret decided to leave the band.
He spent time writing and soon released his first solo album “Boulders” which was recorded at the Abbey Road studios.
Roy was asked if he would be interested in taking part in a Rock n Roll extravaganza at Wembley stadium alongside Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and Little Richard.
He agreed and quickly formed a band … “Wizzard”
Wizzard went on to have 7 major hits including 2 number one singles, “See My Baby Jive” and “Angel Fingers” followed by one of the Christmas anthems of all time “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday”
As well as recording with Wizzard Roy had solo hits which hit the top ten, “Dear Elaine” and “Forever”.
He has won many awards including the Ivor Novello award for most outstanding song collection, Kerrang song writer award, Rock Radio’s classic songwriter award and the MOJO honours list.
Roy has written more than 30 top 30 chart singles and has had three number one hits with three different bands, “The Move”, “Wizzard” and “Jive Bunny”
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Website: roywood.co.uk
Biography taken from "Rats in the Spotlight" - Written by Brother Tommy J
