Paul Pilnick
Paul Pilnick | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 January 1941 Liverpool, England, UK |
| Died | 17 September 2021 (aged 80) Sheffield, England, UK |
| Genres | Merseybeat, rock |
| Occupation(s) | musician, producer |
| Instrument(s) |
|
| Years active | 1963–2021 |
| Formerly of | |
Paul Pilnick (17 January 1941 – 17 September 2021) was an English guitarist. During the 1960s/1970s, he played with Lee Curtis and the All-Stars, The Big Three, and Stealers Wheel.
Career[edit]
In 1963, Paul joined Lee Curtis and the All-Stars.[1] He played with them for a year before going to The Big Three. This tenure was short, and the same year he left to join Tony Jackson and the Vibrations, formed by former Searchers bassist Tony Jackson. In 1972, Pilnick was invited into the band Stealers Wheel.[2] The band had an international hit song in 1973 with Stuck in the Middle with You, to which Pilnick is credited as "lead guitarist" on the track.[3] "Stuck in the Middle with You" reached No. 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart[4] in 1973, selling over one million copies worldwide, and was awarded a gold disc.[5] Also in 1973, Pilnick, Tony Williams (bass player) and Rod Coombes (drummer) left the band, and for the remaining three years, members Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty continued as a duo, with the support of session musicians in the studio.[2]
In 1974, Paul joined rock band Badger, formed by Tony Kaye after he left Yes. He is credited with playing on the album "White Lady". After Badger, Pilnick co-founded the new wave group Deaf School, as both a guitarist and a producer.[1] Pilnick won a Melody Maker talent contest, that got them a contract at Warner Records.[6] He also played banjo and accordion in the band. Pilnick was still involved with Deaf School up until his death. Pilnick played guitar on Egan's debut solo album "Out of Nowhere" (1979), and produced his second album "Map" (1981).[1]
After being contacted by iTunes and K-tel in California, Tony Williams briefly re-formed Stealers Wheel in Blackpool in 2008 with Rod Coombes and Paul Pilnick, together with close friend Tony Mitchell. On 10 November 2008, they started filming a music video for a re-recording of "Stuck in the Middle" on the Fylde coast. They also began writing new songs although they had no plans to tour, and disbanded again.[7]
Personal life[edit]
Paul Pilnick was born in Liverpool in 1941 (although different sources claim he was born in 1944), and began playing guitar at an early age.[1] Pilnick was identified in the audience of a picture of The Quarrymen (later The Beatles) performing on Rosebury street in 1958 or 1959.[8] Pilnick was a humanitarian.[8]
Pilnick died at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield on 17 September 2021 after a short illness.[8] He was 80. He was survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren.[8] Deaf School posted on twitter:
We’re very sad to report the death of former band member Paul Pilnick. He was a great musician and friend. His contribution to our album 2nd Honeymoon was massive and he’ll be remembered, not least, for his iconic banjo intro on What A Way To End It All.
— Deaf School, [1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "Members – Stealers Wheel". Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 1132/3. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
- ^ "Stealers Wheel - Stealers Wheel". web.archive.org. 2023-07-14. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 527. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 337. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ Trimaximalist (2021-04-28). "Deaf School -". Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ Parkinson, Shelagh (11 November 2008). "Blackpool Councillor follows Take That's lead". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
- ^ a b c d Duffy, Tom (2021-10-02). "Tributes pour in for Liverpool born Stealers Wheel star". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2024-04-24.