Hello good evening and welcome
Thanks for stopping by. I consider the opportunity to share with people who have an interest in what I do a great privilege. Especially, considering that drums, drumming and composing music have been as natural to me as breathing for almost as long as I can remember.
If you want to learn the secrets of drumming and music, I would be pleased to teach you, send me an email and I promise to get back to you straight away.
Somewhere back in time...
I was born and brought up in a small mining community called Rawmarsh near Kilnhurst when coal was the only heat source around and I had a paper round! At age 12, then at Rawmarsh High school, I was taught percussion, drums and piano for five long years. Many thanks to Len Addy & Mrs Fletcher (head of music).
Not before long I was performing in the school orchestra, and after that The Hoyland Town brass band followed by the South Yorkshire Symphony and short stretch with the Halle Orchestra in Manchester. In and around all that time I was frequently to be found in the musical pits of Montgomery theatre, Merlin theatre and the wonderful Rotherham Civic theatre hammering away on the Timps, Glocks and Bells to such epic shows as: Verdis Opera, Song of Norway, The Gondalliers and Iolanthe under the MD & conductorship of Gertrude Stockhill (With special thanks to David, Brian, Simon & Rita Albone).
Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris
EMI Music on the 24th September 2012 are proud to announce the release of Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris’ debut solo album. Entitled ‘British Lion’ and comprising ten songs that Steve and his collaborators including Ian Roberts who co-wrote songs and played drums on the album have been working on between Iron Maiden tours and releases, it is an album that will surprise and delight music fans the world over.
Review of one of the songs I co-wrote with Steve Harris: A World Without Heaven, at a breathtaking seven minutes and infused with progressive elements without ever teetering into self-indulgence illustrates perfectly these songsmiths’ colossal abilities to create a mood and stay there. Supercharged by Steve Harris’ inimitable style, there’s an un-cynical vibe here that’s as refreshing as it is out of place in today’s all-too-categorised music industry.
Moving on swiftly...
I did all my growing up in cover bands performing in every Working Mens' Club that was ever built in and around South Yorkshire and the N.E. before meeting up with one charismatic Dave Kilner, radio presenter of Sheffield Radio Hallam. My band won a competition he ran to secure recording time in London, this then led to a publishing deal with Dick James Music (of Elton John Fame) who was always around to sing a tune and encourage me.
After many years and the invention of tea bags, I have managed to get myself, and the various bands and delinquents I have worked with, signed to four major labels, the most notable being ZTT and Perfect Songs, the labels formed by Trevor Horn and Jill Sinclair (Seal, Grace Jones, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Take That) which has led me to be able to play in some great countries.
Proud to be a miners son!
Most people know me as a drummer & educator having given hundreds of drum clinics in schools over the past 15 years, what they don't know is that I am also an accomplished composer, songwriter and producer. My work featuring on T.V., film scores and broadcast documentaries for both "The Discovery Channels" and the BBC.
I've also collaborated on many commercial music projects with styles ranging from R'n'B through to rock, power pop to country. All these years have built up into quite a portfolio of internationally recorded material playing in 37 countries 24 hours a day.
Friends, past and present
Over the years I have been fortunate enough to have known some great people and worked with some fantastic musicians, here are some of my many friends.... Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Gary Moore) Hal Lindes (Dire Straits) Josh Phillips (Procol Harum) Graham Leslie (The Outfield, British Lion) Phoebe Thomas (Holby City) Patsy Palmer (Eastenders) Mike Corby (The Babys) Trevor Horn and Jill Sinclair whom I will always be thankful to. Steve Lipson (Ronan Keating, Geri Halliwell, Daniel Bedingfield, Gareth Gates) Sam Blue (The Streets, Dizzee Rascal) Laurence Archer (UFO, Phil Lynott) Doogie White (Ritchie Blackmore) Ian & Tracie Hunter (Mot The Hoople) Merem Hassler (Tomb Raider, The Bill) Dave Kilner (Radio Hallam) Dr Wayne Bickerton (The Rubettes, RSM, Sesac, PRS) Nicky Buzz (M80 Roadrunner Records) Dave Durell (Bush) Rod Smallwood & Andy Taylor (Iron Maiden), (: Brandon Bakshi Executive Director, Europe & Asia, for Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), the U.S. performing rights organization, The Late Great Adrian Millar (The Babys) Chris Bottrel and Chris Aymler, gone but not forgotten.
I would like to say Thank You to my wonderful friend Nicholas Dodd (orchestration and conductor of many James Bond film scores) for all the faith and kindness over the years.....Tally ho!
Accidental friendships
I have much gratitude and my sincere thanks go to:
Professor J. Sharrard, head of bone Orthopaedics' at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, who saved my left arm after it was almost severed off in a motorcycle accident at the age of 19. While managing to save my arm, he sadly, was not able to do so for Rick Allen of Def Leppard, who had his road accident one year later.
This, however was not my only accident, I should also therefore like to thank, Mr. Gilbert Railton, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Kingston Hospital for saving my life and then my leg after it was shattered beyond repair, he dug in deep and after two years in a wheel chair and countless operations I was able to stand once again.
The latest scars to add to my collection are care of Stoke Mandeville Hospital for removing my appendix and plastic surgery to re-attach the tendon in my left thumb due to a Xmas day incident trying to carve up the Turkey, the Turkey got away!!!
...and finally
To the ones I left out and you know who you are if you are reading this, I thank you most gratefully and disgracefully.
Very special thanks go to: Caroline Odogwu, Danny Prendergast, Suzanne Macleod & JB.
And to all my many friends in and around Rawmarsh, Rotherham & Sheffield.....thank you for always being there!
Dedicated to Mum, she made who I am, to Dad I love you lots
Ian Roberts