Birth name Rod Melvin Website rodmelvin.com | Years active 1976–present | |
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Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter, composer, singer Music group Kilburn and the High Roads Similar |
Rod Melvin is a London-based pianist and singer, appearing regularly at residencies such as the Groucho Club and previously Le Pont de la Tour.
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He studied Fine Art at Chelsea School of Art and Reading University where he was a co-founder of The Moodies, a performance-art /cabaret group which included Anne Bean.
After touring with The Moodies and appearing in two films in Germany, Rod joined Kilburn and the High Roads, the band of Ian Dury. The band recorded two singles and an album Handsome which included two compositions by Rod in collaboration with Dury. After the band's demise Ian and Rod continued writing and this work produced "England's Glory" recorded by Max Wall and "What A Waste", later recorded by Ian and The Blockheads which became Ian's first Top Ten hit.
As well as playing on Brian Eno's albums Another Green World, Music For Films and Nerve Net, Melvin has worked with performers such as Lindsay Kemp, Evelyn Kunneke, and Immodesty Blaize and has continued his work as a live pianist and singer in many different venues.
More recent work has included live accompaniment of incidental music for several productions at the National Theater and collaboration with film director Peter Richardson on several films such as "Stella Street" (2004), "Churchill: The Hollywood Years"(2004) and TV commercials, some of his music was also used in Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (2010)..
Rod took part in a unique series of performances in Feb 2013 at the ICA, London for Will Gompertz, the BBC Arts Editor at the time.
In 2013 Rod was invited to play for the Mick Ronson tribute album, "Sweet Dreamer" produced by Maggi Ronson. A live showcase of this work was previewed at the ICA in April 2013.
Composer
Soundtrack
Music department
Actor
Songs
Rough KidsHandsome · 1975
Billy BentleyHandsome · 1975
Pam's MoodsHandsome · 1975