1. Barry Wickens was born on 23 May 1956 and is a British musician, multi-instrumentalist and composer.
17 Facts About Barry Wickens
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Barry Wickens is best known for being one of the longest-serving members of Steve Harley's rock group Cockney Rebel, and for being a former member of the pop group Immaculate Fools.
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Outside of Cockney Rebel and Immaculate Fools, Wickens has been involved in recording sessions for a number of artists, including John Martyn, Lick the Tins, Howard Jones, The River Detectives, Thrashing Doves, Martin Grech, along with TV and radio recordings of the Americana musicians The Milroys, and Folk Alliance Award nominee Diana Jones.
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Barry Wickens has performed with Nick Pynn at a number of live events.
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Barry Wickens was taught piano by his father at the age of seven, and became a member of Worcester Cathedral choir two years later.
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At the age of 10, Barry Wickens moved to the Isle of Wight where he began learning the violin, and self-taught guitar.
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Barry Wickens went on to study violin, piano and composition at the Trinity College of Music in London.
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Barry Wickens first met Steve Harley in 1982, during which time Barry Wickens was in Short Stories.
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In 1984, Barry Wickens joined Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel as violinist and guitarist.
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Barry Wickens was involved in the recording of Harley's solo album Yes You Can, which was released in 1992.
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Barry Wickens left the band in 1992, and was replaced by Nick Pynn.
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In 1989, Barry Wickens had become a member of the pop band Immaculate Fools, who had achieved a couple of minor hits in the UK.
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Barry Wickens recorded, co-produced, co-wrote and toured with the group, and during his time with the band released the albums Another Man's World, The Toy Shop, Woodhouse and Kiss and Punch.
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In 1997 Barry Wickens formed the music production company Hydraphonic - a partnership project with Immaculate Fools' guitarist, Brian Betts.
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Barry Wickens has remained with the group since, performing as part of the full rock band line-up as well as the three-man acoustic shows.
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Barry Wickens provided violin, guitar and backing vocals for Cockney Rebel's 2005 studio album The Quality of Mercy, as well as Harley's 2010 studio album Stranger Comes to Town.
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In 2018, Barry Wickens released his debut solo album, Where Birdsong Meets Aeroplane, through his label Observation Records.