One of the foremost drummers in the vintage Gene Krupa style, he has played with stars including Tony Hadley and Roland Rat, and has appeared on the same stage in Houston, Texas with Jerry Lee Lewis and Tiny Tim. In 1999 he became Director of Music at Boisdale after its owner spotted him performing with The Rio Trio - Richard now books all the music for Boisdale's three London venues. For the last three years he has presented a series of sell out shows at Chelsea's Cadogan Hall including recreations of the famous Benny Goodman 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert and his hit show 100 Years Of Jazz In 99 Minutes.
1. What is your first musical memory?
Helping to smash up the family piano for firewood aged about 4 years old.
2. At what age did you first do something 'musical'?
Well the 1960s experimentalists would suggest the answer above.
Richard Pite On Drums
3. If you could have been any musician or artist, past or present, who would it be?
Keith Moon - but only for a week.
4. If you could play any venue in the world, which would it be?
A concert of music by John Philip Sousa at Lenin's tomb. Show the bugger who won in the end.
5. What is your favourite song of all time?
Pu-leez Mr Hemingway sung by Elsie Carlisle.
Richard Pite On the Sousaphone
6. If you could sing to anyone, who would it be?
Anjem Choudary - comic Islamist irritant. I'm a terrible singer and it would really annoy him.
7. What song?
Sex And Drugs And Rock 'n' Roll
8. What is your best music experience to date?
The above (a long, long time ago)
Richard Pite Interviewed For Lexus
9. Who are your musical influences?
Noisy and irritating drummers from Buddy Rich to Keith Moon.
Ringo Starr - he got me started
Richard Pite On Drums
Angelina Jolie on marching cymbals and Gwyneth Paltrow on banjo.
12. What's the best gig you've ever been to?
Lionel Hampton playing at Huddersfield Football Club in 1978.
13. If you had three music wishes, what would they be?
To have a roadie, a chauffeur and a butler.
Richard Pite On Drums
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