Guy Fletcher, OBE (born in St Albans, England), is a British songwriter who, in partnership with Doug Flett, wrote several hits for other artists. St Albans is the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland

History

Guy Fletcher worked as a session singer for record producer Joe Meek, and as a jazz trumpet player. Joe Meek (born Robert George Meek; 5 April 1929 — 3 February 1967 in London) was a pioneering English Record producer and Songwriter After deciding to turn to songwriting, he met lyricist Doug Flett in 1966 and their long partnership resulted in writing songs for several international artists. They were the first British writers to have a song recorded by Elvis Presley, when "Fair's Movin' On" appeared on the B-side of his 1969 single "Clean Up Your Own Back Yard". The British branch of Elvis's fan club castigated the A-side as well below their hero's normal standards, and asked purchasers to register their disapproval by asking for "Fair's Movin' On" when requesting the record in shops.

Fletcher and Flett's first Top 10 success was with The Hollies' "I Can't Tell the Bottom from the Top" (1970), and they also had hits with songs performed by Cliff Richard, "With the Eyes of a Child", "Sing a Song of Freedom", "Baby You're Dynamite" and "Power to All Our Friends", which was the UK entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973, achieving third place. The Hollies are an English Rock and roll band formed in the early 1960s. Sir Cliff Richard, OBE, (born Harry Roger Webb on 14 October 1940 is an English Singer, Actor and Businessman. " Power to All Our Friends " is a song by Cliff Richard.

Their greatest international success was with "Save Me", a Billboard #1 country song by Louise Mandrell. Thelma Louise Mandrell (born July 13, 1954) is an American Country music Singer. They also wrote hits for Ray Charles, Tom Jones, Helen Reddy, Joe Cocker, the Bay City Rollers and Frankie Valli, as well as discovering and nurturing the talent of singer-songwriter Chris de Burgh. Ray Charles Robinson ( September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) known by his Stage name Ray Charles, was an American Sir Thomas John Woodward, (born 7 June 1940 known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh pop music singer particularly noted for his powerful voice Helen Reddy (born October 25, 1941) is an Australian/American Singer / Songwriter. Joe Cocker OBE (born 20 May 1944 is an English rock / Blues Singer who came to popularity in the 1960s and is most known for his gritty The Bay City Rollers were a Scottish Pop/rock band of the 1970s Frankie Valli (born May 3, 1934 as Francis Stephen Castelluccio) is an American musician most famous as frontman of The 4 Seasons. Chris de Burgh (born Christopher John Davison on 15 October 1948 is a half Irish musician and songwriter who holds British nationality.

In 1975 Fletcher, Al Hodge and John Hodkinson formed the soft-rock trio Rogue, who released several singles, including "Cool Clear Air", "Lay Me Down", "Lady Put The Light Out", "Too Much Too Soon", "One to One", and "Borderline", and three albums, before disbanding in 1979. For the actor Al Hodge of Captain Video and Green Hornet fame see Al Hodge)

Fletcher has been a Performing Right Society director since 1998, and is creative director of Music Copyright Solutions PLC which he helped to found in 2001. The Performing Right Society (often shortened to PRS) founded in 1914 is the Collecting society for UK Songwriters Composers and He was Chairman of The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters where he led several campaigns against the erosion of composers’ rights. He has won many awards including an ASCAP award in the USA and an Ivor Novello Award in the UK, and has also written TV music, songs, commercials and music for the stage. The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers ( ASCAP) is a non-profit Performance rights organization that protects its The Ivor Novello Awards, named after the Cardiff born entertainer Ivor Novello, are Awards for Songwriting and Composing.

Family

Fletcher has a nephew, also called Guy Fletcher, who is a longtime coworker with Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits

Rogue album discography

• Fallen Angel (Epic 69235, 1975)
• Let It Go (Epic 81987, 1977)
• Would You Let Your Daughter (Ariola 5028, 1979)

External links

• guyfletcher.com Official Website for Guy Fletcher, songwriter