Wix Wickens | |
|---|---|
 Wickens atRDS Arena in Dublin, Ireland, in 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Paul Wickens |
| Born | (1956-03-27)27 March 1956 (age 69) Brentwood, Essex, England |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, producer |
| Instrument | Keyboards |
| Years active | 1973–present |
Paul "Wix"Wickens is an English musician best known as keyboardist and musical director ofPaul McCartney'stouring band since 1989.[1][2] In a career that started in 1973, Wickens has also worked with artists includingNik Kershaw,Bob Dylan,Joni Mitchell,Bon Jovi,Edie Brickell,Kevin Coyne and many others.
Wickens attendedBrentwood School, Essex where he became a friend of fellow studentDouglas Adams. Wickens composed the music for the sequel radio productions of Adams'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Tertiary to Quintessential Phases and performed at his memorial service in 2001.[citation needed]
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In the early 1980s Wickens was a member of Woodhead Monroe, a band that issued two singles distributed byStiff, "Mumbo Jumbo" and "Identify".[citation needed]
Wickens began touring withPaul McCartney in 1989. Since then, Wickens has served as the musical director for many of McCartney's tours. He continues to tour with McCartney (as his keyboardist, occasional guitarist and backing vocalist), and is the longest serving of the four musicians inMcCartney's touring band.[citation needed]
Wickens played on albums byTommy Shaw of the American rock bandStyx,the Damned,Tim Finn,Paul Carrack,Nik Kershaw,Jim Diamond,Boy George, andDavid Gilmour, and was the co-producer of the firstSavage Progress album. He also was the keyboardist and programmer forEdie Brickell & New Bohemians album,Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars – which was where he first metChris Whitten. Wickens was also involved in making the 2008 albumBandaged in aid of BBCChildren in Need.[citation needed]
Wickens played accordion onthe The's minor UK hit "This Is the Day", from their albumSoul Mining.[3] He also recorded a version ofNirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit".[citation needed]
| Year | Album | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Desire for Freedom | Jim Diamond |
| 1988 | Creeping Up on Jesus | The Big Dish |
| 1992 | Sleeping Satellite | Tasmin Archer |
| 1992 | Great Expectations | Tasmin Archer |
| 1993 | In Your Care | Tasmin Archer |
| 1996 | Big White Room | Melanie Garside |
| 1996 | She Knows | Melanie Garside |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
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