Guitarist
Ricky Gardiner guitarist dances in Tango for the End of Time by Beggars Opera. This avant garde progressive rock track comes from Beggars Opera/ Lose a Life an album which has incredible presence as a result of Ricky Gardiner’s ability to create massive sound structures with his choices of guitars and effects. Ricky’s extended melodies and string bending are unique in the guitar world.
This interesting doodle was created when Beggars Opera were working on their 2 covers of the Passenger with Virginia Scott on vocals and Andy Milner on acoustic guitar. Such a great song.
The Flood is a little known but hauntingly beautiful track from Ricky Gardiner’s solo guitar archive. The Beggars Opera website hosts a collection of Ricky’s solo work which includes Kumara Confluence, Auschwitz and Songs for the Electric all released on RGS label
Film footage Ricky Gardiner
A rare photograph of Beggars Opera from 1972 which was first uploaded on Beggars Opera 1969/1972 Facebook group by Martin Griffiths, from one of the last Beggars Opera tours of Germany.
Photo: Ricky Gardiner on Tour with David Bowie and Iggy Pop.
This villa is situated behind the legendary Chateaux Marmont Hotel, Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles where Ricky Gardiner stayed during the Idiot Tour of 1976 with David Bowie on Keys.
David’s piano was set up with an electronic pick up and a Lesley cabinet which gave it that tremendous spooky sound. How about that for a prepared piano 🙂
A little video with Ricky Gardiner playing Midnight by the Shadows age 16 on a Futurama 3 with a Selmer tape delay with the Kingbees Glasgow 1963.
Dmitry Epstein Ricky Gardiner Interview
Ricky Gardiner and Gordon Sellar/ Beggars Opera at Brans Hatch live 1973, featuring Ricky Gardiner’s Lombardi Stack.
I am the Passenger
From David Bowie News – I came across this post today about Ricky’s vintage photos of the Low Sessions at Chateau D’Herouville, Paris 1976 taken on his trusty Nikormat.
There are other great images in the film of the musicians who were there, but this one is especially rare as apparently, according to Tony Visconti, it is the only image there is of David Bowie, Tony Visconti and Brian Eno together.
Ricky Gardiner 1948/2022
It is with deep sadness that we annouce the passing of Ricky Gardiner Guitarist Songwriter/ Composer.
Ricky passed away in his sleep ealry in the morning of Friday the 13th of May. He had been suffering from Parkinson PSP for the last 12 years of his life.
We thank you for privacy at this time and welcome donations to https://pspassociation.org.uk to help to raise awareness of this rare condition.
Love and Light
Virginia and all the Gardiner family
Listen to Ricky’s last work ‘Songs For The Electric’ here: https://www.beggarsopera.co.uk
Virginia Scott’s Back Stage Pass for the Idiot Tour Rainbow Performance.
Ricky Gardiner 