Ricky Gardiner’s Requiem: The Track That Almost Appeared in The Wicker Man

Beggars Opera Requiem

Another of Ricky Gardiner’s multi layered melodic guitar compositions from the Beggars Opera’s Get Your Dog off Me Vertigo

There’s an interesting story attached to this track. After Beggars Opera disbanded Ricky Gardiner was a producer for British Lion Music, which was part of the famed British Lion Films, who were at that time working on The Wicker Man starring Christopher Lee. Requiem was scheduled to be include in footage of a graveside scene, but never made it into the film. How spooky is that ! It was very atmospheric watching this take in British Lion’s plush viewing room in Soho at the time !

Ricky Gardiner’s Last Solo Album: Songs for the Electric

Songs for The Electric

One of the last things Ricky Gardiner worked on before he fell ill was his solo album Songs for the Electric.. This is Ricky preparing for a photo shoot for the album cover. The exclusive download from the Beggars Opera website contains 11 tracks of chilled out guitar songs from the master of melody himself, with Virginia Scott on Keyboards.





Ricky Gardiner’s Unique Guitar Styles in Tango for the End of Time

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.

Tango for the End of Time video by Virginia Scott

Ricky Gardiner rip

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