Chris Stainton

Chris Stainton
Name	Chris Stainton
Birth name	Christopher Robert Stainton
Birth date	1944-03-22
Birth place	Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Occupation	Musician, keyboardist, bassist, composer, arranger, session musician
Years active	1960s–2021
Associated acts	The Grease Band, Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, The Who, Spooky Tooth, Bryan Ferry

Chris Stainton was an English keyboardist, bassist, arranger and composer noted for long-term collaborations with rock, blues and soul artists from the 1960s through the 2010s. He became especially associated with touring and studio work for Joe Cocker and Eric Clapton, and contributed to recordings and tours by artists spanning Ginger Baker, Rod Stewart, George Harrison and Elton John. Stainton's versatility as a pianist, organist and arranger made him a sought-after session musician across London and international recording scenes.

Early life and education

Stainton was born in Sheffield and grew up during the post-war era alongside contemporaries from Manchester and Liverpool who shaped British popular music, including members of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. He learned piano and bass influenced by touring American blues and R&B acts that visited venues in Yorkshire and London, and developed skills comparable to keyboardists from The Yardbirds and The Kinks. His formative years intersected with the British rhythm and blues boom that involved figures such as Alexis Korner and Bo Diddley.

Career beginnings and session work

Stainton began professional work in local bands before moving into the vibrant session scene centered in London studios like Olympic Studios and Trident Studios, working alongside session players from The Wrecking Crew era and British arrangers connected to George Martin and Phil Spector. He freelanced with musicians linked to Spooky Tooth, Humble Pie, Family and contributors to projects by Pete Townshend and John Entwistle. His early credits placed him in company with producers such as Glyn Johns and Tom Dowd and engineers who recorded acts including Led Zeppelin and The Who.

Collaborations with Joe Cocker and the 1960s–1970s era

Stainton's profile rose after joining forces with Joe Cocker in the late 1960s as a member of The Grease Band, performing at events like the era's major festivals and recording on albums produced in studios frequented by Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. He toured and recorded alongside Cocker during periods that intersected with appearances by Leon Russell, Leonard Cohen and backing musicians associated with Delaney & Bonnie. During the 1970s Stainton played with artists linked to Eric Clapton's circle, performed sessions with Bob Dylan-affiliated musicians, and contributed to projects involving Billy Preston, Steve Winwood and members of The Band.

Work with Eric Clapton and later touring years

Stainton developed a longstanding professional relationship with Eric Clapton, joining Clapton's touring bands in various lineups that included musicians from Cream-era alumni and contemporary session players tied to Derek and the Dominos. He participated in tours and live recordings that intersected with events headlined by The Rolling Stones, The Who and festival bills including Isle of Wight Festival and international concert residencies in New York City and Tokyo. Across the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s Stainton supported Clapton on tours featuring guest appearances by B.B. King, Stevie Wonder and collaborators such as Sheryl Crow and Doyle Bramhall II.

Other projects, production and composing

Beyond touring, Stainton worked on studio sessions and arrangements for artists from Bryan Ferry to Elton John, and contributed keyboards to recordings linked to producers like Chris Thomas and Alan Parsons. He arranged parts and played on sessions involving international acts associated with Island Records, EMI and Polydor Records, and occasionally undertook production and composition work for soundtrack and charity projects that involved musicians connected to Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.

Musical style and influences

Stainton's keyboard style blends influences from gospel music roots via performers such as Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin, British rhythm and blues exemplified by John Mayall and Peter Green, and American soul pianists like Dr. John and Fats Domino. His approach incorporated Hammond organ timbres used by players in The Band and the organ-driven textures heard in recordings by Procol Harum and Deep Purple, while his tasteful accompaniment aligned with arranges common to sessions by Van Morrison and Tom Jones.

Personal life and legacy

Stainton lived largely outside the tabloid spotlight, maintaining close professional ties with peers from Sheffield and the broader British rock community including collaborators from Spooky Tooth and session networks connected to London. His career is remembered alongside the histories of landmark tours and albums by Joe Cocker and Eric Clapton, and his contributions are cited in retrospectives involving labels such as Island Records and festivals like Glastonbury Festival. Stainton's musicianship influenced keyboardists who later worked with artists like Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher and contemporary blues-rock performers, securing his place in accounts of British popular music history.

Category:English keyboardists Category:English session musicians Category:1944 births Category:Living people