Garry Roberts

Garry Roberts was a musician known for his work with The Boomtown Rats, a new wave band that rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s. As a guitarist, he played alongside Bob Geldof, Pete Briquette, Johnnie Fingers, and Simon Crowe, performing at various venues, including the Hammersmith Odeon and the Rainbow Theatre. Roberts' musical style was influenced by David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and The Who, and he was part of the UK Singles Chart-topping scene, which included bands like The Clash, The Sex Pistols, and The Damned. His work with The Boomtown Rats led to collaborations with other notable musicians, such as Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe.

● Early Life

Garry Roberts was born in Dublin, Ireland, and grew up in a musical family, influenced by his parents' love of Jazz and blues. He began playing the guitar at a young age, inspired by musicians like Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, and attended University College Dublin, where he met his future bandmates, including Bob Geldof and Pete Briquette. Roberts' early life was marked by a passion for music, which led him to perform at local venues, such as the National Stadium and the Olympia Theatre, alongside other emerging bands, including The Radiators from Space and The Virgin Prunes. His musical tastes were shaped by BBC Radio 1 and John Peel, who introduced him to a wide range of artists, from The Velvet Underground to The New York Dolls.

● Career

As a musician, Garry Roberts' career spanned several decades, during which he performed with various bands and collaborated with numerous artists, including Johnny Thunders and Wilko Johnson. He was known for his distinctive guitar playing style, which was influenced by Chuck Berry and Keith Richards, and his ability to craft catchy, hook-laden songs, as seen in his work with The Boomtown Rats. Roberts' career was marked by performances at iconic venues, such as the Marquee Club and the 100 Club, and festivals like the Reading and Leeds Festivals and the Glastonbury Festival. He was also involved in various musical projects, including collaborations with Midge Ure and Steve Harley, and was a member of the Musician's Union, which represented the interests of musicians in the UK music industry.

● The Boomtown Rats

Garry Roberts was a founding member of The Boomtown Rats, a band that rose to fame in the late 1970s with hits like Rat Trap and I Don't Like Mondays. The band's music was a fusion of punk rock, new wave, and reggae, and they were known for their energetic live performances, which often featured Roberts' guitar playing and Bob Geldof's charismatic stage presence. The Boomtown Rats were part of the London punk scene, which included bands like The Sex Pistols, The Clash, and The Damned, and they performed at various venues, including the Roxy Club and the Vortex Club. The band's success led to appearances on Top of the Pops and The Old Grey Whistle Test, and they were praised by critics, including NME and Melody Maker.

● Personal Life

Garry Roberts' personal life was marked by a passion for music and a commitment to his craft, which led him to tour extensively with The Boomtown Rats and collaborate with other musicians, including Phil Lynott and Gary Moore. He was known for his dry sense of humor and his love of football, which led him to support Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and attend matches at White Hart Lane. Roberts' personal life was also influenced by his relationships with other musicians, including Bob Geldof and Pete Briquette, with whom he shared a love of music and a commitment to social justice, as seen in their involvement with Live Aid and Band Aid. His personal style was influenced by mod culture and punk fashion, and he was often seen wearing clothes by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren.

● Discography

Garry Roberts' discography includes several albums with The Boomtown Rats, including The Boomtown Rats, A Tonic for the Troops, and The Fine Art of Surfacing. He also appeared on various singles, including Rat Trap and I Don't Like Mondays, and collaborated with other musicians on albums like The Thin Lizzy's Black Rose: A Rock Legend and Gary Moore's Back on the Streets. Roberts' work with The Boomtown Rats has been recognized with several awards, including a Brit Award and an Ivor Novello Award, and he has been praised by critics for his contributions to the band's sound and style, which was influenced by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who. His discography also includes appearances on compilation albums, such as The Best of The Boomtown Rats and Loudmouth – The Best of Bob Geldof & The Boomtown Rats, and he has been featured on various BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 programs, including The Chris Evans Breakfast Show and The Ken Bruce Show.