Fairweather Low, Andy

Fairweather Low, Andy

Andy Fairweather Low was born in Hengoed, Wales on 2 August 1948. He came to prominence in the 1960s as the lead singer / guitarist of Amen Corner. The band formed in Wales in 1966 and moved to London in 1967. Recording for the Deram and Immediate labels, Amen Corner had several hits including “Bend Me Shape Me”, “Half As Nice” and “Gin House” (which was resurrected during Eric Clapton’s 1999 Japan Tour).

In 1970, Andy formed the band Fairweather with Dennis Bryon (drums) and Derek “Blue” Weaver (keyboards). The band had a hit single, “Natural Sinner” in July 1970 but split up in 1971. (Bryon and Weaver would go on to be in-demand session players at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida starting in the mid-70s, through their association with The Bee Gees and Ahlby Galuten).

Andy then embarked on a solo career. His best-known solo works are “Wide Eyed and Legless” and “Be Bop ‘N Holla”.

Since the 1980s, Andy has toured extensively supporting a number of artists. He first worked with Eric Clapton during the 1983 ARMS Tour and Roger Water’s “Pros & Cons Of Hitchhiking” project (along with Katie Kissoon). He recorded two albums with Bill Wyman’s ’80s band, Willie And The Poor Boys. He worked with Pete Townshend (and Katie Kissoon) on Townshend’s Psychoderelict album and tour.

In 1997, Andy signed on with The Big Town Playboys, who were the support act at the 1996 Royal Albert Hall gigs. During the summer of 1999, he and Katie Kissoon toured with Roger Waters. In 2002, he toured Europe and Asia with Roger Water’s band and has been out on the road for all subsequent tours.

Andy began working with Eric steadily in 1992. Over the years, they have appeared at numerous charity events and small gigs together. He carries the distinction of being Clapton’s longest serving second guitarist (1992 – 2003). Although Andy took part in the recording sessions for Eric’s CD, Me & Mr. Johnson, he did not sign on as part of the 2004 touring band. He did play with Eric at two charity events in the UK at the end of 2004 and again in 2006. Andy re-joined Eric’s touring band for the May 2009 concert dates.

In August 2006, Andy released his first solo album in 26 years. Entitled Sweet Soulful Music, it was produced by Glynn Johns and features the talents of bassist Dave Bronze and drummer Henry Spinetti, who are also Clapton band alumni. He also released a DVD in the UK entitled Andy Fairweather Low-Live In Concert, in 2008. In the last half of 2009, Andy embarked on a solo tour that continued into 2010.

Andy can be heard on Eric’s albums Unplugged, From The Cradle, Pilgrim, Riding With The King, Reptile, One More Car, One More Rider, Me and Mr. Johnson and Back Home. Andy took part in The Concert For George (a tribute concert in George Harrison’s memory) on 29 November 2002 with Eric, who served as the evening’s musical director. That concert is available on DVD and CD.

Click here to visit Andy’s Official Website, andyfairweatherlow.com.