Hugh Hopper (29 April 1945 – 7 June 2009) was a British progressive rock and jazz fusion musician who mainly played the bass guitar, but also the saxophone, guitar and mellophone as well as being a composer and an author. He was born in Canterbury, Kent and was part of the so-called 'Canterbury scene'.
Originally a member of The Wilde Flowers, he replaced Kevin Ayers in Soft Machine in 1969 and stayed with the group until 1973, into what is considered the classic and most famous incarnation of the band.
After leaving Soft Machine, he played mostly in the jazz/jazz rock vein with a vast number of different bands, many of them adopting a name with the word 'Soft' as a reference to his glorious past. He died from leukaemia in Whitstable, Kent.
Links to Peel[]
Peel was a fan of the Soft Machine and played many solo materials from its members on his radio programmes from the 1970's.
In 2004, Peel played a couple of tracks from Hugh Hopper's collaboration with Matt Howarth for the electronic experimental album, The Stolen Hour.
Shows Played[]
- 20 March 1973: Minipax 1 (LP – 1984) CBS
- 27 March 1973: Minipax 2 (LP – 1984) CBS
- 1976
- 17 August 1976: Minipax II (album - 1984) CBS
- 1977
- 18 April 1977: Gnat Prong (album - Hopper Tunity Box) Compendium
- 29 April 1977: Crumble (album - Hopper Tunity Box) Compendium
- 1984
- 22 May 1984 (& Robert Wyatt): Amber And The Amberines (v/a cassette - Department Of Enjoyment) New Musical Express
- 28 May 1984 (BBC World Service): Amber And The Amberines (v/a cassette - Department Of Enjoyment) New Musical Express
- 30 May 1984 (& Robert Wyatt): Amber And The Amberines (v/a cassette - Department Of Enjoyment) New Musical Express
- 1995
- 30 June 1995 (& Kramer featuring Robert Wyatt): Free Will & Testament (CD - A Remark Hugh Made) Shimmy Disc
- 2004
- 24 August 2004 (& Matt Howarth): An Unregulated Sunset (LP - The Stolen Hour) Burning Shed
- 04 September 2004 (BBC World Service) (& Matt Howarth): An Unregulated Sunset (LP - The Stolen Hour) Burning Shed
- 14 September 2004 (& Matt Howarth): Craig's Distended Train Ride (LP - The Stolen Hour) Burning Shed