October 30, 2013 – Pete Haycock was born on March 4, 1951 in Stafford, England. He attended St.John’s Primary School, then King Edward VI Boys Grammar School and played his first gig at a miners club at the age of 12.
In 1968 at 17, as lead guitarist, vocalist he founded the Climax Chicago Blues Band along with Richard Jones on bass, guitarist-vocalist Derek Holt, keyboardist Arthur Wood, George Newsome on drums and harmonica player- vocalist Colin Cooper. Two years later they changed their name to the Climax Blues Band in 1970.
The band produced more than 15 successful albums in their heyday, before they finally split in 1988. Pete launched a solo career and in 1990, he joined up with former ELO’s Bev Bevan, to form Electric Light Orchestra Part II. The group toured and recorded in the early 1990s, releasing both a live CD and video of their performance with the Moscow Symphony Orchestre.
Also in the 90s Pete began scoring music for films as he was asked by Hans Zimmer to collaborate on several projects, including K2 and Drop Zone among others. Pete formed several of his own bands, continued to record and perform and had been a featured guest with the Siggi Schwarz’ band, performing on the same bill with ZZ Top and Johnny Winter in 2012.
In 2013 he formed of a super-group recording and scheduled for touring as Pete Haycock’s Climax Blues Band featuring Robin George, several tracks of new material had been completed before Pete’s death.
He sadly died from a heart attack on October 30, 2013 at age 62.
