Stephen Grant Serpell (born 4 February 1944) is a British drummer. He was a member of several bands during the 1960s and 1970s, including

Affinity Affinity may refer to: Commerce, finance and law * Affinity (law), kinship by marriage * Affinity analysis, a market research and business management technique * Affinity Credit Union, a Saskatchewan-based credit union * Affinity Equity Partn ...

and

Sailor A sailor, seaman, mariner, or seafarer is a person who works aboard a watercraft as part of its crew, and may work in any one of a number of different fields that are related to the operation and maintenance of a ship. The profession of the s ...

Career

While studying for a degree in

Chemistry Chemistry is the science, scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a natural science that covers the Chemical element, elements that make up matter to the chemical compound, compounds made of atoms, molecules and ions ...

from the

University of Sussex , mottoeng = Be Still and Know , established = , type = Public research university , endowment = £14.4 million (2020) , budget = £319.6 million (2019–20) , chancellor = Sanjeev Bhaskar , vice_chancellor = Sasha Roseneil , ...

, Serpell founded The Jazz Quartet, and he played with the University of Sussex Jazz Trio (known as The U.S. Jazz Trio). After graduating, Serpell joined a band called Ice, and then

, before joining

, the band that has provided him with the most fame. In 1983, during Sailor's quieter times, Serpell became a chemistry teacher, first at

Altwood Church of England School Altwood Church of England School is the only Church of England secondary school in Maidenhead. Altwood School is an academy. The school draws pupils from across Maidenhead, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. History Boyn Hill Church of England Sen ...

and then at Waingels Copse Comprehensive School (now

Waingels College Waingels College is an 11–18 mixed, secondary school and sixth form with academy status in Woodley, Berkshire, England. Notable alumni * James Henry, professional footballer * Irwin Sparkes, musician (member of The Hoosiers ''The' ...

), where he became head of the department. While at Waingels College he taught Irwin Sparkes of

The Hoosiers ''The'' () is a grammatical Article (grammar), article in English language, English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite ...

and, after hearing a

demo Demo, usually short for demonstration, may refer to: Music and film *Demo (music), a song typically recorded for reference rather than release * ''Demo'' (Behind Crimson Eyes), a 2004 recording by the band Behind Crimson Eyes * ''Demo'' (Deafhea ...

from Sparkes and Alan Sharland, encouraged them to experience life a little more to help provide inspiration for their songs. Serpell enjoyed a revival of Sailor's success, which started in the early 1990s. Until retiring in 2011, he toured the UK and Europe with the band.

Personal life

Grant married Michelle Kingsland in 1966 and a year later they had their first child, Edmund Charles, followed two years later by their second child, Charlotte Anna.

Discography

According to

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

, Serpell contributed to the following albums:

Affinity

* ''Affinity'' (1970)

Sailor

* ''Sailor'' (1974) * ''Trouble'' (1975) * ''The Third Step'' (1976) * ''Checkpoint'' (1977) * ''Greatest Hits Vol.1'' (1978) * ''Hideaway'' (1978) * ''Girls,Girls,Girls - The Very Best Of'' (1990) * ''Sailor'' (1991) * ''Street Lamp'' (1992) * ''Hits And Highlights'' (1994) * ''Greatest Hits - Best of the Best'' -2xCD- (1995) * ''Greatest Hits - Best of the Best'' (1995) * ''Legacy: Greatest and Latest'' (1996) –

compilation album A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several Performing arts#Performers, performers. If by one artist, then generally the tr ...

* ''The Very Best of Sailor'' (1997) – new studio versions of back-catalogue songs * ''Live In Berlin'' (1998) * ''Girls Girls Girls'' (1999) * ''Girls Girls Girls - The Very Best of'' (2001) * ''Greatest and Latest'' (2001) * ''Live in Berlin'' (2002) – re-released as ''A Glass of Champagne'' (2003) * ''Sailor'' (2002) * ''Girls Girls Girls - The Very Best of'' (2003) * ''A Glass of Champagne'' (2003) * ''Live Piracy Copy'' - DVD - (2003) * ''Live In Concert'' - DVD - (2004) * ''Down By The Docks'' (2005) * ''Greatest Hits - Live'' (2005) * ''Sailor Live'' (2005) * ''Sailor Live - One Drink Too Many'' -

double album A double album (or double record) is an audio album that spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically either records or compact disc. A double album is usually, though not always, released as such because the recording i ...

- (2005) * ''Sailor: Buried Treasure'' - double album - (2006) * ''A Glass of Champagne - Live'' (2006) * ''Buried Treasure - The Sailor Anthology'' (2007)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Serpell, Grant 1944 births Living people People from Maidenhead British male singers British pop singers British rock drummers British male drummers Alumni of the University of Sussex Affinity (band) members