Richard James Witter (born 23 November 1972) is a singer/songwriter in the

York York is a cathedral city in North Yorkshire, England, with Roman Britain, Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers River Ouse, Yorkshire, Ouse and River Foss, Foss. It has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a Yor ...

-based band

Shed Seven Shed Seven are an alternative rock band, formed in York in 1990. They were one of the groups which contributed to the Britpop music scene of the 1990s. They originally comprised singer Rick Witter, guitarist/keyboardist Joe Johnson, bassist To ...

. He was educated at

Huntington School, York Huntington School is a coeducational, comprehensive secondary school situated in Huntington, York, England, with approximately 1,500 pupils. History The school opened in September 1966 and became a comprehensive school in September 1973. ...

Professional career

Rick Witter formed his first band with schoolfriend Paul Banks in 1986, while still in his teens, and played in various local bands, including Brockley Haven, with Banks, Tom Gladwin and John Leach.

Shed Seven

In 1990, Witter, along with Gladwin, John's brother, drummer Alan Leach and guitarist Joe Johnson, formed Shed Seven. Rick signed his first record deal with the band in 1993. Just prior to signing their six-album deal with

Polydor Records Polydor Limited, also known as Polydor Records, is a British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in ...

, Banks joined the line-up as their new lead guitarist, replacing the departing Joe Johnson. Rick spent the following 10 years recording and touring with the band, co-writing many of the band's songs. From 1994 to 2003 the group had 15 consecutive Top 40 hits in the UK Singles Chart.

Rick Witter & the Dukes

Rick also fronts

Rick Witter & the Dukes Rick Witter & the Dukes are a United Kingdom, British alternative rock band (music), band from York, England. Band members * Rick Witter (Vocals) * Rob Wilson (Guitars) * Stuart Fletcher (musician), Stuart Fletcher (Bass) * Matt Lunn (Drums) ...

, who feature Rob Wilson on guitar and Stuart Fletcher (ex- Seahorses) on

bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Wood * Bass or basswood, the wood of the tilia americana tree Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in th ...

. They independently released their debut album ''The Year of the Rat'' in April 2007. The LP is dedicated to the memory of Roger Witter, Rick's father.

Other projects

Witter is also a DJ and regularly hosts nights throughout the United Kingdom, playing vintage indie classics.

References

External links