Ollie Halsall

Ollie Halsall
Ollie Halsall playing at Hyde Park, 1974
Background information
Birth name	Peter John Halsall
Also known as	Ollie
Born	(1949-03-14)14 March 1949 Southport, England
Died	29 May 1992(1992-05-29) (aged 43) Madrid, Spain
Genres	Pop, rock
Instruments	Guitar, Vibraphone
Years active	1966–1992
Labels	Virgin, Epic
Associated acts	Timebox, Patto, Tempest, The Rutles, Boxer, Kevin Ayers , Vivian Stanshall, Cinemaspop
Website	olliehalsall.co.uk
Notable instruments
Guitar, Vibraphone

Peter John 'Ollie' Halsall (14 March 1949 – 29 May 1992) was an English guitarist and vibraphone player, and is best known for his role in The Rutles, the bands Timebox, Patto and Boxer, and for his contribution to the music of Kevin Ayers. He is also notable as one of the few players of the vibraphone in rock music. He was known as Ollie because of his distinctive way of pronouncing his surname with a dropped 'h'. The Ollie Halsall Archive was established in 1985, with the aim of documenting and promoting the work of a unique musician.

Ollie may not have been the best guitarist in the world, but he was certainly among the top two. John Halsey, 1997

Halsall (ex Pete and the Pawnees, The Gunslingers, The Music Students, all 1964, The Rhythm and Blues Incorporated, 1965), came to London in October 1966 to play vibraphone with the pop rock outfit Timebox (which included bassist Clive Griffiths and keyboardist 'Professor' Chris Holmes. Halsall took up guitar, they enlisted Mike Patto on vocals and drummer 'Admiral' John Halsey.

In 1970, following the departure of Holmes, Timebox evolved into the band Patto. They played a blend of progressive Jazz rock featuring Halsall's guitar work.

In 1973, Halsall left to join Jon Hiseman's Tempest. After less than a year, he quit and did numerous sessions, including a track for Kevin Ayers which led to a permanent position in Ayers' band The Soporifics. He was briefly considered as a possible replacement for Mick Taylor following his departure from the Rolling Stones.