Eric Faulkner
Eric Faulkner (born 21 October 1953 as Eric Falconer) is a guitarist, songwriter and singer, best known as a member of the Scottish pop band the Bay City Rollers.
Eric Faulkner | |
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Faulkner (left) with the Bay City Rollers in 1976. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 21 October 1953 Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, guitarist |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Formerly of | Bay City Rollers |
| Website | www |
His father, George Moir Falconer, was a trade unionist, being a shop steward and Scottish Trade Union Congress delegate, as well as a member of the B. C. P. (British Communist Party). Faulkner’s own left-wing tendencies have taken him to numerous Trades Union benefit shows such as UNISON and the Left Field Stage at Glastonbury. Under the banner of “Another World Is Possible” it was arranged for him to end his performance there by introducing Tony Benn for the British Politician’s final annual Glastonbury appearance.
In 2006 Faulkner sat in for Jake Burns in Pauline Black’s Three Men and Black for an Arts Centre tour, including a performance at Guilfest when Faulkner led the crowd in a tribute to the recently deceased Syd Barrett with a poignant off the cuff rendition of “See Emily Play”.
On Burns’ return, Faulkner continued the working relationship as support on their tours.
Over the years, other Festival performances for his solo acoustic set have included Guilfest, The Acoustic Festival of Britain, Fèis Ìle (Islay Festival of Music and Malt), Parkfest, The Edinburgh Guitar and Music Festival and The Heart of Hawick Music Festival.
As well as playing numerous Arts Centres and Singer/songwriter Circles Faulkner was also performing intimate shows in libraries and house concerts until, in February 2015, he almost died when he contracted viral encephalitis. Although initial recovery seemed rapid, he was left with post encephalitic syndrome. Continuing a slow but steady recovery, Faulkner has written and recorded new material, some of which can be found at www.faulknermusic.net and it is hoped that he will soon be back on the road gigging.
Over the years Faulkner and his fan base have raised many thousands of pounds for charities such as The Encephalitis Society, RNLI, Guide Dogs, Salvation Army, PRS Members Fund, Help Musicians and Disasters Emergency Committee (peaceforukraine.bandcamp.com).