Biography
Derek Holt has written, sung and played on hit records; has toured throughout the world; managed a studio that consistently produced hit singles; writes and produces music for film, television, the corporate market and library albums as well as his own songs and CD albums.
Derek, a founder member of the Climax Chicago Blues Band (Later known as Climax Blues band), toured constantly around the World through the 70's and 80's and shared billing with numerous acts such as Little Feat, ZZ Top, The Eagles, Bad Company, Lynnyrd Skynnyrd, Weather Report, BB King, ELP, ELO, Foreigner, Steve Miller, REO Speedwagon, Mahavishnu Orchestra and Jeff Beck to name but a few.
The Climax Blues Band produced a string of self-penned singles and albums which not only sold well but also received considerable critical acclaim the world over. The singles "I Love You", (1980) written and sung by Derek, and "Couldn't Get It Right"(1976) were monster successes around the world and the band's many albums registered heavily in the USA, UK and European charts.
One of Derek's fondest memories is when Climax toured with The Original Lynnyrd Skynnryd and joined their backing singers on stage night after night to sing Sweet Home Alabama, a memory he will never forget. Derek left the group in the early 80's when he became involved in both studio session work and live work in the USA. He continued to write and was commissioned by a major publishing company to write and record a series of library music. In collaboration with Stewart Copeland (formerly of The Police) he co-wrote and recorded the main title music plus incidental music for George Lucas films' highly successful television cartoon series "Ewoks and Droids". During his time running and operating Blue Chip Studios, he was involved in a variety of recordings for artists such as Sister Sledge, D.REAM, Altern 8, Bizarre Inc., Sure Is Pure, Billy Idol and The Sahotas. As well as writing and recording, Derek still loves to perform live in different guises. He plays with several bands in the UK and especially enjoys his tribute show to Pink Floyd which is highly successful in clubs all over the country.
He collaborated with Pete Haycock and Steve Hunter on an album called "The H Factor" and sang every track. Then formed a three piece band, post Climax, Called "Grand Alliance" which featured Guitarist/singer Roye Albrighton of Nektar and Brendan Day of Tsunami. They recorded one Album for A+M and toured for two years.
Derek featured as bass guitarist / vocalist / keyboard player on "The Night of the Guitars" - a show that toured around Europe in 1985 - featuring such guitarists as Leslie West, Alvin Lee, Randy California, Robbie Krieger, Jan Akkerman, Robin Trower and many others. This was a heavy schedule as the show was three hours per night and there were many songs to learn for each performers slot on the show. But it was an "enlightening experience" dealing with "many egos" and unfamiliar music.
During May '99 and Sept 2000 he was invited to participate in a "song writers gathering" at Miles Copelands' Chateaux in France with many other international artists. Working in small groups each day, they collaborated to write new songs. Notable partnerships for Derek were with Steve Balsamo (who took the lead role in the London production of Jesus Christ Superstar) Lisa Loeb (US singer/songwriter whose albums have sold in the millions), Chas Sandford (writer of numerous hit records, including the classic "Missing You" which was a world-wide hit for both John Waite and Tina Turner), Timothy B Schmit of The Eagles and many more great writers. A song co-written with Lisa Loeb called "She's Falling Apart" appears on her "Cake and Pie" album.
Derek has recorded five solo albums: "After The Climax (I Love You)", "Sunflowers", "Hear and Now", "Paradise Lost"and "January Child". Another is currently in production.