Tony Christie "Country Love" Steel player? 1970s
Tue Jun 09, 2026 11:46 am
Hey all, hoping you can help identify the Steel player on Tony Christie's 'Country Love' album (1983)
I've known of this album for a while being Tony's current Steel player but as it was a German release I've never seen it here in the UK. Recently I was over there with a different artist I found it for 6 euros and thought why not. The Steel player on it is fantastic (as are the rest of the players). Thinking it was either a German band or US band I asked Tony's Son who played on it, It was his 70s Manchester band (a few of them I know) at Strawberry Studios in Stockport... didn't see that coming! We asked the Guitarist Mel Dean who played on it and he can't remember the guys name but apparently he was from Chesterfield area and was a Grave Digger... sounds made up but its apparently true haha!
Does anyone know who it might be? Theres no inner sleeve and I can't find a credit list online.
Heres a clip from "I Really Had a Ball Last Night".
What I know from Sean (Tony's son):
Mel Dean guitars
Steve Gilbert Drums
Dave Hassell Percussion
Ritchie Close (RIP) piano & keys
Vic Emerson (RIP) [ Sad Cafe ] Fairlight strings & various samples
Pete Glennon (RIP) bass
Heres the album covers (front and back)
Also if anyones interested Strawberry Studios is still here but not as a working studio these days. There is a museum in Stockport which has some of the equipment used from back in the 10cc days. When I moved to Stockport the other year it seemed rude not to get a photo of my old 1979 Capri outside the studio.
I've known of this album for a while being Tony's current Steel player but as it was a German release I've never seen it here in the UK. Recently I was over there with a different artist I found it for 6 euros and thought why not. The Steel player on it is fantastic (as are the rest of the players). Thinking it was either a German band or US band I asked Tony's Son who played on it, It was his 70s Manchester band (a few of them I know) at Strawberry Studios in Stockport... didn't see that coming! We asked the Guitarist Mel Dean who played on it and he can't remember the guys name but apparently he was from Chesterfield area and was a Grave Digger... sounds made up but its apparently true haha!
Does anyone know who it might be? Theres no inner sleeve and I can't find a credit list online.
Heres a clip from "I Really Had a Ball Last Night".
What I know from Sean (Tony's son):
Mel Dean guitars
Steve Gilbert Drums
Dave Hassell Percussion
Ritchie Close (RIP) piano & keys
Vic Emerson (RIP) [ Sad Cafe ] Fairlight strings & various samples
Pete Glennon (RIP) bass
Heres the album covers (front and back)
Also if anyones interested Strawberry Studios is still here but not as a working studio these days. There is a museum in Stockport which has some of the equipment used from back in the 10cc days. When I moved to Stockport the other year it seemed rude not to get a photo of my old 1979 Capri outside the studio.
Re: Tony Christie "Country Love" Steel player? 1970s
Wed Jun 10, 2026 10:19 pm
I think it’s possibly Pete Haywood. Probably the best steel player Britain has produced. Still lives in Chesterfield , I bought my first ShoBud off him and I believe he owns my old Emmons D10.
Re: Tony Christie "Country Love" Steel player? 1970s
Wed Jun 10, 2026 10:45 pm
Just listened to the clip. Definitely Pete.