Pete Atkin

The name Pete Atkin is one you may never have heard, but those who know of, and enjoy his work will probably be thinking of the word underrated right now. For those not in the know, Pete Atkin is known these days mainly for his work as a producer for BBC_Radio_4 - most well-known for producing the acclaimed series This_Sceptred_Isle.

Pete Atkin's first foray into radio was as a singer/songwriter who was promoted by the late Kenny_Everett, who played, amongst others, the song Master Of The Revels which is/was the first track on his first album Beware Of The Beautiful Stranger. The lyrics to this, and all but two of the other tracks on the album, were written by Clive_James who met the versatile Mr. Atkin whilst they were both members of the Cambridge Footlights.

Pete did, and still does, write his own lyrics, but it was the collaboration with Clive James that produced the songs which are still enjoyed to this day. Pete Atkin and Clive James recorded six albums in the 1970s, as well as writing an album for Julie_Covington who hit number one with Don't_Cry_For_Me_Argentina in 1976.

The music scene went quiet for a few years (around 30!), and it was in this period that Clive became a well-known television personality and Pete became a radio producer. A man named Steve Birkill started a website dedicated to Pete Atkin, Clive James, and their work, and it thanks to the hard work of Steve, and the members of the discussion forum Midnight Voices, all six original albums were re-released on CD.

Two national tours have taken place with Pete and Clive taking about, reading and singing, their songs, poetry and prose. Pete has also performed a number of concerts, including some organised by the Midnight Voices.

Recently, Pete has recorded The Lakeside Sessions - a double CD of new recordings of some of the Atkin/James songs which never made it onto vinyl the first time round. The latest CD Winter / Spring is made up of new material which just shows you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Pete Atkin can now be seen (and heard) as the piano / keyboard player in Bristol-based band The Shrinks

Steve Birkill's Official Pete Atkin Website can be found at