Pete Clifford has been active in the music business for more than 50 years. His wide experience, internationally, has prepared him well for giving tuition. On the following page, we give some focus to his years in the music industry. Suffice to say, Pete is still musically active, and often engages in high-exposure gigs. Under his guidance, students will gain a wealth of knowledge, garnered from his years of appearing on-stage, in theatres, halls, recording, and television studios.
If you are near Edenvale or Bedfordview in Gauteng, Pete is in your area, but if you are prepared to travel to the best, Pete won't refuse you.
Pete Clifford was born in Whetstone, London 0n 10 May 1943. He started playing guitar when he was about thirteen years old. His ability with the instrument grew rapidly. By the age of 16 he was the Lead Guitarist for a group called The Jesters. They played a summer season in the Isle of Man, and performed on the island of Jersey. He then joined The Echoesand was lead guitarist in the backing group, for a number of well-known artists, such as:.
Tom Jones, Gene Pitney, Gene Vincent, Dusty Springfield, and The Ivy League, who are some of the "better known" artists that used the The Echoes as their backing group of choice, during the 1960's.
In 1964, The Echoes spent a lot of time in recording studios as well as providing backing for artists like Dusty Springfield. During 1964, it is reported that Dusty did a 29 date tour of the UK, before a visit to Australia and New Zealand. The Echoes also backed her tour to America, that year. They came out to South Africa with her in late1964. Early in 1965, Pete Clifford (guitar) and Micky Garrett (keyboards) left the Echoes. Before Pete started the fledgeling 004, he did a tour of England with Tom Jones.