Spike Edney is for many the 'fifth-member' of Queen and also calls Portsmouth home! Phillip Edney was born in Portsmouth on 11th December 1951. Having played multiple instruments for many bands, and serving as musical producer for countless others, Edney's best work comes as keyboardist and rhythm guitarist for Queen, providing backing for Brian May's blistering guitar solos on their tours since 1984. After Freddie Mercury's tragic death Edney took keyboard duties on all subsequent Queen tours, which, considering Mercury's abilities, is no mean feat. In the earlier phase of his career, during the mid-1970s, he recorded and toured with The Tymes and Ben E. King, playing keyboards, bass, guitar and trombone, subsequently, in the late 1970s, he was musical director for Edwin Starr and, during the early 1980s, worked with Duran Duran, the Boomtown Rats, Dexys Midnight Runners, Bucks Fizz, Haircut One Hundred and the Rolling Stones. He also appeared with Peter Green on his comeback tour. He was an obvious choice for Roger Taylor's side-project The Cross as well as for Brian May's Band when they toured in 1993 and 1998. In 1994, he formed SAS (Spike's All Stars), a band with constantly fluctuating personnel including musicians from Queen, Whitesnake, Free, Roxy Music, Toto, Spandau Ballet and solo artists including Fish, Roy Wood, Leo Sayer, Kiki Dee and Paul Young, Suggs, Lionel Richie, Bob Geldof and Toyah Willcox. He was often referred to as "The Wizard" by Roger Taylor. He has also been the keyboardist for the London production of We Will Rock You since it opened in 2002. He is also the musical director of the official Queen tribute band the Queen Extravaganza, which is currently touring the United Kingdom having previously toured North America. In his very early days he was with Gold Dust, in the 1960's and Smiling Hard in the 1970's, both in Portsdmouth and later with Zeo Zigg. Spike Edney (L-R) Guitarist Joe Walsh of the Eagles, Bad Company's Simon Kirke, guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and musician Spike Edney, New Year's Eve 2014/15, Spike Edney on the far right, 4th December 1995

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