Richard Oakes (born Richard John Oakes 1 October 1976 in Perivale, London) is an English musician and songwriter, best known as the guitarist and occasional pianist and backing vocalist of the English band Suede.
Early life
Richard Oakes was born in Perivale, London, and grew up in the Parkstone area of Poole, Dorset, in the southwest of England. He first started playing when he came across a Spanish guitar that his sister owned. The album that initially influenced him to pursue a career in music was "The Story of the Clash, Volume 1", which he heard when he was 12. Prior to joing Suede, Oakes played in a band called "TED" along with his friend, Peter. The band was actually originally titled 'PIPATED' – 'Plug in Peter and the Electric Daffodils'.
Suede
The first gig Oakes attended was one of Suede's at the Poole Arts Centre in May 1993. Upon hearing that guitarist Bernard Butler had left the band and that the band were auditioning for a replacement, he recorded versions of Suede songs and some of his own material on a 4 track recorder, which he sent to the band's fanclub along with a note that read "Take me or leave me." When drummer Simon Gilbert heard Anderson playing back the tape whilst going through audition tapes, he mistakenly believed it to be an early Suede demo. After the second audition Oakes was invited to join the band.
Richard Oakes (May 22, 1942 – September 20, 1972) was a MohawkNative Americanactivist who promoted the fundamental idea that Native peoples have a right to sovereignty, justice, respect and control over their own destinies. His legacy reflects the struggles of Native peoples and all people to maintain their land, identity, and lifeways.
Richard Oakes was born on May 22, 1942 in Akwesane, New York. He spent most of his childhood fishing and planting beans like many of his previous ancestors. Oakes started working at a local dock area, St. Lawrence Seaway, but unfortunately was laid off at the age of sixteen. It was then that Oakes decided to enter another profession. Oakes started working as a high steelworker, which was a job that entailed a great deal of traveling. Through his travels, Oakes reached San Francisco in the early 1960s. After arriving at San Francisco, he decided to enroll himself in college at San Francisco State University. While studying at SFSU, Oakes worked as a bartender at the Mission District of San Francisco which brought him in contact with the local Indian communities.
A new band took its place, and Suede, with a 17-year-old guitarist named Richard Oakes, threw themselves into herculean performances, evidencing that Anderson was made of far sturdier stuff than his foppish public image suggested.
Mat, who happens to be the brother of TV icon RichardOsman, praised the ‘evolving’ nature of the tracks ... It was the last album which guitarist and composer Bernard Butler worked on before he left and Richard Oakes took over.
“We were treading softly with Richey at some points, and Suede had lost Bernard Butler as their guitarist and were going through the transition of Richard Oakes coming into the band.”.
“We were treading softly with Richey at some points, and Suede had lost Bernard Butler as their guitarist and were going through the transition of Richard Oakes coming into the band ... “Watching Suede on stage and Richard Oakes was just amazing.
For the homebodies, a Wilmington-shot TV drama debuts ... On Starz ... Jan ... Oak Island duo Nowcat, which is singer-percussionist SheilaBell and singer-guitarist Richard D'Anjolell, will play a variety of tuneful originals and covers at this Southport spot.
Suede have a kind of holy grail clasped between their long, artistic fingers – figuratively speaking ... The rising 90s revival tide has lifted many of the era’s other best bands ... Guitarist Richard Oakes, left, and Brett Anderson at ElectricBrixton ... .
... LIOR KETER) ... Lead guitarist Richard Oaks played mostly with his eyes closed and immersed in the music, as he provided crunching power chords or melodic fills to the songs, although sometimes his guitar was a little lost in the mix. ... .
We were treading softly with Richey at some points, and Suede had lost Bernard Butler as their guitarist and were going through the transition of Richard Oakes coming into the band. “Watching Suede on stage and Richard Oakes was just amazing.
We were treading softly with Richey at some points, and Suede had lost Bernard Butler as their guitarist and were going through the transition of Richard Oakes coming into the band ... “Watching Suede on stage and Richard Oakes was just amazing.
