Tristan Fry

Tristan Frederick Allan Fry (born 26 October 1941, London) is a British drummer and percussionist. Fry began his career by joining the London Philharmonic Orchestra as a timpanist at the age of 17. He was a founder member of a number of ensembles, including the Nash, Fires of London and the London Sinfonietta. He also worked as a session musician with various pop artists such as The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Olivia Newton-John, John Martyn, Elton John and David Essex, among others. Fry was percussionist on The Beatles' "A Day In The Life", contributing timpani to the song's two orchestral climaxes. He also played in various other recordings including TV and movie soundtracks, and as Tristan was the timpanist with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Orchestra he has performed on many of their recorded works and concerts.

From 1979 - 1995 he was the drummer with the progressive rock group Sky with John Williams, Kevin Peek, Francis Monkman, Herbie Flowers and later Steve Grey when Monkman left to pursue other projects. It was during this period that he attained a reputation as a live drummer, with a revolving double 'Premier' Kit, long drum solos in tracks such as "Hotta" (from the album Sky 2), "Meheeco" (from the album Sky 3) and "Son of Hotta" (from the later Cadmium album). The appropriately named track "Tristan's Magic Garden" (from Sky's second album Sky 2) was arguably the most vibrant showcase of Tristan's talent as a percussionist, recorded almost entirely with percussion instruments played by Fry himself.

Fry is still active and could be seen playing timpani at the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011 (at the 1 hour 52 minutes mark on Royal Channel video).

Sky discography
All titles released on Ariola records except where noted.

1970s

 * Sky (1979)

1980s

 * Sky 2 (1980)
 * Sky 3 (1981)
 * Sky 4: Forthcoming (1982)
 * Sky Five Live (1983)
 * Cadmium (1983)
 * Sky The Great Balloon Race (1985) (Epic Records)
 * Sky Mozart (with the St Martin in the Fields Orchestra and Sir Neville Marriner) (1988) (Mercury Records)