Kris Ife Now and Then

Home Biography Photos Music Video Art Contact Links
Now Playing: Hush

kris ife

Kris Ife died on 8th November 2013 after a heart attack

Kris was much loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.



Welcome to my site.

I hope you'll find something of interest between my musical career (which is still ongoing), and my new career of painting in mixed media.

Please note: The site is constantly changing- with new additions & postings, so please check again- regularly!

I was born in Aylesbury Bucks. - so long ago that it had to be in black & white - before they had colour. My father was at RAF Halton near Tring, though both my parents came from London.

Most people take my name as being of foreign origin, but I have traced my family-tree back to the 1500's & it comes from Suffolk (where I live now!). It's an old Suffolk word for a Yew tree ( probably from the French e.g. Chateau d'If- in English, is the Chateau of the Yew trees), so I reckon that makes me pretty well English. (Not Dutch- as Deep Purple thought I was when they covered 'Hush')

We returned to London when my parents marriage broke up, and I attended St. Clement Danes Grammer School in Acton.
While at school, I started a Skiffle group - the Gravediggers - with my late friend Alfie Grant.
After school I formed The Meltonians with schoolfriend Brian Groom - playing Buddy Holly songs.

Later on though,I formed The Vikings with John Howell. The first line-up was Kris Ife - Rhythm Guitar, John Howell - Clavioline & Guitar, Ray Hailey - Drums, Roger Mckew - Lead Guitar & Len Hooker - Bass. I left the group for a short while & singer Dean Jarrett (Alan Smith) was added. I rejoined later, but soon Len Hooker left & was replaced by Phil Leavesley on Bass, & Alan Smith decided to pack up. The Vikings recorded only once. Augmented by a Paraguayan Harpist called Andy we recorded "Space Walk" b/w "Valhalla" (written by John & I ) with producer Curly Clayton in a studio at Swiss Cottage in London. The track wasn’t released at the time - but re-appeared some years later under the name of "Gemini " b/w "Goodbye Joe", with the production credits now going to Don Charles. However, Curly Clayton confirmed that the recording of the A-side was definately The Vikings - repudiating the rumour that the record was an early Tornados production. The track can be heard on my Jukebox - with many thanks to Phil Leavesley for the copy of the song.
The Vikings later became the Quiet Five with the addition of Richard Barnes on Bass, & for a short while, Patrick Dane on Vocals. Patrick left & we went on to record 4 singles for Parlophone (2 of which made it to The Guinness Book of British Hit Singles) & 1 for CBS

I eventually left the Q5 in March 1967- & 'Hush' was released in Nov 1967.
I am still writing & recording music. In October 2008 I went to Philadelphia USA & recorded a CD of Skiffle songs with J. Vincent Edwards & Wayne Newton, under the name of The Beaver St. Hat Band.
Our two CDs are available from our Website, Amazon & Itunes

I would like to thank Brian Matthew, Phil Swern & all at "Sounds of the 60's" for their support - & for keeping the music alive, and a special thank you to Eddy of Rock of Ages for his hard work & the brilliant job he's made, in compiling my Discography.



I would like to extend my heart-felt thanks to Rosemarie Edwards for designing and maintaining the site, and dragging me screaming into the 21 century.

Thank you Rosemarie for being my friend.
Home Biography Photos Music Video Art Contact Links