Mike Batt

Michael Philip Batt, LVO (born 6 February 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, record producer, director, conductor and former Deputy Chairman of the British Phonographic Industry. Having achieved substantial international success as a solo artist he is particularly known in the UK for creating The Wombles pop act, writing many hits including the chart-topping "Bright Eyes", sang by Art Garfunkel and discovering Katie Melua. He has also conducted many of the world's great orchestras, including the London Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony and Stuttgart Philharmonic in both classical and pop recordings and performances.
== Links to Peel ==
In Sounds, published on 4th January 1975, Peel claimed that Mike Batt wrote a letter to him after he lashed out at a Wombles single in Singles Reviews. Although Peel did not reveal the contents of the letter, Batt in later years would claim that JP was snobbish in his music tastes . 
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Batt revealed in a Guardian interview in 2010 that Peel was a fan of his early material (Batt was involved with helping Peel's favourites, the Family, in the production of their debut album released in 1968; in the following year he produced and played piano on the second LP by Hapshash and the Coloured Coat), but not when he produced the Wombles or after that . 
However, in Singles Reviews, published on 12th July 1975, Peel gave Mike Batt's single, Summertime City, a three star rating, which meant it was a good record worth listening too. It is not known whether Peel played Batt's solo material on his shows.
== Shows Played ==
*None as a solo artist, according to available playlists.
*With Hapshash and the Coloured Coat: 13 April 1969: Big Bo Beep (LP - Western Flier) Liberty (JP: “with nice piano playing form Mike Batt”)
== External Links ==
*Wikipedia
*Discogs
*Official Website
Category:Artists