Robbie France (b. 1959) is an English drummer, producer, arranger, journalist, music educator, and broadcaster.

Early life and career: Australia

France was born in Sheffield, and emigrated to Australia in about 1970. He studied at the National Academy of Rudimentary Drummers of Australia until 1974, under tutor Harry Lebler, and aged only fifteen went on to teach at the Australian Academy of Music (1974–1975).

While living in and travelling around Australia, France formed the jazz-fusion group, Carnival, performed at the Oz Jazz Festival, and supported John McLaughlin. He worked with Stevie Wright of the Easybeats, Marty Rhone, Ray Burgess, and Tim Gaze, as well as most major Australian artists. He amassed over 1,000 television, radio, and advertising credits, including eight documentaries and four film scores (including Band on the Run, one of the most successful surfing films ever made).

Back to England

France left Australia in 1982 to return to England, where he joined Diamond Head the following year. Part of the NWOBHM movement, they performed at Castle Donington Monsters of Rock, then went on to record their third album, Canterbury. He played on the hit single "Making Music".

In 1985 France toured and recorded with UFO, replacing Andy Parker. Leaving UFO in 1986, he formed One Nation with Kipper (now Sting's producer). By now France was also teaching in drum clinics all over the world, from Australia to Scotland, usually on behalf of the Avedis Zildjian cymbal company.

He set up a teaching studio in Kingston upon Thames, where he worked with Gary O'Toole (a leading session musician), Hugo Degenhardt, Gary Wallis, Gary Ferguson, Mark Price, Tim Burgess, Mark Brzezicki, Chris Halford and many top drummers, helping them with their technique. Mark Brzezicki France had started writing for magazines in Australia, at the age of fifteen. During 1987, he began his acclaimed monthly column for the popular British drummer's magazine Rhythm.

In 1987 France joined Ellis, Beggs, & Howard (E.B.H.), whose first single, "Big Bubbles No Troubles", won the Diamond Award for best new group. This was France's favourite band. It consisted of Simon Ellis, Nick Beggs, formerly with 1980s pop group Kajagoogoo, Austin Howard, who is currently writing for Joss Stone, and Paul Harvey of Prefab Sprout. They were described by one Scandinavian journalist as the world's best live band, and Austin Howard was constantly referred to as the black Mick Jagger.

After E.B.H., in 1990 France joined Wishbone Ash, with whom he toured and recorded the album Strange Affair. He then joined Anxious Records' band, Pleasure, touring as support to the Eurythmics. By this time, however, France felt too drained to commit to any more touring or recording work.

In 1991, after working with Simon Ellis, East 17, D:Ream, S Club 7, and others), France returned to Australia to form a solo jazz project, The Gab. In 1994 he returned to London, where he became a founder member of Skunk Anansie and recorded and co-produced their debut album Paranoid & Sunburnt. He co-wrote the hit track "Weak", which has since been covered by Rod Stewart. He also recorded the B-side, "Army of Me", with Björk.

France left Skunk Anansie in 1995, joining the German group Alphaville the next day. He toured and recorded with Alphaville until an accident in which he severed his Achilles tendon. He lived in Poland for over two years, hosting his own radio programme, and appearing on numerous television shows. In 1998 he moved to Puerto de Mazarron, Spain, in order to concentrate on writing his first novel.

He now co-owns/runs Pulpo Negro Records, Pulpo Negro Publishing, Pulpo Negro Studios, GCBC Productions, with his partner, Tim Oldfield.

He produced the award-winning Spanish bands Second, Renochild, and Blue Aliens Temple, as well as Screw Coco. He also produced, wrote, and arranged for London based artist Keke.

Producer/co-producer

• Skunk Anansie
• Blue Alien's Temple
• Second
• Keke
• Screw Coco
• Renochild

Sources and external links

• Robbie France — entry from All Music Guide
• Robbie France — biography at US Wishbone Ash page
• Robbie France — biography at UK Wishbone Ash page