Billy Ritchie Interview: The Man Who Invented Prog (Part 3 of 3)

It’s an absolute honour to welcome into the Dukey Radio Show studio Billy Ritchie. The man who invented prog. And he really did.

Dukey first heard about our guest’s innovative music endeavours with the band 123 and later, Clouds, through recent guest Bruce Thomas’s book “Rough Notes”. And, in a recent prog-themed special on this very show, Dave Dawson and Dukey waxed lyrical about Billy Ritchie’s influence on the likes of Yes and Emerson Lake & Palmer.

In this final instalment of our three part interview with Billy, we chat about Clouds' final gig in 1971 - an experience that triggered our guest's prolonged disappearance from the music industry. 

In addition we explore what he and his fellow bandmates got up to after the trio's split and how Billy has come to terms with his musical history AND legacy. 

In addition, we chat about:

• Billy Ritchie's catalogue of 1000 frustratingly unheard songs. 

• Jon Anderson of Yes's acknowledgment of 123's influence on his band.

• Drummer Harry's experience of giving lessons to both Bill Bruford & Carl Palmer

• The downside to being a musical innovator. 

• Our guest's forthcoming appearance on Sky Arts' "Trailblazers of Prog" television series.

And, yes, Dukey also asks about the likelihood of a 1-2-3/Clouds reunion. In addition, Irene also fulfils a special request from our esteemed guest. 

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