Miscellaneous PiL Session Players (etc)
Kevin
Armstrong
Born:
England
PiL:
Guitar (tour rehearsals only) Spring 1986
Bio:
Kevin Armstrong never actually recorded or even played live with PiL.
However, he did briefly join the band in 1986.
When John Lydon returned to
England in January 1986 his then manager Keith Bourton asked Armstrong
to put a new PiL line-up together for the upcoming tour.
Lu Edmonds:"Kevin Armstrong had an 8-track in my basement, and
he was working for the same management company as John... They started
fishing around London and got Kevin to put a band together, then at the
last minute Iggy Pop asked Kevin to do a tour,and he ran off and did that!
So I was left there with myself and Allan Dias and Bruce Smith, and then
they got John McGeoch in, because he had his own connections through Keith
Bourton."
Although Armstrong has fronted his own bands Local Heroes SW9 (1980-81)
& Bush Telegraph (1984) he has also worked as a producer and session
guitarist. Starting with Demon Preacher (pre-Alien Sex Fiend) in 1978;
he then played with Thomas Dolby (1981-82), The Passions (1982), Propaganda
and Prefab Sprout (1985). In 1985 he played Live Aid with David Bowie.
After his very brief stint with PiL he recorded 'Blah-Blah-Blah' with Iggy Pop and toured with him 1986-87. Armstrong also played with Bowie's Tin Machine (1989) and on his 'Outside' album (1995). He went onto play with Morrissey (1990), Kevin Ayers (1992) and Peter Murphy (1995). He's currently still playing and producing for various artists and bands.
Despite never appearing with PiL it is possible Armstrong mimed 'Rise' with PiL on 'Top of the Pops' in February 1986 (before a new line-up had been arranged). Note: This temporary TV-only PiL featured Don Letts & Leo Williams (both of B.A.D), plus Bruce Smith – one of two drummer’s; along with Hugo Burnham (Gang of Four).
Born: