He began busking around Europe, and found a residency in the Les Cousins club when he returned to London. A debut album, 'The Sophisticated Beggar' (1966) was recorded on a low budget, but already carried glimpes of the highly personal style that he would later develop.
'Come Out Fighting Genghis Smith' coincided with the beginnings of an underground following, but Harper was disappointed with the sound that producer Shel Talmy had given his songs. The next album featured the first of many epic songs released throughout his career, but 'McGoohans Blues' was a rather patchy album.
After signing to Harvest Records, a new album 'Flat, Baroque and Berserk' featured the uncompromising protest of 'I Hate the White Man', and 'Tom Tiddlers Ground' as well as more jokey songs. Harper would later criticise the label (also home to Pink Floyd), but for the time being he had a base from which to explore more interesting ideas and sounds.
The follow-up, 'Stormcock' was made up of only four songs, although they were all rather long and featured contributions from Jimmy Page. The Led Zeppelin star remained a close friend and offered an acknowledgment in the form of a song titled 'Hats Off To Harper' on Led Zep III. Page also later appeared again on Harper's 'Lifemask' and 'Valentine' albums.
'HQ', released in 1975, introduced a short-lived backing group which featured Chris Spedding, who only two years later would be jumping on the punk bandwagon with his own material. The album featured 'When An Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease' which offered a melancholic view only furthered by the inclusion of a colliery brass band. A second album with the group was recorded but remained unreleased as they went their separate ways.
Harper's next release, 'Bullinamingvase' caused controversy with it's scathing attack on motorway service stations (?) entitled 'Watford Gap', and even more surprisingly the song was later removed from the album. During this period, a guest spot on Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here' was recorded, with Harper singing lead on 'Have A Cigar'.
A further six albums emerged over the next 12 years, but not until 'Once' was released in 1990 was any material considered a noteworthy return to form.
Roy Harper has retained a cult following through his refusal to compromise and for speaking out directly on issues that others have shied away from, and is respected by fellow musicians despite a woeful lack of commercial success.
IF YOU LIKE THESE, YOU'LL LIKE ROY HARPER: John Martyn, Nick Drake, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd.