Owen Parker

Quick Facts

Summary

Owen Parker is a British multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer who has worked with artists including Robbie Williams, Pet Shop Boys, Simple Minds and Girls Aloud. He has played live with Robbie Williams since 2019 and is a frequent co-writer and arranger on Williams’ recent albums and tours.

Biography

Early life and musical background

Owen Parker grew up in the south of England and began playing piano at the age of three, drawn to an instrument that was already in his family home. He later learned guitar at the age of six and developed an early obsession with songwriting and performance.

I was age three on the piano… I was just drawn to it and it’s all I didOwen Parker

His early musical influences included The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac, alongside artists such as Adam Ant, Dire Straits and Crowded House. He received formal piano tuition from the age of eight while remaining self-taught on guitar.

Songwriting beginnings and early career

Parker began writing songs as a child and continued throughout his teenage years, forming school bands and experimenting with composition. His first professional breakthrough came in the late 1990s after joining the creative circle around producer Brian Higgins.

In 1997, he contributed guitar work to Danny Minogue’s single “All I Want to Do”, which became a UK Top 5 hit. This period marked his entry into commercial pop production and studio work.

Zenomania and pop production

Through his association with Brian Higgins and Xenomania, Parker became involved in some of the most influential UK pop productions of the 2000s. His work included contributions to recordings by Girls Aloud, Sugababes, Alicia Dixon and Pet Shop Boys.

He played on tracks such as “The Promise” and “Call the Shots” by Girls Aloud and co-wrote the Pet Shop Boys single “Love etc.”, which later received a Grammy nomination.

Your job was to come up with instrumentals that inspired top linesOwen Parker

Work with Simple Minds and other artists

Parker also developed a long-term relationship with Simple Minds, contributing music that later appeared on the band’s releases. His track “Broken Glass Park” emerged after several years of development and exemplified his ability to create material suited to established artists’ creative processes.

Beyond these projects, Parker has worked with artists including Passenger, Billy Bragg, Kaiser Chiefs, Blondie, Rebecca Ferguson and Alicia Dixon, often acting as a writer, producer or multi-instrumentalist.

Connection with Robbie Williams

Parker’s connection with Robbie Williams developed gradually through songwriting collaborations and shared professional networks. His early work was passed to Williams while Parker was writing with other artists, eventually leading to direct contact.

I got an email saying, ‘Yeah, it’s Robbie Williams – do you want to do some work with me?’Owen Parker

His first recorded contribution to a Robbie Williams release was keyboard work on Bye Bye, from Under the Radar Vol. 3 in 2019. He later joined Williams’ live band as keyboardist.

Live work with Robbie Williams

Parker began performing live with Robbie Williams in 2019, including appearances at the Las Vegas residency. From this point onward, he became a regular member of Williams’ touring band.

He has since appeared on major arena and stadium tours, performing keyboards, guitars and backing vocals while also contributing to musical direction and arrangement.

Songwriting and arranging with Robbie Williams

Owen Parker has become a key creative collaborator on Robbie Williams’ recent output. His songwriting credits include Home, Darkest Night, Can’t Stop Christmas, More Than This and The World and Her Mother.

He has also arranged orchestral parts, provided backing vocals and contributed to production, particularly on The Christmas Present and XXV.

Hearing a 70-piece orchestra play your arrangement is something you never forgetOwen Parker

Recent work and Britpop era

Parker has played a significant role in Robbie Williams’ forthcoming album Britpop, co-writing and producing several tracks and contributing to the album’s guitar-led sound.

Alongside studio work, he continues to perform live with Williams on large-scale international tours.

Teaching and independent projects

In addition to his professional work, Parker has taught music at college level, drawing on decades of studio and live experience. He has also released music under his own name, reflecting a more personal songwriting approach.

His independent work allows him to explore styles outside mainstream pop, while his collaborative career remains central to major commercial projects.

Credits & Contributions (26)