Duke Special

About

Born Peter Wilson and known to his fans as Duke Special, this alternative rock, soul, and folk singer, songwriter, and pianist is famous for albums such as Songs from the Deep Forest (2007) and Under the Dark Cloth (2011), as well as for the singles "Freewheel" (2005), "Portrait" (2006), and "Sweet Sweet Kisses" (2008).

Before Fame

At the start of his career, he served as the accompanist and apprentice of Belfast-based singer and songwriter Brian Houston. Special released his debut solo EP, Lucky Me, in 2002, and his first full-length album, Adventures in Gramophone, in 2005.

Trivia

On Special's albums, percussionist Chip Bailey often plays such non-traditional instruments as whisks and cheese graters.

Family Life

Born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, and raised in Downpatrick, Holywood, and Coleraine, he grew up with three sisters. His grandmother, Mary Groves, began a family tradition of piano instruction that greatly influenced his early musical development.

Associated With

In 2007, he collaborated with Neil Hannon and Romeo Stodart on a single titled "Our Love Goes Deeper Than This."