Richard Butler - Death Notice
Sadly, Richard Butler passed away on the 29th August 2022 after a short illness, aged 71 years. He was the Dukes’ piper for 40 years, from 1982 right up to his death. His final engagement in that role was the lighting of the Beacon at Alnwick Castle for the Queens Platinum Jubilee on June 2nd, 2022.
Richard’s final engagement as The Duke’s Piper
As a person he will be remembered for his gentleness, politeness, humility and kindness, and also for his beaming smile.
In terms of Northumbrian piping, he will be remembered not only for his skill as a musician; his willingness and patience to pass those skills onto others; his deep understanding of the technical aspects of the instrument and his generosity to share this understanding with everyone who needed help.
Richard plays Going Home.
Copies of his Basic Tutor for Northumbrian Small Pipes; his Handbook for Northumbrian Small Pipes and his CDs are still available from Richard’s wife Fran Hopwood via the Books and CD’s page.
Richard Butler, The Duke of Northumberland's Piper, was an internationally renown Northumbrian Piper who has produced a number of solo and accompanied recordings and has written a basic tutor and an in-depth maintenance manual for the pipes.
Richard played the Northumbrian Small Pipes for over 60 years, during which time he has performed in numerous concerts, on TV and radio, and organised a wide variety of Northumbrian Music events and functions. He was also an experienced tutor, having run numerous courses for all levels of playing in England, Germany and the USA, and lectured extensively about the pipes and Northumbrian Music in general.
Richard served as the Duke of Northumberland's Piper for 40 years. During this time he played for Her Majesty the Queen, the King of Spain, at the 10th Duke's Memorial Service in Westminster Abbey as well as at numerous private and public functions. Richard also performed at STING's private birthday party and performed the music of ALAN BUSH (Northumbrian Impressions) at his 80th Birthday concert in the WIGMORE HALL, London. Furthermore, JOHN CASKEN (Pipers' Lynn ) and ROBERT (Bob) JEFFREY (Rainbow Suite) have both written specific compositions for Richard.
Northumbrian Small Pipes - Richard playing at the Gooike Music Festival, Belgium with Jean-Pierre Van Hees (Mussette) and Ronan Browne (Irish Pipes).
Photograph by kind permission of - lieve.boussauw@b-lieve.be
Richard teamed up with Janet Bennett (Clarsach and Vocal) and Tommy Waugh (Fiddle and Bass) to form the Border Minstrels, thereby, merging their individual talents and skills to a degree that has seen a renaissance of the region's idiosyncratic tunes, songs and ballads.
As well as performing as the Border Minstrels, Richard has performed at concerts and functions with Janet Bennett, to produce a unique combination of Northumbrian Pipes, Clarsach and Voice.
You can listen to samples from these groups and more here.
Northumbrian Small Pipes - Duke and Duchess of Northumberland presenting in 2007 Richard Butler with a silver plate marking 25 years since Richard's appointment as Piper to the Duke of Northumberland