Coulter, Phil (1942– )

Irish arranger and composer of popular music. Working with Phil Martin, his hits included Sandy Shaw's Eurovision success ‘Puppet on a String’ (1967) and Cliff Richard's ‘Congratulations’ (1968). In the 1970s he managed the boy band the Bay City Rollers. Coulter has also had an impact on traditional Irish music, producing Planxty's first album and working with musicians such as the Furey Brothers and the Dubliners. More recently he has concentrated on performing and is perhaps best known for his easy-listening arrangements of traditional, popular, and his own original material. Important recordings include Classic Tranquility (1983) and his collaborations with the flautist James Galway, Celtic Legends (1997), and Winter's Crossing (1998).

Coulter was born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, and studied music at Queen's University, Belfast. After emigrating to London he very quickly gained a reputation as a pianist and arranger, followed soon afterwards by a growing reputation as a composer.