Chester Kamen


Chester Kamen is an English session guitarist, whose work has included performing with Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry, Bob Geldof, Madonna, Duran Duran, Robbie Williams, Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Seal, Massive Attack, Kirsty McColl, Belouis Some and Gabrielle.

Early life

Kamen started playing the guitar at the age of 11, and at 18, he turned professional. His first recording was with the band called Numbers. Kamen and the Numbers vocalist, Ouida, teamed up and were discovered by Bryan Ferry who produced their self-penned single entitled, "Pick Up In a Nightclub".

Career

In 1985, Kamen performed on stage at Live Aid alongside Pink Floyd's guitarist David Gilmour as part of Bryan Ferry's backing band, first playing with Ferry on his Boys and Girls album also in 1985. He continued to work with Ferry into the 1990s. Kamen joined him for the 1989 dates of his Bête Noire tour and was the lead guitarist on the 1994 dates of his Mamouna tour. Kamen also co-wrote and co-produced some of the tracks on Ferry's Bête Noire album including the song "Seven Deadly Sins" along with Guy Pratt.
In 2002, when Roger Waters continued his In The Flesh Tour, Kamen was brought on board to replace Doyle Bramhall II, who had other commitments and could not commit to the tour. Kamen's association with Waters continued, when he replaced Andy Fairweather-Low on guitars and backing vocals, for the 2008 leg on Waters' The Dark Side of the Moon Live tour. Kamen also notably appeared with Waters and David Gilmour when they performed a short set together for the charity Hoping Foundation, in Oxfordshire, England on 11 July 2010.
In 2016, Kamen toured as part of David Gilmour's band, taking part in his Rattle That Lock Tour.
Chester has three children; Joni, Finley and Ben. Although they both frequently worked with Pink Floyd musicians, he is not related to Michael Kamen.