# Rollo Armstrong > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Rollo_Armstrong > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Rollo_Armstrong.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollo_Armstrong > Source revision: 1345414416 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|British record producer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Use British English|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Rollo | image = Rollo on URY Nov 1987.jpg | image_upright = 1.2 | alt = A man singing into a microphone. | caption = Rollo in 1987 | birth_name = Rowland Constantine O'Malley Armstrong | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1966|05|08}} | birth_place = [Kensington](/source/Kensington), London, England | current_member_of = [Faithless](/source/Faithless) | genre = | alias = R Plus
The OT Quartet
Dignity | occupation = Record producer | instrument = Keyboards, synthesiser | years_active = 1991–present | label = Cheeky Records/[BMG](/source/Bertelsmann_Music_Group) }} '''Rowland Constantine O'Malley Armstrong'''{{cite web|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?page=1&blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&fromrow=1&torow=25&affiliation=PRS&cae=247809931&keyID=583864&keyname=ARMSTRONG%20ROWLAND%20CONSTANTINE%20O%20MALLEY&querytype=WriterID|title=Songwriter/Composer: ARMSTRONG ROWLAND CONSTANTINE O MALLEY|work=BMI Repertoire|publisher=[Broadcast Music Incorporated](/source/Broadcast_Music_Incorporated)|access-date=29 September 2008}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (born 8 May 1966), known professionally as both '''Rollo''' and '''R Plus''', is an English DJ and music producer. He is a member of the remix/production duo Rollo & [Sister Bliss](/source/Sister_Bliss) and is a founding, non-touring member of the [electronic music](/source/electronic_music) group [Faithless](/source/Faithless). He has produced and remixed many tracks for his sister [Dido](/source/Dido_(singer)), [Rob Dougan](/source/Rob_Dougan), [Pet Shop Boys](/source/Pet_Shop_Boys), [Simply Red](/source/Simply_Red), [R. Kelly](/source/R._Kelly), [U2](/source/U2), [Moby](/source/Moby), [Grace](/source/Grace_(band)), [Tricky](/source/Tricky_(musician)) and [Suede](/source/Suede_(band)). He is also known for producing the [UEFA Euro 2008](/source/UEFA_Euro_2008) theme,{{Cite web |last=UEFA.com |date=2008-06-27 |title=Official melody in tune with EURO {{!}} UEFA EURO |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7bf3152e43-c384408bc497-1000--official-melody-in-tune-with-euro/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=[UEFA](/source/UEFA) |language=en}} which is also used as [UEFA Super Cup](/source/UEFA_Super_Cup), [UEFA Women's Championship](/source/UEFA_Women's_Championship), and youth tournaments theme since 2017 and also [UEFA Women's Europa Cup](/source/UEFA_Women's_Europa_Cup) theme.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} == Early life == Rollo was born to an Irish publisher and a French-English poet. His younger sister is singer [Dido](/source/Dido_(singer)).{{cite news|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article2160041.ece|title=William Armstrong — Publisher at Sidgwick & Jackson|author=Patrick Janson-Smith|work=Obituaries|date=17 January 2007|access-date=8 October 2008|location=London|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214191642/http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article2160041.ece|archive-date=14 December 2007}} He studied at the [University of York](/source/University_of_York) and was an active member of the student radio station [URY](/source/URY). Later bandmate [Sister Bliss](/source/Sister_Bliss) has claimed that Rollo experiences [synaesthesia](/source/synaesthesia), seeing "music as colours".[https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/oct/19/faithless-how-we-made-insomnia-sister-bliss-maxi-jazz Faithless: how we made Insomnia]. ''The Guardian''. 19 October 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2024. == Career == Rollo has appeared on a large number of music projects, both within groups and solo, using various monikers, including [Faithless](/source/Faithless) (which he formed in 1995 with [Sister Bliss](/source/Sister_Bliss), [Jamie Catto](/source/Jamie_Catto) and [Maxi Jazz](/source/Maxi_Jazz)), Rollo Goes ..., Our Tribe (with [Rob Dougan](/source/Rob_Dougan)), and [Dusted](/source/Dusted_(British_band)). In late 1991, Rollo founded Cheeky Records, releasing two singles before the label folded.Larkin, Colin (1998) ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music'', Virgin Books, {{ISBN|0-7535-0252-6}}, p. 54 In 1992 [Champion Records](/source/Champion_Records_(UK)) stepped in to help with funding and advice, and the label was restarted, with ''[Reverence](/source/Reverence_(Faithless_album))'' by Faithless its first album release (it has since been bought out by [BMG](/source/Bertelsmann_Music_Group)). In 1992, Rollo co-wrote and co-produced [Felix](/source/Felix_(musician))'s hit single "[Don't You Want Me](/source/Don't_You_Want_Me_(Felix_song))", which reached number 1 in Finland, Italy, Spain and Switzerland, as well as reaching number 6 on the [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart).{{cite book | first= David | last= Roberts | year= 2006 | title= [British Hit Singles & Albums](/source/British_Hit_Singles_%26_Albums) | edition= 19th | publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London | isbn= 1-904994-10-5 | page= 197}} In the United States, Rollo is known for his production work on Dido's albums: ''[No Angel](/source/No_Angel_(album))'' (1999), ''[Life for Rent](/source/Life_for_Rent)'' (2003), ''[Safe Trip Home](/source/Safe_Trip_Home)'' (2008), [Girl Who Got Away](/source/Girl_Who_Got_Away) (2013) and ''[Still on My Mind](/source/Still_on_My_Mind)'' (2019). Rollo was also a producer on singer-songwriter [Kristine W](/source/Kristine_W)'s debut album, ''[Land of the Living](/source/Land_of_the_Living_(album))''. In 2008, Rollo composed the official melody of the [UEFA Euro 2008](/source/UEFA_Euro_2008) competition.{{cite web |url=http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/PressConference/Competitions/MediaServices/66/52/88/665288_DOWNLOAD.pdf |title=The official UEFA EURO 2008 music |work=UEFA EURO 2008: 100 days to go |pages=(page 5) |date=28 February 2008 |publisher=[UEFA](/source/UEFA) |access-date=7 October 2008 |quote=For the first time ever, the European Championship has an official melody...composed by Rollo Armstrong of Faithless on behalf of UEFA. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003075031/http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/PressConference/Competitions/MediaServices/66/52/88/665288_DOWNLOAD.pdf |archive-date=3 October 2008 }} and [UEFA Euro 2012](/source/UEFA_Euro_2012). He was nominated for an [Academy Award](/source/Academy_Award) in the category of [Best Original Song](/source/Academy_Award_for_Best_Original_Song) for his work with [A.R. Rahman](/source/A.R._Rahman) and Dido on "[If I Rise](/source/If_I_Rise)", featuring in the 2010 [Danny Boyle](/source/Danny_Boyle) film ''[127 Hours](/source/127_Hours)''.{{cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/83/nominees.html |title=Winners for the 83rd Academy Awards | Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |access-date=24 April 2012}} ===R Plus=== On 11 October 2019, Rollo released his first solo album, ''The Last Summer'' under the alias "R Plus".{{cite web|url= https://music.mxdwn.com/2019/10/01/news/dido-joins-rollo-and-sister-bliss-of-faithless-as-r-plus-debut-album-the-last-summer-announced-for-october-2019-release/|title= Dido Joins Rollo and Sister Bliss of Faithless as R Plus, Debut Album The Last Summer Announced for October 2019 Release|last=Wong|first=Miranda|website=MXDWN|date= October 2019|access-date=26 September 2021}}{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/oct/03/rollo-dido-armstrong-faithless-50m-selling-cancer|title= Rollo and Dido: return of the 50m-selling siblings who blundered into stardom|website=The Guardian|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|date=3 October 2019|access-date=26 September 2021}} It charted at No. 96 on the UK Album Sales Chart{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-sales-chart/20191018/7511/|title=Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100 18 October 2019 – 24 October 2019|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=28 February 2021}} and at No. 55 on the UK Album Download Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-downloads-chart/20191018/7003/|title=Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100 18 October 2019 – 24 October 2019|publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=28 February 2021}} On 19 July 2020, ''The Last Summer (Deluxe Edition)'' was released, and credited as by both R Plus and Dido.{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/40hpWkhyQMu1Gezvre0nGp?si=Bipjf9pBTqObIOSYixwEfA|title=R Plus and Dido - The Last Summer (Deluxe Edition)|website=Spotify|date=19 May 2023|access-date=19 May 2023}} After moving record labels to [Armada Music](/source/Armada_Music), Rollo (as R Plus) released a cover of [Joy Division](/source/Joy_Division)'s 1980 hit "[Love Will Tear Us Apart](/source/Love_Will_Tear_Us_Apart)" on 7 May 2021, and features singer Amelia Fox. Rollo spoke of the remake: "[The song] meant the world to me when I was teenager, and it still does. I stole my first Joy Division T-shirt from a shop in [Camden Market](/source/Camden_Market), and got to fleetingly meet guitarist [Peter Hook](/source/Peter_Hook) years later at a party at the Hacienda in Manchester. It took a long time before I felt brave enough to cover this song, before I felt I knew what I was doing as a producer [...] To introduce Amelia Fox and the new R Plus album to the world, we thought it would be good to start with this cover. We wanted our version to sound like a piece of music found in a time capsule buried under the now empty DJ booth at the Hacienda, and wanted to capture both the sadness of the song and the late-night euphoria of that legendary club."{{cite web|url=https://www.ravejungle.com/2021/05/10/rollo-armstrong-love-will-tear-us-apart/|title=Faithless' Rollo Armstrong debuts on Armada with new R Plus single: 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'|website=Rave Jungle|last=Gelevski|first=Alex|date=10 May 2021|access-date=30 April 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/love-will-tear-us-apart/1571847341?i=1571847348|title=R Plus Love Will Tear Us Apart|publisher=[iTunes Store](/source/iTunes_Store)|access-date=26 September 2021}} In July 2021, R Plus released "Hey Lover" again featuring Fox.{{cite web|url= https://music.apple.com/gb/album/hey-lover-feat-amelia-fox/1576640481?i=1576640483|title=Hey Lover|access-date=26 September 2021}} On 13 May 2022, R Plus released ''WeDisappear'', a collaboration album with Amelia Fox.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/wedisappear-dj-mix-feat-amelia-fox/1621492809|title=R Plus WeDisappear|website=Apple Music|date=13 May 2022|access-date=12 December 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.frontview-magazine.be/en/news/rollo-armstrong-redefines-storytelling-with-second-r-plus-album-wedisappear|title=Rollo Armstrong redefines storytelling with second R Plus album: 'WeDisappear'|website=Front View Magazine|date=16 May 2022|access-date=30 April 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4w9lDjMD7wopSiYLBVsDgI?si=i4VyMFDsRRqoQnJodH1qEQ|title=R Plus - We Disappear|website=Spotify|date=13 May 2022|access-date=12 December 2022}} "Makes Me Feel Good"{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4CIhrgOJY39WbYEpCfOfaA?si=QQgSVZpkSZ-bSeQ90quV7Q|title=R Plus, Faithless & Amelia Fox - Makes Me Feel Good|website=Spotify|date=18 March 2022|access-date=27 April 2023}} and an edited version of "Let's Really Have Some Fun", released 28 April 2023, were released as singles.{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4JqTO1Oj6MeRdAXfDx9DqH?si=NbVDWt6tRs-nnqCO0JRxug|title=R Plus, Faithless, Amelia Fox - Let's Really Have Some Fun|website=Spotify|date=28 April 2023|access-date=28 April 2023}} On 24 November 2023, R Plus released the album ''For Lovers, Not Killers'', alongside Fox.{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/3ArTfnUAjvlkdxdzqXS9ej?si=s63F4-EiTuydrcYdGjwf8w|title=For Lovers, Not Killers|website=Spotify|date=24 November 2023|access-date=9 December 2023}} Some streaming services erroneously list Faithless as a collaborative artist on R Plus releases, due to Armstrong's involvement in both projects.{{Cite web |title=R Plus |url=https://www.armadamusic.com/artists/r-plus |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=Armada Music |language=en}} == Discography == {{See also|Faithless discography}} === Albums === *2000 ''When We Were Young'', as '''Dusted''' (with Mark Bates) *2005 ''Safe From Harm'' (re-release of ''When We Were Young''), as '''Dusted''' (with Mark Bates) *2005 ''Instrumentals'', as '''Dusted''' (with Mark Bates) *2019 ''The Last Summer'', as '''R Plus''' *2020 ''The Last Summer (Deluxe Edition)'', as '''R Plus''' (with Dido) *2022 ''WeDisappear'', as '''R Plus''' (with Amelia Fox) *2023 ''For Lovers, not Killers'', as '''R Plus''' (with Amelia Fox) === Singles === ;Dusted :''all produced with Mark Bates'' *1997 "Deeper River" (with Pauline Taylor) *2000 "Always Remember To Respect And Honour Your Mother" *2000 "Childhood/Want You" *2001 "Under The Sun" ;Rollo & Rob D productions :''all produced with [Rob Dougan](/source/Rob_Dougan)'' *1993 "I Believe In You", as '''Our Tribe''' (with Colette) *1994 "Love Come Home", as '''Our Tribe''' (with Frankie Pharaoh and [Kristine W](/source/Kristine_W)) *1994 "High", as '''O.T. Tunes''' *1994 "Hold That Sucker Down", as '''The O.T. Quartet''' (with Colette) *1995 "Hold That Sucker Down '95", as '''The O.T. Quartet''' (with Colette) *1995 "High As A Kite", as '''One Tribe''' (with Roger) *1995 "What Hope Have I", as '''Sphinx''' (with Sabrina Johnston) *2000 "Hold That Sucker Down 2000", as '''The O.T. Quartet''' (with Colette) *2005 "Hold That Sucker Down 2005", as '''The O.T. Quartet''' (with Colette) *2007 "What Hope Have I (Remixes)", as '''Sphinx''' (with Sabrina Johnston) ;Rollo Goes... *1993 "Get Off Your High Horse", as '''Rollo Goes Camping''' (with [Sister Bliss](/source/Sister_Bliss) and Colette) – [UK](/source/UK_Singles_Chart) No. 43{{cite book | first= David | last= Roberts | year= 2006 | title= British Hit Singles & Albums | edition= 19th | publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London | isbn= 1-904994-10-5 | page= 468}} *1995 "Love, Love, Here I Come", as '''Rollo Goes Mystic''' (with Sister Bliss and Pauline Taylor) – UK No. 32 *1996 "Let This Be A Prayer", as '''Rollo Goes Spiritual''' (with Sister Bliss and Pauline Taylor)- UK No. 26 *1997 "Love, Love, Here I Come '97", as '''Rollo Goes Mystic''' (with Sister Bliss and Pauline Taylor) ;Other aliases *1992 "Hypnotized", as '''High On Love''' (with Chris Rushby) *1992 "A Million Ways", as '''Stoned Democracy''' (with Chris Rushby) *1993 "In My World", as '''High On Love''' (with Chris Rushby) *1993 "Close (Like An Overdose)", as '''Stoned Democracy''' (with Chris Rushby) *1994 "Give Me Life", as '''Mr. V''' (with Rob Villiers) *1996 "Help Me Make It", as '''Huff & Puff''' (with Ben Langmaid and Sister Bliss) *2000 "Born Again", as '''Huff & Puff''' (with Ben Langmaid) ;R Plus {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ List of singles as lead artist, showing year released and originating album ! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | Title ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" | Album |- ! scope="row"| "Summer Dress"
(featuring Dido) |rowspan="3"| 2019 |rowspan="3"| ''The Last Summer'' |- ! scope="row"| "Those Were The Days"
(featuring Dido) |- ! scope="row"| "My Boy"
(featuring Dido) |- ! scope="row"| "Together (In These Times)"
(featuring Dido) |2020 |rowspan="2"| Non-album singles |- ! scope="row"| "[Love Will Tear Us Apart](/source/Love_Will_Tear_Us_Apart)"
(featuring Amelia Fox) |rowspan="3"| 2021 |- ! scope="row"| "Hey Lover"
(featuring Amelia Fox) |rowspan="8"| ''WeDisappear'' |- ! scope="row"| "Hold On To Your Heart"
(featuring Amelia Fox) |- ! scope="row"| "This Girl Is Gone"
(featuring Amelia Fox) |rowspan="4"| 2022 |- ! scope="row"| "Makes Me Feel Good"
(featuring Amelia Fox) |- ! scope="row"| "U Disappear"
(featuring Amelia Fox) |- ! scope="row"| "Love Makes Me Feel Good"
(featuring Amelia Fox) |- ! scope="row"| "It's Enough (The Last High)"
(featuring Amelia Fox) |rowspan="2"| 2023 |- ! scope="row"| "Let's Really Have Some Fun"
(featuring Amelia Fox) |- |} ;Single production for other artists *1992 Felix – "Don't You Want Me" (with Red Jerry) *1992 Felix – "It Will Make Me Crazy" *1992 Frankë – "Understand This Groove" (with Rob Dougan) *1993 Frankë – "We're On A Mission" *1993 U.S.U.R.A. – "Tear It Up" *1994 Sister Bliss – "Cantgetaman, Cantgetajob (Life's A Bitch!)" (with Colette) *1994 Kristine W – "Feel What You Want" (with Rob Dougan) *1995 Kristine W – "One More Try" (with Rob Dougan) *1995 Kristine W – "Don't Wanna Think" (with Rob Dougan) *1995 Sister Bliss – "Oh! What A World" (with Colette) *1995 Sunscreem – "Exodus" (Tuff Mix) *1996 Kristine W – "Land Of The Living" (with Rob Dougan) *1996 Kristine W – "Sweet Mercy Me" (with Rob Dougan) *1996 Sister Bliss – "Bad Man" (with Junkdog Howler) *1996 Pauline Taylor – "Constantly Waiting" (with Sister Bliss and Matt Benbrook) *1998 Pauline Taylor – "The Letter" (with Matt Benbrook) *2000 Shawn Christopher – "So Wrong" (with Rob Dougan) *2000 Sister Bliss feat. John Martyn – "Deliver Me" *2000 Sister Bliss – "Sister Sister" *2001 Dido – "Thank You" *2003 Dido – "White Flag" *2003 Dido – "Life For Rent" *2004 Dido – "Don't Leave Home" *2004 Dido – "Sand In My Shoes" *2008 Dido – "Don't Believe In Love" *2009 Dido – "Quiet Times" *2013 Dido – "No Freedom" *2013 Dido – "End Of Night" *2019 Dido – "Take You Home" *2019 Dido – "Just Because" ;Album production for other artists *1996 Kristine W – ''Land of the Living'' (with Rob Dougan) *1998 Pauline Taylor – ''Pauline Taylor'' *1999 Pet Shop Boys – ''Nightlife'' *2000 Dido – ''No Angel'' *2003 Dido – ''Life For Rent'' *2003 P*Nut – ''Sweet As'' *2005 [Enigma](/source/Enigma_(German_band)) – ''[The Dusted Variations](/source/The_Dusted_Variations)'' *2008 Dido – ''Safe Trip Home'' *2013 Dido – ''Girl Who Got Away'' *2019 Shey Baba – ''Requiem'' *2019 Dido – ''Still on my Mind'' == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == {{commons category}} *[http://www.rollo-armstrong.co.uk/ Official website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070811222537/http://arts.enotes.com/contemporary-musicians/faithless-biography Faithless] at eNotes *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqMpUASh56U UEFA EURO 2008 full Trailer Intro Theme Jingle] on YouTube. This is the long version of the trailer with the full soundtrack, composed by Rollo. {{Faithless}} {{Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Song}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Armstrong, Rollo}} Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:Alumni of the University of York Category:British trance musicians Category:Dido (singer) Category:English electronic musicians Category:English dance musicians Category:English house musicians Category:English record producers Category:English techno musicians Category:English people of French descent Category:English people of Irish descent Category:Ivor Novello Award winners Category:People from Kensington Category:British remixers --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rollo Armstrong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollo_Armstrong) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollo_Armstrong?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.