Sussex has plenty of famous faces living in it, mixing those working their way through or enjoying a restful latter stage of life.
This rock icon, however, has revealed he has swapped the bass guitar for bell-ringing in their local village church.
You will likely know Guy Pratt as once upon a time being a bassist with Pink Floyd, but he has also worked with the likes of Madonna, Tom Jones, Michael Jackson, and more.
But despite his incredible career, he is now opting for more “genteel pursuits”, and can be found bell-ringing in the Sussex village of Alfriston.
Who is Guy Pratt?
Guy Pratt was a member of the Australian rock band Icehouse, a founding member of the American rock band Toy Matinee, and is currently a member of the band Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets.
A famous bassist, he has worked with several iconic music figures and groups.
In 1986, Pratt stepped in for the Smiths bassist, Andy Rourke, who was arrested on drug possession charges shortly before the Smiths were scheduled to leave for a North American tour in support of The Queen Is Dead.
Pratt spent nearly two weeks with the band, learning basslines and rehearsing, with fears Rourke would be denied work visas for the U.S. and Canada.
Despite this, shortly before the band was to leave Britain, Rourke received his visas and Pratt was not required.
He notably played alongside Pink Floyd for an extended period of time in the 80s and 90s.
Guy Pratt performing in 2006 (Image: Deep Schism/Wikimedia Commons)
While he was playing with Dream Academy in the 1980s, he met Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, who was producing them.
Gilmour invited him to play on Pink Floyd’s Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour after the departure of the Pink Floyd bassist, Roger Waters, with Pratt later saying it was “the defining gig of my life”.
Pratt also played on Pink Floyd’s 1994 Division Bell album and tour, the 2014 album The Endless River, and on Gilmour’s solo albums.
Pink Floyd star Guy Pratt now ringing church bells in Sussex village
Now, you can find the British guitarist ringing the bells in the 14th-century St Andrew’s Church in the East Sussex village of Alfriston.
Alfriston can be found on the banks of the Cuckmere River, at the foot of the South Downs, and is dubbed a “must-visit village” by Visit South East England.
It was recently named as one of the best places in the country to visit in the springtime.
“Many old rockers have taken up – or have always had a yen for – more genteel pursuits”, he wrote in the latest edition of The Oldie.
“I’m usually away a couple of months or so a year on tour, but last year there was nothing on offer and I had a book to write.”
He has now “embraced” village life and embarked on bell-ringing lessons with the rector.
He said: “There is more to bell-ringing than I’d thought.
“Pretty much none of my musical knowledge seemed to be of any use.”
Recommended reading:
Comedian and TV star to get new title after quitting Sussex for Scottish Highlands
Comedian and TV star to get new title after quitting Sussex for Scottish Highlands
Rock star having ‘property nightmare’ as £9m Sussex mansion is still unable to sell
Rock star having ‘property nightmare’ as £9m Sussex mansion is still unable to sell
Beautiful estate in Sussex village where Queen Camilla spent much of her childhood
Beautiful estate in Sussex village where Queen Camilla spent much of her childhood
Despite his learning, Pratt suffered a shoulder injury, which has briefly put him out of bell-ringing action.
He added: “I am just about to return.
“Yes. I’m performing to a smaller and less animated audience than in the past.
“Still, I hope I’ll be ringing the changes with gusto for many years to come.”
Are you a fan of Pink Floyd? Let us know in the comments.