The Rapiers are a British instrumental rock band. They have served as the backing group to many famous vocal performers as well as performing as an instrumental band in a 1960s style.
An A-side from the band's self-titled debut EP charted at number one on the UK rockabilly chart in 1983 and one of its B-sides also made the Top Ten on the same chart. In October 1983, the band performed at the Isle of Wight Garlic Festival, which includes a 1960s music festival.
The band was the cover story of the first issue of Pipeline Instrumental Review in 1989.
The Rapiers have performed as the backing band to many famous performers including Cliff Richard, Billy J. Kramer, John Leyton, Hank Marvin, Jet Harris, Freddy Cannon, Screaming Lord Sutch, Brian Poole, Bert Weedon, Wee Willie Harris, Tommy Bruce, Eden Kane, Mike Berry, Charlie Gracie, Billie Davis, Linda Gail Lewis, Heinz, Tony Jackson, Denny Laine, Dave Sampson, Freddie Garrity, Alvin Stardust, Jess Conrad, Terry Dene, Russ Sainty, Mike Sheridan, Vince Eager, and Freddie "Fingers" Lee.
The Rapiers performed at the Pipeline Instrumental Rock Convention in 1994, and again in 2000.
The band has also performed live on various TV and radio shows including Pebble Mill at One, the Tom O'Connor show, This Morning, TV-am, Kilroy, The Monkees TV Special, BBC Radio 1, Radio London, Piccadilly Radio, Radio Norfolk, Radio Cornwall, as well as on TV and radio stations throughout Europe.