Drum Major Chappell was born in Oldham, Lancashire in 1969 into a musical family. He began playing tuba at Crompton House Church of England Secondary School and continued to study music and drama at Oldham Technical College. He also performed with Besses Boys Band of which his father was the conductor and his two brother’s trombonists.

Chief Tech Chappell joined the RAF Music Services in 1987 at the age of 18. Following a brief period in the School of music he was posted to The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment based at RAF Catterick. After three years with this band he move to RAF Rheindahlen to join the Band of the RAF Germany were he stayed until its closure in 1994. On his return to the United Kingdom he was posted back to The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment but by this time it had move to RAF Northolt. Whilst serving with this Band he passed an audition for The Central Band of the Royal Air Force and moved to RAF Uxbridge to join them in early 1996.

Joining The Central Band of the Royal Air Force as a Junior Technician he moved swiftly through the ranks to reach his current rank of Chief Technician in 2008. He was appointed as Drum Major of The Central Band of the Royal Air Force in September 2009.

Better known the world over as ‘Chippie’ he is married to Anne-Marie and has two little girls Brooke and Ruby.