Beggars Opera were a progressive rock band from Glasgow, Scotland, formed in Glasgow in 1969 by guitarist Ricky Gardiner. The line-up consisted of Ricky Gardiner (guitar/vocals) (born Richard Gardner, in 1948, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland), Alan Park (keyboards) (born 10 May 1951, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland), Martin Griffiths (vocals), Marshall Erskine (bass/flute) and Raymond Wilson (drums).

In 1970, after signing to Vertigo Records, the band recorded their first album Act One, and a single "Sarabande", which charted record in several European countries. The following year, for their second album, Waters of Change, the band were joined by Gordon Sellar (bass) (born 13 June 1947, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland). The single "Time Machine" from that album was successful in Germany, where the band toured extensively.