My love of music, in all of its wonderful forms, took root as a child. I grew up listening to an eclectic mix of rock and classical and, despite a brief foray into jazz-rock (with the mighty Breughel Breughel), have remained loyal to these genres ever since.
My first band of note was the equally mighty Barnshakers. I was later drafted into Epic-signed Stargazers on guitar.
I also enjoyed numerous stints as hired gun, notably for Jesse Guitar Taylor, Danny Click and finally Donovan – the first of his come-back tours which took in Wembley Arena, Birmingham NEC and Manchester Gmex.
Just at the point that I was becoming convinced that the only way to keep enjoying music was to resume amateur status, the crosswords sailed in to make that possible.
The Barnshakers reformed for my wedding in 2004 and have since morphed into the Wild Uncles, still active, however sporadically. I am also one of Jenny Cash’s Sons of Sue.
Forming a backdrop to all this is a constant stream of scores, for string quartets through various ensembles to full orchestra. The only one of these I’m truly happy with is a concerto for two guitars and chamber orchestra, a few pages and some clips of which are provided here, with me playing both guitar parts.
