Didier CHESNEAU

Musician with manifold facets, we find at the same time Didier Chesneau as composer (NTS/Wagram), guitarist (sessions, demonstrator Lag/Elixir/Larrivée/Rocktron), sound engineer and producer (Universal, Wagram, EMI, SPV).

Biography (issued from Lag "Artist" page)

Didier Chesneau begins music thanks to the saxophone (as his musician father), but in order to break the « academic » side of the conservatory, he quickly turns to the guitar. First self-educated, he will learn technic and harmony with Nils Aziosmanoff (devotee of Philippe Catherine) then with Charles Raynal (professor at the fabulous Berklee College and accompanist of Al di Meola). The doors of the Parisian studios open thanks to Nils and, in parallel with his studies of sound engineer, he participates regularly to sessions and accompaniments. He meets Sylvie Grare in studio and after a first demo with the musicians of Patrick Rondat, they audition musicians and form the band HEADLINE in 1994.

The events accelerate: Midem, winners of the International Concours of the Salon de la Musique, Dani « Guitarist Magazine » Giorgetti allows them to come about at the festival « Cannes Musique Passion » (with nice memories beside Stuart Hamm, Jonathan Mover, Michel Cusson).

In 1997 comes out « Escape » the first album of Headline, the recognition is immediate, elected « 5th international hope », the band goes on acoustic FNAC tour and Olivier Garnier, at this time CNR label manager, allows them to play beside Vanden Plas, Dio, Superior In parallel with the beginning of Headline and his sound engineer activities, Didier Chesneau manages for five years « Backstage », two music schools located in the Center France area, thanks to them he organizes quarterly master classes welcoming Patrick Rondat, Jean-Claude Rapin, Pascal Mulot, Sébastien Choir

In 1999, Olivier Garnier inaugurates the first French signature of his new label, NTS, launching « Voices of Presence » the second album of Headline. French tours, Printemps de Bourges, show cases, the band shares the gigs with fabulous bands like Dream Theater, Stratovarius, Vanden Plas, Rhapsody and will be elected among the « best French bands » (2nd and 5th) by the readers of the musical and metal press.

No lack of activities thanks to the stunt companies Skyros and Mythics Warriors (Merlin, Braveheart, Gladiator), Headline shoots his first video clip in the Cathare fortress of Queribus under the camera of Stéphane Marty (X Files). Having co-produced the Headline albums, the proposals of direction flow and Didier Chesneau joins the console for many artists and still makes demos (Salon de la Musique, Musicmania) for LAG and ROCKTRON.

..With « Duality » 3rd album of the band (came out end 2002), Headline is elected « best French band » and « metal video clip of the year » (realized by Stéphane Roland) thenks to the audience MCM/Hard Rock Magazine. The doors of Europe open and we find Headline beside Evergrey, After Forever, Hirson Festival, « Hard Rock » Trophies broadcasted on channel MCM, acoustic show cases The year 2003 will end with the European openning of the American band Symphony X who, from Amsterdam to Granada will lead them over Europe. The promotion of « Duality » ends beginning 2004 by a headline gig « Tournai Prog Event Festival » en Belgium.

In parallel, Didier Chesneau participates to many projects: « Ritchie Blackmore Tribute » (Lion Music), « Bass Attitudes » (XIII bis), « Métisse » (musical comedy), « Shooting Star » (Arcade) End 2005, he composes with M. Aurore Gotta (J. Hallyday, P. Bachelet) the original music of « La légende de la Licorne », musical show produced by his friends of « Mythic Warriors » that will attract more than 1500 persons by show.

Afer the production of various albums (Milydian, Magic Kingdom, Invictus, Iron masqu), 2006 is devoted to Headline in order to prepare and record the successor of « Duality » foreseen end 2006.

Interviewed on his cooperation with LAG guitars, Didier is always very enthusiastic: