I was born and raised in Liverpool, England. I got the guitar bug from my dad who had played in the 60's in and around Liverpool. His band often played alongside the Beatles at venues like Magull, Town Hall and The Cavern. When I was about 13, I remember him taking me to Hessey's Music in Liverpool and I came away with a blonde Fender Telecaster because I was completely nuts about the band Status Quo. I wore that guitar out in about 3 years and then moved to a Strat which suited me much better.
As time passed, I discovered more and more music that excited me. What we now call "80's rock or "hair rock" was prevalent on the radio and I started to listen to bands like Europe and Bon Jovi. Then, all of a sudden I heard Eddie Van Halen and everything changed. Van Halen had been around for a few years but somehow it had escaped my attention - now I was hooked on this sound that moved me in a way I still can't describe. Early Van Halen, still to this day, is the standard by which all rock bands are judged!
I started listening to more melodic rock and also began teaching - this was a huge turning point in my own development and one I have never stopped. I love teaching and do it whenever I can. It's funny how once you assimilate and understand something, you can turn it over to someone else in a very short space of time and I have had some of the most incredible students, who in turn, have inspired and motivated me with my own playing.
Bands like Europe, Winger, Warrant, Tyketto, Firehouse, Harem Scarem, Journey and Whitesnake were huge influences. One of my biggest influences was Andy Timmons from Danger Danger who is one of the most incredible musicians you will ever meet. I had the pleasure of playing with him at a trade show in Frankfurt a few years ago and he taught me what it means to be able to get up on a stage and play! Kee Marcello from the band Europe was another huge influence. His guitar work on the albums "Out of this World†and "Prisoners in Paradise" is simply amazing.
Two other guitarists came into my life around the same time - Paul Gilbert and Joe Satriani. Paul is such a monster player. Every guitarist should have his instructional video "Intense Rock 1." I know I bought at least 4 copies because I would wear them out repeatedly (days before DVD!). I still practice the material presented in that video. Then finally hearing Joe Satriani was the turning point in my musical life. I remember getting a flexi-disc on the cover of Guitar World magazine with the song “Crush Of Love.†I drove everyone around me crazy trying to copy his feel and phrasing. He has taught me so much about music as a language. Before hearing Joe, I really was a shape player, just running boxes across the neck. Joe opened up a whole world previously unexplored by me, and most guitarists for that matter.
I recorded a tribute to Joe and you can hear my version of "Crush of Love" in my music player. I still can't play it like he does. Thanks also to Total Accuracy for the backing track.
After working as a product demonstrator/magazine contributor, I released my solo instrumental CD in 2001. I still can't believe I actually managed to sell some copies of it too! Freespirit opened up many doors for me as a player. Because of it, I have been all over the world and made many great friends. At times we forget the true value of music and I am very grateful for everything she has given to me. Here we are in 2008 and I am excited to be recording my 2nd solo CD. I have written 35 demos and now have begun the process of recording the record in earnest. I am very fortunate to have a great pool of musicians to choose from in Las Vegas. Some of the world's finest players are here. I hope to include my friends on this record and make it much more of an organic record than Freespirit.
After my stroke it was hard to imagine doing this again, but now I feel I am playing well again, and in many ways I prefer my playing as I was forced to rethink some things and find ways around some new physical limitations. I think this material is some of the best I have written and I will let you know as I progress how I'm getting on through the recording process.
If you have any comments, suggestions or just wanna say howdee, feel free to either post a comment or send me a message. It is always good to hear from friends, fans and new people discovering my music and playing.
From me to you all, thanks again for your support and well wishes.
