INFLUENCES

My influences are many, including, in chronological order - Hank Marvin (guitarist with The Shadows, an instrumental group from England. They were big in the early 60's), The Beatles (Of course!), Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton (I always list those three together. Same time period for me), and Steve Howe of Yes (Now we're starting to get Jazzy!). This leads me to George Benson, Django Reinhardt, and Joe Pass. (I discovered them at the same time.) But I still couldn't shake my Rock and Roll roots, so I listened to Angus Young (AC/DC), Eddie Van Halen, and Eric Johnson (Amazing!). Later, a detour back to Jazz with Pat Metheny, (Favourite CD - Secret Stories) and Earl Klugh, (Favourite CD - Heartstrings).

Oh, I must mention Tim Renwick. He played guitar on many Al Stewart albums, and when I played with Al, I learnt many of his melody lines. He is to me the greatest underrated talent of the guitar. Best work - On the CD Modern Times by Al Stewart. Also Albert Lee, who I originally saw with the group Head, Hands and Feet. 20 years later I saw him at the Palomino Club in North Hollywood CA trading licks with Steve Morse. A very memorable evening.

I think that covers everything. Wait! It was nice to see Peter Green onstage with Fleetwood Mac being inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame (Jan 98). He started the band and was responsible for many of the earlier hits - Albatross, Man of the World, Oh Well, Green Manalishi, and my favourite, Jigsaw Puzzle Blues. I always loved his playing.

Well, there you have it - no flamenco - never liked it.
Enough said.