Songwriters

The Beach Boys became such a significant part of my life from such an early age. They were the band that grabbed me through the radio and make me really pay attention to pop music. […]

I can vividly recall the moment I discovered the band Was (Not Was).  It was 1988 when I read a review of their new album ‘What Up Dog’ in Smash Hits. The reviewer, Sue Dando, […]

I discovered Dougie MacLean by accident. In 1997 I was visiting one of my favourite places on earth, Dunkeld, when I spotted a record shop in the village. I thought to myself, “Dunkeld has become […]

The first time I had the pleasure of watching the amazing singer/songwriter Vin Garbutt was in a community hall in Marske-By-The-Sea when I was supporting him with The Grangetown Boys Club Brass Band. I was only […]

If I was to try and pick out a favourite Gerry Rafferty song I would really struggle. Rafferty’s music, for me, has been a lifetime’s soundtrack. I have followed this elusive musician since I was […]

I first heard the haunting sound of Nick Drake during my early twenties when a few friends, Bob Bruce and Ian McElroy, thought that I might appreciate his music (given my taste for bohemian-styled folk […]

When members of The Beatles have been asked over the years who was their favourite band, each gave the same answer: Harry Nilsson.  Nilsson was a one-man band. An extraordinary songwriter, hell-raiser, multi-instrumentalist and singer […]