I decided to sit down on the phone and have a conversation with one of the most talented rock n roll guitarist and musicians out there Neil Taylor. Now just incase you don’t know who Neil is… and if you do not you most certainly should. Hailing from Bradford ON Avon in the English Countryside Neil best known for his long-time affiliation with Robbie Williams and for formerly being a member of Tears for Fears.
Neil started playing in local bands in his youth before joining Neon as a session musician in the early 1980s. During this time he met Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal who, after founding Tears for Fears, asked Taylor to tour with them and play guitar tracks for their second album, Songs from the Big Chair (1985), and their third The Seeds of Love (1989). Taylor toured with the band several times between 1983 and 1990 and appears on their live concert videos In My Mind’s Eye (1984) and Going to California (1990).] In the 1990s, he went on to play with several artists before becoming a regular member of Robbie Williams’ band in 2003. Neil has played on albums and on the stage with such icons as Morrissey, Tina Turner, Mic Jagger, Howard Jones and Chris de Burgh just to name a few. Neil loves to go on the road and has just gotten off 2 mini tours. His Music Videos will take you back to the day when MTV actually played music videos, it has that retro feel. Below make sure to catch the Music Video to “Just Another Wednesday” and the link to his latest Album SILVER WING, and you’d probably enjoy his last one NO GOD LIKE ROCK N ROLL too.
ON TO THE QUESTIONS~
| What drew you to the music industry Watching Top Of The Pops when i was a kid. Who are you inspired you? Marc Bolan/T.rex & Status QuoPlease explain your creative process Usually sing or play an idea into my phone..then record the basics it & build it up from there. Most of the lyrics happen as i’m laying down the lead vocal. What’s an average day like for you? I sometimes take my wife to work…Go to the gym then come back home & start recording..If it’s not happening then i’ll watch something on Netflix. A few red wines to wind down on the evening in bed by 10pm. Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music? No. Do you collaborate with others? What is that process? These days i mostly write on my own. Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans I always respond to questions on Facebook/twitter. It’s very important to interact. What is your favourite part about this line of work? Your least favourite? Why? Nice hotels..Performing & having a few drinks after the show with the band. Least favourite part is hanging around at airports.very boring. Have you ever dealt with performance anxiety A little but not so much any more ..A few shots of gold tequila help with the nerves & straightens you out. Tell me about your favourite performance venues The Royal Albert Hall London. I did a solo support there for Chris de Burgh a few years back. Such an amazing venue. The Colston Hall in Bristol UK is another fav venue..I played there with Tears For Fears in the early 80’s & Alison Moyet. I watched many bands when i was a kid there. So to play years later was a real thrill. What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps? I get asked this so much. Go learn your trade by playing live with other musicians.You meet many people doing it this way & if you’re good something will eventually happen but it’s tough game to be in these days. |
