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INTERVIEW
WITH PHIL WALKER
The Story of Guitar Heroes
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
Saturday 1st February 2020
8pm
INTERVIEW
WITH PHIL WALKER
The Story of Guitar Heroes
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
Saturday 1st February 2020
8pm
“If you like music and guitars you will LOVE this show!”
We all love a bit of guitar wielding in a song - it’s iconic, soulful and – oh what a beautiful instrument! Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Brian May and Eddie Cochran are amongst many of those who have mastered this magnificent instrument and are covered in this all-out guitar fest!
The Story of Guitar Heroes has been touring for a number of years in countless theatres across the UK and is making it’s way to becoming extremely popular; not only with guitar players and musicians of all abilities, but with people and families of all ages.
The Story of Guitar Heroes has been touring for a number of years in countless theatres across the UK and is making it’s way to becoming extremely popular; not only with guitar players and musicians of all abilities, but with people and families of all ages.
“Amazing show, amazing musicians... men, woman and children of all ages would enjoy this show”
The show moves swiftly through time from the 1950’s with artists such as Chuck Berry and Hank Marvin from The Shadows; through history including legendary players such as the great Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin, and the electrifying Steve Vai, who still rock the world today!
You will be amazed by how many iconic guitar songs you know. You will be blown away by the spectrum of genres featured - each time you think all styles have been covered, there is another waiting to surprise you! This all makes for a very dynamic and diverse experience.
You will be amazed by how many iconic guitar songs you know. You will be blown away by the spectrum of genres featured - each time you think all styles have been covered, there is another waiting to surprise you! This all makes for a very dynamic and diverse experience.
“Regardless of what particular kind of musical era you prefer...you WILL be blown away hearing all the classics”
The show uses over 30 guitars to recreate the sound and ambiance of each guitar hero. The presenter and lead guitarist Phil Walker is someone whom you are likely to have heard of as being one of THE MOST versatile and talented guitarists out there today. Equally Phil is not someone who demands blue M&M’s in his dressing room!... He is down to earth, full of fun and will have you awestruck by his guitar ability whilst enjoying his genuine, warming charisma at the same time.
Phil and his band enjoy what they do immensely. The band are also at the peak of their profession, with Toby James and Lee Williams - two fantastic guitarists in their own right; as well as drum virtuoso Allan Varnfield. All play extremely accurately and tastefully to suit each song as it was originally performed. You really will not be disappointed by these guys!
Phil and his band enjoy what they do immensely. The band are also at the peak of their profession, with Toby James and Lee Williams - two fantastic guitarists in their own right; as well as drum virtuoso Allan Varnfield. All play extremely accurately and tastefully to suit each song as it was originally performed. You really will not be disappointed by these guys!
“Every lick is expertly played by highly experience, gifted musicians.”
To add to all the excitement, the show is enhanced with video screen technology presenting a snapshot of great historical moments. Combined with state-of-the-art stage lighting, this contributes to the vibrant atmosphere of this thrilling show.
“The show was electrifying from start to finish”
Don’t miss out on this truly sensational night - you won’t be disappointed!
www.storyofguitarheroes.com
www.storyofguitarheroes.com
Check out our photos of the Palace Theatre, Southend show from our fab photographer, Clarissa Debenham/Film Free Photography
All images below are the exclusive property of Southend Theatre Scene and Film Free Photography by Clarissa Debenham and may not be reproduced, copied, stored, downloaded or altered in any way without permission. If you are interested in Clarissa's photography please get in touch by clicking the above link.
All images below are the exclusive property of Southend Theatre Scene and Film Free Photography by Clarissa Debenham and may not be reproduced, copied, stored, downloaded or altered in any way without permission. If you are interested in Clarissa's photography please get in touch by clicking the above link.
We threw some questions at Phil Walker, creator of The Story of Guitar Heroes, a live concert style 'rockumentry' which takes the audience on a tour through the history of the guitar giants who have shaped the landscape of music. Here's what he had to say!
How did you come up with the concept of the show?
I came in late from a gig one evening and sat down to relax; put on the TV and the BBC4 showing ‘Guitar Heroes at the BBC.’ I thought, wouldn’t it be cool if you could see all these Guitar Heroes in one concert – which obviously you can’t as many are no longer with us. I then started thinking about how we could create the sound and ambiance of those Guitar Heroes and that was the start of the idea… pen to paper; fingers to fret boards and this show was born.
You taught yourself to play guitar when you were 6 years old - what was the appeal of the guitar over any other instrument?
My Dad was a guitar player – so he brought a guitar into the house when I was six years old. He was also a big Shadows fan and a huge Eddie Cochran fan. I used to listen to all my Dad’s records and then eventually I stole his guitar off him and started teaching myself to play; along with Eddie Cochran and The Shadows and it went from there…
Plus, it was just really cool.
You've played with many bands throughout your career and gained a reputation for being one of the best guitarists around but what was your best career move when you first started out?
When I first started out it was meeting other players, getting in bands and meeting as many different people as possible; getting out there and gigging in front of people – and that leads on to meeting other people, and then you meet others through those people and so it goes on.
You've toured the show successfully for 5 years now - how do you decide which songs will make it on to the setlist for each tour as there must be so many to choose from?
Initially we went with the big and obvious ones – Eric Clapton, Dire Straits, The Shadows, Brian May from Queen. Then when we were on the road, we started listening to what our audience wanted to hear. We do a ‘meet and greet’ after every show and lots of people came up with different requests that way. When you hear the same name cropping up over and over, you decide to put them in the show.
Do you own all of the guitars that are used on the show and which of them is the most precious to you?
I own all of the guitars that I play, which are around 18 on stage. All together we have 30 guitars on stage; but 18 of those are ones I own and play.
My old white Fender Stratocaster is my most precious one, and I use it in the show on lots of songs such as Jimi Hendrix, the Deep Purple section. I’ve had it since I was 11 years old – my Mum and Dad bought it for me as my first real, proper, own guitar. It goes everywhere with me – it doesn’t travel in the tour lorry; it stays with me all the time.
Which is the one guitar that you can't wait to pick up and play?
Other than my white Fender Stratocaster, I also really look forward to picking up the double neck guitar. It’s not often you play a double neck guitar, but we do a certain song in the show that requires one – and because it’s so different, I look forward to playing that.
I came in late from a gig one evening and sat down to relax; put on the TV and the BBC4 showing ‘Guitar Heroes at the BBC.’ I thought, wouldn’t it be cool if you could see all these Guitar Heroes in one concert – which obviously you can’t as many are no longer with us. I then started thinking about how we could create the sound and ambiance of those Guitar Heroes and that was the start of the idea… pen to paper; fingers to fret boards and this show was born.
You taught yourself to play guitar when you were 6 years old - what was the appeal of the guitar over any other instrument?
My Dad was a guitar player – so he brought a guitar into the house when I was six years old. He was also a big Shadows fan and a huge Eddie Cochran fan. I used to listen to all my Dad’s records and then eventually I stole his guitar off him and started teaching myself to play; along with Eddie Cochran and The Shadows and it went from there…
Plus, it was just really cool.
You've played with many bands throughout your career and gained a reputation for being one of the best guitarists around but what was your best career move when you first started out?
When I first started out it was meeting other players, getting in bands and meeting as many different people as possible; getting out there and gigging in front of people – and that leads on to meeting other people, and then you meet others through those people and so it goes on.
You've toured the show successfully for 5 years now - how do you decide which songs will make it on to the setlist for each tour as there must be so many to choose from?
Initially we went with the big and obvious ones – Eric Clapton, Dire Straits, The Shadows, Brian May from Queen. Then when we were on the road, we started listening to what our audience wanted to hear. We do a ‘meet and greet’ after every show and lots of people came up with different requests that way. When you hear the same name cropping up over and over, you decide to put them in the show.
Do you own all of the guitars that are used on the show and which of them is the most precious to you?
I own all of the guitars that I play, which are around 18 on stage. All together we have 30 guitars on stage; but 18 of those are ones I own and play.
My old white Fender Stratocaster is my most precious one, and I use it in the show on lots of songs such as Jimi Hendrix, the Deep Purple section. I’ve had it since I was 11 years old – my Mum and Dad bought it for me as my first real, proper, own guitar. It goes everywhere with me – it doesn’t travel in the tour lorry; it stays with me all the time.
Which is the one guitar that you can't wait to pick up and play?
Other than my white Fender Stratocaster, I also really look forward to picking up the double neck guitar. It’s not often you play a double neck guitar, but we do a certain song in the show that requires one – and because it’s so different, I look forward to playing that.
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The show takes us through music history from the 1950s to the present day - which is your favourite era?
That’s really a difficult question and I think it depends on what mood I’m in. Sometimes I love to get my old Gretsch guitars out and play in a 1950’s rock and roll style; yet I also love getting my Ibanez guitars out, which are more modern and rocky type. At the moment I’m going through a bit of an 80’s phase, so I’m quite enjoying playing Prince and Dire Straits. What's the most interesting fact you've learnt since doing the show? When people come and see the show, it’s amazing how many young children are coming along and that are still really interested in guitar. You think that with the world today and all its technology, computer games, alternate artificial worlds that guitar playing had waned a bit – but it really hasn’t, there’s so many young people wanting to learn how to play. Technology has a place in learning a musical instrument, so it’s not a bad thing, but it’s heartwarming to see the love for the instrument and creating is still at the essence. |
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Is there one song that you could never leave out from the show?
I think the Eric Clapton section, if we didn’t do ‘Layla’ we’d probably get tomatoes thrown at us. We always do a couple of Eric Clapton songs and tend to do ‘Layla’ last, which always gets an enormous applause – so I don’t think we could leave that out.
What's the best advice you would give to anyone out there thinking of taking up playing guitar?
Don’t think about it; just do it. It’s great fun and given me a tremendous career. Whether you’re playing in your bedroom or on world stages, just do it. Don’t think about it; you won’t look back and regret it.
I think the Eric Clapton section, if we didn’t do ‘Layla’ we’d probably get tomatoes thrown at us. We always do a couple of Eric Clapton songs and tend to do ‘Layla’ last, which always gets an enormous applause – so I don’t think we could leave that out.
What's the best advice you would give to anyone out there thinking of taking up playing guitar?
Don’t think about it; just do it. It’s great fun and given me a tremendous career. Whether you’re playing in your bedroom or on world stages, just do it. Don’t think about it; you won’t look back and regret it.
Your biog says that you're very down to earth and that you would never be the type to demand blue M&Ms in your dressing room - BUT if you could choose one rider, what would it be?
Oh definitely pink M&Ms!
In all seriousness and pushing the boat out a little bit… it would be some really nice Fish and Chips for dinner and then some Wine Gums and a nice glass of Port when I come off stage.
Who is your ultimate guitar hero - alive or dead - and what would you ask them if you met (or perhaps you already have)?
I have two. First – I have met him and I did ask him my question, which was “will you please sign my guitar?” That was Albert Lee, who I’ve met a couple of times.
Secondly, there’s a Country guitar player in America called Brad Paisley, who, I think, is one of the best guitar players on the planet. I love him, he’s great.
I’d ask him if he’d sign one of my other guitars and what colour M&Ms does he have!
We came to see the show last year and absolutely LOVED it - will there be anything new to look forward to for this year's tour?
There are lots of things to look forward to in the 2020 show; I won’t give them all away but we have new Guitar Heroes in there, some new songs, new lighting show and there’s quite a few more guitars on stage. There’s lots to look forward to!
Hope to see you there!
Oh definitely pink M&Ms!
In all seriousness and pushing the boat out a little bit… it would be some really nice Fish and Chips for dinner and then some Wine Gums and a nice glass of Port when I come off stage.
Who is your ultimate guitar hero - alive or dead - and what would you ask them if you met (or perhaps you already have)?
I have two. First – I have met him and I did ask him my question, which was “will you please sign my guitar?” That was Albert Lee, who I’ve met a couple of times.
Secondly, there’s a Country guitar player in America called Brad Paisley, who, I think, is one of the best guitar players on the planet. I love him, he’s great.
I’d ask him if he’d sign one of my other guitars and what colour M&Ms does he have!
We came to see the show last year and absolutely LOVED it - will there be anything new to look forward to for this year's tour?
There are lots of things to look forward to in the 2020 show; I won’t give them all away but we have new Guitar Heroes in there, some new songs, new lighting show and there’s quite a few more guitars on stage. There’s lots to look forward to!
Hope to see you there!
Where and when is the show performing?
We will be at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Saturday 1st February 2020, but we have various other dates which you can see on the website, across the UK.
For tickets to see The Story of Guitar Heroes at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff you can go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Website: www.storyofguitarheroes.com
YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcHRcL88ueFGHJHzKMBjWhg
(Phil Walker Guitarist)
We will be at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Saturday 1st February 2020, but we have various other dates which you can see on the website, across the UK.
For tickets to see The Story of Guitar Heroes at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff you can go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Website: www.storyofguitarheroes.com
YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcHRcL88ueFGHJHzKMBjWhg
(Phil Walker Guitarist)