Heroes

One this page are a number of pepole who have influenced me by their actions or words or music. They are what I would call my heroes.......

Diana, Princess of Wales

Diana, Princess of Wales - Probably the most famous female in the World during the 20th Century. She inspired millions with her life, with all its ups and downs. Having to live in a media and royal family straight jacket, she still managed to triumph over betrayal and insecurity. I liked the idea of her sneaking out at night from her palace to feed the homeless down and outs by Waterloo Station in London, as well as taking a public stand towards AIDS sufferers. She helped change poeple's attidues in so many ways. There's so much I could write, but I'm sure everyone has their own particular memory of her.

For an interesting book about Diana, read Divine Intervention by Hazel Courteney. 

John Lennon

John Lennon - Always my favourite and funniest Beatle. Like Diana, John Lennon left this world far too early. He was controversial, outspoken, anti-establishment, yet a great visionary for peace and a better world. In one of those great synchronicities in my life, I came into this world less than a mile away from where John was living at his Aunt Mimis on Menlove Avenue in Liverpool. A few years ago Wendy and I visited that house and you could feel his presence in that small bedroom above the front door, where he wrote some of the earliest Beatle songs.  Paul may have written the best Beatle tunes, like Get Back and Paperback Writer, but John wrote Imagine.....

Bill Shankly

Bill Shankly - The greatest Liverpool manager there ever was and ever will be. I know Bob Paisley led Liverpool FC to the European Cup and many more trophies after Shanks had gone, but Shankly laid the foundations for Liverpool's huge success in the 1970's and 80's. I feel privileged to have seen him in the flesh at the match where this photo was taken, after Liverpool had just won the 1st Division Championship in 1973 after several years without a trophy. You can spot me in the Kop behind him! Here is a film of that historic event - press here.

"He made the people happy"

Musical Heroes

This a separate section listing my main musical heroes as there are so many of them.....

John Lees - of Barclay James Harvest

Laurie Wisefield - ace guitarist, once of Wishbone Ash, but he has also played with such names as Tina Turner, Joe Cocker, Roger Chapman and his first band, Home.

Pete Townshend - the founder and leader of the Who, who wrote such greats as Tommy, Lifehouse and Quadrophenia, as well as being a great "chord" guitarist. I was lucky enough to have seen the Who at their peak in 1975, when they were probably the best live band in the world at the time. Pete's solo gig to perform "Lifehouse" in its entirety in 2001 ranks as among my favourite gigs of all time. Always a very erudite and knowledgeable, yet humble man. He still has a lot to give.