Bill Nelson is probably THE most criminaly underrated guitarist ever. So many solo's to choose from when asked to pick his finest.....Crying to the sky,Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape,Axe Victim,Love with the Madman spring to mind along with many others but for me it's either Soundtrack or Heavenly Homes. Genius.

@user-bl5jr5vz6i

9 ай бұрын

Bill is the greatest guitarist of all time.

@kevb2231

8 ай бұрын

Absolutely right the reason I picked up a guitar in 1976, the most amazing melodic guitar I've ever heard to this day, adventures in Yorkshire landscape one of the best.

@willpike3416

8 ай бұрын

I wish Bill hadn't turned his back on guitar solos after Be Bop Deluxe ,I know some of his more recent albums have brought them back but you know it annoyed me he was influenced by Punk .

@markferrett700

8 ай бұрын

@@willpike3416 I couldn't agree more....I was really disappointed when he disbanded BBD. Red Noise and all the "alternative " stuff didn't do it for me.

@neilperrin1871

6 ай бұрын

Being a big bebop fan I couldn't agree with you more.. The end riff of heavenly homes still makes my hair stand on end..bill nelson is a true musical genius and what a guitar player!

Crying to the Sky.... One of the greatest guitar solos ever, and a beautiful song....

@chriswalford9228

2 жыл бұрын

Or even two of

@bertifrasilmeye995

Жыл бұрын

@@chriswalford9228 My favourite, and simply the best!

@ralfbond258

11 ай бұрын

a nod to jimi hendrix!!✌🏼😎

His long solo on Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape from Live In the Air Age is one my all time faves.

@saldada6928

2 жыл бұрын

indeed!

@wentkat

2 жыл бұрын

Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape from Live in the Air Age gives me goosebumps

@leeder92

Жыл бұрын

Along with the solo from Crying to the sky.

@Nicehousecrappycar

Жыл бұрын

I guess I'm not the only one.

@azdinak

Жыл бұрын

I want that played at my funeral. the greatest.

I love Bill Nelson, a great yet underrated genius.

@rogernevin7461

3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree. Music in Dreamland, Maid in Heaven, Love with the Madman, Sister Seagull , the guy's a genius ! Futurama 1975 one of my favourite albums.

@dotdashdotdash

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve seen Bill play in person, a few times… that guy can make a guitar sing.

Live in the Air Age by Be Bop Deluxe one of the best ever live albums out there ...

@ambadad

3 жыл бұрын

ICYMI - Cherry Red Records has a new 15 CD + 1 DVD box set of this coming out in August, plus a 3 CD shorter version for those not inclined to shell out for the box.

@petercrisp6447

Жыл бұрын

@@ambadad bought the 16 disc set when it came out

@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry

9 ай бұрын

Sorry. It is THE best ever live album out there. I want it in my coffin when the time comes.

@BrianSniatkowski

5 ай бұрын

I normally dislike live albums, but Live in the Air Age Is an exception. It has an almost jazz-like feel that is such a departure from his studio records.

Saw BeBop Deluxe live twice. One of THE BEST EVER. He changed a broken string on stage, while playing.

I never forgot him! Bill Nelson is up there with the greatest guitarists, not only a phenomenal player, but a prolific composer, and a great thinker!

Great quote at the end about how, like it or not, Bill is defined by the Be Bop Deluxe days, but as one introduced to Bill Nelson in 1980, I have to say his "The Love that Whirls" (not a "guitar" album and thus no mention in this video) is an absolute masterpiece and a genre of music unto itself.

I saw Be Bop on that tour of his Live In the Air Age album. Being a guitar player from the sixties this man really blew me away. In fact, listen to his playing on that album. This man really played fantastic music. It was unforgettable. His tone control is superb. Songwriting as well. That live album is amongst the best.

Holy Smokes Guitar Historian did you raid my record collection??!! Bill Nelson is genius then and now -- Beauty Pick!!!

@nathandodge665

Жыл бұрын

Nope not a genius at all

Been following Bill from the Bebop years and as a guitarist one of my biggest influences, the jazziness in his guitar lines " Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape"? Amazing!! Thanks for giving him due credit.

@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry

9 ай бұрын

"Shine" from LITAA would be a monster jazz hit if released today.

An amazing musician and song writer. Modern Music is my favorite album of all time. He is the Steven Wilson of the 1970's...

A fine summary of Bill's career. I've been a fan since the 70's and he continues to inspire. .

One of my favorites and nobody knows him. So clean fast and talented. Lucky to see Be Bop Deluxe once. He does stuff you never hear especially the effects and tone.

I saw BBD in the 70's on the Sunburst Finish tour. Inexplicably, they were third bill to Paris and Golden Earring. Bill put on the best performance of any guitar player I have ever seen, and I have seen many! It still gives me goose bumps when I think of it...seeing them in the small Portland, OR. Paramount theater. I remember Paris came on next and were woefully ill prepared and almost booed off the stage. I still wonder if they were simply blown away by Bills performance and couldn't concentrate.

Another long time Bill Nelson fan since the early 70s with Be bop deluxe,still producing great and unique music.To me the most underated guitarist

I did cover artwork on a fan based tribute CD that was presented to him in his birthday in 1998

I saw Be Bop Deluxe open for Robin Trower in Atlanta, great show, after they were done Bill just kept playing as they were removing the gear, no amp, just kept playing with his eyes closed, amazing !!!

@TheGuitarHistorian

3 жыл бұрын

Oh damn! TWO forgotten Fretmasters in one show??

@claudelee5382

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheGuitarHistorian yes sir, so it would be great if you could do Robin Trower, Frank Marino and Johnny Winter, just saying 😎

@claudelee5382

3 жыл бұрын

Roy Buchanan also forgotten hero

@nigelstansfield1644

3 жыл бұрын

And Jerry Reed.

@LesCanney

Жыл бұрын

I was at that show as well. Supposedly Trower’s roadies had “lost” Bebop’s costumes which pissed Nelson off. I believe they ended the show with “Terminal Street”, which they played until the power was cut to the amps. Great show!

Easily my favourite guitarist, musician & composer. Even today 2022 he is generating sublime and unique sounds. He’s a nice down to earth guy too. Without doubt, the greatest musical influence on my life. I’m 60 by the way so have enjoyed a lifetime of Bill’s adorable creations.

Soundtrack on Futurama has got the best guitar solo starting at 4 minute mark, however, there's great fierce fills throughout.

I remember one of the main music newspapers in the 70’s calling the music of Bebop Deluxe “Sophistirock”. I’ve been playing guitar for over 50 years and Bill has been my biggest influence. Thanks for the music and the memories Bill.

First saw Bill in the 1970’s with Be bop, and since then he’s never disappointed me. Great Guitarist, fabulous songs but a brilliant risk taking musician.

"Crying to The Sky" -- to my mind (and ears) that heavenly-resplendent tune is a brilliant tribute to Jimi Hendrix. Many thanks, Guitar Historian!

His playing on David Sylvian's "Gone To Earth" puts him up there with the greats !

@scentdesigner1

2 жыл бұрын

Agree, brilliant album

Saw Be Bop Deluxe at Swansea University in the mid seventies. Surreal gig, as they played in a lecture room, with tiered benches, where there had probably been lectures during the day!! Only about 150+ present, but they played a long set and the sound was sensational. One of the most memorable gigs I attended.

@romanpolanski4928

3 жыл бұрын

I saw BBD in 1978 at the Hammersmith Odeon (as it was then). One of the most memorable concerts of my life.

I saw Be Bop Deluxe during their 76/77 UK tour. They were magnificent. Bill played a cherry red Gibson 335 custom and he absolutely let it rip that night. He just confirmed what I always new: a guitar prodigy come into his pomp.

I had no idea about Bill Nelson or Be Bop Deluxe. I went to Apple Music and played the first track and was blown away! Thanks for this!

@ryanfulldark2775

3 жыл бұрын

@Busta Speeker Axe Victim, which was killer!

@ryanfulldark2775

3 жыл бұрын

@Busta Speeker haha, will do and thank you👍

From the album "Futurama", the song _Soundtrack_ features amazingly expressive guitar work, and hands down the greatest outro ever.

Great lost history of one of the greatest guitarists ever, imho. And BBD really was stellar Bill, though the name might've thrown the non-curious off. Cheers, docdownunder...

Bill Nelsons music accompanied me for a big chunk of my life. Summer of God’s piano and his work with David Sylvian (Gone to Earth) are particular favourites. Such a tasteful visionary musician. Brilliant!!

Pretty well one my fave artists since bebopdeluxe

I was recording in the studio in my first real band in Hull 1981 same time as bill Nelson (from nearby Selby), we were finishing as he showed up to make an album but he did better than us!

Great you cover this! Bill Nelson and Be-Bop Deluxe are in the front of my listening list. Yes, and don't let us forget about Red Noise, Northern Lights and all the others....

Was a big fan of BBD back in the day, I've got a few of their albums. What i liked most about the band was that they didn't sound like any other band at the time. Bill's sound was always forward looking. I saw the band twice, and at the second show to promote Drastic Plastic, Bill voiced his frustration that the crowd wanted most to hear their earlier music. In my opinion DP was an album that pushed the new wave sound forward, obviously influencing many young bands. Thanks for reminding me of a fun time in my life!

@hurdygurdyguy1

2 жыл бұрын

Imo, concert goers rarely want a band to play new music, they want to hear what drew them to the group in previous years...

Bill Nelson is a musical genius in guitar playing and songwriting. Probably the greatest guitarist of all time.

A forgotten fretmaster by the general public possibly, but not by guitarists around the world. He is one of my favorite guitarists and songwriters. I don't know anyone who plays lead lines remotely like him. The Live! In the Air Age album is one of the greatest live albums in rock music.

I saw Bepob D in 1975/6. I went to college and volunteered to help at the gigs. Oxford poly as it was then had a hall for over 1,000 and a loading bay perfect for touring trucks. So at 19 I was backstage and mightily impressed by Mr Nelson. His roadie showed me the cheap Gibson copy that they used to set on fire. Showbiz. Awesome show.

For one of the greatest guitar solos on a pop-oriented song, look no further than "Banal" from Quit Dreaming & Get On The Beam". Marvellous!

@GreasyGee

2 жыл бұрын

Beat me to It, I get the impression that It's very tongue In cheek.

@jonathanlevine8497

Жыл бұрын

@@GreasyGee is completely right. The way I heard it, when he handed in the tapes for Quit Dreaming, the label's response was that they couldn't see a single there. Nelson responded with (and I paraphrase) "What, you want the same old banal shit?". The answer was "yes", so that's what he proceeded to write.

@leeder92

10 ай бұрын

Damn right.😊

Thank you, Bill should NOT be forgotten!

I was able to catch Be Bop Deluxe during their Live in the air age Tour in Oct 19, 1977. They were supported by Nektar and a band called City Boy. I was hooked to Bill Nelson guitar playing after that show. Location of the show Albany N.Y. Palace Theater.

@ckmiller81

2 жыл бұрын

City Boy, whom I really enjoyed, had a 10CC vibe.

Love be bop deluxe - panic in the world - theme song for covid culture

Thanks for showing the great Bill Nelson some appreciation. Bill was my first guitar hero when 'Sunburst Finish' was released here in the UK. That was the year I really got into playing guitar so Bill was a real strong influence on me. For me, Sunburst Finish was the best of BeBop Deluxe.

Well done for recognising Bill Nelson, a good episode and a great series. Thanks for this content.

I knew about Be-Bop Deluxe early on, only because I worked part-time at a record store while going to college.

@skipklauber1162

3 жыл бұрын

A buddy in my freshman dorm turned me on to BBDeLuxe. When we saw them in ‘76 or ‘77 I’m pretty sure they were on a bill with Styx.

@jefferyroy2566

3 жыл бұрын

A friend worked in a Gainesville, FL record store in mid-1976, after Sunburst Finish went into wide distribution in the U.S. There was no radio play locally, but two things drove some pretty decent sales: word of mouth (my first exposure to BBD), but most of all, the scintillating cover. The friend said the sales process for the album typically started with a customer bringing the album to a salesperson and asking if the band was any good, basically asking if they were as "hot" as the cover. The answer was always yes, and the result was always a sale, or so said he.

Soundtrack from the Futurama album is one of my favourite tracks ,brilliant guitar playing

Been a huge fan of Bill and also BeBop Deluxe since Live in the Air age came out about 1977 ish? One of my fave songs and solos though is.... No trains to heaven. Rocking tune, great lyrics, vocals and the guitar parts are blistering. Beautiful

I got Northern Dream when it first came out, very limited run and was instantly hooked. Since then have seen Be Bop and Bill in various incarnations many times also attending a couple of Nelsonicas too. For me the man's a genius. Thank you so much for spotlighting him and the great work you are doing highlighting other "forgotten" axemen. Nice one.

Saw him several times at Southampton uni, amazing gigs, such great live performances, seen from feet away. Priceless memories with my dear Brother. Super times.

I was 15 years old when I walked into my local import record store at Townhall station in Sydney back in 1979 and I heard Bill Nelson's Red Noise debut entitled, "Sound on sound'. I, absolutely love this record and I still listen to it today. Fav track? thats a tough one but i'll go with, "Revolt into style". The whole album is amazing

Love Bill!!

So glad you are highlighting Bill

Saw Be Bop Deluxe as they were getting started, playing a set in Huddersfield in a Night Club called Stripes under the Beir Keller. Groups played there every week, not a real stage you stood so close you could pull the guitar strings. I remember vividly them coming on Bill in full make up looking very much like David Bowie so thought they were a tribute band, how wrong I was , mesmerised as they went through their set which was what was to become shortly the album Axe Victim. In an intimate atmosphere the decibels cranked up songs that became anthems in my head still to this day. I truly thought they would become a supergroup but that was never the intention. I was upset when he broke and reformed with a new line up as I thought it was all over. I then saw them with the new line up when much more popular on a proper stage even with a big crowd. For me the mark one version is the best as i was into the power of the raw music but appreciate his work thereafter. So thank you Bill Nelson for a night that altered my life and appreciation of music you truly are a master of your craft and one of the greats.

Thank you for a great video. Lots of info I never knew. Love love love Bill and BeBop Deluxe ! Maid in Heaven and the Modern Music Suite being my favorites.

The greatest..

Thanks for the full lowdown on Nelson’s career. I’ve been a fan of BBD for a long time but now I’ve got more music to go in search of. This is a great series! 🎸🤘🏻🎸

I was fortunate to see BBD live one time, at the old & now long gone Keystone, in Berkeley, CA. It was in '75 or '76, because he was playing songs from both Futurama & Sunburst Finish. I don't remember too many other details these 4 plus decades on... except that he absolutely rocked the house as my good friend (who was also a BBD lover and who'd turned me on to them & Nelson a year or so before) and I sat with our smiling jaws open and tears in our eyes. And that we walked out to the street in a kind of daze, our minds totally blown by his virtuosity. He has been one of my all time favorite guitarists ever since to this day. I believe him to be a musical genius in his own right. I'll always feel grateful that I got to experience seeing Bill live at least one time.

Bill Nelson, genius.

saw him with red noise in 1980 ar manchester university's cavandish house venue..id never heatd of him prior to that.being a 19 yo kid i was into deep purple.sabbath.floyd etc..bill if you read this..thank you.thank you thank you for opening my eyes and broadening my taste in music..you are one of my biggest influences in my own work..

@discoduckification

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Paul.That wouldn't have been Red Noise as they only did one tour in 1979.I do however think that I was at the same gig you mention in Manchester and it would have been "Bill Nelson & The Practical dreamers". Were FOS the support band? Cheers.Alan.

@paulscushschofield1288

3 жыл бұрын

@@discoduckification im sure it was red noise and it couldve been 78 or 9..it was at the old cavendish house venue just off oxford road..i could be wrong.i saw 100s of bands there from 77 to 81ish there.still.a great guitarist.very under rated

Great synopsis for a talent so huge it defies traditional classification.

A total unsung hero,I think I was his only fan in my area as a teen,but I turned a few on to his genius.

Be bop!! Red noise!! All killers!! He was way before his time! Great job ❤

Well done you. 🙏Thank you for taking this beyond BBD.👍

Thank you! Love Bill so much.

Thank you!!!! I asked you about this a week or two ago and here it is!! I love Bill Nelson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for posting this. Never heard him before, what an amazing player! Love his tone and style.

Brilliant choice. Thank you

Thank you for this, a grossly underappreciated player & musical genius❤

The first time I heard Bill was when he was in a trio with two lads off our local estate in Flanshaw in Wakefield, he was playing at our local WMC, and he played Apache by the Shadows note perfect, He then popped up as Global Village playing a free concert at Thornes Park bandstand, then he did a gig at Wakefield College, he then went on to be "Famous" as Be Bop Deluxe and moved on to the international scene.

Thanks so much for making this video. Bill Nelson is a brilliant musician. 🔊🤠👍

TGH, another great episode. Lots of us who still remember from way back then. 👍✌️❤️

A new 8 cd Be bop deluxe is out ..Thanks for covering one of the best guitar players . Ear pleasing sonically great Bill Nelson

Bill's discography is truly huge, anyone really wanting to grasp his talent have a lot of listening in front of them. It's hard to pick a favourite song. Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape of course, Panic In The World, Banal, Stay Young, and Blazing Apostles are all great in their own right. Thanks for making this excellent clip, and now subscribed.

I was in a Prog cover band way before I got signed and doing my own material. In the cover band we fell in love with Bebop Deluxe. We played lots of Yes and just about all of Sunburst finish and the next few albums. I still love Bill's playing which to me was a step away from Jazz Fusion. Great composer,guitarist and vocalist.❤

I first heard Bill Nelson when I bought "Live in the Air Age" when it was released & wore that LP out.

That was a great video on Bill Nelson, as a teen in the 70s I loved the music from be bop deluxe, my first be bop album was sunburst finish, I think my favourite be bop album has to be "live in the air age". Always striving to improve and get to the point where Bill is happy with his own work is a fitting tribute to one very understated and brilliant musician. I agree more than a vertuoso guitarist, Bill is a great producer, writer, a great rare talent

Informed and resonant. Thank you, sir!

👍 well done for acknowledging Bill! Great stuff..

Thanks so much for undertaking so much research on Bill. For me Bill Nelson will always be the consummate artistic genius... someone whose musical and lyrical talent elevates them to a different level.

Great vid, very informative. I actually never dived into Nelson’s music before. Thanks and keep up the good work!

Jewels and naked illusions cruise everywhere.

An absolutely first class interpretation and summary of one of my favourite musicians of my lifetime. nuff said. except ... very nicely done. PS First Saw Be Bop / Bill on the Modern music tour. (Manchester apollo)then, Drastic plastic then Red noise. Then at one of his weekends in york about 5 years ago.

I'm standing by my opinion. This guy is the best narrator on KZread. I love this channel. So interesting. Great work.

@ckmiller81

2 жыл бұрын

Very, very well documented and researched scripts!

What a ride ...first heard Red Noise on Tommy Vance’s Friday Rock Show on BBC Radio One, then bounced back via Peel to Northern Dream, and then leap-frogged forward to Quit Dreaming, only skimming through BBD much later. The other theme that has me hooked on Bill Nelson are his guitars - the ES for sure, and the modern Eastwoods, but his use of a Yamaha SG was iconic for me, and so on point for the times, mirroring its use by New Wave artists like Stuart Adamson and and John MacGeogh. A fascinating life in music presented with remarkable clarity. When I suggested an episode on Bill (not very long ago), I knew it’d be good, but this exceeds. Thank you!

Bill Nelson, Steve Hillage, XTC the very finest but oft forgotten. Thankyou for this great video :)

I bought 4 of Bills' CD's when a local music store was pulling them from the shelf

As a long-time BBD/BN fan, I very much enjoyed this video, kudos to you, Guitar Historian. While I'm at it, I'll advance another plug for the fine keyboardist Simon Clark. That's right, Simon Clark, the name he went by all his life outside BBD, and by which he's credited on Peter Gabriel's records. Nelson could not handle having two Simons in his band and insisted Clark go by his middle name. I've read one quote where Simon let on he was never thrilled with this, and happily returned to using his personal name in his music industry life from his departure from the band onward.

Great video thanks for sharing. I saw BBD twice at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester '76 and '77. Masterful band and Charles was on top form too. Cheers.

Excellent production. Thank you. Met Bill at Nelsonica and been following him since 1975. Thank for this!!

Thanks for turning me on to Bill Nelson!

I had a roommate who kept telling me, "Listen to this, listen to this, it's fantastic, it's better than the Bowie hooker!" And he was right, it's great. For musicians, there are only two options: Either you do what you want, and success is random, or you strive for success. In between, there's really nowhere to go. If you are striving for success, at some point you will have to make a compromise. And risk losing your musical "soul". Hooray Mr. Nelson !

@fifthof1795

2 жыл бұрын

Ooooh, much as I like Bill, I would not say he was better than Ronno...no, no way. More accomplished songwriter though.

At 77, Bebop Deluxe is one of 2 groups I still listen to. Steely Dan is the other group.

bills got to be in the top 100 guitar players. bill got is first air play break with the help of "john peel" radio one he even went to johns wedding

Couldn't have picked a more interesting artist been listening to Bill since kid!Have all the albums and cds and few on cassettes and own most all Bill's solo work but he's constantly making more!I have a few albums and a lot of cds on Bill's old Cocteau label to which no longer exists!Well done commentary best ive heard so far!I love Bill's guitar work beautiful! AND SKILLED!

Drastic Plastic and Sound on Sound was my introduction to Bill Nelson and have remained a fan ever since. Definitely not forgotten. So sorry to hear about his health issues.

I’m so glad that you featured bill nelson bebop deluxe was my favourite band in the 70s and my favourite album is “modern music” man I’ve played that CD 10,000 times.

Good show. Bill Nelson strikes me as a true musical artist, always experimenting and moving forward. I hope he keeps going. I saw him in Toronto at the El Mocambo with a post be-bop / red noise band and was thrilled when they played one of my favorite songs at the time, "Contemplation". We waited around hoping to see Bill after the show, but didn't wait too long. My brother left him a copy of Marshall McLuhan's book "The Mechanical Bride" and swears some of the photos from that book made their way into Bill's collage art on later ambient album covers. Should also mention that Bill Nelson is a master of playing e-bow guitar.

Futurama & Sunburst Finish are still two of my favourite and most played albums. Red Noise, Liverpool Empire March '79 was my first ever gig. Great documentary will go and have a look through the rest of your videos. Cheers from NZ.

I always loved Axe Victim and saw Be Bop Deluxe several times in Bristol during the 70's.

@evanwolf6618

2 жыл бұрын

Bristol , home town of Cary Grant .

Red Noise to me was the definitive signifier of the coming New Wave of electronic experimentalism stands up beautifully and Revolt Into Style defines the New Wave era lyrically

I went to the same high-school but the year after he left. The first free concert that I ever attended was Global Village in Wakefield park bandstand area The last gig that I attended before leaving for Austalia was Be-Bop Deluxe at Wakefield Tech. Possibly alongside the Pretty Things So long ago