I began playing guitar aged 12 at Ecclesfield School in my hometown of Sheffield. One of my teachers, Mrs Martindale, used to run the school folk group, and it was there, as a member of the folk group, that I began learning to play a few songs.

     It was here that I first discovered the music of John Denver, when, for our first live performance we were told that we would be performing ‘Annie’s Song’.

I had never heard of the singer, or the song at that point and as I struggled to learn to play the song, my parents bought me the album ‘An Evening With John Denver’. Annie’s Song was on the album, along with many other great songs. It was like a whole new world had opened up. I enjoyed listening to the songs over, and over and over again. I quickly began learning to play ALL of the songs on the album, not just the one that I was supposed to be doing.

I started collecting JD albums, and in 1990 I got my first  chance to go to a John Denver concert, at Sheffield City Hall.

   For me it was a magical night to see John Denver Live standing there up on stage, playing the songs that I had been learning, and listening to, since those early school days. John was with his band on this occasion which included legendary guitarist James Burton.

The best way of learning a song is to see someone else playing it. And who better than the man who wrote the songs ?

1991 brought another John Denver concert, this time at the Manchester Apollo theatre. It was also a solo tour, just John and his guitar, which showed just how good a guitar player he really was. His playing inspired me to want to do better, and even to this day, I still constantly look to improve things.

1994 brought another tour, and this time with a brand new band, which included Pete Huttlinger on guitar and Chris Nole on Piano. They gave new life to John’s music and little did I know back in 1994, how much Pete and Chris would figure in my own life in later years.

1997 brought what was to be the last time I would get to see

John Denver live in the U.K. Though no one knew at the time that

six months later he would be killed in a plane crash in California.

I had tickets to several shows on this tour,good seats too, as I longed to learn more about playing John’s songs correctly on the guitar. Again it was a solo tour, and each of the shows still hold special memories for me. None more so than the Nottingham Royal concert hall, where I got to meet John Denver, for the one and only time. He was meeting, and shaking hands with everyone, as we all waited patiently in line. Many were asking for photo’s and autographs, which we all knew he didn’t like.

     When he got to me and shook my hand I said “We’ll played John.” He smiled and said “ Why, Thank You,” and he gave my hand an extra squeeze. It was a fantastic tour, John was in fine voice and being a solo tour it gave him the chance to again show his exceptional guitar skills. Once again seeing him live gave me the chance to pick up a few more pointers for my own guitar playing. Music books just don’t show you how to play the songs the same way that John did. It’s a copyright thing !

   6 months later came the shattering news that his plane had gone down, and that he had been killed in the crash. Like fellow JD fans around the world, I was left devastated. I couldn’t pick up my guitar for quite a while. Several weeks went by, and still I had no interest in my guitars or anything else for that matter. Eventually I did pick up a guitar and began just playing a few chords, which then lead into song after song.

Ecclesfield School Folk Group about 1982 taken just before we went into the school’s Lady Mabel Hall to perform the end of term concert.

This Old Guitar.....  Neil with sister, Karen in 1980 with the first two of the many guitars that make up Neil’s guitar collection. Karen is holding the oldest guitar in the photo, which sadly is no more. Neil has his first brand new guitar in his hands, which he still has in his collection to this day.

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