Bill Nelson - 40 Years Of Recordings - Interview by Mark Powell

[@Rowry117]

A truly unsung pioneer in the UK music industry. His creativity over 4 decades is absolutely fantastic, the quality and diversity of his work second to none.

[@nightheme365]

I totally agree and I'm from the U.S. I discovered his music on college stations back in the 70s. Thank goodness for that, as his music was never played on mainstream FM stations back in the day. I was lucky enough to see Be Bop Deluxe and Bill Nelson's Red Noise.

[@lamontprospect9974]

Great interview. The host has a beautiful style of doing interviews. The host is obviously well versed in Bill's music career. What a refreshing interview. Most times a host cuts off the guest and tribes to promote himself or herself. Great interview and an excellent host.

[@huskvarsm]

In my opinion he is in the top ten greatest guitarists ever to come from the uk a true genius.

[@user-bl5jr5vz6i]

Bill is probably the greatest guitarist of all time.

[@goldsaj]

@@user-bl5jr5vz6i Technically there are very few that can match him. He is a true master. Bill, Michael Schenker and Lindsey Buckingham are personally, my all time favourites.

[@fvazquez64]

The more I listen to his music, the more I realize that he is a genius... thanks for sharing

[@domesticfoxy]

This is what a musical genius looks like,so humble

[@cherylcottingham3029]

So sweet!

[@Babaziba]

Nelson is the whole package - singer/guitarist/multi-instrumentalist/producer. He's created some of the most beautiful sonicscapes I've ever heard.

[@jeffw.1854]

Be Bop was the most underated band ever! I saw them play under Yes in Seattle in 77 and was hooked ever after. Nelson is a fantastic guitarist! Much as I like Yes Im really glad I saw them that night.

[@Adipsia1]

jeff w. I agree. In terms of Bill's song-writing capability and virtuosity, they were at least the equals of Yes and Queen. Bill should be 'up there' with Steve Howe and Brian May, but he's downgraded his marketability and increased his credibility. Who does that these days ?

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

One of my biggest regrets in life was not seeing them in Seattle or Spokane!!! I was not fully aware of them despite I regularly played cuts from Live! In The Air Age as a DJ at a college radio station in Spokane! What a missed opportunity!! Thankfully I've recently rediscovered Bill Nelson's discography and am just stunned at the amount of music he has produced!!!

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

@@Adipsia1 and he's a helluva nicer guy and more approachable than Howe

[@PolferiferusII]

@@hurdygurdyguy1 His body of work is truly astounding! Almost unfathomable!

[@johnfillmore343]

No one plays guitar like Bill; unique, melodic leads that packed a serious punch. He's a great songwriter as well. Like many other folks, I liked the BBD material best. I really think they were on the verge of major success in the USA if Be Bop would have stuck it out one more year. Among my fellow musician friends at the time, BBD was well known and highly appreciated. My band did covers of several Be Bop songs that always went over well.

[@huskvarsm]

a really great interview by a man i consider to be one of the finest guitarists in the world over the last 40yrs absolutely peerless.

[@gtcharlieakatrent]

AXE VICTIM

[@discharge2331]

This guy has got more talent than a lot of the 'big names' .much more talent .

[@badmattam]

'Love that whirls' and 'Quit dreaming...' are my all time favourite Bill Nelson albums.I listened to them on vinyl in the early 80's, CD in the 90's/2000's and now on my ipod.As fresh now as it was back then....such a unique musician and a genuinely lovely fella.

[@MondoJohnny]

Does it get cooler than Bill? What a class act. The most gracious and talented musician I have ever seen.

[@chrisnewcastle61]

Lovely, lovely interview. What a guy. So glad he mentioned Man Jumping. I worked in a record store and we had a tape which I played many times. Problem was, it was a promo and we didn't run an account with the distributor at the time. The tape box had a contact number for Cocteau so I rang it, hoping to find of another company distributed it. The guy at Cocteau was pretty grumpy and said it was our problem, not his. I like to think it might've been Bill himself! I was a bit disappointed he didn't cover anything from his collaborations with Yukihiro Takahashi or his mini album Chimera which is just excellent. If you want to see a superb performance of Bill from that time, check out Takahashi live performances on KZbin especially It's Gonna Work Out where his beautiful e bow guitar work is to the fore. October Man is possibly my all time favourite track of his.

[@matthewstokes1608]

Finally an interviewer who totally gets how to interview. Great to listen to!

[@davidbolstridge6437]

I could listen to Bill talking about his career endlessly. Superb interview.

[@richverost6416]

First heard Bill after reading an interview with Ace Frehley in Circus magazine. He was asked what he listens to and mentions Bill and BBD. Bought Live In the Air Age the next day and have been hooked ever since. Had the pleasure of seeing BBD in the late '70's in Passiac NJ. Such an underrated guitarist and band. The songs sound as frerash today as they ever had.

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

I was a college radio DJ in the late '70's and by pure luck pulled Live! In The Air Age out of the racks and was immediately taken with the Metropolis themed packaging, dropped the needle and never looked back!! Love at first heard!!

[@michaelehrhart9670]

Likely the ONLY person in the realm of modern music who is a true GENIUS. Very prolific and an amazing artist.

[@raeloupied6193]

You said “Modern Music”. Was it on purpose?

[@jamestemple8970]

Only? Bowie, Eno, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, David Byrne.....

[@78aquaman]

Merry Garcia and Frank Zappa..come on my man..

[@alansmith7699]

Completely underrated and overlooked.

[@mainmaam]

An important artist.

[@jgfergus]

Bill...thanks for blessing us with great music for 40 years. I just picked up the box set...fabulous!

[@ianpritchard6375]

Really enjoyed listening to Bill .. but I was particularly impressed by Mark. What a fantastic interviewer. So refreshing to see an interviewer who has a complete grasp of the history of Bill, the band and the music. No notes so he completely focuses on Bill. His questions are excellent springboards for Bill and there is never a sense that he is seeking to be the star. Great. Thanks for posting.

[@janeskowron3065]

I saw them in 1977 in Arizona. I was astounded by BeBop Deluxe and everything they played with such intensity. I've been a huge fan ever since. Yes, some of his music in later years was more difficult to wrap your head around for those of us who don't play, but even then, his brilliance is nothing short of astounding. Love you BILL!

[@lkleinenbach9740]

+Jane Stebbins Is that when they opened for Lou Reed in Phoenix?

[@janeskowron3065]

Yes it was, unbelievable.

[@lkleinenbach9740]

I was there. I came up from Tucson. I was there to see Be Bop Deluxe, not so much Lou Reed. I saw Bill, as a solo act, at the Roxy in Hollywood...around the middle of July, 1981. There were fans, at the show, who were disappointed that he didn't perform any BBD material, just his new trendy stuff. I was a big Bowie, Roxy Music, Sparks and Van der Graf Generator fan, as well.

[@mykllee3]

+LK Leinenbach ......I was there right along with you at the Roxy! Although I knew it would be his Red Noise. This is what Drastic Plastic was leading up to....way ahead of his time, and THE most underrated guitarist ever.

[@whythecoux]

I was one of those Roxy-ites and heard such shouts as "put that thing down and pick up your pic Bill," referring to his recent EBow fascination and loyalty. I believe I chimed in a request for "Blazing Apostles." I liked the "Youth of Nation" material, but was wondering if the Guitar hero would show himself.

[@hippylong]

Thank you both for taking the time to do this.

[@stevesstuff1450]

Such a great guy :) Wonderful musician, and visionary :) And so modest too ;) Wonderful BeBop and Red Noise memories, and then solo stuff........ and yes, I do Dream In Colour! ;)

[@grahamhyweljohn59]

Couldn't have put it better myself!

[@irishcowboy42]

I came across Bill via David Sylvian.. what a tremendous guitarist, i loved his solo career and after this interview what a classy bloke.

[@michaelboyce9373]

Love His Be-Bop Deluxe Records!

[@alanbridges4173]

Hi Bill-have collected your records right from the very first one and have just picked up a copy of the Herbs/Charles Tumahai a great New Zealand group.Many thanks for the sounds over the years and keeping my brain and ears going-age is just a number,thank you. kind regards Al Bridges

[@gregoryeguinoademoerloose620]

GENIOUS. Most underrated musician ever, but the most prolific one (in terms of quantity and quality), ahead of the times BILL NELSON.

[@Adipsia1]

A great interview, so few interruptions... regards to Mark Powell. For me Bill's always been so far out 'there'...since I purchased 'Axe Victim', and yet he's still so grounded. An incredible musician and lyricist... and a mind that remains decades ahead of his time. So much inspiration, and humility... coupled with talent on the guitar. And the 'Modern Music' album cover captures the birth of 'Apple Watch'... nearly 40 years before it was born. Bill will likely end his life as an unsung hero... but he deserves so much more.

[@deblenson]

Been a fan for many years, saw them in concert back in the 70's Always thought they did not get enough recognition for how great they were. Bill Nelson is one of the greatest guitarist of of that time

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

Still one of the greatest guitarists of our or any time!!!

[@user-bl5jr5vz6i]

Bill is a musical genius and the greatest guitarist of all time.

[@andyowen7636]

This man was so ahead of his time..a cliche..but so true in his case..he is a musician rather than a guitarist..but my god what a phenomenal guitarist..

[@Adipsia1]

andy owen A phenomenal, humble, human-being first... and his incredible guitar virtuosity almost comes second.

[@70ajc]

andy owen He is a frustrating artist. The recently reissued Noise Candy is a good example of his talents but his more recent work - the last decade in fact - has been an endless morass of meandering, languid guitar expositions of very little consequence.

[@nilsdesperandum]

Charlie was refused a work permit apparently and he I think Bill took the view that Charlie was a founder member and so integral to the band that he should wind up BeBop and move on to a different project. That's only speculation from various sources within the industry though. Then came Red Noise which I never really got into.

[@philwearmouth1102]

My favourite guitarist by miles ... what a gem. And when he talks about Holyground records well, you just have to listen to Junction 32 ...

[@MuddyHelmet]

WAAAAAYYYY ahead of their time!!

[@andrewwilson711]

Living legend

[@Batstrings]

John Peel was the most important person in music, more than any band, more than any musician, John Peel WAS the music industry. He had such a huge effect on hundreds of bands who we may never have heard of if it wasnt for his genius of spotting talent like Bill Nelson and many many more. I'm forever indebted to John for filling my life with such exciting and moving music, and those fabulous bands that he championed

[@roberttemblett9909]

First heard of be-bop deluxe walking past a music shop in the early 70`s up Park street , Bristol. Saw them when they did a gig at the Colston Hall not long after and been a fan ever since. Bill Nelson was and is a fantastic guitarist and that band were superb as a unit at that time. Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape [live] is one of my all time Favourites

[@clogssg517]

Been a Bill Nelson fan for ages, What a great man , .and what a great ,well researched interview . A pleasure to watch

[@KILLBILDERBURG]

...what a brilliantly informative interview...thanks for posting.. I dont know where I'd be without the influence of the brilliant Bill!

[@lluhsnimnyrhtak]

I love Bill Nelson. Sound track of my teens. Just a musical genius, visionary and lovely man.

[@riclrk9947]

so underated,have loved his guitar playing and music since 74,no one soars like Bill

[@dspguitar]

Over the years, I find that most of the people that really appreciate Bill Nelson are other musicians. He's a great song writer, guitarist, lyricist, and has been quite an influence to a lot of other famous musicians. Enjoyed the interview very much.

[@davidk6271]

I very much enjoyed this and good to see Bill is still up for it. Good interview. Many thanks,D

[@perrydear6306]

just found this by luck, what a treat, wonderful interview, nice chance to hear Bill and his interesting asides/memories...first class!

[@newforestpixie5297]

I was 16 in 1980 and had heard of Be Bop De Lux but couldn’t tell which songs of theirs I knew or I’d heard listening to Radio Victory or Radio 1 during the previous decade. As for Bill Nelsons’ Red Noise I’d seen them in the music press & heard John Peel mention them & a guy actually called Gerald at school was into them but once again I’m still bloody ignorant as to their sound - so I knew I had to watch this interview when it popped up today . Thanks for this presentation ❤️👍

[@sumphandle]

I saw Bill play at the Greyhound in London in the 70's and he blew me away. His guitaring was exciting and he made it look so easy. His focus has always been on the overall Art, not on guitar but looking ahead to new ground. Yes genius!

[@departments2006]

Amazing story about Peely playing Northern Dream from start to finish. Top man. Bill Nelson, utter hero. Not just an axe hero but a proper song writer too.

[@powerpopmonkey]

Bill has been through so many stages that we all come to his music in different ways I guess. Me, it was Drastic Plastic. That album and the few years that followed blow my mind. Love his work!

[@andybyron1]

lovely stuff.my very first album i bought as a young fella was bill nelson's red noise, "sound on sound".still love it now and will until the day i die.

[@Richard_Gatecliffe_Photography]

My journey with Bill and Be-Bop began with Teenage Archangel and ended with Red Noise. Saw them live at the original Leeds Playhouse in 1974 and on the Sunburst Finish tour. They are wired into my soul. Bill is a highly underrated Axe man and composer. In essence a very private and modest man. Bill, I cannot put into words how much your music has impacted on me. Sounds corny but thats a fact. Wish you well in your endeavours and thank you.

[@hansinternett7661]

just wonderful to hear about Bill Nelson and his great music

[@andydixon2980]

Perfect examples of a very talented and understated musican in Bill Nelson, and also a very nicely conducted interview by Mark powell.

[@ronbo11]

Well done, interesting interview for sure! Thanks for posting it because it is rare to hear Bill getting to discuss his career and music in such depth.

[@Erny_Module]

Wow, thanks so much for sharing this! Bill Nelson was the soundtrack to my youth, if not my life. Such a deeply rich, talented all-round musician. First heard 'Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape' on a John Peel on a cheesy radio - couldn't believe it when I found it on 'Tramcar to Tomorrow'. Best Version. But a hidden jewel, national treasure, shamefully underrated and ignored. But we know better, don't we?! Thanks Bill, thanks for everything.

[@keithjones6023]

Bill's work with BBD and his solo stuff, I've been enjoying both for years now.

[@robjones2408]

A fine guitarist and a modest self-effacing man. Bill deserved to be much bigger but as often happens, were overlooked by the public. He has created a fine body of work which has stood the test of time.

[@VallesFlyingMachine3]

I love what Bill Nelson stands for Art Music..and rocking out !

[@eddierollinson3343]

First saw bbd supporting cockney rebel at Leeds town hall mid 70s, "no trains to heaven" blew me away, seen them dozens of times but that first concert still ranks as one of the best concerts ive had the privalidge to see.

[@jongreek]

Outstanding interview, answered many questions I had about him. Very diverse range of music. Was a huge fan of BBD until Drastic Plastic, which was leading into Red Noise, which i did not like. Great to see him back out there playing and making lots more music. just bought the BBD box set and Bill's book. Lucky enough to see BBD a few times in California during the Sunburst Finish/Modern Music days. Wonderful, electroacoustic melodic guitar, just fantastic.

[@markrobins3615]

so loved bill and be bop . saw them many times. Cheers bill!

[@WillemMolenaar]

Great to watch! Bill is a wonderful guy and an excellent musician. I saw Be Bop Deluxe in November 1975 in the Cromer Royal Link Ballroom. A night I will always remember.

[@ballochdubh]

One of Britains most underated guitarists.But to me one of the greatest.

[@stevephypers7124]

One our our greatest creative forces, ever...

[@nancyl2]

I so agree with your words dspguitar. So many musicians and bands do get in a rut not creating new sounds. Like Bill says, after a while it gets very stagnate in a box with not being able to create as a Musician composer with so many ideas wanting to burst out. I noticed a change in his songs, this is why his music thrilled me today as a dear friend shared this man with me. I clicked on this interview because I really loved Bill's lyrics his sensational character as he sang. 5*'s + A Master +

[@cfcreative1]

Flaming Desire what a perfect piece of pop.

[@padsoneil]

Fantastic interview, handle superbly. Best I've seen. Found Bill's music via Revolt Into Style a blue pressing! Then Sound on Sound. Then went through his back catalogue prior to my childhood favourite, Do You Dream In Colour was released. Loved him since. :-D

[@brentbraniff]

This is wonderful. I love Bill Nelson and his work. Its so nice to see an interview like this because there are so few. Thanks for this.

[@djlunaticdreyfuss7562]

Great man

[@stephenlovell2405]

the mans a genius - first saw him in the 70's in Scunny - still have the flyer for the gig with his autograph!

[@jimmcgonigal]

fab interview ..

[@robdavidson1876]

Always found Bill one of the most interesting musicians of all time....

[@dzyanist]

..(UGH..).., can't believe I JUST saw this.. My god.., THANK YOU for this...(!!!) Jeeez, BILL NELSON..., (Shakin my head..).., NOTHING compares.., Brilliant, Beautiful, Honest.., Forthcoming..., Most beautiful heartwrenching guitar youve EVER heard... How can I say how deeply BBDeluxe affected me.. ?!! You are f-ing AWESOME Bill Nelson.., More power to ya !!! ...and THX for the honesty...(!!)

[@artandsoul69]

Great stuff. Recently bought the 5CD "Original Album Series" and it's sensational. Very enjoyable interview.

[@kentborges5114]

Bill is really on the top of it all...AMAZING is an understatement.

[@verty87]

AS humble and modest as it's possible to be.

[@padsoneil]

Amazingly gifted absurdly prolific & catchy too! What a guy! Long may you record Bill. :-)

[@groovechaser]

One of the most underrated artists ever! Just always loved Bill's music.

[@rogerparsons8642]

BILL NELSON is what happens when intelligence gets behind rock music. He should be mentioned on the same breath as Brian May - or a combination of Brian May and Freddie. His guitar technique is up there with all the virtuosos but he has a sound of his own. In fact the Queen producer worked on 'Music in Dreamland'. In my book, FUTURAMA is among the greatest rock albums ever made. So subtle. Totally unique. In the canon of the greats, Bill barely gets a mention. Yet the songs are his, the production is his. Possibly because genius is restless. But maybe because he's from Wakefield. And he's humble.

[@1990-t1j]

Modest and utterly brilliant.

[@jamestemple8970]

We loved every Be Bop album, Red Noise, Quit Dreaming, Love That Whirls and Chimera right when they came out.

[@alecbryant817]

Great, thanks

[@robertdavidson9393]

Great interview ..ive been a BeBop fan since a young teen ...I followed Bills career all my life have most all the albums Bebop and Bills solos and cds dvds..,One of those bands or people with staying power artistically....all,the comments here pretty good!

[@Mrscarbalac]

Adventures in a yorkshire landscape.... Nuff said!

[@craigmeier8376]

Drastic Plastic was the album that first turned me on to Bill Nelson. Always thought it was a shift from the earlier BBD but Red Noise was an even greater shift. Was also listening to Crack the Sky at this time. Safety in Numbers was their album at this time.

[@andyambrose4517]

BBD flew under my radar for years, although a mate of mine rated them. I was into progressive rock such as Yes, Genesis etc...and treating the music as a whole...but since growing up I've come to appreciate individual talent and Bill Nelson is now one of my favourite guitarists...

[@Intake33]

Interesting that he identifies Maid in Heaven as one of the 'Be-Bop Jewels', when Rob Birnie played it on Planet Rock the other day he praised it as a perfect song fitting more into less than 3 minutes than many other magnum opuses fit into 20 mins. The world's mist under-rated guitarist - great to see him have a proper full length interview

[@ignatiusb.samson977]

Bebop Deluxe has literally taken over my music life. Such a phenomenal group. And Bill is an amazing musician and songwriter.

[@user-bl5jr5vz6i]

Bill is a musical genius and for me the greatest guitarist of all time.

[@BeCoShooter]

Very interesting. I've been a fan of Bill's for a very long time. When he started putting out all the instrumental albums, I thought he lost his voice!

[@BernardColdwell]

Its been a while since I heard any of Bills - I much liked the Hope For The Heart(dbl album), Chimera and the Quite Dreaming(dbl)..those days to Getting the Holy Ghost across which I thought was a great time - I also enjoyed his produced works of Skids and the FOS - Great interview and good to listen to this, thanks for uploading

[@VallesFlyingMachine3]

bill nelson flat out rocks !

[@DIGIVOXJ23]

EMPIRE OF THE SENSES is my ALL TIME FAVORITE!

[@hawkpaul8735]

First saw Be Bop as support for Cockney Rebel. Hooked ever since. Always remember a gig later in the tour in Southend when a group of us Be Bop supporters were right up the front and Bill brought his guitar down for us to strum. Brilliant! Later saw him after he'd teemed up with the ex cockney rebel players (at Croydon). Saw them live many more times after that too. A brilliant under rated band and Bill was certainly under rated as a guitarist.

[@shawnshawn4786]

Will never forget... Be Bop Deluxe, but of course Bill Nelson... 1978. Came to play at UCSD in California, show starting at 7pm on campus. Had a friend that got first in line in the early afternoon, and said that a gentleman with a small briefcase had walked by, and had said, "excuse me". Then later realized and told us, it had been Mr. Nelson. Amazing show, but more, a truly wonderful human being. Not to mention his talent. A rare combination.

[@DonDon-vl3vv]

Shaw them 1974 live at the Marquee Club.A great evening and a big influence for me as a musician

[@andreasegde]

Lovely interview.

[@iandavis5739]

Excellent interview. Always been a fan, but never saw / heard him on interview. Just as eloquent verbally, as he is musically. Mark Powells' questions and ability to listen are first class. He's obviously researched his subject well and is really enjoying his guest.

[@dmatzo]

Awesome! Thanks so much for posting!

[@desmondobrien9017]

I saw Be Bop Deluxe opening for Queen in NYC in the mid 1970’s. I was an instant fan. I Got their LP’s and saw them live a number of times. Excellent live band.

[@musikfanat]

The man is great!

[@mikeemerson9582]

Axe Victim, Futurama, Sunburst Finish, Modern Music, Drastic Plastic, Sound On Sound. All of them masterpieces.

[@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry]

You omit the greatest live album ever made???

[@jolleyjames13]

A great muscian, so underated , so many great albums - my favourite is drastic plastic so fresh at the time.

[@oscillated139]

Used to live near me in Selby, North Yorkshire. A friend got him to sign a single for me and he passed on a couple of Devo badges as he knew I was a fan. A generous, and talented musician.

[@keithjones6023]

I've been enjoying his music for years now, he's one of the greatest musicians we've seen, and such a down to earth and modest man.

[@spartacusvikinga]

A great, intelligent man.