Brian Willoughby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brian Willoughby
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| Background information | |
| Born | 20 September 1949 |
| Origin | Glenarm, County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| Genres | Rock, folk |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Acoustic and electric guitar, Ukulele, Mandolin. |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
| Labels | Cabritunes Records |
| Associated acts | Cathryn Craig, Strawbs, Mary Hopkin, Dave Cousins, Nanci Griffith, Monty Python, The Monks, Bridget St.John, High Society, New World, Jim Diamond, John Wright, Tom & Barbara Brown, Jack Hudson, Pete Ryder, Bob E Baker, Reckless Johnny Wales, Michael Snow, Bill Lloyd, Brian Connolly, Brian McDade, Mary Dawson, Bonnie Dobson, Maureen Kennedy-Martin, The Sharpees, Damian Wilson, Kenny Speirs. |
Brian Willoughby (born September 20, 1949) is a talented British guitarist. He is known for playing many different types of music, especially rock and folk. Brian has worked with many famous musicians and bands throughout his long career. He is particularly well-known for his work with Dave Cousins and the band Strawbs, as well as singer Mary Hopkin. Besides playing with others, Brian has also released his own music.
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Brian Willoughby: A Guitar Journey
Brian Willoughby was born in a place called Glenarm in Northern Ireland. He started playing music in the 1960s and has been active ever since! He plays several instruments, including acoustic and electric guitar, ukulele, and mandolin. This makes him a very versatile musician, meaning he can play many different styles and sounds.
Playing with Famous Artists
Brian Willoughby has spent many years playing with other musicians. This is often called being a "session player." A session player is someone who is hired to play on recordings or live shows for other artists. Brian has played on countless albums and singles for many different people.
Working with Strawbs
One of Brian's most important partnerships has been with the band Strawbs. He joined them and played on several of their albums. Some of these include Don't Say Goodbye (1987) and Ringing Down the Years (1991). He also played on their live albums like Baroque & Roll (2001) and Blue Angel (2003). His guitar playing helped create the unique sound of Strawbs.
Collaborations with Dave Cousins
Brian has also worked closely with Dave Cousins, who is a key member of Strawbs. They released albums together like Old School Songs (1979) and The Bridge (1994). Their musical partnership has been very strong over the years.
Other Notable Projects
Brian's guitar skills have been featured on many other interesting projects. He even played on The Contractual Album by the famous comedy group Monty Python in 1980! He also worked with singer Mary Hopkin on her live album from the Royal Festival Hall in 2005. More recently, he has often performed and recorded with folk singer Cathryn Craig. They have released several albums together, such as I Will (2002) and Real World (2013).
Brian's Solo Music
Even with all his work with other artists, Brian Willoughby has also found time to create his own music. He has released several solo albums where he is the main artist. These include:
- Black and White (1998)
- Fingers Crossed (2004)
- Twiddly Bits (2022)
These albums show off his unique guitar style and musical ideas.
Singles and DVDs
Brian has also played on many singles, which are short songs released separately from albums. Some of these include "The King" with Strawbs (1979) and "Alice's Song" with Acoustic Strawbs (2002). He has also appeared on DVDs, giving fans a chance to see him perform live. These include Complete Strawbs: The Chiswick House Concert (2002) and Acoustic Strawbs Live in Toronto (2004).
Brian Willoughby's long career shows his dedication to music and his talent as a guitarist. He has helped create many memorable songs and albums for a wide range of artists.
