About Paul Brett

A Life in Music

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Paul, one of the world’s most famous twelve-string acoustic guitar players, led a life steeped in the music business. A noted and immensely talented guitar player of more than five decades, he performed and recorded with an endless selection of household names in rock’n’roll. He was a music industry guru and influencer, a journalist, a prolific collector of art and memorabilia, and an avid collector and world-leading expert in vintage guitars.

Paul Brett is rated as one of the best 12-string acoustic guitarists in the world.

Born on 20 June 1947, Paul Brett was an English classic rock guitarist with a career that spanned several decades.

Session Work and Collaborations

He played lead guitar with notable acts such as Strawbs (though not an official member), The Overlanders, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera, The Velvet Opera, Tintern Abbey, Fire, and worked alongside luminaries like Roy Harper, Al Stewart, and Lonnie Donegan. He had played or recorded with The Strawbs, The Overlanders, Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera, The Velvet Opera, Tintern Abbey, Fire, Roy Harper, Al Stewart, Lonnie Donegan, Paul Brett Sage and in his own right as Paul Brett.

He was a top session guitarist in the 1960’s & 70’s, having been in demand for many top sessions with a wide variety of Artistes.

Transition to Twelve-String Guitar

In the 1970s, Paul transitioned to the twelve-string guitar, a move that would define a significant part of his musical identity.

Recording Success and Critical Acclaim

His first 12-string guitar suite “Earth Birth“ was critically acclaimed. It was released on Paul’s own label Phoenix Future and produced by world-famous artist Ralph Steadman of “Fear & Loathing“ fame. This led to Paul being signed on a four-album deal to RCA. He later achieved album Chart success and Gold & Silver LP sales via his K-Tel “Romantic Guitar“ album.

Journalism and Media Contributions

As a journalist, he wrote for Melody Maker, NME, Sound International and International Musician. He maintained a regular column for 'Acoustic' magazine and served as Associate Editor and Features Writer for Music Maker and Live in London magazines.

Industry Roles and Business Ventures

In the same time frame, he produced shows for Capital Radio and was a Marketing Consultant for Aria Guitars, under whose brand he released two “Paul Brett” signature guitars – one six-string and one 12-string model which then became collectors' items.

In the early 1980′s, Paul decided to move to the “other side” and became Managing Director for Pan, who acted as European Agency for bands such as Bryan Adams, Ian Gillan (Deep Purple), Jeff Beck, Journey, Styx and many more.

Partnership with Michele Breeze

In 1982, Paul Brett met Evita star Michele Breeze while recording an album. Their co-working relationship continued non-stop for the next 42 years. Combining their vast experience and skills from opposite ends of the music industry, the partnership became highly successful.

Television and Theme Composition

He wrote TV Themes for Thames Television; credits included CP Taylor’s ”Rainbow Coloured Disco Dancer“, the first Aids series of nightly programmes, and The M25 Travel Series. He was then co-head of Production with Michele Breeze for the Rank Holiday Division for eight consecutive years till the mid 90′s and also Production Director for Majesty Cruise lines in the States.

Guitar Design and Innovation

Latterly, Paul became a guitar designer of note, designing a range of over twenty different Paul Brett Signature model Vintage® guitars based upon many of his favourite American “working Men’s guitars” of the 1930’s.

His last project for Vintage®, the Fret-Dancer Series, was created in memory of Paul’s old twelve-string aficionado buddy Johnny Joyce, who passed away twenty years to the day of Paul’s passing and was a fitting and enduring memorial to them both.

Expertise and Public Appearances

Paul was the resident expert for over 11 years on Vintage Acoustic Guitars for UK National Magazine ‘Acoustic’.

He was also the creator and Festival Director for the Llyn Acoustic Guitar Festival in North Wales and had his own range of Vintage® signature guitars developed in conjunction with John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd., (JHS) and distributed around the world.

His expertise also led him to television, appearing on BBC's Antiques Road Show and Flog It in the mid-2000s, often discussing vintage guitars. He had appeared as an expert in his field on Internationally broadcast television shows “The Antiques Roadshow” and “Flog It”. Both were mainstream programmes made by the BBC.

Later Projects and Educational Work

More recently, before his passing, he had formed a record label with Tom Newman, the producer of Mike Oldfield's multi-million selling iconic album Tubular Bells and co-founder of Virgin Records. Together they were undertaking several projects in the educational area, bringing new recordings of classic albums to schoolchildren, the first of which was Tubular Bells recorded by The Children of Ireland.

Personal Interests and Legacy

His life had many threads; he was a television contributor, composer/arranger, a marketer, A & R specialist, management and production expert, and an ardent fisherman. He also toured with his cat Smokie and parrot Dordy (aka George).

Everything Paul did in his storied life brought pleasure, positivity and enlightenment to all who came in to contact with him, and he approached life with a gusto, intensity, a wicked sense of humour, and a propensity for “telling it like it is”.

Passing and Remembrance

Paul Brett passed away on 31 January 2024 due to heart failure, leaving behind a rich legacy in music and guitar craftsmanship.

Career Milestones

  • Rated as one of the best 12-string acoustic guitarists in the world.
  • Played or recorded with The Strawbs, The Overlanders, Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera, The Velvet Opera, Tintern Abbey, Fire, Roy Harper, Al Stewart, Lonnie Donegan, Paul Brett Sage.
  • Top session guitarist in the 1960s & 70s.
  • Critically acclaimed 12-string guitar suite 'Earth Birth' (Phoenix Future label, produced by Ralph Steadman).
  • Signed a four-album deal with RCA Records.
  • Achieved Gold & Silver LP sales with K-Tel 'Romantic Guitar' album.
  • Wrote for Melody Maker, NME, Sound International, and International Musician.
  • Produced shows for Capital Radio.
  • Marketing Consultant for Aria Guitars, releasing two 'Paul Brett' signature models.
  • Managing Director for Pan European Agency (representing Bryan Adams, Ian Gillan, Jeff Beck, Journey, Styx, etc.).
  • Wrote TV Themes for Thames Television (e.g., 'Rainbow Coloured Disco Dancer').
  • Co-head of Production for Rank Holiday Division & Production Director for Majesty Cruise lines.
  • Resident expert on Vintage Acoustic Guitars for 'Acoustic' magazine (over 11 years).
  • Festival Director for the Llyn Acoustic Guitar Festival.
  • Developed a range of Vintage® signature guitars with JHS.
  • Appeared as an expert on BBC's 'The Antiques Roadshow' and 'Flog It'.
  • Formed a record label with Tom Newman (producer of 'Tubular Bells').

Collaborations & Session Work

Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, David Bowie, Rod Stewart & the Faces, Status Quo, Michele Breeze, John Joyce, Tom Newman, Ivy League, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Julian Lloyd Webber, Flower Pot Men, Carter & Lewis, Hudson & Ford, Michele Polnareff, Max Bygraves, The Cyril Stapleton Orchestra, The Clark Brothers, Ralph McTell, Neil Christian, Barclay James Harvest, Mott the Hoople, Matt Mattox Ballet Company,USA (Musical Director), Soul Mates, Warren Davies Monday Band, SW4, Steve Hillage, Free, Kevin Ayres, Andy Summers (Police), Georgie Fame, Motorhead, Mungo Jerry, Manfred Mann, Savoy Brown Blues Band, John Mayall, Quintessence, Keith Ralph (Yardbirds), Jimmy James & the Vagabonds, Mike Piggott, Nick Sterling, Dave Griffiths, Bob Voice, Dick Duffall, Dave Lambert, Steve Holley (Wings), John Renbourn, Martin Vinson, Gerard Jelsch (Ange), Jackie Graham, Gordon Giltrap, John Etheridge, Thomas Leeb, Willoughby and Craig, Ronnie Wood, T-Rex, Elliot Randall (Steely Dan), Fats Domino, Cyril Stapleton, Rick Butler, Fisherman’s Friends, Elliott Randall

Magazine Contributions

Over the years, Paul contributed articles to a number of magazines:

  • Gear Magazine
  • Excursions
  • Music Maker
  • Guitar Magazine
  • Acoustic Magazine

Live Shows

Paul Brett produced many live shows:

  • The Michele Breeze Show
  • Viva Las Vegas
  • Millenium Show
  • The Dynamite Show
  • C.S.E Tour
  • Fats Domino in Concert
  • Paul Brett Vintage Guitar Exhibitions
  • Paul Brett Charity Guitar Concerts
  • Llyn Guitar Festival (for 8 years)
  • Boudicca

TV Themes

Paul Brett has composed and performed music for various TV shows. Here's a selection of his work:

  • The Rainbow Coloured Disco Dancer
  • Sir Walter Raleigh Commemoration
  • Womens Institutes 20-60 Shape Tape
  • The First HIV AIDS Awareness Programmes
  • Opening of M25 Series
  • Opening of Channel Tunnel

Animals

Paul loved his cats Smokie (who toured with him for 23 years!!), Hendrix, and Fluffa. He loved birds and would walk every day around Pwllheli Nature Reserve feeding the crows and birds.

Unpublished Works

Prior to Paul's passing he had created TV series called "The History of Guitar", had written a new album, and been working on an autobiography.

Legacy and Impact

Paul Brett's contributions to music and guitar design have left an indelible mark. His passion, expertise, and unique voice continue to inspire musicians and enthusiasts worldwide.