ABOUT - Alan K Riley

About My Music

My Journey

Beginnings 1964

I am from Old Trafford originally, and moved to a high rise 14 storey flat on Chorlton Road called Grafton Court in 1965, which was one of seven flats known as the ‘Seven Sisters’.

We had an old Radiogram on which I would listen to LPs Elvis and others.

Leaving Old Trafford 1976

I was 11 when we moved to Aston upon Mersey, having a garden front and back, for the first time. A new school: Sale West Secondary, where everybody seemed smaller and it was certainly different from Old Trafford!

Art was most liked subject because I was free to create whichever paintings or drawing I wished: such as of the Elvis, Beatles and 1950’s Americana.

As it had been in the flat, music was always being played on the old Mono Radiogram. We had Elvis (Sun sessions, 40 Greatest Hits), Gene Vincent (Blue Gene Bop), Buddy Holly (Greatest Hits), Chuck Berry (Motivatin), Beatles (Sgt Pepper), 1812 Overture Tchaikovsky and some big band music too. Don’t know how old I was when I first listened to that music but it was always there.

Teen Years

I loved the films from the 1940’s, 50’s, 60’s too and when I was about 13 years old I got my hair cut in that 50s style something between a GI and James Dean! Most people then were in to disco and later Punk but it was Rock n Roll for me, I liked the 40s music like Glen Miller the big influence.

I was focusing on the guitar sounds on records subconsciously, as I was buying and listening to guitar focused music. I started collecting records around this time of Elvis, Eddie Gene etc.

I found that most of the guys I liked played Gretschs and they had a name on the scratch plate someone called Chet Atkins! Scotty More though was using a Gibson ES 295 on the early Sun Sessions, which I found out later.

At around 15 (1979) I was getting into Eddie Cochran’s Instrumentals more as they were being released on the Rock Star Label, I used to go to a school friend’s house (Jeff) and watch him play acoustic guitar 12 Bar Blues stuff Rock n Roll etc. At some point I decided I could do that and better, (though didn’t get my own Electric guitar till 1982).

Leaving School Going to College 1980

In 1980 at 16, I left school and went to South Trafford College, which allowed me to get into the Students Union in Manchester in 1980 and 81 to see the Stray Cats, took my school friend Jeff there too. It was great to see them and it inspired me to play and to buy a Gretsch. Speaking to the Cats after the gig, it was good to find somebody who liked Eddie Cochran and Cliff Gallup (Gene Vincent’s guitarist early on).

After this time in 1982 I bought the Gretsch 6120 from A1 music in Manchester for £275 a 1964 – 6120 Nashville with Electrone Body (sealed f holes) without the padded back but with original case.

Family Gathering 1983

At a family celebration I was filmed playing Stray Cat Strut, I was 19 years old.

Started Work At The Water Board 1984

This job enabled me to fund the later guitars and equipment which I would need, to further my career.

I learned solos by ear, which I found I could do with a little patience and persistence. Around this time I acquired an Amplifier a Fender Pro Reverb 2 x 12″ speakers. Plus a Watkins Copicat MK IV: (a machine with a tape loop going round constantly over machine heads to create echo) to get that authentic, slap-back echo effect.

Bands

I was in various Bands in the early 80’s, one was with a group of people from Hyde. We were given spots to play in pubs on Ashton Old Road (North/East Manchester). We played at a place called the Show Boat and other places.

After the Hyde band I met a singer/guitarist Anthony Lee Star (Lee Starkey). We got on well and we loved Elvis particularly the Sun Sessions. As a duet we did a gig at a Pub called the Black Boy. Lee was on Double bass with myself on guitar. We did mainly Sun sessions, as well as playing at the Lively Lobster Pub in Aston Upon Mersey as a duet under the name Rockola. Later we got a drummer and did gigs in the Ashton Old Road area of Manchester: playing Elvis, Stray Cats, we called ourselves the Rebel Kings. At that time I first played an Instrumental by Chet Atkins from 1949 Main Street Breakdown. We also gigged at the Seven Stars Pub and Clock face (have a film of it) this must have been around 1984/85.

Forming A Consistent Band

In the late 80’s I had a Duet with a Double Bass player called Mick. We played Rock n Roll and recorded some Eddie Cochran Instrumentals: Scratchin plus My loving baby etc but he was in a few bands and as I remember he wouldn’t commit to one single group, so that didn’t work out.

Going Solo: Instrumentals

So I gradually came to the view that it was really difficult to find people who were focused and be as committed as myself so, rather than being disappointed with various situations I decided to learn a solo set and go and perform Chet Atkins style. I learned a whole set in this style by ear and if there was something I couldn’t pick out I would slow it down on the old radiogram, that would usually help.

Guitars I Collected

I started to buy Vintage Gretsch Guitars from various sources. As previously I took my guitars to be setup or if they needed any work as old Gretschs usually do to a guy called Ted Lee. He went on to teach at Leeds University in fact they were making a film about guitars and he borrowed my 6120 G brand for the film.

I had a 1955 Sunburst Country Club, 1955 Cadillac Green Country Club, 2 Mercedes Black Duo Jets, 1956 Red Sparkle top Jet Firebird, 1959 6120, 1957 6120 with DeArmond with a 70’s neck, also an early 50’s Gibson ES295 gold top with white P90 pickups, the last vintage guitar was from George Gruhn in Nashville in 1990/91 a 1955 G Brand 6120 with fixed Bigsby.

Leaving My Job To Work Part Time 1990

At this point I wanted to focus more on my solo work, so I left the Water Board, to do this.

Berkeley University USA 1990

Before getting the G Brand from Nashville, it was my intention to go to the US to Berkeley University to Study Jazz but personal circumstances prevented me from doing this. So I then looked for and found the Gretsch G brand Guitar instead (From Nashville), the guitar I always wanted, just like Eddie Cochran’s.

Live GMR Radio Performance on 1991

Went on GMR (Greater Manchester Radio) Neil Highly show 17th August 1991, as he offered that morning on Air for anyone that day to come down to the station and perform live. So with my 1955 Gretsch 6120 G brand I went to do a solo spot of 3 Instrumental tunes, Blue Smoke (Merle Travis), Arkansas Traveller and Oh By Jingo (Chet Atkins) played live on air.

Stopped Playing The Guitar 1993 – 07

Having a positive mindset and personal belief got me through the bad times of my marriage breakup and post separation disputes over the boys, when the guitar wasn’t in my life physically for too many years.

Music has been a guiding light in dark times for me, a belief in the possibility of better and happier times to come.

Scotty Moore Concert 2004

February 23rd 2004, Denise who had supported and helped me through most of these times (from 1998) took me to see Scotty Moore at the Manchester Academy. To see Scotty live when he had just come out of hospital suffering from a brain tumour was inspiring. I started to believe that one day; I would play the guitar again. Scotty passed away in 2016.

Starting To Play Again Slowly 2005

I had by chance met some old friends at the Scotty Moore Concert, Keith (Singer) and Martin (Double Bass). I had not played for a long time but we did a recording at my house of Sun Session tunes. I wasn’t great but enjoyed the experience with them. We recorded it on a digital device which was new to me, what happened to tape!

In 2007 I performed with large Jazz ensemble which then
In 2007 splintered in to a 5 piece group, Paul Doran on Saxophone, Pascal on Double Bass, myself on Guitar, plus drummer including Pip the singer performing Jazz standards in Salford at the Pint Pot Pub.
Then in 2008 a duet with a Saxophonist Paul Doran playing Jazz Standards

Stopped Playing Guitar, Break Two From 2010-2013

More litigation, trying to help my older son after he left his mother and trying to keep both brothers in contact with each other.

Playing Guitar Again 2013

Then in 2013 another Duet with a Trumpet/Saxophone player called Matthew Loui Vox playing Jazz Standards at Railway Pub in Sale and for various birthday celebrations in Chorlton.
And later in 2013 I had a duet with a singer Helen Sayle playing Jazz Standards and own material, non performance only.

To My Boys

I hope they live happy and prosperous lives…

And Now

I have re-taught myself to play the guitar Instrumentals as I was a self taught guitarist originally, learning by ear. So I have relearned by listening to Chet Atkins, Joe Pass, Lenny Breau, Martin Taylor, Tal Farlow and I’m still developing. I have so many ideas for projects such as: recordings, videos/films, solo work, duet, bands, of course with the right equipment, expertise, funding.

I’m a Finger Style Guitarist, who also wants to teach and share the music I know and and have yet to learn. I have specialised in Instrumentals and have a passion for music from varied genres such as Jazz, Blues, Rock n Roll, Country, Rock a Billy, Classical and much more. My focus is just as strong as ever, if not more so.

Thank you to my friend Denise for all her support through those difficult times. Plus thanks to my other friends who also supported me, in various arenas. I would also like to thank my folks for their continued and ongoing support.

Alan Riley – 19th November 2018

Scotty Moore

"Scotty was such a massive influence on my Guitar playing style especially earlier on, Elvis Sun Sessions was/is an amazing sound for me. Such tunes as Thats All Right Mama (who in RnR doesn't play this)! Mystery Train, what an amazing sound... Blue Moon of Kentucky, the list goes on. The type of Guitar was a big part of the sound too the Gibson ES 295 and later L5. A more finger style thumb picker with Chet influence but also a Jazz side. Never heard of him saying but I think he would of like Tal Farlow. Am thinking of Hound Dog, second solo the run up: reminds me a version of Beat that Tal did"

Eddie Cochran

"To me Eddie the complete package, Singer, Guitar player, Writer, Producer, arranger, he was so talented and focused on what he wanted. Though the effect on my playing was the love of his Gretsch 6120 G brand, the P90 he put on it. He playing was just great from Jazz to finger style picking, Blues, RnR. He loved Instrumentals too and recorded quite a few Eddies Blues, Pushing, Scratching, the Third man theme has always stayed with me. Hi early collaborations with others the sound of his guitar was an Iconic Gretsch sound, so young at 21 to pass away. ”

Chet Atkins

"Chet the man with the thumb pick: he was influencing my playing long before I even new it because , he influence the people I was listening to and learning from such as: Scotty Moore, Cliff gallop, Eddie Cochran, Lenny Breau, Brian Setzer... the list goes on. The first of Chets I performed live was main Street Breakdown, though the first one I learnt was the Third man theme were to learn Chets style I just put bass and the melody together once I taught myself this.. I got the idea. Still learning now, still challenging. Such a vast repertoire and many so genres. Playing Django's Castle with a waw waw peddle in the early 60s for a country artist, well not afraid to try new ideas.”

Tommy Jones

"Have come to know Tommy Jones's music later in my life. He's one of those people who is well know in specific circles and in the US but its only since that I look at various thumb pickers of various tunes such as: Black Mountain Rag, Claw that I've come across his special talent on You Tube. See his playing with Buster B. His version of Take Five for eg with harmonics being played while playing fills, its reminiscent of Lenny Breau. Tommy's speed and imagination are clear see his version of Black Mountain Rag Capo on second fret in the Roy Clark show (Roy passed away only recently) Tommy was 17. Unfortunately Tommy to has passed away in 2002 he was 48 but he has left us with beautiful and imaginative recordings.”

Tal Farlow

"Tal was such a great and original Jazz guitar player. He was self taught and had a wild harmonic sense, though had amazingly large hands that could cover the octave 12 frets with ease. A true Gibson boy with his own signature Gibson Guitar. Tal had a fast playing technique based on chords and a fluent solo style. As George Benson said: "no one cut a Tal Farlow track, forget it!" I love his style of playing Cherokee and Autumn Leaves, Autumn in New York, Out of No Where... plus the different arrangement take on Summertime he did. Lenny Breau liked him too! In fact they collaborated with each other in a video Tal Farlow 1981 and recorded an Album Chance meeting. His, You Tube clips on Autumn Leaves with whose who of guitar players at the time is great. Will get round to learning more about of Tal's playing one day”

Lenny Breau

"Lenny Breau... Wow what a guitar player! Lenny has been so influential but his statue has been elevated by his daughter Emily in her film 'Genius of Lenny Breau'. Lenny was little know before her film. I remember seeing Tal Farlow and Lenny on television in this hour long film from 1981 by Lorenzo DeStefano. Seeing Lenny for the first time and his style was amazing, though not fully taking in just how good he was. The seven strings, chords that he used with the melody in a Bill Evens approach but with the guitar. To hear them play together at Tal's home in Sea Bright, Cherokee and I love and at a live gig was a 'feast' to use Steve Via's word. Having seen Emily's film, I have learned much of Lenny's music and I hope to record and perform them. I am so grateful for her film showing us of Lenny's music and direction his life went. He came from Chet Atkins to Jazz using a thumb pick but incorporating a variety of styles and genres such as country, Jazz, Blues, Spanish/flamenco guitar. His arrangement of Visions, Bach Improv are inspiring to me, thank you Lenny.”

Joe Pass

"Joe Pass was a very big influence on my playing, as when I was in Duets doing Wave or Naked as a JayBird or solo. I am a chord player and love walking bass lines. Joe's playing whether solo, chord voice leading is tremendous, so logical. When I play in a duet or solo Jazz I cannot help but think of him. Joe was influenced by Django Reinhardt listen to his version of Nuage. Listen to Joe of course doing the Blues. His duets with Ella and other musicians are legendary as his Solo performances were, such at Brecon 1991: Summer time, You cant take that away from me. Finger style or flat pick, love his playing.”

Wes Montgomery

"Wes playing: his style is so cool to play, such a change, no wonder he influenced so many great Guitarists. Playing with his thumb or flat pick. His octaves runs, soloing, chords are fabulous, love it when he played the blues. That great big fat Gibson neck pickup sound and the flat wound strings! Its become such a stable part of Jazz Guitar today though much emulated few get close to his fluency, George Benson comes to mind as a great octave player and much more.”

Django Reinhardt

"Django a very special flat pick guitar player, so influential on Country, Rock n Rock n Roll and Jazz players a like. From Chet to Martin Taylor. I don't play any of his tunes (will have to change that:) but I have been influenced by those I have learned from him who have emulated their style on his by varying degrees. Nuages, a Jazz Standard, done by many. His runs are amazing and with the fact he only effectively had only two fingers, however creating this amazing style in the 20s from the change in technique of the 18 year old Django, through his badly burned left hand in 1928, in a caravan fire. His sound is known now as Gypsy Jazz, not to mention the Hot Club with Stephane Grappell.”

Martin Taylor

"Martin has had an amazing career with Stephane Grappelli, taking Django Reinhardt's spot for his duets but mostly know for his solo Finger Style Jazz arrangements. His arrangement of I got Rhythm, Old man River, Georgia, Can't take that away from me (This tune played much by Joe Pass). I love Martins playing and wanted to go in that direction just before I stopped playing and its where I would like to go, in that Jazz direction. Martin is the Modern Jazz finger style guitarist following on from the Joe pass tradition of solo and duets and much more. No wonder he says few after I got Rhythm!”