Bill DeMain

Bill DeMain

Bill DeMain is a correspondent for BBC Glasgow, a regular contributor to MOJO, Classic Rock and Mental Floss, and the author of six books, including the best-selling 'Sgt. Pepper at 50.' He is also an acclaimed musician and songwriter who's written for artists including Marshall Crenshaw, Teddy Thompson and Kim Richey. His songs have appeared in TV shows such as 'Private Practice' and 'Sons of Anarchy.' In 2013, he started Walkin' Nashville, a music history tour that's been the #1-rated activity on Trip Advisor. An avid bird-watcher, he also makes bird cards and prints.

Articles by: Bill DeMain

Eric Clapton, George Terry and George Harrison

“I had a little too much Jack Daniels and went to sleep. Early the next morning, I woke up to Eric and George playing ukuleles at the foot of my bed”: Session pro George Terry recalls the first time he met a Beatle

By Matt Owen published

Terry was Clapton's guitarist in the 1970s, and through Slowhand he was able to meet a particularly famous face

Eric Clapton performs on stage with singer Yvonne Elliman and guitarist George Terry at Crystal Palace Garden Party 31st July 1976

“Someone dosed Eric Clapton with LSD, and I had to take over”: George Terry says he had to step up during Clapton's bad nights on the road in the ’70s – but it wasn’t always the guitar hero’s fault

By Matt Parker published

The session pro and former Clapton sideman has been reflecting on life on tour and in the studio with the guitar icon in the 1970s

Denny Laine

“Denny was an outstanding vocalist and guitar player with a fine sense of humor”: Remembering Denny Laine – the guitarist who co-wrote Paul McCartney’s biggest ’70s hit

By Bill DeMain published

The former Moody Blues and Wings guitarist died in December 2023, aged 79, and left a legacy of tastefully crafted songs with a keen sense of melody, and an audience of millions

George Harrison with a Hamburguitar in a still from the Now And Then making of documentary

“George owned many, many instruments, and all of them were in storage – with the exception of the ones I made for him”: How Bernie Hamburger’s Hamburguitar became a favorite of George Harrison

By Bill DeMain published

In the Beatles’ mid-’90s Anthology era, George Harrison’s guitars were built by a man named Bernie Hamburger – and one of his creations features in the video for the band’s final single, Now and Then. But what do we know about these guitars?

Eric Clapton performs onstage

“Musically, Eric was a very generous guy. I loved working with him because he encouraged me to play”: How Eric Clapton used Roger Waters, George Harrison, and Stevie Ray Vaughan as foils to survive the ‘80s – the decade he was not prepared for

By Andrew Daly published

This was the decade that saw Slowhand board a train with Another Ticket and disembark as a fully-fledged Journeyman. Here, Albert Lee, Phil Palmer, and more recall a turbulent time in Clapton's career

Eric Clapton performs live onstage in 1975

“Duane Allman played a great solo, came back, and Eric says, ‘Well, I want to do mine again!’ This went on for at least an hour or two”: How Eric Clapton went from God to all-round guitar genius in the ’70s

By Bill DeMain published

After the writing on the wall proclaimed him a deity in the ’60s, where else was there to go for Eric Clapton but on a search of self-discovery, musical improvement, and new artistic frontiers

Ariel Posen

“I’m trying to chase a sound I’m hearing in my head – and basically, whatever everybody else is doing, I try to run away from”: Stevie Ray Vaughan inspired him to get serious. Now Ariel Posen is blazing his own trail

By Bill DeMain published

Emotive, minimalist, almost gourmet, Ariel Posen’s playing is a gift for the senses, and new album Reasons Why has plenty reasons why he is one of the most original guitarists today

Paul McCartney and Denny Laine

“I’m actually surprised we’re that well-remembered. I’m just a normal musician who doesn’t really think about the fame side of it”: In his final interview, Denny Laine looks back on the breakthrough success and enduring legacy of Paul McCartney and Wings

By Bill DeMain last updated

1973 was the year Paul McCartney’s ragtag group, Wings, first scored Beatles-sized success. As late guitarist Denny Laine recalled, they were no overnight success

Eddie 9V

Eddie 9V: “One thing I learned from the great blues players – it’s more about what’s in your heart and soul”

By Bill DeMain published

A blues traveler goes back to 1969 and returns with a modern take on a classic Southern sound, and his name is Eddie 9V

Paul McCartney and Wings

The story of Wings and Paul McCartney's iconic James Bond theme Live and Let Die

By Bill DeMain published

Guitarist Denny Laine recalls the making of the 007 anthem the film's producers mistook for a demo