This is a difficult question to answer but off the top of my head musically John Barry, John Lennon, George Gershwin, The Beatles to name but a few who inspire me.   Non-musical inspirations I would cite great sportsmen like Tiger Woods, Pete Sampras, George Best, Ian Botham.

If you could choose to work professionally with anyone at all, who would it be?

Jeff Lynne on an album, write with Bernie Taupin, McCartney, Pat Metheny and Paddy McAloon,  to produce and write a single for Cliff Richard; write films scores for a Woody Allen film &/or Steven Spielberg.

How does one go about getting into writing music for film?

Well, TV is a good start. I've done a lot of TV writing over the last eight years.   I've met a lot of directors/producers through this and hopefully when they make movies, I'll be thought of for their music scores.

What was the very first piece of music you wrote professionally?

It was piece called ‘Cute’ which was used by ITV for their summer campaign music back in 1976.   I was 14 when I wrote that!

What was the first piece of music you ever wrote?

It was a song entitled 'Strange Lines' which dad helped me demo in his home studio. You know, I still have it on tape somewhere……! 

When did you decide to make music your career?

When I was younger I fancied journalism, but ultimately decided to make music my career about age 14.

Where you get inspiration for your music writing?

Pictures, places and people

What are the best options/ways to get into a professional music career?

Be persistent for a start. Write to everyone - be a nuisance!

What music do you enjoy listening to?

Guitar led pop/rock, fifties rock and roll, classical music, jazz and movie soundtracks.

What was the last CD you bought?

Recent purchases include the following:

The Ipcress file - John Barry remastered soundtrack

Directions in music - Hancock/Brecker/Hargrove

The Coral

Nicole Russo - Through my eyes

Bruce Springsteen - The Rising

Queens of the Stone Age - songs for the deaf

Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the head

Ben Kweller - Sha Sha

Natacha Atlas - Foretold in the language of dreams

Pat Metheny & Charie Haden - Beyond the Missouri Sky

Who are your all time Top 10 Guitarists?

Pat Metheny;

Lynsey Buckingham;

Scotty Moore;

Jimmy Hendrix;

Paul McCartney;

John Lennon;

Dominic Miller;

Pete Townshend;

Andy Summers

George Harrison

If you were granted three wishes, what would they be?

Health & happiness for my family; write the music for a James Bond film and go back in time and be a Beatle!

  …Your early forays into music…. Can you tell me something of your early bands?

Glass Ties was myself, Mike Christer and Russell Emanuel, we were signed to EMI in early 1980's and we released two singles ('Tight/Saturday Girls') and ('You You You/Views from Other Bridges'). A recorded album was never released.   I was vocals and

keyboards. I wrote all the songs with Mike, musically I guess you could describe the music as electro pop/guitar stuff. When we split,Revolver was my next band which was Dave Barton and myself...We toured as support for Alan Price for two years. DWB was my

next band which was Dave Barton and myself, we toured as support for Alan Price for two years which was an interesting experience!

What other well known artists have you worked with apart from Mr Marvin?

Through Hank I worked with Brian May, Duane Eddy, Jeff Lynne and Mark Knopfler.  I've worked with Darren Day, Englebert Humperdinck, Showaddywaddy, Paul Nicholas & Sir Cliff Richard.  Quite an eclectic mix…..!

For future consideration for a CD why not concentrate on one artist – eg. Duane Eddy, Tornado's, Ventures?

For this sort of idea I generally tend to go for writers as apposed to specific artistes. But may be John Barry in the future… who knows.

Or a vocal CD…. (eg. Rock & roll numbers)

I’ve been working on this very idea since 95! – a collection of my favourite rock and roll numbers and I am planning to release is within the next six to eight months or so.

Are you working with Mr Bennett (snr) at present on any musical projects?

At this present moment in time (August 02) we're getting ready for The Vibratos set at Shadowmania; after that, we've nothing planned - but in the future I would like to do an album with dad - something jazzy I think…

What about you and Ben Marvin putting a band together and doing some gigs in the future... in your own style?    

We couldn't afford the bar bill!

Are there plans for The Vibratos to tour some time in the future?

At this present moment in time we have no plans to tour, preferring to play the odd gig here and here, but in the future, who knows………..

Can you give us a sneak preview of what the band may be playing at Shadowmania  (2002) this year?

For this year’s Shadowmania (02) we’re planning to feature a mixture of stuff from the band’s first CD, some vocals, Shadows tunes, and some of our own personal instrumental favourites.

I’m interested in what keyboards and guitars you were using on the last Hank tour?

Keyboards I used a Roland XP50 and a Roland XP80. - basically the same keyboard but the 80 has an octave more in range.

Guitars - I used a Fender acoustic guitar which was a prototype of Hank’s new ‘signature’ model. The guitar plays well and does record well. I’ve also used the guitar on the new Vibratos CD.  If I elect to use an electric tour for touring I either use my Stratocaster or my Telecaster.

What's your favourite guitar to play?

My '65 Epiphone Casio (which I haven’t used for touring).

You’ve played on all of Hank Marvin’s solo tours what’s involved with the preparation, do you have input on the set list for example?

We tend to rehearse for several weeks.  Hank will come in a list of tracks he wants included but we also will try all a lot of different tracks, it is during this time we will suggest different tracks as well – Griff (Mark Griffiths) and myself are always trying to get stuff

 added!, I’ve tried to get ‘Geronimo’ in the set for eight years now and never been successful!  Usually though by the last week or so of rehearsals we’ve generally got the set worked out and then it’s a case of going over it over and over again until we’re happy with things. 

Do you have any memories of the early Shadows concerts?

I do remember going to an NME concert and the car being attacked by girls!   I also remember the pantomimes, especially Arthur Askey, Charlie Carroli, Tanya the elephant and lots of marshmallows!  

Think desert islands  ... if you put on a  desert island ... what practical item, luxury item and what 10 records would you pack in your suitcase?!

Practical item

Cooking pot

Luxury item

A piano preferably with Michelle Pfeiffer dressed in red lying across the top of it singing "my funny valentine"!

Records

A Case of You - Joni Mitchel;

Cinema Paradiso Theme - Pat Metheny & Charlie Haden;

America - Simon & Garfunkel;

There She Goes - The Las;

Come Down in Time - Elton John; 

Do It Again - The Beach Boys;

Rhapsody in Blue - George Gershwin;

Mahlers 5th Symphony;

A Day in the Life - The Beatles; 

A hard rains gonna fall (the bootleg version I have with the Michael Kamen orchestra)

If you were allowed to take one book to this island - which one would you take?

A collection of Joseph Connolly novels or Anne Tyler novels - can't make my mind up!

I've read you enjoy football, do you play any sports? How do you look so fit?

I play golf (handicap 16), I play tennis and captain my local club team - I used to play a lot of cricket and football when I was younger.  When possible I use the gym for running etc. - tennis is good, swimming I like and watching Oz aerobics on Sky Sports!!!