A teenage friend called Peter introduced me to early Rock and Roll. He was a mad Elvis and Buddy Holly fan. We would spend days listening to their records, again and again.

The Beatles and The Stones also had a big impact on me. I remember listening to their records and thinking, I love this stuff so much, I’ve got to be able to play it myself.

At school, I met future great bass player Harry Brus. He introduced me to the music of B. B. King, Solomon Burke, Sam and Dave, The Four Tops etc. And taught me lots of guitar riffs and tricks.       

A real highlight was seeing The Rolling Stones with Roy Orbison as their opening act, twice.

Also seeing Bob Dylan with The Hawks at Sydney Stadium, 1966. (Listen to Bob Dylan Live ’66).

Discovering Eric Clapton on the Beano album and trying to work out the solos with my friend Ken Johnson.

Starting my own bands, The Nazz and Wireless, and the fun I had playing all around Sydney in the mid to late ‘60’s. 

Getting a job as an advertising copywriter. When they found out I played guitar they said bring it in and I ended up writing music for many jingles and working with legendary music producer Pat Aulton on Coca Cola.

Hearing Australian singer/songwriter Terry Hannagan play live. He was the first acoustic player I heard who could really play. And what a voice.

Getting turned on to Music From Big Pink and The Band by Pat Aulton.

Getting turned on to Taj Mahal’s record Giant Step/De Ol’ Folks at Home by my friend, Michael Robinson. That record really changed my musical life.

Travelling to America and seeing Hot Tuna live at Winterland in San Francisco.

Recording my own songs with Fairport Convention at the Manor Studios in Oxford, England, for Alexander Records. (There I met Richard Branson, the owner, long before he became the Richard Branson.)

Exchanging guitar lessons with guitarist Russ Shipton in London and forming the duo, Two Bit Band.

Meeting music journalist, producer, songwriter and raconteur extraordinaire Austin John Marshall in London, sharing a house with him and listening to him talk, sometimes for days. 

Getting Two Bit Band produced by Austin John Marshall and recording again with Dave Swarbrick, Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks of Fairport Convention.

Coming back to Australia and meeting singer Friday Stevens, starting a duo and playing around the clubs with her.  

Getting recorded at radio station 2JJ by Sandy McCutcheon, then a DJ. He played a song of mine called Combination Soup a lot.

Rekindling a friendship with musician Groove Myers and starting a very successful musical partnership: Deano and Groove.

Writing songs with Andrew Thomas Wilson for ATV/Northern Songs and actually getting published and recorded.

Writing a song for Peter Kingston and Martin Sharp to help save Luna Park and performing it with them outside Parliament House, dressed as clowns in outfits from Martin’s fabulous clown suit collection.

Writing the theme song A Whole World of People that launched SBS television in Australia.

Co-writing the song, The Odd Angry Shot with Pat Aulton to promote the movie of the same name.

Recording my first CD, Not Really the Blues, with Doug Weaver in 2003. Hearing the above CD played on The Daily Planet, on ABC radio. And playing all the songs live with Doug at The Frankston International Guitar Festival.

Getting the inspiration from folk music legend Warren Fahey to write my live show, The Story of the Blues. I have performed this show twice at The Basement, Sydney and once at The Frankston International Guitar Festival in Melbourne. Plus on many occasions around the traps in Sydney.

Playing The Story of the Blues with ace guitarist Rick Falkiner at The Basement, on a show with The Bondi Cigars.

Opening for Bob Brozman at The Basement and being brave enough to do it solo.

Playing a set with Mal Wakeford (drums) and Liam Caulfield (guitar) at the Bombora Records show at The Basement, for Bombora Records.

Having my daughter Lauren sing with me on one of my records and my daughter Ruby create this website for me.