The Unsung Hero of Six Strings

Ladies and gentlemen, let's turn down the volume and tune in to the subtle genius of Ollie Halsall – the guitarist who proved you don't need to set your amp to 11 to make musical history.

For three decades, Halsall was the music world's best-kept secret, preferring the intimacy of small venues to the roar of stadiums. He was like the ninja of the guitar world – stealthy, precise, and leaving everyone wondering, "How did he do that?" This musical chameleon co-founded not one, not two, but three bands: Timebox, Patto, and Boxer. It's like he was collecting band memberships the way some people collect stamps.

But wait, there's more! Halsall's guitar wizardry caught the ear of music legends. John Cale? Check. Neil Innes? You bet. And let's not forget his long-standing gig as Kevin Ayers' right-hand man. It's like he was the Kevin Bacon of the British music scene, but with better riffs. And here's a fun fact for your next trivia night: Ever heard of "Leppo" from The Rutles? That was our man Ollie, adding his secret sauce to their Beatles parody stew.

In 2021, Think Like A Key Music decided it was high time to blow the dust off Halsall's 1979 solo demos. They issued Lovers Leaping remastered and ready to blow the minds of a new generation of guitar aficionados.

Ollie Halsall: Because not all guitar heroes wear capes or set their guitars on fire. Some just play so well, they set your soul ablaze instead.