Received my first axe at age 3. It was a little 4-string ukulele, ideal for small hands. Started learning seriously at 13 on a guitar bought for me at age 6, looking at chord books and having to translate everything to left-handed. Picked up chord progressions by playing along to records.

It was in 1967, at Wolverhampton`s Gaumont cinema. The bands, on a package tour around Britain, were Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich; The Troggs; and top of the bill, The Walker Brothers. I was at the 2nd performance of the evening, with my Mom Olwen and brother Mark. Dad Albert tried to get in after work but was unable to get past the bedlam, with medics looking after hysterical girls in the corridors. The screaming was deafening, the bands almost inaudible.

Left-handed Antoria black Les Paul copy; l-h Squier Fender sun-burst Strat; l-h violin bass; vox AC-30 top-boost.

Well-psyched already, by all the performers on here, great stuff.

Probably The Troggs and The Rolling Stones. The music hooked me all ends up. Excellent bands, each with a brilliant front-man. Got into, and appreciated The Beatles much later on.