“I consider myself blessed to have collaborated with some incredible talents throughout my career,” reflects Andy Fairweather low. “I would even say I’ve been ‘blessed’ in that regard.”
Before establishing himself as a sought-after guitarist for iconic musicians like Eric Clapton and Roger Waters, as well as contributing to sessions for artists such as Gerry Rafferty, The Who, and David Crosby, the Welsh musician first gained fame as the lead singer of the 1960s pop band amen Corner.During that era,he shared stages with legendary acts like Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix.
Following the band’s disbandment in late 1969, Fairweather Low launched a triumphant solo career. However, it was his collaborations with Clapton and Waters-both in studio recordings and live performances-that solidified his reputation as a premier guitarist.
We caught up with him to reminisce about his experiences with some of rock music’s most celebrated figures,including Clapton,Waters,Hendrix,Pete Townshend,and former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman.
Memories of Jimi Hendrix
“In November 1967, Amen Corner was part of a U.K. package tour alongside Jimi Hendrix,Pink Floyd,The Move,The Nice,Eire Apparent,and the Outer limits.[[[[Eire Apparent,hailing from Northern Ireland,featured future Spooky Tooth/Wings guitarist henry McCullough and had Hendrix produce and play on their sole album.]
“the concerts were often quite chaotic, held in concrete town halls. I remember in Sheffield, Jimi concluded his set by demolishing the drum kit. Then in Newcastle, he smashed his Flying V guitar into the Marshall cabinet.”
“Interestingly, Jimi seemed to have a fondness for our band.Kathy Etchingham, his girlfriend at the time, was once asked about his thoughts on the other acts on the tour, including Pink Floyd and The Nice. She replied, ‘well, Jimi didn’t think much of anything, but he did think Amen Corner was alright.’”
Bill Wyman: A life-Changing Encounter
“The first time I laid eyes on Bill was during a Rolling Stones concert at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales, on February 28, 1964. That night was pivotal for me; it ignited my desire to become a guitarist.”
“My friendship with Bill blossomed during the ARMS Charity concerts in 1983.[[[[these star-studded events, featuring legends like jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, and Jeff Beck, were organized to support Action into Research for Multiple Sclerosis, initiated by former Faces bassist Ronnie lane, who was battling the disease.]It was during this time that Bill proposed creating an album to further raise funds for the cause, leading to the formation of the Willie & the Poor Boys project, in which I participated.”
“While we were working on the album, Bill had to leave for a Rolling Stones gig in Paris. he asked me to produce a couple of tracks featuring Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgers in his absence. I assembled a band with Jimmy on guitar, Paul on vocals, and myself on bass, and we recorded ‘Slippin’ and Slidin” and ‘These Arms of mine.’ They turned out quite well.”
“Later, while heading to a breakfast TV show, Bill informed me that they had agreed to film a video for ‘These Arms of Mine,’ but they didn’t want me in it. To add insult to injury, Bill’s manager requested that Bill receive credit for my bass work since he was the more recognized bassist.”
Collaborating with Pete Townshend
“I first witnessed Pete townshend perform with The Who in 1965, and I must say, the energy was electrifying, even with a sparse audience.”
“While staying at producer Glyn Johns’ home during the recording of The Who’s Who Are You album, Pete invited me to contribute backing vocals. I ended up singing on ‘Who Are You’ and several other tracks.”
“On that album, Pete plugged his guitar directly into the mixing board.[[[[He utilized a preamp connected to a compressor and then straight into the console, which he frequently employed on Who Are You.]Typically, this method yields a poor sound, but when Pete struck an A chord, the impact was astonishing-so sharp you could slice metal with it. No one plays an A chord quite like Pete.”
First Impressions of Roger Waters
“My initial encounter with Roger occurred during that same November 1967 U.K. tour with Jimi Hendrix. We had a bit of a conflict; our manager, Ron King, had ties to the infamous Kray twins[[[[notorious British crime figures Ronnie and Reggie Kray]. Roger scolded me for touching a Leslie speaker, and Ron overheard him. He warned Roger,’If you do that again,I’ll break your legs!’ He was serious.”
“At the time, I didn’t grasp the essence of Pink Floyd. I kept wondering, Where’s the backbeat? Their opening song, ‘Set the Controls for the heart of the sun,’ fully puzzled me. Ironically, it later became my favorite track to perform while working with Roger.”
“This connection led to my long tenure with Roger,which lasted 24 years! He has a great sense of humor,and I enjoy collaborating with people who can laugh. I know there are mixed opinions about Roger, but I assure you, my experience was nothing short of fantastic. I learned so much about staging, lighting, and visuals during our time together.”
Eric Clapton: A Lasting Partnership
“My first tour with Eric Clapton was for the ARMS concert in 1984, but my official entry into his band came in 1990 when he backed george Harrison on a tour in Japan. On the first day of rehearsals, Eric invited me to join his band permanently. this led to my involvement in the acoustic Unplugged album, marking the beginning of a significant chapter in my career.”
“I take immense pride in being part of from the Cradle, which is my favorite album of Eric’s. he was truly at the peak of his abilities during that time. I’ve rejoined his band several times as, including a three-week tour in America in 2023, culminating at the Crossroads Guitar Festival.”
“Every rehearsal, recording, and live performance with Eric was a joy. I was well-compensated, traveled comfortably, and enjoyed great food and company. Eric has a wonderful sense of humor, and as I mentioned, I appreciate working with people who enjoy a good laugh. I never grew tired of listening to his playing and singing; his voice is captivating. I learned so much just by being around him. He always encouraged me to be my best, fostering a supportive environment without any sense of competition. He would frequently enough say, ‘Go for it, Andy!’”
“I never felt the urge to take solos, as I considered myself more of a rhythm guitarist. He would nod at me, but I’d decline, thinking the audience preferred to hear him.However, during a performance at Hyde Park in 1996, in front of 150,000 fans, after three months on tour, Eric gestured for me to take a solo. I thought, ‘Alright then, I will!’ His encouragement made all the difference.”
