Here it is folks, Thanks for your patience! This is very long and informative. I
did post the file version in the file section of the group. Thanks for the
questions you all submitted. Hope you enjoy it. Paul

Steve Hackett Interview 2009

Dear Steve,

We want to thank you for taking the time out in your busy schedule to answer
questions from the Steve Hackett Yahoo mailing list. We will be celebrating our
10th year in existence this coming May. 2009 sounds like an exciting year for
you with all of the future projects you have mentioned on your website. We look
forward to those releases and wish you success in them! Thank you for your
kindness, time and the music! Paul Bruce (on behalf of the group)


Question: On the first solo album, what song(s) did Mike Rutherford play "fuzz
12 string guitar" on?

(SH) Mike played fuzz twelve string on the end part of Shadow of the Hierophant
to reinforce the bass pedal part, as well as clean fade in notes which we
twinned together with mine.

Question: Tell us how you come across Nick Beggs and what songs will he use the
Chapman Stick on? Is this your first time to record/perform with a Chapman
Stick player?

(SH) Nick Beggs and I met at an EMI convention where we were both playing. He
was working with Belinda Carlisle at the time and I was immediately struck by
his friendly enthusiastic manner. Live he is using the Chapman Stick on Tower
Struck Down and a new tune I've worked on with Chris Squire called Storm Chaser,
plus some new stuff now on the forthcoming album. I worked briefly with Tony
Levin and Alfonso Johnson on an album some years ago, who were both fine Chapman
Stick players. The instrument is indeed very versatile.



Question: Are your Fernandes Guitars custom built? What model(s) can be
purchased that is close to yours? Would you consider letting them produce a
Steve Hackett signature model?

(SH) One of my Fernandes guitars was custom built to resemble my Gold Top Les
Paul, but with added sustain and Floyd-Rose tremolo arm. Fernandes make both Les
Paul and Stratocaster shaped models, some of which come with tremolo arms. The
people that I liaised with at the Japanese HQ have now changed, but they are
certainly amongst the forefront Japanese manufacturers. I've always dealt
directly with the Japanese. I'll have no objections if they ask to produce a
Steve Hackett model.

Question: There were a few music videos floating around in the late 70's and
80's such as The Show, Cell 151, A Doll Made in Japan and others. Will these
ever be released on DVD in some form?

(SH) These videos have never been officially released. I can't answer the other
part of the question for legal reasons.

Question:
(1) What is the process of creating a live concert dvd? Does Steve request that
a film be made, or does a filmmaker approach Steve? I would like learn a little
about the audio that is recorded for these dvd's... i/e: "is the audio
multi-track recorded?" what is the budget (ballpark figure is ok) for creating a
dvd?

(2) What is the process of Steve Hackett creating a studio album? Are there
record contracts involved? What is the difference between producing an album now
as opposed to the late 1970's?

(3) Does Steve Hackett own the rights fully to all the solo albums he has
released?

(4) Guitar question: does Steve tune with traditional tuning or special tuning?

Thank you for all the great dvd's you have released over the years, i look
forward to as many as you can stand to create, I'll be there collecting each and
every one of them.
Wenny Kelly
New Orleans

(SH) 1. The process of creating a live concert DVD varies. Sometimes it happens
at my request, but other times people approach me. Some gigs offer it as an in
house facility. Yes the audio is generally multi-track recorded for the DVDs. I
was recently quoted a price of 5000 Euros for a forthcoming gig DVD, but that
would exclude mixing time. 2. I usually record an album and do a production deal
with other record companies who have various distribution rights. Yes, contracts
are involved. The difference is that I control the recording and fund it myself,
then sell it on as a finished product, so that I have the final say. 3. I can't
answer the question regarding rights, as there is a legal dispute. 4. Usually I
use standard tuning, but I have used tunings in E and G. Many classical guitar
pieces use the low E dropped to D.

Question:
Is that a saw being played on "Come Away"?? (.... Love that track). And any more
plans to compose with unusual old-fashioned instruments
Mark Knopfler and Chet Akins did a great one-on-one album called Neck and Neck
where they sat down and played off each other. How about - Hackett and Howe (or
even Steve Rothery?) settle in, chose some tunes and swap variations?
Roy

(SH) No actually it was a Fernandes sustainer guitar entirely played with a
tremolo arm on Come Away. I like to mix modern and old instruments and indeed on
my new album there are many surprises in this area! Working with other
guitarists is something I do from time to time and both Steve Howe and Steve
Rothery are fine guitarists. If we ever did anything together it could be called
the Three Steves!

Question:
Would you ever consider some tutorials on Guitar Player TV or even Youtube?
How about some more sheet music of your compositions?

I'm a 51 year old, just beginning to self teach guitar, love your music, and
would be thrilled to see you explain some of your techniques.

Thanks,
Scott

(SH) I'm sure I'll get round to some tutorials one day, and the same applies to
sheet music. But right now I'm up against an album schedule and it's all hands
on deck. When things ease up a bit, we'll see...



Question:
Any plans to tour in the US in the immediate future?

(SH) There are no plans to tour the US just yet, but I'd love to do so as soon
as possible.

Question:
I would like to know if there is anything planned to follow the
performance reviewed here:
http://www.bondegez ou.co.uk/ reviews/thecityi nthesea.htm
Quoting from the review, "Hackett describes this
composition- with-improvisati on as the hardest project he's ever
attempted. The hard work paid off. "

(SH) I enjoyed working with Evelyn in midst of her busy schedule. I did three
shows with her where there were some astounding unrepeatable moments. There are
no shows planned at present like that as I am so busy with my own band, but the
door is always open.

Question:
Also, I guess like many people I am a bit confused about the exact
nature of the projects Steve is involved with. As far as I understood,
he works on a new rock solo album, on which Chris Squire guests, but
also on a joint project with Squire (where I guess they write together,
whereas for the solo album, Hackett writes the material). It would be
nice to know what's really going on there!

(SH) I've nearly finished a solo album, which Chris guests on, plus we have a
joint project planned, which we've already started.

Question:
One more thing: There have been some tour dates announced for the fall,
can we hope to hear a bit of the new material from these projects? And
is there anything else about the set list and band-line up that Steve can
confirm? Thanks, Henning

(SH) My new website features some tasters of what's to follow with the new
album. The fall tour set list is currently under review. The band line-up
features Roger King, Nick Beggs, Rob Townsend and Gary O'Toole, and occasionally
Dik Cadbury. I'm hoping Chris Quire will join us on the London show for a guest
spot, depending on his own touring commitments with Yes.

Question:
Ask Steve if he could consider re-recording "Hoping Love Will Last" with Susan
Boyle:
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=ut68Set- w0o
Unreal! Ian

(SH) I really love the way Randy Crawford sang the original song Hoping Love
Will Last, and I think it's an unbeatable version, but it was of its time.

Question:
Till We Have Faces has not been remastered (yet). Is this going to be done, if
so how soon? Just The Bones is not available on cd. (Can you tell I'm a
completist?)
A Life in Movies is a fantastic song, will that ever be available besides on
Guitarspeak 3 or the mp3 download?
Is there a possibility of releasing a Live Archive with songs that have never
been on previous releases? I mean a couple from the Highly Strung tour, some
more Cured tour etc. I don't know if there was a Till We Have Faces Tour. There
must be enough for a full release. Is there any possibility of getting Eruption
and Re-Conditioned Nightmare via download? I've spent tons of money on LP's,
45's, EP's CD's and remasters over the years. I don't need a Japanese import of
Wild Orchids for 2 songs.
Thanks, Bob

(SH) I don't have access to the master of Just the Bones right now. Regarding
the other questions here, I'd like to make all your dreams come true, but for
contractual/legal reasons I am unable to comment.

Question:
If Steve was told he would have a second life, would still be a top, top player,
writer and composer but guitar was forbidden, which instrument would he take up
to play and why?
Regards, Brian Gate

(SH) I think violin is beautiful, which is why I'm fond of using orchestral
textures. I love the sound of blues harmonica, as evinced on my Blues with a
Feeling album.

Question:What was the inspiration for using Tarot Cards for the 1st solo album?
Were any other cards considered, or tracks recorded that did not get onto the
album? Ian

(SH) I discovered that the Tarot card Ace of Wands symbolised the start of a new
venture. I thought this was an appropriate title for the first track of my solo
album. I loved the imagery of the other cards too, especially the pack designed
by Fergus Hall for the Bond film Live and Let Die. The Rider Waite pack is the
most easy to understand and I used a lot of the symbolism of that one. I worked
on something called Seven of Cups, which eventually became Virgin and the Gypsy
on Spectral Mornings.

Question(S):
During his time with genesis they used ARP-Synthesizers-with this special unique
sound.

1.) Does Steve use any ARP Synthesizers and 2.) Does he know why genesis stopped
using them?

2.) Does he still use a mellotron? Are what does he use as a substitute instead?

3.) Does he still use any moog synthesizers? (Like the pedal one he used to
play)

4.) Does Steve plan any Concerts in Austria

5.) Did he ever play in Austria and if so, when?

6.) Does or did he rework any Genesis tunes except on "genesis revisited"-which
is my favorite album, and if so, -does he plan to release anything reworked or
unissued material from that era?
Greetings from Johnny Heigl Of the sunny (25 degree Celsius) St.Poelten in
Austria

(SH) I don't use ARP synthesizers now. I try to do as much with guitar as
possible. I'm still a big fan of the mellotron and I often use the original
violin tapes that were recorded in 1953. However, the mellotron was unreliable,
so I use samples of the same sounds these days. Moog Taurus Pedals still feature
heavily in my live shows, because they rock the foundations of most buildings.
I'll be guesting with Djabe on 18 July in Austria (details on
www.hackettsongs.com). I did play with Gandalf in Vienna some years back. I
believe there is a live album featuring me amongst others on his show.
There are several Genesis guitar oriented tuned I've reinterpreted, which might
well be on a special edition of my next rock album, as a bonus give-away CD.

Question:

Would he be interested in working with the following three people:
Ray Wilson, Kate Bush & Björk?
But I've also got two different ones:
- Did he consider trying to see if he could gain an entry in the
Guinness Book Of Records for "The Biggest Number of Recorded Tracks for
a Song" (or something like that), since he & Roger King did 212 tracks
for Down Street?
- Is going to do any more soundtrack composing for documentaries, like
he did for Outwitting Hitler? Maybe also for TV series? Or even a
movie?
Regards, Alec

(SH) They're all great performers in their own right and I'm always open to
collaborations. That's a good idea! I could try that at some point when I'm less
busy!
I've had lots of things used for documentaries, but I'd really enjoy doing a
romantic nylon guitar and orchestra score for the right Hollywood weepy or to
thrash hell out of one of my electrics for an action movie. But we'll see!

Question:
Would like to ask Steve if he has ever played GTR heart rules the mind solo and
if he thinks he & Steve Howe could someday play together again live? Thanks
Bill Maxwell

(SH) No I haven't played GTR Heart Rules the Mind solo, although it's a good
song. I'm always up for reunions with old pals.

Question:

Collaborations/ guest appearances;
Has he heard the Canterbury Glass Cd, Sacred Scenes & Characters and his
thoughts to the contribution he made to the track Prologue? Memories etc..
How was he invited to get involved with the Peter Banks project circa 73?
Who was Ritchie? 83 offering Voo De Coracao (Jane Austen's Door solo) and
memories of work with this fella?
Nightwing - How did he get involved with themselves and production of "A Night
of Mystery". They also covered "Cell 151".
Overall thoughts on Max Bacon, aas he does not seem to get a great deal of good
press...
Eddie Hardin - Wind in The Willows/Box of Frogs/David Palmer? projects. ..
Memories
Guitar Speak 3 - A life in Movies... What was that all about?
Cristiano Prunas CD called Cippo circa 1995? What was that all about?
GTR had a bootleg called Debut Album Demo's. One track by Mr. Hackett is called
"Wasteland". ? What was that all about?

I was lucky enough to go to the Rome show on the 09 Italian tour... will their
be an official "Hackettsongs" release.

Can't think of anything else at the mo. Regards Paul Gibbon

(SH) So far no one has sent me a CD of Canterbury Glass, so I couldn't be sure
to what degree I was involved.
Pete Banks invited me to join him on an album that featured Jan Ackerman and
John Wetton, plus Phil Collins on drums as I recall, although it's been a long
time since I've heard it.
Richard Court (Ritchie) is an English guy who lives in Brazil, whose musical
career is very strong right now. We recorded several tracks in an after-hours
office building, which produced a no. 1 hit single in Brazil for him at that
time. Ritchie and I used to hang out with Jim Capaldi, Dominic Miller, Mick
Jagger, amongst others. David Howells had Nightwing signed to a small label he
ran before running Stock Aitkin and Waterman's show. I liked the sound of Max's
voice and offered to produce the single Night of Mystery, which was a lovely
song, beautifully sung by Max. He is a great singer and was really good for GTR.
I enjoyed working on Wind in the Willows with Eddie Hardin and Zak Starkey. Zak
went on to work with the Who. Eddie originally sang with the Spencer Davis group
after Steve Winwood's departure. Zak and famous father Ringo were Eddie's
neighbours occupying Tittenhurst Park after Lennon.
I based the track I did for Guitar Speak on a book I was reading by Michael
Powell called A Life in Movies (he's the guy who directed the movie Stairway to
Heaven way before Zep used the title for their famous song).
I have no idea what the Cristiano Prunas CD was. Perhaps it was linked to
another Steve Hackett!
Wasteland was an early version of what became Valley of the Kings on Genesis
Revisited.
There will be a Hackett Songs release, as I've almost finished recording a new
rock album

Question: Please ask Steve if he ever intends to work with Anthony Phillips in
the future on a joint album project, like he did with Chris Squire? I feel this
would be a tremendous opportunity for them both, with the possibility of very
interesting results!!!!I know he has met up with Ant recently. Best wishes,
Steph Kennedy

(SH) I hope Ant and I will do something together, as we sometimes meet up and
I've got a lot of respect for him and his unique style.

Question: Which is your favorite acoustic and electric guitar and why?
Which song would you like to cover sometime? Cheers,Willem
(SH) My favourite acoustic is my 1974 Yairi classical nylon guitar and my
favourite electric is variable, depending on what I'm playing. Fernandes make
great guitars with sustainer pick-ups plus I have one or two favourite Gibsons.

Question:Please ask Steve if he has ever considered maybe dropping the old
favourites (Everyday, Spectral Mornings, Clocks etc.) in favour of some newer
materiel. There is so much good stuff on Darktown and To Watch The Storms (Rise
Again, Twice Around The Sun, The Silk Road, Rebecca). Thank-you for the past 34
years of music. I hope there are many more to come, and a North American tour
soon, very soon.

(SH) I'd like to cover Simon Dupree and the Big Sounds' Kites, as it has a
beautiful child's picture book whimsy about it.I tend to play the tunes most
often asked for by fans, but I'm glad you like the newer material which I'll
incorporate more of over time...

Question:
Are there any plans to publish sheet music for some of the older solo material
... for piano as well as guitar.I am a (very) amateur enthusiast ... keyboards
not guitar - sorry ....... who does not have the natural ability to play by ear
but would love to have piano sheet music guidance to play pieces such as Hammer
in the Sand from Defector on my synthesizer. Even synthesized guitar sounds are
great on modern synths and, though it would lack the finesse of the true
instrument and artiste (to the point of sacrilege maybe) it would be great fun
to have access to music for "A Cradle of Swans" or "Two Vamps as Guests" to play
on keyboards. For example - the guitar intro to Blood on the Rooftops (learnt
from a Genesis songbook) sounds brilliant on a Roland synth classical guitar
patch - it's my wife's favorite of my weekend repertoire.Hope I haven't offended
too many guitar players - but I live in hope. Just Hammer in the Sand would do -
could someone transcribe it for piano.... please! (Roger?)Thanks, Royston

(SH) There are plans to publish more sheet music, and hopefully that'll happen
in time, contracts permitting. I'd like to do more of it in the future.


Question:
Would Steve consider playing a classical set at the Isabella Stewart Gardner
museum in Boston? The Gardner museum is a relaxing but prestigious venue,
renowned - not only for its wonderful art collection - but also for its winter
series of classical concerts. It attracts many of Boston's music cognoscente and
I think it would be a wonderful venue for Steve + classical guitar.
That's it. Regards to my favorite artiste. Roy

(SH) I'll make a note of the suggested venue of the Isabella Stewart Gardner
museum for future acoustic gigs.

Question:I'm interested in Steve's future collaborations with
other artists (imminent, tentative, & fantasy).
Hopefully Roger king will remain onboard? How's it
going with Mr. Squire? Any other collaborations in
the works, however tentative? Who would he fancy
making music with, if he could have 3 wishes? I've
always thought that a Hackett/Gabriel collaboration
would be well worth hearing!Rex

(SH) Roger King is a fabulous all-rounder and I'm sure we'll continue to
collaborate on projects in the future. I should be visiting Chris Squire
sometime in August and we intend to write more material for our joint project.
I've got plenty of ideas but they're all in the dream world at the moment. I'd
love to work with half the musicians in the world, but I guess that'll take a
few more lifetimes! Pete's a lovely guy and a great singer and I have very fond
memories of the work we did together. Who knows what the future may bring?

END OF INTERVIEW AND MESSAGE FROM STEVE:
Many thanks to everyone for all your questions. I hope I've managed to shed some
light on some of your queries and concerns. Love to all...
Thanks, Steve