Bill Nelson

Bill Nelson (born December 18, 1948) is a prolific guitarist, songwriter, painter and experimental musician from Yorkshire, England.

Nelson was educated at the Wakefield College of Art, where he developed an interest in t

Bill Nelson (born December 18, 1948) is a prolific guitarist, songwriter, painter and experimental musician from Yorkshire, England.

Nelson was educated at the Wakefield College of Art, where he developed an interest in the work of poet and filmmaker Jean Cocteau. At this time he was also developing as a musician, drawing upon Duane Eddy as a primary guitar influence. He was involved in a music project titled "A-Austr" with Brian Calvert and Chris Coombs. They produced an album titled "A-Austr: Musics from the Holyground" which appeard on Holyground Records in 1970. A locally produced solo album titled Northern Dream drew the attention of famed British DJ John Peel, and this eventually led to Nelson's new band, Be Bop Deluxe, signing to EMI Records. The band developed a reputation built upon Nelson's electric guitar stylings, which have been described as "pyrotechnic".