Gordon Giltrap

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Gordon Giltrap, born on 6 April 1948 in Brenchley, Kent, is an English guitarist and composer whose music blends progressive rock, classical, folk and Celtic influences. He is highly respected by peers and fans, with praise from musicians like Steve Rothery, Ritchie Blackmore and Jimmy Page.

Growing up in Deptford, southeast London, Giltrap began playing guitar at age 12 without any formal lessons, developing his own style. He started his career in London’s folk scene during the 1960s, performing alongside artists such as Bert Jansch and John Renbourn. At 18 he signed with Transatlantic Records and released his debut album, Gordon Giltrap (1968), followed by Portrait (1969). Songs like Willow Pattern earned praise for their imagery, while Gospel Song showcased a vigorous strumming style that would become a hallmark of his playing. He appeared on Transatlantic’s guitar showcase albums in 1969 and 1970, which helped raise his profile.

Giltrap also worked with Don Partridge on The Buskers’ Tour and formed a band with Partridge called Accolade. After this period, he signed with MCA Records in 1970 and released Testament of Time, a mix of songs and instrumental pieces. As his career progressed, he worked with Del Newman on string arrangements and expanded his sound with larger bands. In 1973 he released a bigger-sounding album, Giltrap, with Nicko McBrain on drums, and he began to gain broader recognition. This era also marked his shift toward instrumental music rather than singing.

In 1976, Giltrap released Visionary, an album inspired by the poetry and art of William Blake. The project helped propel him into a broader rock audience, and Triumvirate Productions (guitarist/producer Rod Edwards and keyboardist Roger Hand) pushed him further into rock territory. The follow-up Perilous Journey (1977) solidified his popularity and gave rise to the enduring instrumental piece Heartsong, which became a signature tune and earned an Ivor Novello Award nomination. He toured with a larger band and then went on to make Fear of the Dark (1978) and The Peacock Party (1979), the latter inspired by a book and featuring collaborations with violinist Ric Sanders and guitarist John Etheridge.

Throughout the early 1980s, Giltrap explored different formats. Airwaves (1981) marked a shift toward music written for TV, film, or other non-typical uses. After a period of both touring and focused studio work, he released A Midnight Clear (1987), a collection of instrumental Christmas pieces, and One to One (1989) with Sanders. He continued to collaborate with other artists, including Bert Jansch on the 2001 tribute album Janschology, and later recorded with Raymond Burley on Double Vision (2004).

The 2000s saw new projects and collaborations. Giltrap worked with classical guitarist Raymond Burley, formed the Four Parts Guitar ensemble with Nick Etheridge and later joined with Rick Wakeman for From Brush and Stone. The duo released Shining Morn (2010), and Giltrap later collaborated with Oliver Wakeman on Ravens and Lullabies (2013). He also pursued solo work and smaller venue tours, and in 2019 contributed to a Who album, Townshend invited him to play on a track after they met in 2017.

In 2015 he faced a serious health challenge, a gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and underwent extensive surgery in 2016. He recovered and continued performing, teaching, and composing. Giltrap has been active in education, working with the Registry of Guitar Tutors and running workshops. He also released Heartsongs in 2018, a charity project dedicated to his late son Jamie, with proceeds supporting cancer research at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. A biography of his life, written by Steve Pilkington, was published the same year and is dedicated to Jamie’s memory.

Personal life has included two marriages. He married his first wife, Maureen, in 1970; they had two children and divorced in 1981. He married Hilary in 1986; she supported his career and later died in 2022. Giltrap has cited influences ranging from Hank Marvin and the Beatles to Pete Townshend, Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, and he has continued to tour and record, earning an MBE in 2019 for services to music and charity.