Paul Brett

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Paul Brett (1947–2024) was an English classic rock guitarist known for his twelve‑string work. He played lead guitar with many acts, including Strawbs (though never a formal member), The Overlanders, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera, The Velvet Opera, Tintern Abbey, Fire, Roy Harper, Al Stewart and Lonnie Donegan.

In the 1970s he switched to twelve‑string guitar. His first twelve‑string suite, Earth Birth, appeared on his own Phoenix Future label and was produced by Ralph Steadman. The critical praise helped him land a four‑album deal with RCA Records. His K‑tel Romantic Guitar album went gold in the UK, but he stopped recording soon after. He returned to recording in 2000 with his long‑time friend and fellow twelve‑string guitarist, John Joyce.

Brett wrote for Melody Maker, Sound International and International Musician, and later contributed to Acoustic, Music Maker and Live in London magazines. He also appeared on BBC TV’s Antiques Road Show and Flog It in the mid‑2000s. As a guitar designer, he worked for Vintage Guitars in the UK, creating instruments such as The Viator 6 and 12‑string, The Gemini, The Viaten tenor guitar, and his own Paul Brett signature six‑ and twelve‑string guitars. In 2017 he released Statesboro' 12 string, a tribute to Blind Willie McTell.

Earlier, in 1967, he was with The Warren Davis Monday Band and played on their single “Wait for Me.” He released the album Clocks in 1973/74. Paul Brett died on 31 January 2024 from heart failure. He also worked as a session musician for many artists and groups, and in 2012 started the annual Llyn Acoustic Guitar Festival in North Wales.