I love the great people in rock who were superb but are far from household names. They make up the warp and weft of our rock world. One such is guitarist Ollie Halsall. Born in Southport, Ollie started the mighty long way down the rock n roll road early on. He cut his teeth in the vibrant Merseybeat scene of the '60s, most notably with The Dakotas – as in Billy J. Kramer and…. So right from the off, he was in the thick of it, learning his craft in the sweaty clubs and smoky back rooms.
But Ollie wasn't one to stay put for long. He had a restless musical spirit, always searching for new sounds and collaborations. This led him to join Timebox, a band that was a bit of a melting pot of psychedelic rock, pop sensibilities, and some genuinely inventive arrangements. Tracks like "Beggin'" (later a hit for Frankie Valli) and "Soul Sauce" showed a band with real potential, and Halsall's guitar work was already starting to shine through – melodic, inventive, and always serving the song.
It's when he hooked up with Kevin Ayers that things really started to happen. This was a partnership that would define a significant chunk of his career. Ayers, the quirky and wonderfully eccentric former Soft Machine man, found a kindred spirit in Halsall's musical versatility. Ollie became a cornerstone of Ayers' various lineups throughout the '70s, and 80s, contributing his distinctive guitar playing to classic albums like Bananamour, Sweet Deceiver and June 1, 1974.
And what a player he was! The left-handed Halsall had a style that was all his own. He could lay down a blistering rock solo with the best of them, but he was equally adept at crafting delicate, jazzy lines and adding subtle textures that elevated the music.
Beyond Ayers, Ollie was a sought-after session musician, lending his talents to a diverse range of artists. He had a stint with Tempest, the post-Colosseum project featuring Jon Hiseman, showcasing his heavier side. He also played with the likes of John Cale, another musical maverick who appreciated Halsall's adventurous spirit. I mean, he could also play the vibraphone.
But perhaps one of his most beloved and enduring projects was Grimms, a wonderfully whimsical and theatrical band that emerged from the remnants of The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Liverpool Scene, and Scaffold. Ollie's guitar work added a crucial layer of musicality to their often-bonkers stage shows and recordings. He was also on the Rutles album and in Patto and Boxer, now rather collectible records, both.
Tragically, Ollie Halsall's life was cut short far too soon. Like many before and after him, he passed away in 1992 at the age of just 43 from a drug-induced heart attack. It's a genuine loss, as he was a musician who still had so much to offer.
Ollie Halsall wasn't a rock superstar in the traditional sense. He didn't chase fame and fortune. He was a musician's musician, a quiet genius who let his playing do the talking. He was the kind of guitarist that other guitarists admired, the secret ingredient that made so many recordings and performances just that little bit more special.
A restless musical spirit... Ollie Halsall
