Aberdeen Aberdeen (; sco, Aiberdeen ; gd, Obar Dheathain ; la, Aberdonia) is a city in North East Scotland, and is the third most populous city in the country. Aberdeen is one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas (as Aberdeen City), ...

Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire ( sco, Aiberdeenshire; gd, Siorrachd Obar Dheathain) is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It takes its name from the County of Aberdeen which has substantially different boundaries. The Aberdeenshire Council area incl ...

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to th ...

guitarist A guitarist (or a guitar player) is a person who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of guitar family instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselve ...

Nick Lowe Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in power pop and new wave,Dave Edmunds' albums. He has also played with

The Pretenders Pretenders are an English–American rock band formed in March 1978. The original band consisted of founder and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), Pete Fa ...

, Shakin' Stevens,

Carlene Carter Carlene Carter (born Rebecca Carlene Smith; September 26, 1955) is an American country music singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of June Carter Cash and her first husband, Carl Smith. As of 2020, since 1978, Carter has recorded 12 album ...

and The Coal Porters, as well as issuing four solo albums.

Career overview

Bremner first became known playing with

The Luvvers The Luvvers was a Scottish rock group. They are best known as the backing group to Lulu on her debut chart single, " Shout" (1964). They subsequently had a low-key career of their own before disbanding in March 1966. Career Before they changed t ...

, who served as

Lulu Lulu may refer to: Companies * LuLu, an early automobile manufacturer * Lulu.com, an online e-books and print self-publishing platform, distributor, and retailer * Lulu Hypermarket, a retail chain in Asia * Lululemon Athletica or simply Lulu, ...

's backing band. However, by the time Bremner joined the group in 1966, they were on the wane; Bremner did not play on any of Lulu's recorded material, and joined just after the group recorded their only single without Lulu ("The House on the Hill"/"Most Unlovely") for

Parlophone Parlophone Records Limited (also known as Parlophone Records and Parlophone) is a German–British record label founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindström Company as Parlophon. The British branch of the label was founded on 8 August 19 ...

in 1966. The Luvvers disbanded in 1967. In 1971, Bremner added some guitar work to ''March Hare'', the first solo album from ex-

Honeybus Honeybus were a 1960s pop group formed in April 1967, in London. They are best known for their 1968 UK Top 10 hit single, " I Can't Let Maggie Go", written by group member Pete Dello who also composed their previous single "(Do I Figure) In Y ...

member Colin Hare. He then became a member of the Neil Innes band Fatso, which went on to record the soundtrack for the original '' Rutland Weekend Television'' series. As "Bill Murray" he released two singles produced by Kris Ife: "Downtown Hoedown" / "Rhyme And Reason" (Polydor 2058 881, 1977) and "Heart and the Stone" / "I Don't Wanna Be No Hero" (State Records STAT 72, 1978). Next, he joined Rockpile, who only released one album under their own name, but also served as the band for most of

Nick Lowe Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in power pop and new wave,Dave Edmunds' albums in the 1970s. In addition to his guitar playing, Bremner occasionally sang lead, as he did on "Heart" and "You Ain't Nothing But Fine" on the 1980 Rockpile album '' Seconds of Pleasure''. He also wrote Edmunds' hit "Trouble Boys" (which Edmunds would let him sing live), but used an alias, Billy Murray, on the writing credits, so as not to be confused with the more famous Scottish

footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby ...

, of the same name. "Trouble Boys" was covered by

Thin Lizzy Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Their music reflects a wide range of influences, including blues, soul music, psychedelic rock and traditional Irish folk music, but is generally classified as hard rock or s ...

on a single in 1981. Another song by him, "The Creature from the Black Lagoon", appeared on Edmunds' third solo album, '' Repeat When Necessary''. After Rockpile split in 1981, Bremner released two solo singles on

Stiff Records Stiff Records is a British independent record label formed in London, England, by Dave Robinson and Jake Riviera. Originally active from 1976 to 1986, the label was reactivated in 2007. Established at the outset of the punk rock boom, Stiff ...

"Loud Music In Cars" / "The Price is Right" (BUY 125) and "Laughter Turns to Tears" / "Tired and Emotional" (BUY 143). Bremner then played lead guitar on

The Pretenders Pretenders are an English–American rock band formed in March 1978. The original band consisted of founder and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), Pete Fa ...

' 1982 hit single " Back On The Chain Gang" / " My City Was Gone" and later provided lead guitar for their 1990 album ''

Packed! ''Packed!'' is the fifth album by rock group The Pretenders, released in 1990. Besides band leader Chrissie Hynde, no other person is pictured anywhere within the album package. At the time the album was recorded, the only other remaining offic ...

''. Bremner released his first solo album, ''Bash!'', in 1984, containing songs co-written with The Records' Will Birch, and covers of songs by

Elvis Costello Declan Patrick MacManus OBE (born 25 August 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. He has won multiple awards in his career, including a Grammy Award in 2020, and has twice been nom ...

, and

Chris Difford Christopher Henry Difford (born 4 November 1954) is an English singer, musician, songwriter and record producer. He is a founding member and songwriter of the rock group Squeeze. Musical career Born in Greenwich, London, Difford has written l ...

and Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze. ''Bash!'' featured a

rhythm section A rhythm section is a group of musicians within a music ensemble or band that provides the underlying rhythm, harmony and pulse of the accompaniment, providing a rhythmic and harmonic reference and "beat" for the rest of the band. The rhythm s ...

of Dave Kerr-Clemenson from Fast Buck on bass and Terry Williams from Rockpile on drums. Bremner played all the guitar parts and sang the harmonies with Kerr-Clemenson. After stints in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the wor ...

,

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...

, (where he played in the bands of Pat McLaughlin and

Rosie Flores Rosie Flores (born September 10, 1950) is an American rockabilly and country music artist. Her music blends rockabilly, honky tonk, jazz, and Western swing along with traditional influences from her Tex-Mex heritage. She currently resides in Au ...

) and

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the seat of Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the most populous city in the state, 21st most-populous city in the U.S., and t ...

Bremner moved to Sweden in the 1990s where he met The Refreshments, producing and playing on their album ''It's Gotta Be Both Rock 'n' Roll''. A second solo album, ''A Good Week's Work'', followed in 1999 and a third ''No Ifs, Buts, Maybes'' in 2006, both recorded in Sweden. His most recent solo album, ''Rock Files'', was issued in 2012. Bremner was also a member of Stockholm-based band Trouble Boys with

Sean Tyla Sean Tyla (born John Michael Kenneth Tyler, 3 August 1946 – 17 May 2020) was an English rock guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter, sometimes known as the "Godfather of Boogie". Best known for his work with Ducks Deluxe and Tyla Ga ...

and two Swedish musicians, who released an album called ''Bad Trouble'' in September 2012

Album discography

Solo

*''Bash!'' (1984) *''A Good Week's Work'' (1998) *''No Ifs, Buts, Maybes'' (2006) *''Rock Files'' (2012)

As a member of Rockpile

*'' Seconds of Pleasure'' 1980 *''Live at Montreux 1980'' 2011

As a sideman

;With Dave Edmunds *'' Tracks on Wax 4'' 1978 *'' Repeat When Necessary'' 1979 *'' Twangin... 1981 *''Pile of Rock: Live'' 2001 ;With

Nick Lowe Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in power pop and new wave,Jesus of Cool ''Jesus of Cool'' is the solo debut album by British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. Produced by Lowe, it was released in March 1978 by Radar Records in the UK. In the United States, the album was reconfigured by Columbia Records and retitled '' ...

'' (UK) / '' Pure Pop for Now People'' (US) 1978 *'' Labour of Lust'' 1979 *''

Nick the Knife ''Nick the Knife'' is the third solo album by Nick Lowe, released in 1982 and his first since the 1981 breakup of his band Rockpile. Background The record still has several ties to Rockpile with Lowe's former bandmates Billy Bremner and Terry ...

'' 1982 *'' Nick Lowe & His Cowboy Outfit'' 1984 ;With

The Pretenders Pretenders are an English–American rock band formed in March 1978. The original band consisted of founder and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), Pete Fa ...

*'' Learning to Crawl'' 1984 *''

Packed! ''Packed!'' is the fifth album by rock group The Pretenders, released in 1990. Besides band leader Chrissie Hynde, no other person is pictured anywhere within the album package. At the time the album was recorded, the only other remaining offic ...

'' 1990 *''Pirate Radio'' 2006 ;With Shakin' Stevens *'' Give Me Your Heart Tonight'' 1982 *''Hits and More'' 2003 *''Collectable'' 2004 *''Collection'' 2005 ; With

Carlene Carter Carlene Carter (born Rebecca Carlene Smith; September 26, 1955) is an American country music singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of June Carter Cash and her first husband, Carl Smith. As of 2020, since 1978, Carter has recorded 12 album ...

*''

Musical Shapes ''Musical Shapes'' is the third album by American singer Carlene Carter. The only song to make the Billboard Music Charts, Billboard country singles chart was "Baby Ride Easy," (written by Richard Dobson) a duet with Dave Edmunds of the British ...

'' 1980 *'' Blue Nun'' 1981 ; With The Coal Porters *''Land of Hope and Crosby'' 1994 *''London'' 1995 *''Rebels Without Applause'' 1996 ;With Neil Innes *'' Taking Off'' 1977 *'' The Rutland Weekend Songbook'' 1976 ;With Jim Lauderdale *''Persimmons'' 1996 *''Other Sessions'' 2000 ;With Trouble Boys *''Bad Trouble'' (2012) Ball and Chain Records ;With other artists * Anne Feeney – ''Look to the Left'' 1989 *

Anne Sofie von Otter Anne Sofie von Otter (born 9 May 1955) is a Swedish mezzo-soprano. Her repertoire encompasses lieder, operas, oratorios and also rock and pop songs. Early life Von Otter was born in Stockholm, Sweden. Her father was Göran von Otter, a Swe ...

&

Elvis Costello Declan Patrick MacManus OBE (born 25 August 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. He has won multiple awards in his career, including a Grammy Award in 2020, and has twice been nom ...

– ''For the Stars'' 2001 * Any Trouble – ''Wrong End of the Race'' 1984 *Bob Young – ''In Quo Country'' 1980 * Deke Leonard – ''Before Your Very Eyes'' 1981 *Don Morrell – ''After All These Years'' 1999 *

Elvis Costello & the Attractions Declan Patrick MacManus OBE (born 25 August 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. He has won multiple awards in his career, including a Grammy Award in 2020, and has twice been nom ...

– '' Trust'' 1981 * Foreigner – '' Mr. Moonlight'' 1995 *George Ducas – ''George Ducas'' 1995 *Howard Werth – ''Six of One and a Half Dozen of the Other'' 1996 *John Gorman – ''Go Man Gorman'' 1977 *

Kelly Willis Kelly may refer to: Art and entertainment * Kelly (Kelly Price album) * Kelly (Andrea Faustini album) * ''Kelly'' (musical), a 1965 musical by Mark Charlap * "Kelly" (song), a 2018 single by Kelly Rowland * ''Kelly'' (film), a 1981 Canadi ...

– ''Kelly Willis'' 1993 * Kieran Kane – ''Find My Way Home'' 1993 * Mickey Jupp – ''Juppanese'' 1978 *

Nirvana ( , , ; sa, निर्वाण} ''nirvāṇa'' ; Pali: ''nibbāna''; Prakrit: ''ṇivvāṇa''; literally, "blown out", as in an oil lamp Richard Gombrich, ''Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benāres to Modern Colombo. ...

– ''To Markos III'' 1969 * Pat McLaughlin – ''Pat McLaughlin'' 1988 *

Paul Kennerley Paul Kennerley (born 1948) is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer working in the American contemporary country music industry. Biography Paul Kennerley was born in Hoylake, Cheshire (now Merseyside), England in 1948. In 1 ...

– ''Misery with a Beat'' 1998 *

Phil Everly The Everly Brothers were an American rock duo, known for steel-string acoustic guitar playing and close harmony singing. Consisting of Isaac Donald "Don" Everly (February 1, 1937 – August 21, 2021) and Phillip "Phil" Everly (January 19, 1939 ...

– ''Phil Everly'' 1983 *

Rosie Flores Rosie Flores (born September 10, 1950) is an American rockabilly and country music artist. Her music blends rockabilly, honky tonk, jazz, and Western swing along with traditional influences from her Tex-Mex heritage. She currently resides in Au ...

– ''Honky Tonk Reprise'' 1996 *Snake Farm – ''What Kind of Dreams Are These'' 1989 * The Refreshments – ''It's Gotta Be Both Rock 'n' Roll'' 2006 *

Totta Näslund Erik Torsten "Totta" Näslund (1 April 1945 – 19 June 2005) was a Swedish blues musician and actor. Biography Näslund was born in Sandviken and grew up in the small northern town Köpmanholmen, but moved to Gothenburg in 1970 to find wo ...

– ''Totta, Vol. 3: En Dare Som Jag'' 2008 *Roadwork – ''Round Two'' 2013

References

External links

Therockandrollarchive.com – Q&A session
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bremner, Billy 1946 births Living people Scottish rock guitarists Scottish male guitarists The Pretenders members musicians from Aberdeen Rockpile members Scottish singer-songwriters 20th-century Scottish male singers Scottish expatriates in the United States Scottish expatriates in Sweden Lead guitarists Rhythm guitarists British rockabilly musicians