What was it like creating one of the most iconic guitar solos of the 1980s? How do you go from recording with Tears for Fears to performing in front of hundreds of thousands of people with Robbie Williams? And after a lifetime at the top of the music industry, what inspires the next chapter?

In this episode of Long Way to the Top, Shayne Brian sits down with legendary guitarist Neil Taylor for a fascinating deep dive into a career that has helped shape the soundtrack of multiple generations.

Best known for his unforgettable guitar work with Tears for Fears, including the iconic solo on Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Neil shares the stories behind the recording sessions that produced some of the biggest songs of the decade. He reflects on working alongside Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith during the making of the landmark album Songs from the Big Chair and discusses his contribution to the ambitious follow-up, The Seeds of Love.

Neil also takes us behind the scenes of his decade-long association with Robbie Williams, from recording sessions on hit albums to performing at the legendary Knebworth Concerts 2003 in front of record-breaking crowds.

We also explore Neil's exciting current project, Blue Water Giants, a band featuring an impressive lineup of musicians whose combined résumés include Tears for Fears, Robbie Williams, Procol Harum and Simnple Minds.

The conversation also dives into the band's brand-new single, Dangerously In Love, available now, and how creating new music with Blue Water Giants has given Neil another exciting creative outlet after decades of performing with some of the biggest names in music. The current lineup includes Neil Taylor, Josh Phillips and Mel Gaynor

Along the way, we discuss Neil's work and examine what it takes to become one of the most respected session and touring guitarists in the world.

If you love Tears for Fears, Robbie Williams, classic rock, 80s music, guitar history, music production, songwriting, live performance, Blue Water Giants and the stories behind the songs, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In This Episode:
The story behind the Everybody Wants to Rule the World guitar solo
Recording Songs from the Big Chair and The Seeds of Love
Working with Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith
Touring the world with Robbie Williams
Performing at Knebworth
Life as a professional session guitarist
The formation of Blue Water Giants
The new single Dangerously In Love
The secrets of crafting memorable guitar parts
Neil Taylor's reflections on a remarkable career

Blue Water Giants. Single "Dangerously In Love" out now

https://www.facebook.com/bluewatergiants https://open.spotify.com/album/6JwuGl6e9AtXZwVgKFaSLW?si=kDed8q0DT06E-0kPC_ckaQ 

Subscribe to Long Way to the Top with Shayne Brian for in-depth conversations with the artists, musicians and industry legends who created — and continue to create — the soundtrack of our lives.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/TheLongWayToTheTopPodcast


#NeilTaylor #TearsForFears #EverybodyWantsToRuleTheWorld #RobbieWilliams #BlueWaterGiants #DangerouslyInLove #SongsFromTheBigChair #TheSeedsOfLove #LongWayToTheTop #ShayneBrian #ClassicRock #80sMusic #RockPodcast #MusicInterview #GuitarLegend #MelGaynor #JohnRhinoEdwards #JoshPhillips #MusicHistory #RockLegends

What was it like creating one of the most iconic guitar solos of the 1980s? How do you go from recording with Tears for Fears to performing in front of hundreds of thousands of people with Robbie Williams? And after a lifetime at the top of the music industry, what inspires the next chapter?
In this episode of Long Way to the Top, Shayne Brian sits down with legendary guitarist Neil Taylor for a fascinating deep dive into a career that has helped shape the soundtrack of multiple generations.
Best known for his unforgettable guitar work with Tears for Fears, including the iconic solo on Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Neil shares the stories behind the recording sessions that produced some of the biggest songs of the decade. He reflects on working alongside Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith during the making of the landmark album Songs from the Big Chair and discusses his contribution to the ambitious follow-up, The Seeds of Love.
Neil also takes us behind the scenes of his decade-long association with Robbie Williams, from recording sessions on hit albums to performing at the legendary Knebworth Concerts 2003 in front of record-breaking crowds.
We also explore Neil's exciting current project, Blue Water Giants, a band featuring an impressive lineup of musicians whose combined r&eacute;sum&eacute;s include Tears for Fears, Robbie Williams, Procol Harum and Simnple Minds.
The conversation also dives into the band's brand-new single, Dangerously In Love, available now, and how creating new music with Blue Water Giants has given Neil another exciting creative outlet after decades of performing with some of the biggest names in music. The current lineup includes Neil Taylor, Josh Phillips and Mel Gaynor
Along the way, we discuss Neil's work and examine what it takes to become one of the most respected session and touring guitarists in the world.
If you love Tears for Fears, Robbie Williams, classic rock, 80s music, guitar history, music production, songwriting, live performance, Blue Water Giants and the stories behind the songs, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
In This Episode:
<ul data-start="2856" data-end="3380">
<li data-section-id="9lv9dk" data-start="2856" data-end="2926">The story behind the Everybody Wants to Rule the World guitar solo</li>
<li data-section-id="1ltgi2m" data-start="2927" data-end="2989">Recording Songs from the Big Chair and The Seeds of Love</li>
<li data-section-id="wm6q14" data-start="2990" data-end="3034">Working with Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith</li>
<li data-section-id="1x6a8ms" data-start="3035" data-end="3075">Touring the world with Robbie Williams</li>
<li data-section-id="1fv72bc" data-start="3076" data-end="3101">Performing at Knebworth</li>
<li data-section-id="d1lk7u" data-start="3102" data-end="3144">Life as a professional session guitarist</li>
<li data-section-id="gm6pby" data-start="3145" data-end="3181">The formation of Blue Water Giants</li>
<li data-section-id="13b8413" data-start="3182" data-end="3220">The new single Dangerously In Love</li>
<li data-section-id="14hthmd" data-start="3281" data-end="3329">The secrets of crafting memorable guitar parts</li>
<li data-section-id="18ctma9" data-start="3330" data-end="3380">Neil Taylor's reflections on a remarkable career</li>
</ul>
Blue Water Giants. Single "Dangerously In Love" out now
https://www.facebook.com/bluewatergiants <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6JwuGl6e9AtXZwVgKFaSLW?si=kDed8q0DT06E-0kPC_ckaQ">https://open.spotify.com/album/6JwuGl6e9AtXZwVgKFaSLW?si=kDed8q0DT06E-0kPC_ckaQ</a>&nbsp;
Subscribe to Long Way to the Top with Shayne Brian for in-depth conversations with the artists, musicians and industry legends who created &mdash; and continue to create &mdash; the soundtrack of our lives.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/TheLongWayToTheTopPodcast 
#NeilTaylor #TearsForFears #EverybodyWantsToRuleTheWorld #RobbieWilliams #BlueWaterGiants #DangerouslyInLove #SongsFromTheBigChair #TheSeedsOfLove #LongWayToTheTop #ShayneBrian #ClassicRock #80sMusic #RockPodcast #MusicInterview #GuitarLegend #MelGaynor #JohnRhinoEdwards #JoshPhillips #MusicHistory #RockLegends

Every song has a story. Every legend has a journey.

Long Way to the Top is where those stories come alive — the raw, revealing, and often hilarious moments behind rock’s most enduring names. Hosted by Shayne Brian, this is the ultimate backstage pass into the minds of the artists who built the soundtrack of our lives.

From chart-topping anthems and studio secrets to the reinventions that kept them alive across decades, each episode dives deep into the grit, the glory, and the genius that made these icons who they are.

Featuring legendary guests including:


Stewart Copeland (The Police) — on the art of rhythm, rebellion, and creating one of the most innovative bands in rock history.


Leo Sayer — sharing stories from a five-decade career of global hits, resilience, and reinvention.


Russell Morris — reflecting on The Real Thing and the timeless spirit of Australian music.


Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock) — taking us through six decades of songs that shaped Aussie rock.


Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) — reliving the glamour, sound, and legacy of the 1980s New Romantic movement.


Steve Kilbey (The Church) — exploring mysticism, creativity, and the making of Under the Milky Way.

Whether you grew up spinning vinyl or streaming playlists, Long Way to the Top takes you deep into the world of the artists who defined generations — and are still climbing.

Hit plus or follow to subscribe to the podcast.

And head over to Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLongWayToTheTopPodcast,

Keep on Rocking!

Every song has a story. Every legend has a journey.
Long Way to the Top is where those stories come alive &mdash; the raw, revealing, and often hilarious moments behind rock&rsquo;s most enduring names. Hosted by Shayne Brian, this is the ultimate backstage pass into the minds of the artists who built the soundtrack of our lives.
From chart-topping anthems and studio secrets to the reinventions that kept them alive across decades, each episode dives deep into the grit, the glory, and the genius that made these icons who they are.
Featuring legendary guests including:
<ul data-start="899" data-end="1588">
<li data-start="899" data-end="1036">
Stewart Copeland (The Police) &mdash; on the art of rhythm, rebellion, and creating one of the most innovative bands in rock history.
</li>
<li data-start="1037" data-end="1143">
Leo Sayer &mdash; sharing stories from a five-decade career of global hits, resilience, and reinvention.
</li>
<li data-start="1144" data-end="1244">
Russell Morris &mdash; reflecting on The Real Thing and the timeless spirit of Australian music.
</li>
<li data-start="1245" data-end="1359">
Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock) &mdash; taking us through six decades of songs that shaped Aussie rock.
</li>
<li data-start="1360" data-end="1476">
Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) &mdash; reliving the glamour, sound, and legacy of the 1980s New Romantic movement.
</li>
<li data-start="1477" data-end="1588">
Steve Kilbey (The Church) &mdash; exploring mysticism, creativity, and the making of Under the Milky Way.
</li>
</ul>
Whether you grew up spinning vinyl or streaming playlists, Long Way to the Top takes you deep into the world of the artists who defined generations &mdash; and are still climbing.
Hit plus or follow to subscribe to the podcast.
And head over to Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLongWayToTheTopPodcast,
Keep on Rocking!