Bill started his musical career circa 1975 (in the fourth grade) when he had clarinet lessons thrust upon him. He wanted to be a drummer, but he was late signing up, and all the spots for drummers were filled -- and there was a waiting list that included Bill Bruford, Phil Collins, Chester Thompson and Steve Gadd. Not that Bill really wanted to be a drummer, it just looked easier to hit things with a stick than to learn all those notes (and he had heard there was a lot of them).

About the age of twelve, Bill began taking guitar lessons, although he was really more interested keyboards and synthesizers. A piano seemed to have a lot more notes than a guitar, so guitar seemed to be the wiser choice. Bill liked the guitar but all the while kept tinkering with the piano and Radio Shack synthesizer that he was permitted to have... [ More ]