It is nearly 20 years since guitarist and songwriter Gerry Leonard took the plunge and moved to America. Now, all these years later, he appears to be settled, living not far from a little bit of rock ‘n’ roll history, the town of Woodstock.
Leonard, one part of Hinterland and a collaborator with David Bowie, was this week’s ‘Back to Mine’ guest with Tom Dunne.
The first song that Leonard picked was ‘Life’s What You Make It’ by Talk Talk. He explained to Tom that he always felt Talk Talk were a band that managed to make the transition from rock to art. This is a song that Leonard associates with developing his musical taste in his youth in Dublin. Indeed, he began his musical career in Lombard Sound Studios in the city, as a tape operator.
Leonard founded Hinterland with Donal Coughlan in Copenhagen and they produced a number of records in the late eighties and early nineties, including the acclaimed ‘Desert Boots’.
His second song pick was ‘Sledgehammer’ by Peter Gabriel. He reminisced about listening to this piece during his time in Copenhagen.
“It gave us hope. It was so inspired. It marked a time, when I think about it,” he said.
Leonard played guitar on David Bowie’s 2002 album, ‘Heathens’. He was then hired to work on his touring band. He would become the musical director for Bowie’s ‘Reality’ tour. He also features on Bowie’s latest album, ‘The Next Day’ (2013).
But how did he end up working with one of the legends of rock?
“I had made a bit of a reputation as an ambient guitar player”. He realised that he had to sell his strengths, and that was what he did. Bowie came and saw him play in a little cafe to fifty people. This encounter acted as a catalyst for their future collaboration.
Leonard phoned Bowie to invite him to his home one day for coffee. Bowie asked if he had a drum machine, to which the Irishman responded that he did. Bowie said he would arrive shortly. As soon as the telephone conversation ended, Leonard drove to the nearest music shop to buy a drum machine.
Because of the amount of work he has done with David Bowie, Leonard chose one of his songs to finish the interview - Rebel, Rebel.
