logo

Interview: Lee Anderton of Andertons Music

The Andertons head honcho and online video star talks guilty pop pleasures, walls of valve amps and the never-ending quest to play all the chords.

Lee Anderton Talkbox
When you purchase through affiliate links on Guitar.com, you may contribute to our site through commissions. Learn more.

The moment it all started…

“I spent my childhood in and around Andertons, but seeing [Pink Floyd’s] Delicate Sound Of Thunder live video in 1988 was probably ‘that moment’.”

I couldn’t live without my…

“It’s a boring answer, but probably a looper pedal.”

The one that got away…

“A 1966 Gibson Hummingbird – the best acoustic I’ve ever tried, but I didn’t have the cash to buy it at the time. Luckily, I’ve never had to sell anything I’ve really liked.”

The best advice that I’ve ever been given…

“Practice more. Obviously, I totally ignored that, but I accept that it’s the best advice!”

If I could be in any band, it would be…

“Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd… Can’t decide! Probably Led Zep.”

The first thing I play when I pick up a guitar…

“A standard blues lick that [fellow Andertons YouTube presenter] Danish Pete can’t stand any more – he’s heard it so many times, I think it’s like fingernails going down a blackboard to him!”

The first thing that would be on my rider…

“I don’t really like to make a fuss, so probably nothing backstage, but I would want two or three roadies to carry the wall of valve amps that I’d insist on using every night! Maybe a tech to repair the ones I’d blow up, too…”

My guilty pleasure…

“A good pop song. I totally remember having to lie about not liking Faith by George Michael when I was at school. Currently, I really like Sigrid. Sorry!”

I’d love to be able to play…

“I want to play all the good chords without having to think about it, but I haven’t unlocked that secret yet.”

The biggest challenge facing the industry…

“It doesn’t feel like the guitar industry is facing any immediate challenges – sales have been pretty good for us and guitar music is still very popular. However, I don’t think we can rest on our laurels, and I do believe the biggest win for the industry is to focus on better and more engaging tuition, so that fewer people give up during that critical first six months.

“I also think we need to ensure that, as an industry, we make the guitar world as diverse and inclusive as possible, so no matter what your background, age or ability is, you feel like you can enjoy playing the guitar and being involved in some sort of music scene.”

For deals on instruments, amps, and audio gear, head over to andertons.co.uk.

logo

The world’s leading authority and resource for all things guitar.

© 2024 Guitar.com is part of NME Networks.