Bill Aitken - Biography
In the early 1960s, Bill Aitken was the founder member of The Pathfinders, a popular Glasgow band who later recorded on the Beatles' Apple label under the name White Trash. He played on the same club & dance-hall circuit as Lulu (& the Luvvers), The Marmalade, The Average White Band, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Maggie Bell and Frankie Miller.
Bill spent some time in the RAF during the late 60s, mostly in Cyprus. He formed a band called Wednesday Morning, which quickly established itself as the most popular rock band on the island - both on the military bases, and with local audiences. Wednesday Morning also made numerous radio appearances on BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service), an experience which helped Bill get a job at the BBC, when he returned home to the UK.
In the 1970s, Bill was a recording engineer and producer at BBC radio, as well as a freelance. He worked on recording sessions and live broadcasts with many top music business names, including: Duane Eddy, Don Everly, Gene Pitney, The Kinks, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Queen, Yes, Genesis, Thin Lizzy, Roxy Music, David Bowie, Annie Lennox, Sting, The Police.... to name a few....
On July 18 1974, Bill recorded Starry Eyed & Laughing for the John Peel show. The session took place in Langham 1 (now the Langham Hotel) just across from BBC Broadcasting House in Portland Place. Four tracks were laid down: Money is no friend of mine, Chimes of freedom, See your face and 50/50. As Bill shared SE&L's fascination with all things West Coast, he quickly established a rapport with the band, and didn't have to be asked twice when they asked him to record their second album at Rockfield Studios in April 1975.
As well as recording live music for the John Peel show, Bill, uniquely among BBC staffers, was asked to perform his own songs on the show in December 1975. A number of recording and publishing offers followed as a result, but instead of signing one of the deals on offer, Bill was persuaded by Yes's management to re-record the album, so that an improved offer could be negotiated.
Bill spent some time in the RAF during the late 60s, mostly in Cyprus. He formed a band called Wednesday Morning, which quickly established itself as the most popular rock band on the island - both on the military bases, and with local audiences. Wednesday Morning also made numerous radio appearances on BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service), an experience which helped Bill get a job at the BBC, when he returned home to the UK.
In the 1970s, Bill was a recording engineer and producer at BBC radio, as well as a freelance. He worked on recording sessions and live broadcasts with many top music business names, including: Duane Eddy, Don Everly, Gene Pitney, The Kinks, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Queen, Yes, Genesis, Thin Lizzy, Roxy Music, David Bowie, Annie Lennox, Sting, The Police.... to name a few....
On July 18 1974, Bill recorded Starry Eyed & Laughing for the John Peel show. The session took place in Langham 1 (now the Langham Hotel) just across from BBC Broadcasting House in Portland Place. Four tracks were laid down: Money is no friend of mine, Chimes of freedom, See your face and 50/50. As Bill shared SE&L's fascination with all things West Coast, he quickly established a rapport with the band, and didn't have to be asked twice when they asked him to record their second album at Rockfield Studios in April 1975.
As well as recording live music for the John Peel show, Bill, uniquely among BBC staffers, was asked to perform his own songs on the show in December 1975. A number of recording and publishing offers followed as a result, but instead of signing one of the deals on offer, Bill was persuaded by Yes's management to re-record the album, so that an improved offer could be negotiated.