Nice piece, although some might take issue with the assertion that "his [Bill's] career was stunted by the eruption of punk in the mid-1970s", and that "His excellence as a player counted for nothing once the gritty minimalism of the new wave bared its teeth."I would contend that Bill happily embraced some key elements of punk and new wave and, artistically at least, it did no harm to his career. Also, various respected musicians from the late 70s and early 80s have cited Bill as an example of someone who aspired to doing something beyond occupying 'axe hero' status, and hence was able to survive that era with his credibility very much intact.
Nice piece, although some might take issue with the assertion that "his [Bill's] career was stunted by the eruption of punk in the mid-1970s", and that "His excellence as a player counted for nothing once the gritty minimalism of the new wave bared its teeth." I would contend that Bill happily embraced some key elements of punk and new wave and, artistically at least, it did no harm to his career. Also, various respected musicians from the late 70s and early 80s have cited Bill as an example of someone who aspired to doing something beyond occupying 'axe hero' status, and hence was able to survive that era with his credibility very much intact.