INTERVIEW BY 'FENDER' - APRIL 2007:

Fender: Can you ever remember the first time you ever picked up a guitar?
BA: Yes. It was at my friend Sam's place in Ottawa. He is a lawyer now.

Fender: What was the first riff you ever learnt?
BA: 'House of the Rising Sun' by The Animals.

Fender: When you were learning to play guitar, which artists inspired you to take it to the next level?
BA: I was completely into Ritchie Blackmore and Jimmy Page. I still think they are the best guitarists ever.

Fender: What was the first record you ever bought?
BA: I think it was a Creedence Clearwater Revival album.

Fender: What was the first gig you ever went to?
BA: David Bowie - Diamond Dogs Tour in Ottawa, 1973.

Fender: Which of your own gigs has been the most memorable up to date?
BA: Wembley Stadium 96

Fender: What are your top three albums of all time?
BA: I tried to answer this and I couldn't!

Fender: What sounds are you currently listening to?
BA: In the CD player at the moment: Howlin' Wolf, Willie Dixon, Ray Charles and AC/DC

Fender: Which do you prefer - Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin?
BA: Dark Side Of The Moon is one of my fave albums, but if I had to choose, it would be Led Zeppelin.

Fender: Can you tell us about the first Fender® guitar you ever owned and did it inspire you to write any of your songs?
BA: I worked as a dishwasher for a year to be able to afford to buy a Strat® guitar. It inspired loads of songs. I still own it.

Fender: What Fender gear do you use for touring/recording/rehearsing?
BA: I play Strat guitars live and for recording. I have one 1960 Cherry Sunburst which is on every record I've recorded since Reckless.

Fender: A while ago, you went round gathering artists’ signatures on a Stratocaster® guitar. That instrument now holds the World record for the most expensive auctioned guitar ($2.8m), with all proceeds going towards Tsunami relief. What was it like getting involved with such an amazing and worthwhile project?
BA: I felt compelled to do something other than give money. I had no idea it would raise so much money. I hear that the owners are going to put it in a glass case at the airport in Qatar.

Fender: What advice would you give to any young guitarists starting up a career in rock and roll?
BA: Write your own songs and don't sign anything!

Fender: If you could construct a fantasy band made up of musicians living or dead with you as the guitarist or vocalist, what would the line-up be?
BA: I'm playing with them. I love my band. (Keith Scott on guitar and vocals, Norm Fisher on bass, Mickey Curry on drums and Gary Breit on Keyboards.)

Fender: Imagine if you will, that somewhere out there is an alternative universe where Bryan Adams never discovered music. What’s he doing right now?
BA: Gardening.

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Thanks to Mike Charalambous of Fender UK for use of the interview.