One of the most respected and influential guitarists Britain has produced — a composer’s ear, a storyteller’s touch, and a body of work spanning folk, classical and progressive music.
“Gordon Giltrap is one of the best acoustic guitar players in the world.”Ritchie Blackmore · Deep Purple
Gordon Giltrap MBE has spent more than fifty years at the forefront of British guitar. Born in Kent in 1948, he signed his first recording contract in 1966 and has since released twenty-five original studio albums, ranging freely across folk, classical, progressive rock and beyond.
His late-1970s album Perilous Journey made him a household name, and his composition ‘Heartsong’ — the long-running theme to the BBC’s Holiday programme — earned an Ivor Novello nomination. His style draws together the worlds of rock, folk and the classical guitar, with influences from Hank Marvin and Pete Townshend to Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and Julian Bream.
Over the years he has collaborated with Brian May, Rick Wakeman, Midge Ure and the London Symphony Orchestra, and in 2019 added acoustic guitar to a track for The Who, which Pete Townshend simply called “classic GG”. Appointed MBE that same year for services to music and to charity, Gordon continues to tour, teach and record — as generous with his time for good causes as he is on the concert stage.
The beginning of a lifelong relationship with the guitar.
His recording career begins; a debut album follows in 1968.
Mainstream success and an Ivor Novello nomination for the BBC ‘Holiday’ theme.
Produced by the legendary arranger Del Newman — a compositional high point.
His own model, voted Acoustic Guitar of the Year by the Music Industry Association.
A celebrated return to progressive rock, with Oliver Wakeman.
Honoured for music and charity; Pete Townshend calls his playing “classic GG”.
A new collaborative record with Rick Wakeman.
Six decades of music celebrated with friends in Birmingham.
Twenty-five original studio albums, plus a wealth of live recordings, collaborations and compilations.
— and many more across six decades of recording.
First heard by millions as the long-running theme to the BBC’s Holiday programme, ‘Heartsong’ earned an Ivor Novello nomination and remains Gordon’s best-loved composition — the piece that carried his guitar into homes across Britain.
In the early 1980s, the luthier Rob Armstrong built Gordon a guitar that would become part of his sound for decades. Years later, JHS approached him to turn that instrument into a production signature model — so that other players could own a piece of it.
The result earned the highest recognition in its field, voted Acoustic Guitar of the Year by the Music Industry Association.
Teaching, in Gordon’s words, is “an equal part to my performing and composing life”.
Private lessons by Zoom, Skype or FaceTime, in 30, 45 or 60-minute sessions — the half-hour slots being the most popular. Tab and sheet music are sent in advance, so every minute counts.
Beyond one-to-one lessons, Gordon hosts group sessions for players who want to learn together.
A landmark celebration of sixty years of music, with special guest musicians, at The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham.
A collaborative album with Rick Wakeman, now reissued on CD, DVD and vinyl — two old friends, beautifully recorded.
A six-track EP featuring Susy Wall — among the most recent additions to Gordon’s catalogue.
Gordon is a proud patron of the Tracy Sollis Leukaemia Trust, and has recorded albums to raise funds for good causes.
For concert bookings, press enquiries and general messages, do get in touch — Gordon and his team would be glad to hear from you. For guitar lessons and workshops, contact Paul Roberts on pcrguitar@gmail.com.