He was brought up in Pwllheli and played violin in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales alongside Karl Jenkins and John Cale.

[2][5] His first album, Hiraeth (1972), which combined interpretations of old folk tunes and original lyrical songs, was released in 1973.

[7] The first group he was a member of was Yr Eiddoch Yn Gywir (Yours Sincerely) with Hywel Gwynfryn and Derek Boote.

[6] In 1974 he composed the opening music of the BBC's Welsh-language soap opera, Pobol y Cwm, and the theme has since been used in various forms.

[4] He began his television career as a scriptwriter and publisher with HTV, and then a presenter on some of the first Welsh language pop programmes, as well as working behind the scenes as a floor manager.