Classically trained, he became a professional rock musician at the age of 17 and initially had his first "mainstream" experience with singer-songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan.

He subsequently played guitar and keyboard for the hard rock band UFO (from 1980 until their first breakup in 1983), guitarist Gary Moore, and Wild Horses.

He is credited for co-writing a number of Gary Moore's songs including the worldwide hit "Empty Rooms".

Future tours and a Celtic rock album were to follow but this was curtailed by the death of Gary Moore in February 2011.

[1] In 2024 ´Moggs Motel´ an album from the musical project of the same name, in which he participated and composed and featuring UFO´s Phil Mogg, was released to wide critical acclaim.