- Voted the North East's best guitarist in Total Guitar Magazine's poll of the greatest 12 British guitarists. (July 2001)
- Was offered an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to music. Though honoured to be recommeded for the award, he decided not to accept it for "personal and private reasons". His bandmates from The Shadows, drummer Brian Bennett and rhythm guitarist Bruce Welch, both accepted their OBEs.
- Many guitarists, including Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), Peter Green, Brian May (Queen), Dave Davies (The Kinks), Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits), Midge Ure, Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash), Peter Frampton, Steve Lukather (TOTO), Marty Wilde, Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music), Martin Taylor, Guthrie Govan, Steve Hackett (Genesis), Darrel Higham, Carl Verheyen (Supertramp), Steve Howe (Yes), Bill Nelson, John Jorgenson, Gordon Giltrap and Richard Hawley considered him an influence.
- Now lives in Australia. (2005)
- He was born in the Byker area of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
- In 1958 with his band the Railroaders he came third in a talent contest and later that year teamed up with Cliff Richard and formed The Shadows.
- Born Brian Rankin in Newcastle on Tyne he came third in a talent competition with his band the Railroaders and later that year he teamed up with Cliff Richard and formed The Shadows.
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