MO FOSTER INTERVIEW ROBBIE McINTOSH ABBEY ROAD 1995

Part of the Mo Foster Abbey Road collection. Reproduced with the kind permission of his estate.
Video credit - Peter Van Hooke & Mo Foster
NB - This video was reproduced from a 30 year old VHS tape

Robbie McIntosh was born on October 25, 1957, in Sutton, Surrey, England. Growing up, he was heavily influenced by classic rock acts like The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and The Who, which shaped his melodic and rhythmic guitar style. He is largely self-taught on the instrument. Before breaking into music full-time, McIntosh worked briefly as a lorry driver for a builder's supply company. His professional career kicked off in the late 1970s when he joined the band Night, whose single "Hot Summer Nights" reached No. 18 on the US charts in 1978. Night toured the US supporting The Doobie Brothers, leading to session work with artists like Little Feat and Jackson Browne under producer Richard Perry.

In the early 1980s, McIntosh played lead guitar in Chris Thompson's casual band Filthy McNasty on the London club circuit and contributed to the Kevin McDermott Orchestra's debut album Mother Nature's Kitchen (1987).

McIntosh's big break came in 1982 when he joined The Pretenders as lead guitarist, replacing the late James Honeyman-Scott. He remained with the band until 1987, contributing to their signature sound during a pivotal era. Notable highlights include:
Playing on the hit single "Don't Get Me Wrong" (1986), which reached the top 10 in the UK and US.
Performing live at Live Aid in 1985.
Appearing on tracks like "Middle of the Road" and "Back on the Chain Gang."

In 1988, McIntosh began session work for Paul McCartney, initially meeting him through Pretenders connections. With endorsement from Chrissie Hynde, he became McCartney's lead guitarist for the 1989–1990 World Tour—McCartney's first major solo tour featuring extensive Beatles material. McIntosh re-created iconic parts originally played by George Harrison and John Lennon, earning high praise from McCartney.

He continued in this role through 1993–1994, contributing to albums Flowers in the Dirt (1989) and Off the Ground (1993), as well as the New World Tour. McIntosh has described this period as "the high point of my life." During rehearsals, McCartney even gave him a guitar lesson on a Beatles classic.

McIntosh's reputation as a versatile session guitarist has made him a go-to player for icons across genres. Key collaborations include:
Roger Daltrey: Lead guitarist on the 1985 solo album *Under a Raging Moon*, a tribute to Keith Moon, featuring the video for "Let Me Down Easy" with Bryan Adams.

John Mayer: Toured and recorded in the mid-2000s; fans rave about their chemistry on tracks from Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles (2008), including an acoustic Wells Fargo show in the Bahamas. They reunited onstage in London in 2017 for "Daughters."

Norah Jones: Performed and recorded together, showcasing his acoustic prowess.

Tom Jones: Toured extensively, including a 2015 New Year's Eve appearance on BBC's Jools Holland's Hootenanny.

Others: Sinéad O'Connor, Mark Knopfler, Keith Richards, Chuck Berry, Cher, Celine Dion, Talk Talk, Bluesclub, and Los Pacaminos.

His playing style—melodic, rhythmic, and adaptable—has earned him nicknames like "the guitarist's guitarist" from Q Magazine and comparisons to Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix from Chris Rea.

Solo Career and Gear
McIntosh has released several solo albums blending rock, folk, and roots influences, drawing from artists like Bob Dylan, Jimmy Webb, and Chrissie Hynde:
Widescreen (2017): His sophomore release, praised for raw vocals and electric guitar.
Turn Up for the Books (2013): Features guests like Pino Palladino and Steven Wilson.
Seaworld (2021): Includes contributions from Paul Beavis and Jody Linscott.
Thanks Chet (2022): An instrumental tribute to Chet Atkins, reinterpreting classics like "You Really Got Me" and "Don't Get Me Wrong" on his Gretsch Country Gentleman guitar. It includes originals like "County Gent" (celebrating the guitar's 60th anniversary) and a piece from McCartney's tour called "Thanks Chet."

He performs with The Robbie McIntosh Band in trio or duo formats and remains active on the festival circuit. McIntosh favors a yellow Fender Stratocaster copy for its versatility, alongside Teles, Epiphone Coronets, and his signature Gretsch.