S4E9 - Neil Taylor: From Tears for Fears to Robbie Williams... and the Next Chapter with Blue Water Giants

S4E9 - Neil Taylor: From Tears for Fears to Robbie Williams... and the Next Chapter with Blue Water Giants

From Long Way to the Top by Shayne Brian

June 8, 2026 · 50 min · Season 4 · Episode 9

About this episode

Shayne Brian interviews legendary guitarist Neil Taylor about his career with Tears for Fears, Robbie Williams, and his current project Blue Water Giants.

What was it like creating one of the most iconic guitar solos of the 1980s? How do you go from recording with Tears for Fears to performing in front of hundreds of thousands of people with Robbie Williams? And after a lifetime at the top of the music industry, what inspires the next chapter? In this episode of Long Way to the Top , Shayne Brian sits down with legendary guitarist Neil Taylor for a fascinating deep dive into a career that has helped shape the soundtrack of multiple generations. Best known for his unforgettable guitar work with Tears for Fears, including the iconic solo on Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Neil shares the stories behind the recording sessions that produced some of the biggest songs of the decade. He reflects on working alongside Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith during the making of the landmark album Songs from the Big Chair and discusses his contribution to the ambitious follow-up, The Seeds of Love. Neil also takes us behind the scenes of his decade-long association with Robbie Williams, from recording sessions on hit albums to performing at the legendary Knebworth Concerts 2003 in front of record-breaking crowds. We also explore Neil's exciting…

People in this episode

Host: Shayne Brian

Guest: Neil Taylor

Topics covered

  • music history
  • guitar solos
  • Tears for Fears
  • Robbie Williams
  • Blue Water Giants
  • music industry

Keywords

  • Neil Taylor
  • Tears for Fears
  • Robbie Williams
  • Blue Water Giants
  • guitar solos
  • music industry
  • Knebworth Concerts
  • Dangerously In Love

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tears for Fears, Robbie Williams, Blue Water Giants

Books & works: Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Songs from the Big Chair, The Seeds of Love, Dangerously In Love

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