In the early 60’s Brimstone was studying classical guitar, and by chance wandered into the Spinning Wheel folk club in his hometown of Hemel Hempstead. Long stories can be boring, but it can be said that the whole direction of his life changed on that night. Bach and Tarrega gave way to Broonzy and Davy Graham, and the next few years were spent learning the ropes in the company of such people as Maddy Prior, Donovan, Sandy Denny, Derrol Adams – to name but a few. After winning the prestigious solo artist’s prize in the national competitions held at the first Cambridge Folk Festival in 1965, he embarked on a long and successful career, which has continued up to the present day.

Spanning blues, trad, contemporary and much in between, his entire show is linked together with tall stories, fast one-liners; tragic and comical tales of misfortune and an array of extraordinary characters that find themselves in everyday situations which Brimstone brings to life, turns around and finds humour in them all. This talent has seen him featured by John Peel and Stewart Hall, and being given starring rolls on TV, one of them being ‘The UK Show’ with Barbara Windsor and Joe Brown. Also a long run as host-compere of the World Services show – ‘Folk Group’.

The huge entertainment factor of his shows often causes the audience to overlook the fact that Derek is also a superb and highly respected guitarist with, as Melody Maker once put it, "one of the most precise claw-picking techniques in the business". He is also highly regarded as a clawhammer banjo player, and has published excellent and successful tutors for both instruments.

As well as becoming a stalwart of the British folk and blues scene, and touring with such people as The Strawbs and Steeleye Span, the last forty odd years have seen him playing all over the world. He has performed in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaya, Cyprus, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, the Falklands, and is a great favourite on the Arabian Gulf club circuit. Most of Europe too.

For details of Derek's recordings click on my music.