A brief history.
Started playing professionally 1969, with Hunter Muskett, three albums and two singles with them. Notable moments with HM, supporting David Bowie, and first major tour supporting Ralph McTell. Also support in Holland to Camel.
Next major project in duo with Richard Digance, many gigs UK and Europe, with major tours supporting Jethro Tull, Joan Armatrading, Richard Thomson, Supertramp, Sutherland Brothers, Kinks, and Steeleye Span. Ended period with Richard recording live album at Queen Elizabeth Hall. During and after Richard, recorded and toured as part of the Maddy Prior Band, and as part of the Michael Chapman Band. Joined old friend Michael Moore on tour supporting Barclay James Harvest.

Also recorded with Magna Carta, and in 1979 first tour as part of the Albion Band, culminating in a season at The National Theatre as part of Lark Rise and Candleford, two plays for which the Albion Band’s leader, Ashley Hutchings, was musical director. Also recorded album of the plays. Joined Magan Carta full time in 1980, after three albums and a lot of foreign tours, including North Africa and the Middle East for The British Council. I left them in 1983 to re-join the Albion Band until 1985/6. Recorded another two albums with them, then in 1985,after releasing first solo record, started recording first of two records with guitar virtuoso Jerry Donahue, which became the basis for The Backroom Boys, which still exist and tour whenever schedules permit. Notable one off tours in between are the release ofJerry Donahue’s first solo record, as part of his band, The Nerve, in 1995, a reformation of the remaining members of Fotheringay, with Vicki Clayton taking Sandy Denny’s role, and myself taking the role of Trevor Lucas.

Many records have been made in between, notably June Tabor, Cathy LeSurf, Jens Falck (Denmark), Stevie Morgan (Norway), Jim Gordon (Norway), Martin Simpson , (Buttons and Bows, a collection of tunes for Richard Digance’s Dambuster Record Label), Rick Kemp (Steeleye’s bassist), Paul Buckley, and Then Came the Wheel, collaboration with Alan Thomson, Foss Paterson and Arran Ahmun. Countless tours and festival appearances, most memorable being; Cambridge Folk Festival, first with Hunter Muskett, then with Richard Digance, Albion Band and solo. Norwich Folk Festival with HM, and Richard, Reading Festival with RD, Groningen Festival with Michael Chapman Band, Nyon Festival ,Switzerland, with Albion Band, Elixir Festival , Brittany with Magna Carta, Vienna Festival, with Magna Carta, who joined on stage Arlo Guthrie and Melanie for finale, MidtFyns Festival, Denmark as Backroom Boys, Nibe Festival, Denmark with BB’s, Brædstrup Festival with BB’s, Copenhagen Blues Festival (solo), Aalborg Blues Festival, (Doug Morter + band) ,Cropredy festival, UK twice as BB’s and one time as The Nerve, Sydmouth Festival with Albions, Glastonbury Festival with Albions, Chappelle Festival, Switzerland.

Alan Thomson was born in Glasgow in 1960.

His first ‘pro’ gig in September 1980 was with singer/songwriter guitarist John Martyn. It was while working with John Martyn that he first met and worked with fellow 'Wheel' members; Foss paterson and Arran Ahmun.

This led to sharing the stage and working in the studio with artists like; Phil Collins, Dave Gilmour, Lee Perry, Ringo Star, Eric Clapton and Robert Palmer.

Alan also worked with; ex -'Police' guitarist, Andy Summers, American 'nut-bender', Jerry Donahue in his collaboration with singer Doug Morter, (Back Room Boys), Julia Fordham, Long John Baldry, Rick Wakeman, Steps Ahead, Roger Hodgeson, (Supertramp). The guitar band, 'The Hellecasters', Amos Garrett, John Jorgenson, Dick Gaugan, Sally Barker, Jacqui McShee's Pentangle, Rev Doc and the Congregation and Donnie Munro.

As a keyboard player Alan's also worked with Geezer butler (Black Sabbath), and Scottish rock outfit 'Strangeways'.

Since being marched to piano lessons at an early age and then dropping the entire affair in an act of rebellion during his teenage years, Foss re-discovered the instrument on his own terms several years later.
He then embarked on his musical career initially through his own bands, writing and performing his own material until through an early involvement with a local recording studio, dicovered new opportunities and possibilities in the session, publishing and recording worlds. Since then he has explored many avenues and still continues to:
As a keyboard player his involvements have seen him tour with the likes of;

John Martyn, Julia Fordham, Fish, Clive Gregson, Any Trouble, Dave Knopfler,
Tracy Nelson, The Cheaters, Jaquie McShee’s New Pentangle, Donnie Munro, Dan Ar Braz and Camel.

Studio recording and sessions have involved artists such as; John Martyn, Dick Gaughan, Fish, Barry Gibb, Julia Fordham, Raf Ravenscroft, Jethro Tull, Andy Shepherd, Phil Cunningham, Dave Knopfler, The Cheaters, Mick Ralphs (Bad Company), Simon Kirk (Free), Savourna Stevenson, Clive Gregson, Sam Brown, Diane Dufresne, The Mac Band, Tam White and Jerry Donahue.

As a frequent member of the House Band for the ‘BBC Hogmany Show’, Foss has accompanied many artists including; Eddie Reader, Midge Ure, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Brady, Rosanne Cash and Liberty X to name but a few.

As a songwriter Foss has had tracks covered by John Martyn, Spyro Gyra, Fish and Kenny Thomas, whose version of the track, ‘Piece by Piece, was released as a single reaching the UK charts as well as in numerous other territories. This song was also chosen as the title track for a John Martyn album on Island Records to mark John’s 25th year in the music business.

He's been a member of the Musician’s Union band performing as an instructive unit within music colleges and schools, MD'd in a few theatre productions and is actively involved in sound to picture work for TV and film.
These commisions have included a series of WWII programmes for the History and Discovery channels; a full length feature for Virgin Films; and a lengthy succession of TV ads. with the usual smattering of corporate stuff along the way.

Arran Ahmun was born in Cardiff in 56. He started playing drums at the age of 16 and turned pro at 19 while working the American bases in Germany. He also worked with ‘house bands’ and sessioned in the film/TV world through ITV.

After working with Andy Fairweather Low, Arran moved to London and spent two years playing in West end shows. Following this, he joined the Dave Knopfler band recording and touring Europe then spent some time recording with Squeeze. He also performed regularly on the Jools Holland, 'Happening' series.

In 87 Arran recorded with Clannad and did two world tours with the band. Around this time he joined Julia Fordham recording and touring her album Porcelain. The late 80's saw Arran touring with Andy Summers in the USA followed by a spell touring and recording with Gerry Rafferty.

In 86 Arran began a long and continuing association with John Martyn joining his band for the 'Piece by Piece' tour. He has played on almost everything John has recorded since then and still regularly tours with him.

Throughout the 90's Arran continued extensive touring and recording with artists such as Alison Moyet, Linda Lewis, The Waterboys, The Proclaimer (including two No. 1 hits), Robbie Robertson and the Jools Holland Big Band.

Recently Arran has been working with Rhian Benson and Angie Stone.