Biography

Born in Bedford, England in 1970, Higham grew up listening to the music of Elvis Presley and Eddie Cochran. Through the influence of these artists, Higham took up the guitar in his early teens and joined his first band whilst still at school.

In 1992 he spent 6 months living in the USA; touring and recording with Eddie Cochran’s original backing band, The Kelly Four. His first solo album was released in 1995 on Nervous Records, entitled Mobile Corrosion. 

Higham played lead guitar in the West End production of Elvis: The Musical in 1996. He co-wrote the first biography on his musical hero, Eddie Cochran for Mainstream Publishing in 2000. 

Along with solo albums and records released with his Rockabilly band, The Enforcers, throughout the 90s and 00s, Higham also played lead guitar and produced many other artists. He co-owns Embassy Studio in Hampshire and oversees a great many sessions there. 

In 2007, Higham started work with Stray Cats drummer, Slim Jim Phantom. Together they recorded 2 albums and toured Europe, even making an appearance on BBC’s Later With Jools in 2012.

In 2011 he shared the lead vocal duties with Imelda May on the Jeff Beck DVD and subsequent CD, A Rock 'n' Roll Party.

He has played guitar for Robert Plant, Jools Holland, Imelda May, Sharon Shannon, Shakin’ Stevens, Jeff Beck, Billy Lee Riley, Rocky Burnette, Bono, Paul McCartney, to name but a few.

Darrel is endorsed by Gretsch guitars, Peavey amplifiers and TV Jones pick-ups. Darrel also helped design The Rockingham semi-acoustic guitar for Peavey.

Joining Darrel onstage will be his regular bass player, Adam Miles. Adam has played in the band since the early 2000's and has played on the CDs, Monochrome Dream, Bop Machine and Rocky Burnette's Rockabilly Boogie. Adam plays upright and bass guitar. He previously played in The Baltimores and has worked alongside Darrel with Slim Jim Phantom, playing bass on the latest Katmen CD, Katmen Are Back.  

Drummer Tony Hillebrandt has worked with many Rock n Roll/Rockabilly bands, notably Jack Rabbit Slim. Tony joined the band at the beginning of 2023 and has worked in the studio with Darrel on the Danny Reno 'Rockhouse' CD for Foot Tapping Records.

This is a recording studio based near Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK. Darrel and his business partner, Clive Duffin (who also runs Foot Tapping Records) built the studio back in 2005. It has ProTools as well as reel to reel tape recording services. 

Darrel is available to engineer some sessions there from time to time but prefers to work as a session guitarist for artists that require his particular Rockabilly style of playing. The main engineer at Embassy is Graham Dominy - a first class engineer that has worked at countless top recording studios in London, including Livingstone Studios and The Church.

For more info, visit:  https://www.embassystudios.co.uk/

Another service that is provided at Embassy Studios is a joint venture between Graham and Darrel and is aimed at singers and song writers. Together they are able to turn songs (within the Rockabilly and Rock 'n' Roll genres) into proper backing tracks. Bass, drums and guitars are recorded in the studio by Darrel, engineered by Graham and the finished tracks are then ready for the singer to come in and record their vocals. 

Just email over mp3s of your songs or list your favourite tracks and it will all be recorded for you!

Expert advice will be given to you on how to publish and protect your songs as well as advice and prices for pressing the finished songs onto either CD or vinyl. 

For more info and prices, email Graham at info@embassystudios.co.uk