Gerry Casey interviews Billyboy Miskimmin

October 12, 2025

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Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey’s Interview with BillyBoy Miskimmin

BillyBoy Miskimmin first made his mark on the Northern Ireland music scene in the 1980s, stunning audiences with his emotional power and jaw-dropping harmonica technique. Performing alongside local legends such as Jim Daly, Jackie Flavelle, and Ronnie Greer, he earned a reputation as a fiery and soulful performer in pubs and clubs across the region.

In 1995, Miskimmin was recruited by one of Britain’s leading blues bands, Nine Below Zero, where his Little Walter-inspired sound fully came into its own. His live performances and recordings—most notably on the album Give Me No Lip Child—announced him as a major new talent on the international blues stage. Even Hollywood took notice: actor and fellow harmonica player Bruce Willis became a fan, hiring Nine Below Zero to perform at the Twelve Monkeys film premiere and joining them onstage.

Miskimmin’s reputation soon expanded beyond the blues world. He recorded and toured with artists including Stiff Little Fingers and Marc Almond, showcasing his versatility and command of multiple genres. His acclaimed solo album, Billy Boy Comes Clean, highlighted his songwriting and vocal abilities while delivering some of the most dynamic harmonica work of his career.

In 2003, Miskimmin joined the legendary Yardbirds, where his expressive solos became one of the band’s defining features—continuing the legacy established by former members Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. The live album Live at BB King Blues Club captured how essential his playing had become to the band’s signature sound.

With The Yardbirds, BillyBoy stepped firmly into rock and blues royalty, performing alongside greats such as B.B. King and The Doors, while earning praise from Alice Cooper, Jimmy Page, and Scotty Moore. His career stands as a testament to a lifetime dedicated to the harmonica and the unrelenting spirit of the blues.