Creativity is the essence of life.
Will Wallner is a musician, entrepreneur, artist, and author. He grew up in Devon, England and currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He loves nothing more than to spend time with his family, or to plug a Gibson Les Paul into a loud Marshall amplifier. Whether he’s recording new music, starting a new business, writing a new book, or painting an almighty picture, he is always in the process of creating something new. That is what inspires him.
I grew up in Devon, England, surrounded by beautiful green fields and lots of sheep. While I was a teenager, studying at Colyton Grammar School, I heard the mighty sounds of Ritchie Blackmore playing his Fender Stratocaster through a Marshall amplifier, and I immediately decided to pick up the electric guitar. Along with Blackmore, players like Eddie Van Halen, Gary Moore, and John Sykes, became idols of mine. I would spend many nights alone in my bedroom learning the guitar solos from my favorite guitarists. In 2008, right after graduating from the University of Portsmouth, I flew to Los Angeles with my guitar in one hand and a bag of clothes in the other to live out my rock and roll fantasies.
While living in Los Angeles I began playing with many local bands and would perform regularly on the ‘Sunset Strip’ at clubs like the Whisky A Go Go and The Viper Room. Over the years I progressed to playing with touring bands, and would eventually tour all over the world. The highlight of this time was touring Japan in 2012, and playing to a sold-out crowd in Shibuya, Tokyo. It was during this trip that I fell in love with the beautiful country of Japan. In addition to playing live, I also recorded a lot of my own music with many legendary musicians who played in the bands I grew up listening to. Musicians like Don Airey, Carmine Appice, Neil Murray, Tony Carey, Vinny Appice, Jimmy Bain, Rudy Sarzo, Tony Franklin, , Derek Sherinian, and Brian Tichy, have all appeared on my recordings. There was nothing I loved more than making music, but after living in Los Angeles as a musician for 5 years, I was completely broke and needed a change of scenery.
In 2014, I moved to Berlin, Germany, taking a break from music to become an entrepreneur and start my own business. I got into the ‘Escape Game’ industry and opened ‘Escape Room’ locations in Brighton, England and Berlin, Germany. For the first time my life, I was financially secure and able to pursue my life’s passions. In 2015 I walked into the Berlin Animal Shelter (Tierheim) and asked for the oldest dog who had been there the longest. I left with a 9-year-old Beagle called Louie and wrote a book about my love for animals called ‘The Howling Company’ in 2015.
After a few years of running two successful companies, and living a very comfortable lifestyle, I faced the most challenging chapter of my life, when my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017. I dropped everything to become his full-time caregiver and spent every day, for the next 18 months, by his side. As sad as the experience was, it was also very rewarding. Caring for my father during this time, is by far, my proudest accomplishement. On September 13th, 2018, fate was incredibly cruel when both my father Peter Wallner, and my Beagle Louie, died on the same day. Losing a parent will make you look at life a lot differently and I decided it was time, yet again, to make some big life changes.
In 2019, I bid farewell to Berlin and decided the time was right for me to return to Los Angeles, and more importantly, get back to making music and being creative. I’d saved up a lot of money from my business and purchased the former home of legendary Motorhead frontman Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister in West Hollywood, right across the street from the Rainbow Bar & Grill.
Since moving back to LA I have been on a creative journey which has been incredibly fulfilling. I love to spend my days creating art and seeking inspiration. Everything I do, I do with passion:
- Writing: I wrote a memoir about the years I spent living in Berlin, focusing on how I achieved financial freedom through my business and investments (#Bitcoin). In addition to this book, I have been writing a comic book series (Wild Frontier) and science fiction novella series (The Way of Light). All of my written work can found in my Author Page.
- Art: In 2022, I also decided to start painting as a tribute to my artist heroes; Bob Ross & Bill Alexander. Its just a hobby for now, but I get great pleasure from firing in! Visit my Art Page to see my paintings.
- Music: Of course my main passion is still playing guitar and I recently finished recording a new album called DUEL, which was released in 2023. I also started a new band called NEON DRAGON and toured the US performing 40 shows as direct support for the legendary heavy metal band Anvil. It was an incredible experience and relighted my fire for playing live music.
Lastly and most importantly, on October 7th 2022 my beautiful wife gave birth to our precious daughter Presley Wallner. Becoming a father has been the most rewarding and special experience of my life. Now I must continue on with my journey, stay tuned, cheers!
Top Secret Letter from horror author/actor/dreamweaver Garth Marenghi.
