Flight Sergeant Neil Warrillow was born and educated in Stoke-on-Trent, receiving tuition on the drum kit from the age of 14 from Brian Stone. Neil played with the Longton and Fenton Wind Orchestra, and was an active member of various Staffordshire County Bands.

He joined the Royal Air Force in 1980 and on completion of basic training at RAF Swinderby was posted to undertake trade training at the RAF School of Music, RAF Uxbridge. In 1981 he was posted to The Band of the RAF College, RAF Cranwell. In 1986 posted to RAF Germany Band at RAF Rheindahlen, returning to the UK in 1992 with a tour at The Band of the RAF Regiment, RAF Catterick. In 1994 this band was relocated to RAF Uxbridge due to the closure of RAF Catterick. Flight Sergeant Neil Warrillow remained at RAF Uxbridge with Central Band of the RAF when the The Band of the RAF Regiment again moved to RAF Cranwell.

He has performed in many parts of the world most notably Hong Kong, Australia, Russia, Turkey, Falkland Islands and most countries in Europe. In 2002 took part in Operation Fresco replacing civilian firemen as a Crew Commander on a Green Goddess in North Wales. 2007 saw a six month deployment as a Watchkeeper as part of Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. In 2010 Neil organised the Central Band of the RAF’s historic trip to Moscow to take part in the Red Square Parade, the first time a member of NATO has taken part in the parade in its 65 year history.