If I called you up one day and asked you to tell me who, in your opinion, were the most influencial guitarists of the past 40 years, what names would appear on your list?
Woody Guthrie perhaps, or Frank Zappa, or Chuck Berry, or maybe it would be Barney Kessel, Pete Seeger or Chet Atkins.
No question about it, they are all great guitarists, but there are three names which you have not mentioned that I would go for.
If you asked me, I would chose Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Jeff Beck, although not in that particular order.
Eric and Jeff I am glad to say are still performing, but sadly Jimi died in 1970.
Let me now give you some background information on my three choices.
First of all, Eric Clapton. Eric was born in 1945, and in 1963 he joined the R&B group, The Yardbirds, but within 2 short years he had left the group as he felt that they were becoming an out and out pop group, and he was right.
He then moved on to John Mayall's Bluesbreakers for a short while before setting the supergroup known worldwide as Cream.
In 1968 Cream broke up, much to the sorrow of so many people, and Eric formed Blind Faith along with his former partner in Cream, Ginger Baker, and Steve Winwood.
However, Blind Faith did not last too long and so Eric went on to form Derek and the Dominos, and it was while he was with this group that he produced the fabulous song "Layla".
Sadly, drink and drugs began to take their toll of Eric, and he felt that he had to pull out of the music business, at least for a while.
But the good news is that Eric is now back and we are all awaiting the next great thing from him.
Who would believe that such an immense performer as Jimi Hendrix, the next person I want to talk about, only lived for 28 years? He was born in 1942, and died in 1970, a short life, but what a name he made for himself.
He is considered by many people to be the greatest rock guitarist of all time, and I would not argue with that.
Although for a while he was a sideman for Ike & Tina Turner, and the Isley Brothers and Little Richard, this enormous talent was just waiting to burst out, and he did not stay in the background for long.
Hendrix moved to New York and played in various bars and clubs, and it was whilst he was playing in Greenwich Village one night that he was approached by a member of the British rock group, the Animals.
And it was suggested to him that he head on over to London, and this he did in 1966.
And there he was able to display his talents to the full, a most incredible performer and musician.
Hey Joe was his debut single, and it still sounds great today, and in 1967 he cut his first album, Are You Experienced.
To really appreciate his performances you had to see him live on stage. Sometimes he would play guitar whilst it was behind his back, and sometimes he would play it with his teeth.
Seeing him live was truly an unforgettable experience.
When Jimi died in 1970 the music world lost a truly unique performer.
And so on to my final choice. A musician not as well known as Eric or Jimi, but a great guitarist nonetheless, and that person is Jeff Beck.
Jeff was born in 1944 in Wallington, England, and he has spent most of his time performing with various bands. He spent some time with the colourful character Screaming Lord Sutch until in 1965 he joined the Yardbirds to replace Eric Clapton.
When his time with the Yardbirds finished, in 1966, he formed his own band the aptly named Jeff Beck Group.
He spent some time working with Rod Stewart until Rod left to join the Small Faces.
Amongst other great names that Jeff has played with is Mick Jagger.
Deservedly, in 1989 Jeff was the recipient of a grammy award for the best rock instrumental in his album Guitar Shop.
Not so long ago I heard Jeff playing live, and even after all these years he is able to thrill his audiences with his skill. If you get the chance, go and hear him for yourself.
This is the first in a series of articles on great performers. If you would like to receive the next one when it comes out then go to my website where you will find my email address, and email me asking to be included in future mailings. - 16036
Woody Guthrie perhaps, or Frank Zappa, or Chuck Berry, or maybe it would be Barney Kessel, Pete Seeger or Chet Atkins.
No question about it, they are all great guitarists, but there are three names which you have not mentioned that I would go for.
If you asked me, I would chose Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Jeff Beck, although not in that particular order.
Eric and Jeff I am glad to say are still performing, but sadly Jimi died in 1970.
Let me now give you some background information on my three choices.
First of all, Eric Clapton. Eric was born in 1945, and in 1963 he joined the R&B group, The Yardbirds, but within 2 short years he had left the group as he felt that they were becoming an out and out pop group, and he was right.
He then moved on to John Mayall's Bluesbreakers for a short while before setting the supergroup known worldwide as Cream.
In 1968 Cream broke up, much to the sorrow of so many people, and Eric formed Blind Faith along with his former partner in Cream, Ginger Baker, and Steve Winwood.
However, Blind Faith did not last too long and so Eric went on to form Derek and the Dominos, and it was while he was with this group that he produced the fabulous song "Layla".
Sadly, drink and drugs began to take their toll of Eric, and he felt that he had to pull out of the music business, at least for a while.
But the good news is that Eric is now back and we are all awaiting the next great thing from him.
Who would believe that such an immense performer as Jimi Hendrix, the next person I want to talk about, only lived for 28 years? He was born in 1942, and died in 1970, a short life, but what a name he made for himself.
He is considered by many people to be the greatest rock guitarist of all time, and I would not argue with that.
Although for a while he was a sideman for Ike & Tina Turner, and the Isley Brothers and Little Richard, this enormous talent was just waiting to burst out, and he did not stay in the background for long.
Hendrix moved to New York and played in various bars and clubs, and it was whilst he was playing in Greenwich Village one night that he was approached by a member of the British rock group, the Animals.
And it was suggested to him that he head on over to London, and this he did in 1966.
And there he was able to display his talents to the full, a most incredible performer and musician.
Hey Joe was his debut single, and it still sounds great today, and in 1967 he cut his first album, Are You Experienced.
To really appreciate his performances you had to see him live on stage. Sometimes he would play guitar whilst it was behind his back, and sometimes he would play it with his teeth.
Seeing him live was truly an unforgettable experience.
When Jimi died in 1970 the music world lost a truly unique performer.
And so on to my final choice. A musician not as well known as Eric or Jimi, but a great guitarist nonetheless, and that person is Jeff Beck.
Jeff was born in 1944 in Wallington, England, and he has spent most of his time performing with various bands. He spent some time with the colourful character Screaming Lord Sutch until in 1965 he joined the Yardbirds to replace Eric Clapton.
When his time with the Yardbirds finished, in 1966, he formed his own band the aptly named Jeff Beck Group.
He spent some time working with Rod Stewart until Rod left to join the Small Faces.
Amongst other great names that Jeff has played with is Mick Jagger.
Deservedly, in 1989 Jeff was the recipient of a grammy award for the best rock instrumental in his album Guitar Shop.
Not so long ago I heard Jeff playing live, and even after all these years he is able to thrill his audiences with his skill. If you get the chance, go and hear him for yourself.
This is the first in a series of articles on great performers. If you would like to receive the next one when it comes out then go to my website where you will find my email address, and email me asking to be included in future mailings. - 16036
