This was filmed at the GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL in SAN FRANCISCO, CA on 5/19/78. I have an original VHS tape copy of the entire performance that I purchased from Improvising Artists, the record label that produced this video. Bill Connors is pure genius. It’s a shame about all of the video special effects as this detracts from the music. Cheesy and unecessary IMO. If you have the full show please upload the rest of it. Thanks for uploading this!
Bill Connors Theme To The Guardian and Swimming With A Hole In My Body are two of the Greatest releases on the ECM Record Label. And if you like this, please check out Ralph Towner, also on the ECM Label. Also, the song Melting, on Bill's album Of Mist And Melting is one of the most beautiful songs on the ECM Label. And that's saying a lot. Thanks.
Your welcome, yea I have both of those albums and play the regularly. It was bold for Connors to leave RTF and go acoustic. He did what was best artistically.
I roomed with Bill and drummer, Oscar Vildosolo in Sacramento back in 1960s He was a 16 year old killer back then. It's sure nice to hear all the beautiful music Bill made when he applied those chops to the music he had in him. Did the django help at all?
I see 'Swimming With A Hole In My Body' mentioned already. Let's add 'Theme to the Gaurdian' as well. Brilliant, evocative music that's almost a half century old and remains fresh.
Wow, this is awesome. Studied with Bill for a short time in New York City during the mid-80's. A virtuoso performer on many levels. This was obviously during his Bream period when he went finger style. Bill could and probably should have more notoriety but he had so many "detours" in the progression of playing that it precluded this. Anyway, he is a masterful player who put musical interests ahead of fame. For a guy who said at one point that he was trying to meld Clapton and Coltrane this is quite a departure.
Joe Mystery great post, yea I kind of wished he stayed with Return to Forever a little bit longer. The Romantic Warrior gets a lot of pub. Also his mid 80s fusion trio stuff was really good, but he was harshly accused of playing like Holdsworth. I do have a few of his acoustic albums as well, but yea you are right, he did have quite a few detours. The timing wasn’t just right on a few occasions. I think he was right on time during that Hymn of the 7th period.
@@flame-sky7148 2B1S, I was at one of the shows in NYC when Bill had Kennedy and Wenkl playing in the fusion band. I can not remember the name of the venue. I know all about the Holdsworth comparisons. Holdsworth is great and say what you will, but in my estimation Bill is a superior composer if that counts for anything (it does) and I prefer his melodic sense. Lessons with Bill were pretty traditional as I remember it. Again, this was mid-80s so memory has faded a bit. I was sent to Bill by Jack DeSalvo my primary instructor. You can check Jack out informally here ua-cam.com/video/xOJD0Bh0VG0/v-deo.html but also in a studio recording at jackdesalvo.bandcamp.com/track/lumens-2. Jack is a monster player/composer. As to Bill and Return to Forever, you probably know that Bill was not happy with Chick's whole Scientology approach to the band. He states this as the prominent reason for departing. All good. If you have more of this concert I hope you will consider posting it. There is really not much up anywhere of Bill in live context. All the best.
@@joemysterymusic Cool info, Yea I knew most of that stuff but great to gain more insights on Mr. Connors. Yea, his trio with Dave Weckl on drums was amazing , a la "A Pedal." I do have Swimming with a Hole, Mist & Melting, Theme to Guardian. However I wish he would have come out with those fusion albums first in the 70's after RTF, then the critics couldn't say anything about him trying to be like Holdsworth. I do have more of the concert, but it's in my storage vault in another state, perhaps next year.
@@flame-sky7148 Cool, I will wait for the big reveal. Yes, it would have been nice if he had the fusion group a bit earlier. His big hands allowed for four note groupings on a string for the fusion style he developed. Bill is apparently not very motivated to post his current stuff (whatever that may be), teach a class online or just be out there in the public eye. He is 71 now so perhaps he just considers himself retired. He remains an enigma of sorts. Finally saw an interview somewhere on UA-cam where the great Eric Johnson "comes clean" and acknowledges Bill as an influence. There are many outstanding players who were influenced by Bill but I, at least, have not heard much chatter. All the best and thanks again for the great post.
Somebody buy that man some reverb! Love Bill Connors! One of my guitar heroes for sure. I think I have every record/cd he's ever done. There through the thick (Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy) and the thin (that weird Holdsworthian left turn he took in the Eighties), and all the ECM stuff in between.
I saw him in the mid 70s at the Troubadour in San Francisco on Sutter street and he with Chick Corea Stanley Clarke Lenny Williams were the Electric band. He had a great memoryforvheads and the first guy to play complex fusion style composition with a les Paul and Marshall amp. Shortly thereafter dimiola showed up. I wondered why he didn’t get on the hymn of 7 th galaxy album.
2 Birds1 Stone well it was mind blowing like hearing the Mahhivishnu orchestra with John McLaughlin the first time atvthevwinterland auditorium. I was a blues guy andvr&b vaguely interested in jazz. Those guys drew us out and into jazz.
Where did this spring from?? I've always considered him one of the greats of fusion guitar - who seems to have been sorely neglected by the music world for some unknown reason. Thanks for making this available.
@dangreous birb he definitely has a few albums that are straight up Holdsworth, but to be fair his playing in Return to Forever was nothing like Allan's.
And rightfully so. Between 1984-87 he was CLEARLY copying Allan Holdsworth. Not merely being influenced by Holdsworth, but basically copying him. Unfortunate too because he really had his own thing before he decided to do that. He sounds absolutely great here though!
I think he pretty much taught himself how to play classical guitar practicing 24/7 for. a few years until he felt he was good enough to play solo concerts.This was after playing pick/electric with RTF,etc…amazing dedication and talent.
Does anyone know how to get in touch with Bill? Not trying to stalk him, I’d just love to email him to share a story about how one particular song of his became very meaningful to me. But it looks like he doesn’t even have a website, or twitter or anything.
@@westcoasttrap I was just being sarcastic. Allan Holdsworth is considered the Tesla of Guitar playing. Some of his themes are geared towards his innovative concept. No worries. Yes, Bill did try and crop Allan and he had to stop.
@@flame-sky7148 There seems to be a misunderstanding in Google's automatic translation. I'd like to say, why is there no live footage on UA-cam from 1985 to 1987, when Bill was exploring Allan Holdsworth's style? Was the question.
Fantastic!!!. Listening evokes something spiritual. I'm just mesmerized.
Theme To The Guardian is still one of my top 10 ECM Releases 🎸
Yea, that and Swimming with a Hole in.... is great too.
Did you ever notice it's Gaurdian (not Guardian) on the album cover ? ..I always wondered whether it's was a spelling mistake or intentional.
I’m just rediscovering this guy. He always had something special. So good to finally find some his work on UA-cam.
I found out about him because eric johnson mentioned him in a interview
@@knightfall9394 Yes, same here 😊
Check out the ECM album- SWIMMING WITH A HOLE IN MY BODY. Life changing for me.
Same here! I love that recording. I like "Of Mist and Melting" but SWAHIMB is just amazing!
This is an absolute treasure -- I had no idea till today that anything like this existed. Love Bill Connors in all of his phases.
Thanks, it is a treasure.
Bill Connors the best most versatile complete original, WE need more
This dude is something else
Beautiful playing. One of my favorite musicians.
This was filmed at the GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL in SAN FRANCISCO, CA on 5/19/78. I have an original VHS tape copy of the entire performance that I purchased from Improvising Artists, the record label that produced this video.
Bill Connors is pure genius. It’s a shame about all of the video special effects as this detracts from the music. Cheesy and unecessary IMO.
If you have the full show please upload the rest of it.
Thanks for uploading this!
Bill Connors Theme To The Guardian and Swimming With A Hole In My Body are two of the Greatest releases on the ECM Record Label. And if you like this, please check out Ralph Towner, also on the ECM Label. Also, the song Melting, on Bill's album Of Mist And Melting is one of the most beautiful songs on the ECM Label. And that's saying a lot. Thanks.
Your welcome, yea I have both of those albums and play the regularly. It was bold for Connors to leave RTF and go acoustic. He did what was best artistically.
I really like his playing his records, how he sounds inspires me with my playing on guitar
I roomed with Bill and drummer, Oscar Vildosolo in Sacramento back in 1960s
He was a 16 year old killer back then. It's sure nice to hear all the beautiful music Bill made when he applied those chops to the music he had in him. Did the django help at all?
Great technique, dreamy chords and a lovely abstract meandering style. Masterful.
his solo album, years ago was absolutely beautiful..and very original...
Yes it was. I have all of his albums, big fan as well.
@@flame-sky7148 Swimming with a hole in my body is hands down, my favorite solo guitar album of his. so mystical, dark and beautiful.
@@breakfastplan4518 you described it perfectly.
I see 'Swimming With A Hole In My Body' mentioned already.
Let's add 'Theme to the Gaurdian' as well. Brilliant, evocative music that's almost a half century old and remains fresh.
Wow, this is awesome. Studied with Bill for a short time in New York City during the mid-80's. A virtuoso performer on many levels. This was obviously during his Bream period when he went finger style. Bill could and probably should have more notoriety but he had so many "detours" in the progression of playing that it precluded this. Anyway, he is a masterful player who put musical interests ahead of fame. For a guy who said at one point that he was trying to meld Clapton and Coltrane this is quite a departure.
Joe Mystery great post, yea I kind of wished he stayed with Return to Forever a little bit longer. The Romantic Warrior gets a lot of pub. Also his mid 80s fusion trio stuff was really good, but he was harshly accused of playing like Holdsworth. I do have a few of his acoustic albums as well, but yea you are right, he did have quite a few detours. The timing wasn’t just right on a few occasions. I think he was right on time during that Hymn of the 7th period.
@@flame-sky7148 2B1S, I was at one of the shows in NYC when Bill had Kennedy and Wenkl playing in the fusion band. I can not remember the name of the venue. I know all about the Holdsworth comparisons. Holdsworth is great and say what you will, but in my estimation Bill is a superior composer if that counts for anything (it does) and I prefer his melodic sense. Lessons with Bill were pretty traditional as I remember it. Again, this was mid-80s so memory has faded a bit. I was sent to Bill by Jack DeSalvo my primary instructor. You can check Jack out informally here ua-cam.com/video/xOJD0Bh0VG0/v-deo.html but also in a studio recording at jackdesalvo.bandcamp.com/track/lumens-2. Jack is a monster player/composer. As to Bill and Return to Forever, you probably know that Bill was not happy with Chick's whole Scientology approach to the band. He states this as the prominent reason for departing. All good. If you have more of this concert I hope you will consider posting it. There is really not much up anywhere of Bill in live context. All the best.
@@joemysterymusic Cool info, Yea I knew most of that stuff but great to gain more insights on Mr. Connors. Yea, his trio with Dave Weckl on drums was amazing , a la "A Pedal." I do have Swimming with a Hole, Mist & Melting, Theme to Guardian. However I wish he would have come out with those fusion albums first in the 70's after RTF, then the critics couldn't say anything about him trying to be like Holdsworth. I do have more of the concert, but it's in my storage vault in another state, perhaps next year.
@@flame-sky7148 Cool, I will wait for the big reveal. Yes, it would have been nice if he had the fusion group a bit earlier. His big hands allowed for four note groupings on a string for the fusion style he developed. Bill is apparently not very motivated to post his current stuff (whatever that may be), teach a class online or just be out there in the public eye. He is 71 now so perhaps he just considers himself retired. He remains an enigma of sorts. Finally saw an interview somewhere on UA-cam where the great Eric Johnson "comes clean" and acknowledges Bill as an influence. There are many outstanding players who were influenced by Bill but I, at least, have not heard much chatter. All the best and thanks again for the great post.
He absolutely was copying Holdsworth in the mid 80’s. No question about it.
I don’t know much about Bill but every time I hear him I am blown away.
Ultra rare documentary. Thank you very much!
Your welcome , we all have to thank Bill and the crew too.
Thanks thanks thanks and again...
Somebody buy that man some reverb!
Love Bill Connors! One of my guitar heroes for sure. I think I have every record/cd he's ever done. There through the thick (Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy) and the thin (that weird Holdsworthian left turn he took in the Eighties), and all the ECM stuff in between.
Wow now this is very rare. I remember him with Return and Stanley Clarke's solo album than I purchased OF Mist and Melting. Wow was I surprised LOL !!
I know, he did a 180 within a couple of years. Thanks
I saw him in the mid 70s at the Troubadour in San Francisco on Sutter street and he with Chick Corea Stanley Clarke Lenny Williams were the Electric band. He had a great memoryforvheads and the first guy to play complex fusion style composition with a les Paul and Marshall amp. Shortly thereafter dimiola showed up. I wondered why he didn’t get on the hymn of 7 th galaxy album.
You're one lucky dude! I was born after all that.
2 Birds1 Stone well it was mind blowing like hearing the Mahhivishnu orchestra with John McLaughlin the first time atvthevwinterland auditorium. I was a blues guy andvr&b vaguely interested in jazz. Those guys drew us out and into jazz.
@@babinm Yea, that's actually my favorite band Mahavishnu and Weather Report. You caught a special era. It's not like that anymore.
lenny williams was lead vocalist for TOP...lenny white was drummer with RTF....
@@pgonzo98 oooops senior moment
Where did this spring from?? I've always considered him one of the greats of fusion guitar - who seems to have been sorely neglected by the music world for some unknown reason.
Thanks for making this available.
GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL-SAN FRANCISCO,CA. 5/19/78
@dangreous birb he definitely has a few albums that are straight up Holdsworth, but to be fair his playing in Return to Forever was nothing like Allan's.
@dangreous birb Here he sounds a lot like Ralph Towner - another hero of mine.
And rightfully so. Between 1984-87 he was CLEARLY copying Allan Holdsworth. Not merely being influenced by Holdsworth, but basically copying him. Unfortunate too because he really had his own thing before he decided to do that. He sounds absolutely great here though!
Oh my, this is far beyond his technique I heard on Theme to the Guardian.
I think he pretty much taught himself how to play classical guitar practicing 24/7 for. a few years until he felt he was good enough to play solo concerts.This was after playing pick/electric with RTF,etc…amazing dedication and talent.
Sounds like Contemporary Classical Guitar...
Any one know where is Bill these days?
Génial, qu’est il devenu ?
Does anyone know how to get in touch with Bill? Not trying to stalk him, I’d just love to email him to share a story about how one particular song of his became very meaningful to me. But it looks like he doesn’t even have a website, or twitter or anything.
Don't know man, some cats just want to get "unplugged" from everything.
Why isn't there any footage from 1985 to 1987 when this person tried an Allan Holdsworth-like sound, from Step It to Assembler under the album name?
Now wait a minute there, whose the guy that tried to copy Nikola Tesla sound on guitar? Uh 😎
@@flame-sky7148 I don't understand the meaning of the sentence.
Did you mean that Bill Connors wasn't doing any live music at the time?
@@westcoasttrap I was just being sarcastic. Allan Holdsworth is considered the Tesla of Guitar playing. Some of his themes are geared towards his innovative concept. No worries. Yes, Bill did try and crop Allan and he had to stop.
@@flame-sky7148 There seems to be a misunderstanding in Google's automatic translation.
I'd like to say, why is there no live footage on UA-cam from 1985 to 1987, when Bill was exploring Allan Holdsworth's style? Was the question.
@@westcoasttrap Oh I have footage, but just because it's not on youtube, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Have a nice day.
This cut isn't something I'd run out to see. I liked Chick Corea better with Connors though.
--Camera work is unbelievably annoying--