Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) guitar lesson & interview

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  • Опубліковано 30 жов 2024
  • Steve Stevens, the guitarist of Billy Idol, talks about his influences and gives an insight on his song writing process, style and playing technique.
    He also shows how to play the basic chords of "Rebel Yell", "White Wedding", "Eyes Without A Face", "Dancing With Myself" and "Rat Race". Wonderful guy, great rock composer, amazing guitarist. Enjoy!
    PS. If you look very carefully, you can see the letters of those Bare Knuckle pickups on his gorgeous Les Paul. They must be the Mules (according to him, he was using them in the past) because I think the Rebel Yells did not exist at the time this video was made. (Don't take their sound as a characteristic "Mule" sound though - they put him to play through a Fender G Decn for f's sake)
    PS. It's an old video (probably from Guitar World) with very low resolution. Nothing I can do about that - sorry.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 752

  • @EricBlackmonGuitar
    @EricBlackmonGuitar 3 роки тому +109

    I don't even like hearing the word underated when refering to Steve Stevens. He has always been TOPS in my mind.

    • @bassfishingwiththeantichri2921
      @bassfishingwiththeantichri2921 3 роки тому +6

      “Phenomenal” best describes Steve Stevens.

    • @dr.k_6016
      @dr.k_6016 2 роки тому +1

      I think the coolest appearance I've seen him on was on that cooking show Iron Chef. They do the intro, and then "And all the way from America--STEEEEEEVE STEVENS!". And he's up hanging out with the geisha. I'm like "wtf? Steve!"

    • @eagles_s
      @eagles_s Рік тому

      ERIC!

    • @NomadKev
      @NomadKev Рік тому

      No doubt 💯 ☝🏼

    • @chrispnw2547
      @chrispnw2547 9 місяців тому

      He is at the top go the guitar mountain! When you hear his body of work, it is undeniable.

  • @FredrocksIII
    @FredrocksIII 10 років тому +419

    Every time I see this guy I think that he is the most under appreciated guitar player around: the guy is just a monster.

    • @darke812
      @darke812 6 років тому +10

      Great comment. Ever since Billy Idol came out, the guitar is what did it for me. The melodies just sing and really make the songs so sweet!!

    • @alext7860
      @alext7860 6 років тому

      Agreed

    • @MJLU280
      @MJLU280 6 років тому +4

      FredrocksIII yep. This guy and Jake E Lee

    • @DVincentW
      @DVincentW 6 років тому +3

      Check out Black Light Syndrome 1999 abum Steve Stevens Tony Levin on bass (King Crimson) and Terry Bozio drums (Frank Zappa).
      Youll love that!!

    • @michaeltabor9596
      @michaeltabor9596 5 років тому

      FredrocksIII amen!!!

  • @sgood1692
    @sgood1692 2 роки тому +49

    He's just talented. The way he hears sounds and puts them together into a melody is a gift.

  • @Rompastompa71
    @Rompastompa71 10 років тому +251

    This Guy Took Billy to the top!!

    • @DJK2064
      @DJK2064 6 років тому

      só por causa do solo? não

    • @rkidlat
      @rkidlat 4 роки тому +16

      the 2 are an explosive combo

    • @e.r.6147
      @e.r.6147 4 роки тому +2

      Yeah w/o him i agree

    • @patticakesintexas
      @patticakesintexas 4 роки тому +7

      And he gives Billy ALL THE CREDIT!

    • @DillanOttawa
      @DillanOttawa 3 роки тому +3

      So talented!

  • @makhayahailey
    @makhayahailey 8 років тому +155

    Steve Stevens is a gentleman, as well as a musical genius. Such a gentleman that when he arranges his songs, he plays less to leave space for vocals. In my 20 yrs of playing I've never given a damn about vocalists :)

    • @garyroberts3020
      @garyroberts3020 5 років тому +8

      Ok yngwie.

    • @ThatKa5p3r
      @ThatKa5p3r 4 роки тому +3

      Which is why we know who this guy is. And you're commenting on yt vids. :shrug:

    • @nckhed
      @nckhed 3 роки тому

      @@ThatKa5p3r How did you take his comment personally? Was his nose not buried up far enough Steve's rear end or something?

    • @ThatKa5p3r
      @ThatKa5p3r 3 роки тому +1

      @@nckhed huh??

    • @homebest1777
      @homebest1777 3 роки тому

      That Kasper lmfao...I love this comment...dont understand that dudes comment...it's fuckin true some learn how to change and others lke us are commenting on u tube..lol

  • @shanghunter7697
    @shanghunter7697 5 років тому +44

    Such a cool guy, he's a grand master at his craft. The most versatile ive ever seen.

  • @GoogleAccount-cj6gy
    @GoogleAccount-cj6gy 9 років тому +157

    I never understood why he isn't more famous than he already is.

  • @TheGreatBenderina
    @TheGreatBenderina 9 років тому +69

    A real musician and an awesome-seeming human being. Steve Stevens, you rule.

  • @stanlindert6332
    @stanlindert6332 10 років тому +45

    This is the kind of stuff that makes makes me a better guitar player.

  • @TheSteveSteele
    @TheSteveSteele 10 років тому +118

    To young guitarist. This is how you do it. Stevens listened to such a wide variety of guitarists in many different genres (he mentions Tal Farlow and King Crimson here), and took the ideas he liked from those guys and made them his own in his songwriting, which in the hands of a creative person, is a sure fire way to make interesting music. There are no two songs on Rebel Yell that sound alike and this is what make Rebel Yell a classic album that transcends the 80s. Great songs, great guitar parts and playing, and in Steve Stevens a guitarist's guitarist. This is an album all rock guitarists should have and should study, not to mention his influences.

    • @ashe984
      @ashe984 7 років тому

      Yeah and John Enwistle too

    • @carlsteininger8806
      @carlsteininger8806 6 років тому

      Rebell yell

    • @Afurthyclays
      @Afurthyclays 6 років тому +3

      And Leo Kottke! Another incredible guitar player. I'm convinced that Steve Stevens is an evil mastermind!
      An amazing sonic architect.

  • @elijah2078
    @elijah2078 10 місяців тому +3

    Steve is a phenomenal guitarist and one of my favorites!!!

  • @RARufus
    @RARufus Рік тому +6

    So many classic riffs. Steve is a wonderful guitarist and extremely talented.

  • @guitarsncarsnart
    @guitarsncarsnart 10 років тому +21

    I just kinda discovered Steve last week watching his Rig Rundown. He was so open and discussed everything and how he uses the guitars and equipment. And then he played.. Man he is a FANTASTIC guitarist.. Im a fan.

  • @benben-sl7hi
    @benben-sl7hi 8 років тому +25

    That's the coolest Les Paul guitar I've ever seen. Killer finish and I love the clear pick guard. It owns my dreams!!!!!!!

  • @voskresene
    @voskresene 12 років тому +17

    Man, I have only recently found out about this guy. I have always known these tunes, but knew nothing about Idol's axeman. He's a great guitar player. Thanks for the post

  • @flyingsquirrel73
    @flyingsquirrel73 14 років тому +26

    Steve is such a "smart" guitarist..I like how he explains how he came up with the riffs that he did...He's very good at composing and a master at song structuring.

  • @Aleshotgun
    @Aleshotgun 2 роки тому +6

    I remember watching this video when I started playing guitar to learn the riff of "white wedding", man Steve always inspired my style, I'm happy I still play guitar today, I have to thank him because he's in my hall of fame of favorite guitarists of all time

  • @davidwiser3883
    @davidwiser3883 4 роки тому +5

    I've always liked the guitars in Billy Idol's music and now I realize that even more. Steve is a genius!!

  • @Monsterdrumma
    @Monsterdrumma 10 років тому +25

    I seen him with the atomic playboys after he first left Billy's gig and he was unbelievably good also I met him afterward and he was extremely cool and enthused about my air guitaring his solos all night, lol. Awesome player and guy!

  • @bryannelson6139
    @bryannelson6139 4 роки тому +9

    I never see Steve on the top guitarists lists or even the top under appreciated guitarist lists. I can’t believe it. This man rocks and is a virtuoso. He has come up with so many incredible riffs. In addition to Billy Idol, he was incredible on Vince Neils’s “Exposed” album.

  • @bloodySunday77
    @bloodySunday77  16 років тому +12

    What I like most about him, apart that he is down to earth, is that he always serves the song in the best possible way: great imaginative chords and passages, simple and to the point, no out-of-place shreds, no guitar pyrotechnics, no show-offs... but also attracting the spotlight when needed, for instance in a guitar instrumental in the middle of the band live set.
    I will look for his new solo album! :-)

  • @Happyheart146
    @Happyheart146 2 роки тому +4

    He's fantastic on acoustic too. Slips in and out between rhythm, lead and bass effortlessly.
    One of the absolute BEST!

  • @pfander63
    @pfander63 8 років тому +16

    Fantastic guy and guitar player, it is a plaesure to see him and listen to his sound live, thanks Mr. Stevens!

  • @gj8683
    @gj8683 10 років тому +44

    3:05 His studies of Leo Kottke's playing style led to "Rebel Yell!" Who would have thought? Well, good musicians listen to a lot of different kinds of music and find things in them.

  • @darykinnaman2319
    @darykinnaman2319 6 років тому +5

    Steve Stevens is a great Guitar player. He has been on the scene for so long and still puts on a great show. He is one of my all time favorites.

  • @TorToroPorco
    @TorToroPorco 3 роки тому +4

    Power with melody, such an amazing combination. The way he transforms the chord structures in Eyes Without A Face is gorgeous. And then he mentions Leo Kotke and you understand that he is a guitar aficionado.

  • @budandbean1
    @budandbean1 8 років тому +15

    So sweet! Loved every second of this interview... Thank you so much!

  • @cnilecnile6748
    @cnilecnile6748 6 років тому +33

    Steve Stevens was probably the very best guitarist of the entire 80's era, and so few knew that.
    He ranks with Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Al Dimeola.
    And Joe Satriani, even more so-it's what you DON'T know that he did...
    Billy Idol is really only famous because of Steve

    • @yepper1165
      @yepper1165 5 років тому

      And Vito Bratta! Too bad he didn't produce a larger catalog of music before he stopped.

    • @wolfbane4875
      @wolfbane4875 4 роки тому

      Another severely underrated and un acknowledged player of that era would be Steve Lukather

  • @hunterjumper5892
    @hunterjumper5892 8 років тому +1

    Such a special player. Talent, no ego, still loves the instrument and seeks to learn new things everyday. I love his chordal knowledge and craft as much as his verve and swagger.

  • @zeppafloyd
    @zeppafloyd 12 років тому +3

    This guy is a true artist. Innovative and creative. His personality and expressiveness come right through the instrument. Many can master the guitar technically, but it is guys like Steve and others who can bring something unique and special to the listener. These people don't get near the recognition they deserve. Thanks for posting.

  • @MrWings29
    @MrWings29 11 років тому +2

    Steve Stevens is brilliant! Thanks so much. I play guitar, and was looking for the original way to play eyes without a face- My all-time favorite song from Steve and Billy. Hope you guys stay healthy and play together for many years to come.

  • @sonic-dna7742
    @sonic-dna7742 7 років тому +20

    who looks for inspiration picturing the gears from a watch?!? Steve Stevens is a GENIUS and thinks on a totally different level. Phenomenal and so down to Earth. Amazing guy.

  • @MikeBikerKickstand
    @MikeBikerKickstand 10 років тому +19

    Stevens is always using vibrato, even when he's playing barre chords. Takes a lot of strength in your fretting hand to do that. One of the all-time best players for sure.

  • @wastetocharity
    @wastetocharity 10 років тому +34

    Dancing with myself! Steve Stevens is one of the UNDERRATED guitarists of the 80’s,!

    • @bildkistl
      @bildkistl 3 роки тому

      I think you have picked the wrong song Dancing with myself is an old GenX song so Steve can't be involved in creating it otherwise I totally agree!

  • @Thomas-zy5hb
    @Thomas-zy5hb 5 років тому +2

    I could watch this guy play all day....amazing sound!

  • @Antipodean33
    @Antipodean33 9 років тому +3

    Nice bloke, real easy to talk with and real free with his tricks of the trade. Really good guitarist as well, always loved hearing the Billy Idol songs on the main stream radio stations when it came out and mainly for the guitar sound on them. He's got a real gutsy solid sound

  • @CCB6939
    @CCB6939 3 роки тому +6

    guitar players know how good Steve is ! he's a great player! ....U can't mention Billy without saying Steve's name., they are a perfect match, compliment each other well.

  • @dwright6182
    @dwright6182 Рік тому +1

    Agreed! 100%, with all the nice comments about Steve. About 5 years ago, a friend was learning B.I.'s White Wedding, which I looked up on Y.T. Billy started by saying, "Steve; show them what a hit song looks like", in response to which, Steve did. It was only later that I discovered the 1986(-ish?) Top Gun Anthem was also played by Steve.

  • @donnacey4875
    @donnacey4875 6 років тому

    It’s a real blessing or fate that Billy Idol and Steve Stevens teamed up together to produce so much awesome music in the 80’s!!

  • @ykdickybill
    @ykdickybill 6 років тому +1

    Fantastic player ! Used to love Billy Idol when we were kids, didn’t appreciate just how good the guitarist was back then but I do now !

  • @MichaelJDay
    @MichaelJDay Рік тому +1

    Purrrrrr talent! So interesting to see the roots of the songs. So fascinating to see how he developed these famous guitar riffs! Massive creativity!

  • @R_Thomp
    @R_Thomp 6 років тому +2

    Steve Stevens is such a great guitar player. I've been fond of his playing from the beginning

  • @ThisUnderWorldOfDarkness
    @ThisUnderWorldOfDarkness Рік тому

    Love that guitar and tone ...holds up in 2022. Really cool guy, very gracious of him to show us some of his signature riffs.

  • @kimmer1170
    @kimmer1170 2 роки тому +1

    Pure brilliance! Steve is So gifted and talented he makes it look effortless! Love you Steve!! BFI! ✌️

  • @jonto1863
    @jonto1863 7 років тому

    Just started to listen to Billy Idol again after many years. Really enjoyed this bit of insight.

  • @acuity67
    @acuity67 14 років тому +2

    I love the finish on the Les Paul. I also find it really cool how he uses the upstroke a lot more. People seem to do downstrokes a lot more with heavy stuff like this.

  • @AdamSteinzOfficial
    @AdamSteinzOfficial 12 років тому +1

    Absolutely...and that TONE is just perfect! Stevens is one of the most underrated guitarists out there. He helped define that entire 80's L.A. metal sound, yet if you watch him live, he can play ANYTHING. I love this guy!

  • @sanctuarysun5221
    @sanctuarysun5221 3 роки тому +1

    Wow, amazing guitarist! Really enjoy and appreciate his style!

  • @liamerick7262
    @liamerick7262 5 років тому +1

    My favorite rock guitar playet of all time, among other things, his touch is just magical!

  • @walshy2116
    @walshy2116 5 років тому +1

    This genius wrote some of the soundtrack of my earlier life. Gotta love him. Highly underrated! A guitar mega maniac

  • @alleycat4463
    @alleycat4463 11 років тому +2

    Awesome underated player.Great feel and style...thanks for posting

  • @gibsonexplorer8777
    @gibsonexplorer8777 2 роки тому +1

    Any musician who really is versatile loves and appreciates Steve Steven's he is at the top of the greatest Guitar players period!

  • @musclethings1
    @musclethings1 9 років тому +15

    This guy is probably the best if you ask me... another good one is the guitarist to Gene Love Jezebel and of course the guitarist of Duran Druan.. but Steve Stevens is at the top for me.. can't get over his work in Flesh For Fantasy.. so sick

  • @SS-je2ih
    @SS-je2ih 10 років тому +1

    Im a drummer and Steve Stevens is hands down the best rock guitarist around!!! This guy was the sound track to my youth and it doesnt get any better.

  • @sash7551
    @sash7551 Рік тому +1

    Incredible guitarist deserves more recognition

  • @loknloll
    @loknloll 15 років тому

    i watch this everyday now just to get excited. i mean, i know these songs are twenty years old... but here, just showing the hits, this guy is coming from so many different directions. it's so great...

  • @paulsimmons5726
    @paulsimmons5726 6 років тому +2

    Stevens played on some of coolest "guitar" songs in the 80's, period! This guy has always been underrated and overlooked but is a monster player all the same. I love the way he shows his influences and how he's taken things from old jazz and folk players to make his own brand of cool. Great video, the focus was a bit fuzzy but the content was on target!

  • @CerealDust-nStuff
    @CerealDust-nStuff 3 роки тому

    Just saw him and Billy live. Amazing concert!

  • @davidclark3603
    @davidclark3603 Рік тому +1

    What a gorgeous guitar!

  • @roinjames3450
    @roinjames3450 2 роки тому +2

    This guy is world class gets nada of the kudos he deserves. Hail Hail the mighty Steve Steven's. Forever in my heart and soul!!

  • @guitarslinger32269
    @guitarslinger32269 15 років тому +1

    What makes Steve so special, unique and great is the way he takes a truly eclectic group of influences and molds them into one package. He's Page meets Steve Howe meets Beck meets George Bensen meets Kotke. A lotta players don't have the ability to reinvent the things they learn; they just copy. Steve molds them into his own voice on the instrument. The ironic thing is: he does what he does within a punk rock format. AMAZING!

  • @MattBrownGuitar
    @MattBrownGuitar 6 років тому +2

    The comparison between the Rat Race riff and old watch or clock gears blew my mind...Steve is truly one of the best. :)

  • @telefoon1978
    @telefoon1978 7 місяців тому

    OMG, how he can explain every song he wrote, magnificent!!!!

  • @seanx666
    @seanx666 15 років тому +1

    Watchin him play the Rebel Yell intro gave me the chills! He is so underrated!

  • @modularmuse
    @modularmuse 3 роки тому

    What a laid-back unassuming dude. He has a very creative sense of timing on tunes like Rebel Yell, that upbeat rhythm guitar, plus that lazer-beam effect he does with the Echoplex!

  • @JasonMcFly
    @JasonMcFly 11 років тому +2

    Love Steve Stevens. Such a musical player.

  • @AllenPinchloaf
    @AllenPinchloaf 4 роки тому

    He gets how to accompany a song in a big creative way.Start simple and build.Right on Steve

  • @MikeyGee001
    @MikeyGee001 12 років тому

    I fkn LOVE his LP in this video ...
    Everything from the colour/finish to the ebony board, yet the neck and head are fully bound with the Trap inlays ... LOVE IT ..

  • @CKC411
    @CKC411 5 років тому +1

    His signature guitars from Knagg's are insane! A Steve Steven's signature Knagg remains on my "if I win the lottery" wish list.

  • @AP-qn6br
    @AP-qn6br 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks for the white wedding riff at 1.0 ! I saw your gig in Christchurch New Zealand , was great

  • @MrFazeone
    @MrFazeone 6 років тому

    Total virtuoso. I always have been a fan of Steve Stevens. Billy Idol is lucky to have teamed up with him. Those songs wouldn't have been what they are without him.

  • @Easyezr
    @Easyezr 10 років тому +20

    As math would generally have it, level ten talent + creativity x huge rock stardom would = intolerable attitude. Somehow Stevens is humble and not full of shit.

    • @13mileon
      @13mileon 3 роки тому +1

      Real talent is humble

  • @bigjimi57
    @bigjimi57 15 років тому +1

    Steve Stevens is timeless, amazingly talented, & simply improves with age, just like Billy Idol.....ROCK ON!!!!
    ~jimi~

  • @generalpatzer6893
    @generalpatzer6893 6 років тому

    I saw Billy Idol 3 times in the 80's with Steve Stevens. The guy is incredible and never played a bad show.

  • @watsoncali25
    @watsoncali25 5 років тому

    Yeah, just started listening to Billy Idol again and Steve is such a great guitarist

  • @castleanthrax1833
    @castleanthrax1833 3 роки тому

    Love the clear pick guard on this very cool Les Paul played by an even cooler guitarist.

  • @4fingeredsteamer
    @4fingeredsteamer 12 років тому

    Totally amazing where he drew the inspiration from for all of those hit rock songs. Bringing things so not 'Billy Idol' rock and roll into his own style. I guess that's why they still are such popular songs/riffs.

  • @F.S.111
    @F.S.111 Рік тому

    I just saw Billy Idol couple weeks ago at Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater Fl. What a killer show and the sound system was phenomenal. The band was crazy tight. Billy doesn’t look almost 70. Steve Stevens absolutely killed it. Acoustic solo and electric solos. Both great!

  • @madenew000
    @madenew000 12 років тому

    thanks so much, steve...you'll always be a great guitar player and complete musician to me and my friends....

  • @davideirth
    @davideirth 7 років тому

    Watching this I find myself smiling so much my face hurts. I love this type of stuff, and how the magic happens.

  • @tonymarinelli7304
    @tonymarinelli7304 10 років тому

    So friggin cool, great tone, incredible player and a very gracious man.

  • @gravics
    @gravics 11 років тому

    Such creative energy. Love the music and exceptional guitar playing.

  • @Thisoldcasita
    @Thisoldcasita 8 років тому +3

    Great guitarist! Thanx Steve!

  • @AdamasMst
    @AdamasMst 10 років тому

    Saw him Live with Billy during the Rebel Yell tour. He is quite an acrobat also and still hits it right on! He is one of the good one!

  • @denisemaderis5824
    @denisemaderis5824 2 роки тому +1

    Amazing 🎸. He's so talented 😍

  • @bobwallace9814
    @bobwallace9814 3 роки тому

    All iconic songs that will still be played long after we are all gone.

  • @oktootsie
    @oktootsie Рік тому

    This guy is a hell of a guitar player, really amazing, should be more recognized.

  • @Highcastle_of_Tone
    @Highcastle_of_Tone 10 років тому +1

    A huge influence on me. One of the only real musicians in a "punk" band (obviously Billy was crossing over in a big way from GenX, so not solely punk) and a big reason I've continued to follow Billy Idol to this day. The fact that he lists Steve Howe as a primary influence tells so much about him. All his solo albums are great, especially the more recent Flamenco a Go Go and Memory Crash.

  • @eugenialuisa6772
    @eugenialuisa6772 6 років тому

    Steve is awesome! Boy ,such a talented musician.

  • @comicblueswithjonygitar36
    @comicblueswithjonygitar36 5 років тому +1

    Lyrical melodical genius.
    Teamed with Billy Idol, one of the great serendipitous rock happenings.
    Idols big voice found its mate and match with the ferocious guitar of Steve Stevens, truly one of the best rock players ever to record. That hit parade of Billy Idol maybe doesn't happen without Stevens. Hope i said that right.

  • @jasoncovert2891
    @jasoncovert2891 11 років тому

    Whoever got and did this interview...I can't thank you enough!!! Great insight into the amazing Steve Stevens, and you asked all the right things! Thank you. Steve...with the black fingernail polish...I remember being 14 and just starting to play guitar, and seeing this freaky dude with black nails and he was KILLING it as he does, and I was mesmerized. His whole attitude is inspiring. Anyway, thanks again for posting this inside look!

  • @Twintone2007
    @Twintone2007 12 років тому

    the bareknuckle pickups are one of the best pickups i´ve ever played. the rebel yell in a les paul are really perfect for me! love them!!!

  • @gubfoley378
    @gubfoley378 7 років тому

    One of the coolest bits about this video is how he shows you how to hold the pick when finger plucking and then transition really quick to picking. Slow it down and watch him seamlessly transition. That is a lesson all by itself.

  • @bluetopguitar1104
    @bluetopguitar1104 6 років тому

    Very creative. Underrated. Wow. Great lesson too.

  • @laural1784
    @laural1784 6 років тому

    Amazing guitarist! Just love him.💖🎸💫

  • @woodywoodlstein9519
    @woodywoodlstein9519 4 роки тому

    steve is so down to earth so creative.

  • @bootsauce47
    @bootsauce47 15 років тому

    Steves playing is "I should of though of that". You know this guy can fly all over the guitar yet he has songwriter prospective. No wonder he is part of so many memorable songs.
    This was a treat to watch

  • @ThePhrygiandom
    @ThePhrygiandom 12 років тому

    Simply one of THE finest rock guitarists to ever grace our planet...........

  • @guitarofdestiny
    @guitarofdestiny 7 років тому

    amazing insight and tips. I love this guy

  • @andrewjn7146
    @andrewjn7146 11 років тому

    Interview a guitarist and give him a guitar for it. That is genius. Thank's Steve, after watching you do Rebel Yell with your teeth, I realize how awesome you are.