Joe is the 'Jay Leno' of all things guitar. Jay's got an interesting story behind every one of his cars and Joe's got a history lesson behind every one of his musical possessions. Priceless.....
Dave Earl Brown was the guy that had this guitar, it was originally David's and he let Tommy use it relentlessly. After this exchange happened, David Earl Brown rolled his vehicle outside of Moab and was killed in the crash. A very unfortunate turn of events, that didn't allow David Earl Brown to actually ever spend the money Joe gave him for this guitar. The The irony of it all is very sad. David was a wild character and was a drum roadie for my band stonefed for years. Thanks Joe for including David in the story. Such an awesome player I'm glad it's going to your museum
@Jon Did David talk about Tommy alot? If so, can you please relay any interesting stories? I know David was with Tommy for a long time and was devastated by his tragic death.
Yes David was always talking about the rig they used on tour. They used EV SRO 100 watt alnico inn the 4x12. They are the heaviest alnico ever. David ended up leaving me with a couple abs they sound awesome. The white strat ended up with his old band mate. The hiwatt 100 with my bandmate. He's missed constantly.
I took guitar lessons for many years as a child before smart phones. Didn’t play for years. Now I’m 29 5 months into playing everyday for hours. Binge watching this man as well
So how's it going with the playing? You must have gotten pretty good as a kid taking lessons for years. It should come back to you fast after a long layoff
Joe is the best! I love how much he plays. He plays more notes than Slash and Schoen put together. A lot of those type of guys can’t talk as much as him. He’s got a huge personality. Keep playing! Keep talking! I love it!
I was the l;ead singer in our band in the 60,s. Tommy Bol;in was our guitarist. The band was named " A PATCH OF BL:UE" He was such a great musician. I remember the first time he came to my parents basement to try out with our band. I went up stairs and tol;d my mom, "that guys gonna be a star", and he certainl;y did ful;fi;ll; that prediction. I'm so happy that I got to know him as a young man before al;l; the substance abuse. We had such fun together.God bl;ess you Tommy and your famil;y and thanks for al;l; the wonderfu;l memories> Dave
Joe, I absolutely love the fact that you get to take custody of these guitars, love you and your work mate, cheers from sunny Somerset (England!) Respect
So glad to know Tommy Bolin’s Les Paul is in the best possible hands. Heaven must have been involved in getting this guitar to you, Joe. He was taken way too soon.
Joe I sat in with Tommy at a club in Sioux City in August of 1967. I was with 2 friends of mine that knew Tommy and they told him I needed to sit in because I was really good bass player. I was 17 and Tommy was I believe 16. What a talent Tommy was I was blessed to have this happen.
Great Vid... I have had the pleasure of meeting Joe B. a few times.. ( again just last week ).. What a Great Player / Human.. with a Plethora of " Guitar & Amp Knowledge... Super Humble and very easy to talk with.. Joe Rules..
THANK-YOU JOE FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE BLUES BUT ALL GUITARIST PERIOD , NO MATTER THE KIND OF MUSIC THEY PLAY 🎸🎸 REALLY ENJOY ALL. YOUR MUSIC & PROBABLY THE BEST GUITARIST PLAYING TODAY 🎸😎🎸 KEEP IT REAL BRO 😎🎸🎸😎
Holy MACKEREL, Tommy Bolin, your coolness rating is going way up Joe, didn't know you were a fan of his, DREAMER I KNOW, PEOPLE PEOPLE, WILD DOGS, SO MANY GREAT SONGS...
Had the great fortune of meeting up with Tommy (and Stanley Sheldon) on several occasions in Denver and Boulder in the 70's before the 2 got really big! Actually saw Tommy in a club in Boulder where he was playing the Les Paul. Being a Les Paul owner myself, I asked him during a break how he liked the guitar. He said it was fun to play but he preferred the strat! I miss the hell out of that guy! For me it was almost the day the music died when he passed. Fortunately his legacy forever lives in all the incredible music he left with us! Thank You Joe for bringing this to all Bolin fans. It's awesome to know that part of him is in such awesome hands!
Worked at a gig in the 70's when Tommy opened a show with Rush headlining. Tommy was a super nice guy, not healthy at the time, playing with his muffled, bass heavy sound. He turned his TV on full blast at the motel and never turned it off when he left to do the gig.
I love Joe’s story telling and excellent humor and wit. Add “TV” personality/presenter to the list of his wonderful gifts. I also appreciate Joe’s sense of value on very limited objects of sound and visual beauty…and then playing them for us. It’s great that he can and does. Detractors may say people like him are “hoarders” or blame them for the exponential growth in value of these instruments. I say bravo. By doing so, it insures that many of these machines of wonder can last for millennia. We are fortunate for people like Joe (collectors) who not only feel the sense of responsibility for their temporary custodianship of these objects, but also the passion, love and means to share them with us. Please keep doing this for the rest of your life, Joe. I respect you immensely for doing so. Oh yeah, you’re pretty good on guitar.
Thanks Joe for buying these great guitars and playing them for us. A truly great player who's worked so hard to get where he is and buying these great guitars and amps for us to see.
Joe's talent Goes so far beyond the norm he is truly one of the greatest in our life time I always dig his gear story's as he has some of the absolute dreamiest gear known to mankind....I'm truly appreciative of his sharing with all of us watchers of " Nerdville USA". 😎👍👍
Man, I love to hear Joe playing a Tele. My brother who was on a working vacation away from came back and told me him and buddy went to see this rockin show. When he told me the guys name. He asked if I've ever heard of Joe Bonamassa of being a guitar player I had. But to my brother the gearhead it was a like heaven opened up to him. He loved the show Most of all it was great to share a passion of mine with my flesh and blood.
JoBo 🌹 This is awesome! I got to see Tommy play that guitar 🎸 and I got to see you play it right after you got it.. how cool and blessed to be able to tell you this! Love your sense of humor! Let's have a Margarita.. and I was one of those "cutouts" 😘 ♥️🎸♥️
Excellent job Joe! Love Tommy Bolin. I used to live out in Boulder Colorado not to long after he died. Jammed with Bobby Berge 3 times. Killer experience! Jamming with your guitar heroes drummer? Come on! Played on Buddy Miles album. That made me one step/degree away from Jimi. He used to live right across the street from me. Met some important inside people & ended up with an amazing collection of Tommy's recordings! I had all the stuff the "Archives" has before there was even an archive. Bought a'67 Sam Ash pedal in Boulder in '78. We've talked before at Gillys in Dayton before. Didn't know you were a Bolin fan then. Could've shared a ton of stories. Would still like to if anyway possible. Buy the way, I cant stand haters!
I was out in Boulder 25 years ago and went to the Fox Theater. Had a conversation with a guy who had all kinds of stories about Tommy playing with Jimmy Haslip and how there was a huge forgive the term “Cult Following” still out there for Tommy’s music. Don’t know how long the Fox theater has been around and I don’t remember if the guy said Tommy played there but there was obviously a bunch of places back then because it seemed to be home base for a few musicians.
That is so cool that you found Tommy’s guitar. I became a fan of his in the last 70’s just a little too late to see him live. I did have an older friend that saw him at a small club in Jersey or New York. Said he was just a dude with long hair that just jammed on the guitar. Thanks for sharing Joe.
I lived in Denver when Zephyr started in Boulder. I previously played in a band with their drummer Robbie Chamberlin. Robbie had lost his drivers license so I'd give him a ride from BowMar up to Boulder for practice. The band had a house there, but Robbie wanted to live at his Mom's. Tommy was unique in that he could visualize the notes being played on his guitar when he listened to a song. His stage presence was electric, along with Candi's singing, with the kind of bluesy-jazzy feel that just grabbed you! Thanks Joe for sharing your story.
I could talk guitars with him all day, my kinda guy, I just wish I could play just a little bit as good as he is. I completely agree with him about Telecasters, great down to earth guy.
Thanks Joe for sharing Tommy's guitar with us. I've been a Tommy Bolin fan for 40 years and I've often wondered what happened to that guitar. Cheers 🍻🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
Wow- the Spectrum album had all guitar players talking- I was fortunate to see him on a solo tour before he joined Deep Purple. I remember he was a Strat guy with the James Gang I thought. Thanks Joe , the story of how you acquired the guitar is great!
Joe is great to listen too. Just a regular guy who doesn't make feel you want to quit guitar playing when you see him playing 100 times better than you. Thanx Joe!
So true! When out on the context of his personality, his playing is inspiring-a shared joy of the instrument comes through even to those of us on a much lower skill-level floor.
That's a good observation! I don't know why some people give Joe crap for collecting so many guitars. He can afford these classics, but also, at least he really uses them.
And there is also many other car & guitar collectors none of us will ever know because they're not players or ex race car drivers etc etc. The good thing about collectors like this is they respect history. I did laugh at your comparison, very true.
Dude...I'm a drummer...1960 model. Been living in Austin TX for the last 40 years, originally from Potsdam NY. I discovered you a few months ago and am becoming your #1 fan. Much respect. You are the real deal. Binge watching your vids - started playing the guitar in 2000 - (can't curl up on the couch with a drum kit) don't know what the world will be like in the future...all the clubs closing in Austin. Not likely to open up again. Here's hoping to see you playing down here again someday. Shine on dude!
I was very well entertained by Mr Bonamassas smart and educated way to tell the story of these historical important guitars. And, of course, I'm down on my knees because of his breathtakin' playin' !
Like probably everyone watching, I listen to, study, and play guitar every single day--and watching Joe play the Tele is mesmerizing. Also, Joe's getting so sassy with age! Love this guy. KRFW Joe!
Thank you for showing & giving us the story on the Tommy Bolin LP. I've only seen it in pics & often wondered about it. It was nice seeing it up close & personal, & hearing the story behind it.
Hey Joe, that sounds familiar, thanks for sharing Tommy's guitar, you need to do a cover of Post Toastee with your band, it would be epic, I can't believe how many people don't know or don't remember who Tommy Bolin was, he needs to be remembered, whenever I can turn someone on to his music, they're blown away, so please help get the word out, his music needs be remembered and heard!!!!
Joe's did record a Tommy Bolin tune on the tribute CD included with the Teaser remaster (done by Johnny) CD. (The disc is in my studio, can't remember the tune, but Joe did a great job)
Back in the 80's when visiting the guitar shops on Sunset Blvd in North Holley Wood with my father, often times store employees would ask if we were related to Tommy. At the time I was 8 or 10 years old and had no idea what they were talking about. As I look back, lots of good memories of a different time from the perspective and naivety of a young child with no view of the world.
I agree with Joe about the 3 saddle bridge on the Fender. Close is good enough for me. I've spent lots of time and money trying to get perfect intonation on guitars only to conclude that it's a rabbit hole. Another great video to enjoy!
Absolutely love Tommy’s guitar.🔥🎸 what makes it, when Tommy can’t play it I’m so blessed that joe can. And he makes that guitar weep, let alone an awesome guitar player, artist, and human being.
I'm a huge Tommy Bolin fan, without a doubt, for me...he is the man, so important because of the amazing work on Spectrum. I also loved how he didn't confine himself to 1 genre of music. When I saw the L.P. with the flag on the pick guard, on Instagram. I stopped my scroll. I saw Joe's name. I found out he'd got the guitar. I'm so glad a great player, as well as a collector, like Joe got it. TBH I'd heard him on the tribute to Tommy Bolin CD, that was included with my replacement copy of Teaser. Absolutely played my original vinyl until it turned white. Bought a reissue vinyl, hated it, seemed they almost completely dropped one side of the guitar leads. When I bought the Ultimate I didn't have a CD player, I didn't care. (I bought one a few weeks later). Found Teaser on CD at a now defunct record store, that CD sounded just like my reissue vinyl. So I ordered a copy from Germany. Great CD sounded exactly like the original. My step daughter borrowed it, never returned it, so I bought the above mentioned copy. When I found Joe bought the L.P. I decided I'd listen to him. Im not easy to please, but Joe is great. I'm convinced he was/is the right guy to own the guitar. Any way, I saw Tommy with Zephyr my first concert in 1971, they opened for Steppenwolf. Any way, way too long a story.
@@bluesingmusic3443 I can say if joe follows any comments/people, he would be the best one to answer questions on his guitar. But Zephyr concert!! And Steppenwolf!!👍
@@cynthiagrandmont6674 I was 14, back then parents were the boss. I'd saved my lunch $$$ for 3 weeks in 1968 to buy a $3.50 balcony seat for Steppenwolf. Asked Mom to take me, she asked how much. "Son, I don't have THAT kind of money." Told her I had the $$$. She looked at me like I was out rolling drunks in the alley behind the liquor store. "Where'd you get it?" Told her, she said "That's my $$$ & I want it now!" Holding her hand out. I gave her the 3.50 she said "You're 25c short" I gave her the quarter. Anyway she bought me Steppenwolf 2nd, soon after. Yes mom let me go with 2 girls(One of whoms mother was chaperoning us. Got a $5.50 orchestra seat! So loud! But I went! We all looked at each other when we heard them start The Pusher. We knew we were out as soon the 1st chorus started. Nope.(Mrs Smith said she couldn't understand a single word! Lucky for us!) We were quite famous 8th graders btw! Blessings.
Joe, your an awesome guitar player. What I like about you most is your willingness to share with us just how far we, as guitar players, will go in search of that tone we have in our heads
It's interesting to note that Joe's playing got more interesting when he played the Nocaster than the Bolin Burst. That's the proof that the guitar you play matters! 🙂
Thanks, Joe. I'm an old card toting union guitar playing musician of the sixties and seventies--doing the standards from our "Fake Books" at cocktail hour, while playing "Smoke Stack Lightnin," and Big Bill Broonzy tunes at each other's houses on the side. The drudgery, and the glory of music--however you let it wash over you. Great content, Joe. In this Internet wasteland of worthless content, you are a welcome breath of fresh air. Thanks.
Joe! God, I love that LP! And I have a great Tommy Bolin story, too! I was in college in Kearney, Nebraska, back in '83, and taking guitar lessons at Yanda's Music. My teacher was "an old hippie from Denver" who had this totally beat-up SG. Both the neck and the headstock had been broken off, the coverless pickups' plastic bobbins were worn down at the edges, the cherry finish was closer to brown, it had a harmonica bridge with multiple dents, and the "Les Paul" on the trussrod cover was filled with dark brown schmutz. I asked him where he got it and he replied, "It was my friend Tommy's guitar. Ever hear of Zephyr or Deep Purple? This used to be his until he got into Les Pauls and Strats." Uh, YEAH! So, about six months after I started taking lessons he shows up looking real dopesick. So he says, "I'll sell you this for three-hundred and fifty bucks, but it's gotta be cash. No check." Me: ~RUNS TO BANK~ Fast forward nine months. I'm at Dietze Music in Lincoln, and see the brand-new '62RI Strats. Hummmm, Richard Lloyd plays one. Hummmm, Adrian Belew plays one. Hummm, Lou Reed & Robert Quine play one...etc... So I sez to the owner, "I've got this Les Paul SG that used to be Tommy Bolin's. Trade you it for that Strat and that Deluxe Reverb II." He took the deal in what was an obviously no-brainer. So, off Tommy's SG went, never to be seen again. Good news- that Strat and that amp have been my main rig ever since.
Joe, thanks for sharing. Love these videos. Learn a ton about vintage guitars from you. Great to watch you on UA-cam especially during this pandemic...
That Tele run was just amazing. I fantasize about going into my local Guitar Center, telling the snotty clerk I'm thinking about taking lessons, watching him take a cheap-ass Vintage Vibe off the wall, handing it to me, and then going into a full-on Bonamassa demo rage on the damned thing... then handing it back to him, saying "I dunno, dude... the intonation's a bit dodgy... got anything a bit more interesting?"
Billy Cobham Spectrum...a Smoking great album..!! Thanks Nerdville Joe..! RIP Tommy...............!
I bought that album when it first came out and I still listen to it.
Joe is the 'Jay Leno' of all things guitar. Jay's got an interesting story behind every one of his cars and Joe's got a history lesson behind every one of his musical possessions. Priceless.....
Kinda looks and sounds like Leno too. Ha!
well said
They have similar chins
I'll make the argument that TB was the greatest guitar player ever.
well, would be true if leno made his living driving his collection.
Dave Earl Brown was the guy that had this guitar, it was originally David's and he let Tommy use it relentlessly. After this exchange happened, David Earl Brown rolled his vehicle outside of Moab and was killed in the crash. A very unfortunate turn of events, that didn't allow David Earl Brown to actually ever spend the money Joe gave him for this guitar. The The irony of it all is very sad. David was a wild character and was a drum roadie for my band stonefed for years. Thanks Joe for including David in the story. Such an awesome player I'm glad it's going to your museum
Johnny O, great story, how many years ago was this??
@@tomcox9377 last year
@Jon Did David talk about Tommy alot? If so, can you please relay any interesting stories? I know David was with Tommy for a long time and was devastated by his tragic death.
Yes David was always talking about the rig they used on tour. They used EV SRO 100 watt alnico inn the 4x12. They are the heaviest alnico ever. David ended up leaving me with a couple abs they sound awesome. The white strat ended up with his old band mate. The hiwatt 100 with my bandmate. He's missed constantly.
@@jonoradio4243 Thanks Jon :)
I love the color of the ' Brown Thing ' , it is unusually cool , also the Bolin LP has a beautiful burst with all that red , Ducking-A man !
Man, Joe is such a cool dude.
I took guitar lessons for many years as a child before smart phones. Didn’t play for years. Now I’m 29 5 months into playing everyday for hours. Binge watching this man as well
So how's it going with the playing? You must have gotten pretty good as a kid taking lessons for years. It should come back to you fast after a long layoff
Joe is the best! I love how much he plays. He plays more notes than Slash and Schoen put together. A lot of those type of guys can’t talk as much as him. He’s got a huge personality. Keep playing! Keep talking! I love it!
I was the l;ead singer in our band in the 60,s. Tommy Bol;in was our guitarist. The band was named " A PATCH OF BL:UE" He was such a great musician. I remember the first time he came to my parents basement to try out with our band. I went up stairs and tol;d my mom, "that guys gonna be a star", and he certainl;y did ful;fi;ll; that prediction. I'm so happy that I got to know him as a young man before al;l; the substance abuse. We had such fun together.God bl;ess you Tommy and your famil;y and thanks for al;l; the wonderfu;l memories> Dave
Joe, I absolutely love the fact that you get to take custody of these guitars, love you and your work mate, cheers from sunny Somerset (England!) Respect
That brown Les Paul is absolutely sick
I could listen to Joe play & talk about guitars all day🎸
So glad to know Tommy Bolin’s Les Paul is in the best possible hands. Heaven must have been involved in getting this guitar to you, Joe. He was taken way too soon.
How often you get to watch Joe Bonamassa playing with amazing vintage instruments? Quite often! That's why we love UA-cam
Joe I sat in with Tommy at a club in Sioux City in August of 1967. I was with 2 friends of mine that knew Tommy and they told him I needed to sit in because I was really good bass player. I was 17 and Tommy was I believe 16. What a talent Tommy was I was blessed to have this happen.
I could listen to this guy's stories all day. Thanks Joe, for being just a regular Joe geeked out over the little things like us
Incredible Joe. Incredible……….
*ucking love bonamassa's playing. That brown les Paul makes you want to take a bite out of it :)
Great Vid... I have had the pleasure of meeting Joe B. a few times.. ( again just last week ).. What a Great Player / Human.. with a Plethora of " Guitar & Amp Knowledge... Super Humble and very easy to talk with.. Joe Rules..
THANK-YOU JOE FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE BLUES BUT ALL GUITARIST PERIOD , NO MATTER THE KIND OF MUSIC THEY PLAY 🎸🎸 REALLY ENJOY ALL. YOUR MUSIC & PROBABLY THE BEST GUITARIST PLAYING TODAY 🎸😎🎸 KEEP IT REAL BRO 😎🎸🎸😎
For me Tommy is one of the greatest players that ever picked up the instrument...for me he is as great as Hendrix...🎸🎸🎸
Holy MACKEREL, Tommy Bolin, your coolness rating is going way up Joe, didn't know you were a fan of his, DREAMER I KNOW, PEOPLE PEOPLE, WILD DOGS, SO MANY GREAT SONGS...
Joe makes any old guitar sounds great
Best guitar player as a collector i've ever seen
Had the great fortune of meeting up with Tommy (and Stanley Sheldon) on several occasions in Denver and Boulder in the 70's before the 2 got really big! Actually saw Tommy in a club in Boulder where he was playing the Les Paul. Being a Les Paul owner myself, I asked him during a break how he liked the guitar. He said it was fun to play but he preferred the strat! I miss the hell out of that guy! For me it was almost the day the music died when he passed. Fortunately his legacy forever lives in all the incredible music he left with us! Thank You Joe for bringing this to all Bolin fans. It's awesome to know that part of him is in such awesome hands!
Your an ok guitar player....... yea right a badass guitar player !!
I saw Tommy at Winterland a few months before he died he is the reason I started playing guitar
That LP though! As soon as he started playing it i was like "Wha?? Where is THAT tone coming from?" Then I looked at the pickups. P90s for the win!
It’s kinda nice that Joe has Tommys guitar .. Glenn Hughes loved Tommy like a brother. Soar sometime Glenn and Tommys guitar will play together again.
That NoCaster is Incredible.... Tonality is Sublime !
"I'm a stick and rudder guy". Excellent!
I could listen to Joe talk guitars all day everyday!
We used to race to the store when Tommy would put out an album. He would be a king if he'd a lived.
Absolutely my brother. Absolutely!
The "stories" of these guitars are so neat to hear. Thanks for sharing them. They couldn't be in better hands.
That's so awesome that one great musician preservers the memory of the other greats, thank you Joe!
Worked at a gig in the 70's when Tommy opened a show with Rush headlining. Tommy was a super nice guy, not healthy at the time, playing with his muffled, bass heavy sound. He turned his TV on full blast at the motel and never turned it off when he left to do the gig.
I love Joe’s story telling and excellent humor and wit. Add “TV” personality/presenter to the list of his wonderful gifts. I also appreciate Joe’s sense of value on very limited objects of sound and visual beauty…and then playing them for us. It’s great that he can and does. Detractors may say people like him are “hoarders” or blame them for the exponential growth in value of these instruments. I say bravo. By doing so, it insures that many of these machines of wonder can last for millennia. We are fortunate for people like Joe (collectors) who not only feel the sense of responsibility for their temporary custodianship of these objects, but also the passion, love and means to share them with us.
Please keep doing this for the rest of your life, Joe. I respect you immensely for doing so.
Oh yeah, you’re pretty good on guitar.
I like the sound of the brown thing the best!
Sounds like a big angry cello. Love it. More please! :)
Spectrum - you just blew my mind
What a blessing.
Love Spectrum, Tommy fell under my radar till this year.
Thanks Joe for buying these great guitars and playing them for us. A truly great player who's worked so hard to get where he is and buying these great guitars and amps for us to see.
Joe's talent Goes so far beyond the norm he is truly one of the greatest in our life time
I always dig his gear story's as he has some of the absolute dreamiest gear known to mankind....I'm truly appreciative of his sharing with all of us watchers of " Nerdville USA". 😎👍👍
Simply Joe ♡♡♡
Tommy was amazing , got to see him at Winterland ..
i'm very happy that these awesome guitars that so unique are being shared with the world on you tube . and preserved for all to enjoy bravo bravo Joe
Man, I love to hear Joe playing a Tele. My brother who was on a working vacation away from came back and told me him and buddy went to see this rockin show. When he told me the guys name. He asked if I've ever heard of Joe Bonamassa of being a guitar player I had. But to my brother the gearhead it was a like heaven opened up to him. He loved the show Most of all it was great to share a passion of mine with my flesh and blood.
JoBo 🌹
This is awesome! I got to see Tommy play that guitar 🎸 and I got to see you play it right after you got it.. how cool and blessed to be able to tell you this! Love your sense of humor! Let's have a Margarita.. and I was one of those "cutouts" 😘
♥️🎸♥️
Love this guy
Excellent job Joe! Love Tommy Bolin. I used to live out in Boulder Colorado not to long after he died. Jammed with Bobby Berge 3 times. Killer experience! Jamming with your guitar heroes drummer? Come on! Played on Buddy Miles album. That made me one step/degree away from Jimi. He used to live right across the street from me. Met some important inside people & ended up with an amazing collection of Tommy's recordings! I had all the stuff the "Archives" has before there was even an archive. Bought a'67 Sam Ash pedal in Boulder in '78. We've talked before at Gillys in Dayton before. Didn't know you were a Bolin fan then. Could've shared a ton of stories. Would still like to if anyway possible. Buy the way, I cant stand haters!
I was out in Boulder 25 years ago and went to the Fox Theater. Had a conversation with a guy who had all kinds of stories about Tommy playing with Jimmy Haslip and how there was a huge forgive the term “Cult Following” still out there for Tommy’s music. Don’t know how long the Fox theater has been around and I don’t remember if the guy said Tommy played there but there was obviously a bunch of places back then because it seemed to be home base for a few musicians.
Tell John Herdt I said Hi. I'm the same way about Tommy.
Lightbulb goes off...maybe joe should open a museum in Chattanooga ...SongBonamasa’s?
That is so cool that you found Tommy’s guitar. I became a fan of his in the last 70’s just a little too late to see him live. I did have an older friend that saw him at a small club in Jersey or New York. Said he was just a dude with long hair that just jammed on the guitar. Thanks for sharing Joe.
How to make the wife mad: 1) Have the vocal mic set to -6dB; 2) Have the guitar mic set to +6dB.
I lived in Denver when Zephyr started in Boulder. I previously played in a band with their drummer Robbie Chamberlin. Robbie had lost his drivers license so I'd give him a ride from BowMar up to Boulder for practice. The band had a house there, but Robbie wanted to live at his Mom's. Tommy was unique in that he could visualize the notes being played on his guitar when he listened to a song. His stage presence was electric, along with Candi's singing, with the kind of bluesy-jazzy feel that just grabbed you! Thanks Joe for sharing your story.
I could talk guitars with him all day, my kinda guy, I just wish I could play just a little bit as good as he is. I completely agree with him about Telecasters, great down to earth guy.
This is what I like about Joe, that's why he's my favorite guitar hero. He's a smart and just very informative guy.
It's refreshing to see an amazing guitarist play the vintage instruments that he buys
Joe is so cool! One of the best ever. Bucket list for me. Joe come to the west coast. San Diego would be convenient. Blues on!
Joe is the real deal
Thanks Joe for sharing Tommy's guitar with us. I've been a Tommy Bolin fan for 40 years and I've often wondered what happened to that guitar. Cheers 🍻🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
I wish I was the heir to Joe's guitar and amp collection
Wow- the Spectrum album had all guitar players talking- I was fortunate to see him on a solo tour before he joined Deep Purple. I remember he was a Strat guy with the James Gang I thought. Thanks Joe , the story of how you acquired the guitar is great!
Joe is great to listen too. Just a regular guy who doesn't make feel you want to quit guitar playing when you see him playing 100 times better than you.
Thanx Joe!
So true! When out on the context of his personality, his playing is inspiring-a shared joy of the instrument comes through even to those of us on a much lower skill-level floor.
Tommy was one of the great ones.
HOLY CRAP I just realized what parallel universe I’m in right here.
He is to guitars, what
Jay is to cars. 🤜🤛
That's a good observation! I don't know why some people give Joe crap for collecting so many guitars. He can afford these classics, but also, at least he really uses them.
@@ATX0705 people just get joy out of hating things these days. They love being miserable, social media has been a poison to society.
@@cardbored_ Get where ya coming from!
And there is also many other car & guitar collectors none of us will ever know because they're not players or ex race car drivers etc etc. The good thing about collectors like this is they respect history. I did laugh at your comparison, very true.
Thanks I appreciate these wonderful stories
The absolute perfect comfy chair for playin guitar. Want one!
Incredible playing on the tele. Wow.
saw Tommy Bolin with james gang at cleveland stadium. summer 1974
Congratulations sir you are a veteran
Dude...I'm a drummer...1960 model. Been living in Austin TX for the last 40 years, originally from Potsdam NY. I discovered you a few months ago and am becoming your #1 fan. Much respect. You are the real deal. Binge watching your vids - started playing the guitar in 2000 - (can't curl up on the couch with a drum kit) don't know what the world will be like in the future...all the clubs closing in Austin. Not likely to open up again. Here's hoping to see you playing down here again someday. Shine on dude!
Joe's come a long way from "The Beginning"
I was fortunate to be in Central NY when Joe was starting his career.
Fantastic piece. I really appreciate your perseverance in finding these guitars!
I was very well entertained by Mr Bonamassas smart and educated way to tell the story of these historical important guitars. And, of course, I'm down on my knees because of his breathtakin' playin' !
Like probably everyone watching, I listen to, study, and play guitar every single day--and watching Joe play the Tele is mesmerizing. Also, Joe's getting so sassy with age! Love this guy. KRFW Joe!
Nice to see you can take a break from the beet farm and shred some guitar!
I love the 51 Nocaster, love seeing you play it in the video of your song Drive. It sounds great. Thanks.
The LP with the P-90's is just killer diller.
Who else notices that Joe B. has worked hard and he has developed into one of the worlds best electric Blues guitarists in the world ?
This guy just keeps getting better. I don’t think he’s human.
Thank you for showing & giving us the story on the Tommy Bolin LP.
I've only seen it in pics & often wondered about it. It was nice seeing it up close & personal, & hearing the story behind it.
Hey Joe, that sounds familiar, thanks for sharing Tommy's guitar, you need to do a cover of Post Toastee with your band, it would be epic, I can't believe how many people don't know or don't remember who Tommy Bolin was, he needs to be remembered, whenever I can turn someone on to his music, they're blown away, so please help get the word out, his music needs be remembered and heard!!!!
Yeah Man! Post Toastee would be epic! Crazed Fandango would be also. Cheers!
Joe's did record a Tommy Bolin tune on the tribute CD included with the Teaser remaster (done by Johnny) CD. (The disc is in my studio, can't remember the tune, but Joe did a great job)
Back in the 80's when visiting the guitar shops on Sunset Blvd in North Holley Wood with my father, often times store employees would ask if we were related to Tommy. At the time I was 8 or 10 years old and had no idea what they were talking about. As I look back, lots of good memories of a different time from the perspective and naivety of a young child with no view of the world.
I agree with Joe about the 3 saddle bridge on the Fender. Close is good enough for me. I've spent lots of time and money trying to get perfect intonation on guitars only to conclude that it's a rabbit hole. Another great video to enjoy!
I have no idea what he's talking about but i can listen to his enthusiasm and nerdiness , is that even a word, all day long
This is SO FUN to hear all the history, thoughts, comments PLEASE keep them coming!! LOVE IT! GATTON!!
Absolutely love Tommy’s guitar.🔥🎸 what makes it, when Tommy can’t play it I’m so blessed that joe can. And he makes that guitar weep, let alone an awesome guitar player, artist, and human being.
Thank you for your talents, wisdom, and extraordinary work ethic. Everything you do seems to bewilder me. 🎸 ⚡️❤️🎸
I'm a huge Tommy Bolin fan, without a doubt, for me...he is the man, so important because of the amazing work on Spectrum. I also loved how he didn't confine himself to 1 genre of music. When I saw the L.P. with the flag on the pick guard, on Instagram. I stopped my scroll. I saw Joe's name. I found out he'd got the guitar. I'm so glad a great player, as well as a collector, like Joe got it. TBH I'd heard him on the tribute to Tommy Bolin CD, that was included with my replacement copy of Teaser. Absolutely played my original vinyl until it turned white. Bought a reissue vinyl, hated it, seemed they almost completely dropped one side of the guitar leads. When I bought the Ultimate I didn't have a CD player, I didn't care. (I bought one a few weeks later). Found Teaser on CD at a now defunct record store, that CD sounded just like my reissue vinyl. So I ordered a copy from Germany. Great CD sounded exactly like the original. My step daughter borrowed it, never returned it, so I bought the above mentioned copy. When I found Joe bought the L.P. I decided I'd listen to him. Im not easy to please, but Joe is great. I'm convinced he was/is the right guy to own the guitar. Any way, I saw Tommy with Zephyr my first concert in 1971, they opened for Steppenwolf. Any way, way too long a story.
@@bluesingmusic3443 I can say if joe follows any comments/people, he would be the best one to answer questions on his guitar. But Zephyr concert!! And Steppenwolf!!👍
@@cynthiagrandmont6674 I was 14, back then parents were the boss. I'd saved my lunch $$$ for 3 weeks in 1968 to buy a $3.50 balcony seat for Steppenwolf. Asked Mom to take me, she asked how much. "Son, I don't have THAT kind of money." Told her I had the $$$. She looked at me like I was out rolling drunks in the alley behind the liquor store. "Where'd you get it?" Told her, she said "That's my $$$ & I want it now!" Holding her hand out. I gave her the 3.50 she said "You're 25c short" I gave her the quarter. Anyway she bought me Steppenwolf 2nd, soon after. Yes mom let me go with 2 girls(One of whoms mother was chaperoning us. Got a $5.50 orchestra seat! So loud! But I went! We all looked at each other when we heard them start The Pusher. We knew we were out as soon the 1st chorus started. Nope.(Mrs Smith said she couldn't understand a single word! Lucky for us!) We were quite famous 8th graders btw! Blessings.
I love the fret wear close ups. And finish wear/ refrets etc. Thanks joe cool guy. Gentlemen.
Joe, your an awesome guitar player. What I like about you most is your willingness to share with us just how far we, as guitar players, will go in search of that tone we have in our heads
Love how you share your stories behind the guitars and let the rest of us enjoy it. Keep hoarding Joe!
Tommy Bolin changed the guitar landscape back in the day..!! RIP,you crazy genius..!!
Can't play a note but I love old cool things and these cover that. Oh, and love great music.
Nice story. Nice that the guitar has a great, permanent home. Love the duck bit.
You're bloody good entertainment Joe,thank you very much (in the words of Elvis).
Ultra cool history lesson. Thank you, Joe!🏆
Nice story. God bless your soul Tommy Bolin. You are deeply missed.
Love these videos. Thanks so much Joe..
It's interesting to note that Joe's playing got more interesting when he played the Nocaster than the Bolin Burst. That's the proof that the guitar you play matters! 🙂
Thanks, Joe. I'm an old card toting union guitar playing musician of the sixties and seventies--doing the standards from our "Fake Books" at cocktail hour, while playing "Smoke Stack Lightnin," and Big Bill Broonzy tunes at each other's houses on the side. The drudgery, and the glory of music--however you let it wash over you. Great content, Joe. In this Internet wasteland of worthless content, you are a welcome breath of fresh air. Thanks.
Thanks Joe for the Bolin Burst segment. I'm a Bolin fan, but not a strat guy! :)
Same here. I prefer Telecasters.
Joe! God, I love that LP! And I have a great Tommy Bolin story, too! I was in college in Kearney, Nebraska, back in '83, and taking guitar lessons at Yanda's Music. My teacher was "an old hippie from Denver" who had this totally beat-up SG. Both the neck and the headstock had been broken off, the coverless pickups' plastic bobbins were worn down at the edges, the cherry finish was closer to brown, it had a harmonica bridge with multiple dents, and the "Les Paul" on the trussrod cover was filled with dark brown schmutz. I asked him where he got it and he replied, "It was my friend Tommy's guitar. Ever hear of Zephyr or Deep Purple? This used to be his until he got into Les Pauls and Strats." Uh, YEAH! So, about six months after I started taking lessons he shows up looking real dopesick. So he says, "I'll sell you this for three-hundred and fifty bucks, but it's gotta be cash. No check." Me: ~RUNS TO BANK~
Fast forward nine months. I'm at Dietze Music in Lincoln, and see the brand-new '62RI Strats. Hummmm, Richard Lloyd plays one. Hummmm, Adrian Belew plays one. Hummm, Lou Reed & Robert Quine play one...etc... So I sez to the owner, "I've got this Les Paul SG that used to be Tommy Bolin's. Trade you it for that Strat and that Deluxe Reverb II." He took the deal in what was an obviously no-brainer. So, off Tommy's SG went, never to be seen again. Good news- that Strat and that amp have been my main rig ever since.
Joe, thanks for sharing. Love these videos. Learn a ton about vintage guitars from you. Great to watch you on UA-cam especially during this pandemic...
That Tele run was just amazing. I fantasize about going into my local Guitar Center, telling the snotty clerk I'm thinking about taking lessons, watching him take a cheap-ass Vintage Vibe off the wall, handing it to me, and then going into a full-on Bonamassa demo rage on the damned thing... then handing it back to him, saying "I dunno, dude... the intonation's a bit dodgy... got anything a bit more interesting?"
Yeah, I got to watch him tear my face off with it about 2 yeras ago, damn he can play!