He is simply amazing! And to make it even better...he doesn't look like he'd pick FIRE! This guy does some serious acoustic lead breaks too... ua-cam.com/video/wNipYXqPgnU/v-deo.html
I fell in love with "Hot Rod Lincoln" in 1972, when I played it incessantly on a dime juke box in a Copake, NY diner when I was 10 years old. I was a drummer then, but his guitar fascinated me. I was finally asked to stop playing the song over and over by the owner of the diner. So, here's one of the greatest days of my life: I was sitting in with a friend who was opening for Bill in 2013. We had already met several times, but I guess he liked my playing that night , because I was putting away my gear when he says: "I wouldn't put that stuff away if you want to sit in." I was freaked out, in a good way. It was an outdoor gig, and a brief little drizzle started up. I threw my Telecaster into its case, and asked Bill if he wanted me to cover his up too. His reply: "Son, the only reason we put Telecasters in cases is so they don't hurt the other instruments." A few songs in to playing with him and his band, he starts off Tony Joe White's "Polk Salad Annie." Then he yells over to me: "you take it!" In my head, I'm like: "Hell no! You're Bill Kirchen. YOU play lead - I'm just keeping time!" But then he takes off his guitar, and figure I have no choice. Next thing I know, he comes around behind me and yells in my ear: "you take the low strings, I'll take the high strings!" Not only was I lucky enough to play with one of my all-time guitar heroes, but I got to play with him ON THE SAME GUITAR. I am truly blessed.
@@savage22bolt32 So true, and that's what I always aim for. I always tell my fellow musicians that when we are playing (meaning when I'm the front singer and guitarist) to be prepared to go anywhere, that things will change depending on whre the audience is. A five minute song may be shrunk to three minutes, or stretched out to ten. Hell, if people are dancing, I'll vamp on a tune, throw in other songs harmonically or rhythmically related for as long as they want to go! One of my favorites is playing a new song after only running it down a few times. Either it dies, or it comes out with things you never thought possible. One night as I was handing out the setlists, one of my guys said: "so how many high-wire-acts are we doing tonight?" Now I mark it on the list: 'high-wire' and they're always right there with me. Working with other intuitive musicians is a blessing not to be taken lightly. Thanks for the kind words!
great story. thanks for the laughs. I'm thinking the performance on this video belongs in the Guinness Book Of Records listed under "most songs put into one medley". a bit of a stretch to call it a "medley", but it deserves the title anyway.
(in case you missed it) 6:48 Billie Jean King is a famous tennis player from 1966-1975. That's why he mimicked a tennis match with his guitar. Brilliant.
THIS version of hot rod Lincoln is awesome. They don't make music like that anymore. The music of today sucks!!! The artists today have no imagination whatsoever. Bring back the oldies. Your friend- Paul.
William (Bill) Knight Kirchen(73) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. He was a member of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen from 1967 to the mid-1970s and is known as a "Titan of The Telecaster" for his musical prowess on the guitar. Wikipedia
Now this man knows how to make MUSIC on the guitar instead of just playing patterns like these "shredders" who can't play a melody without a crib sheet. Awesome! I really enjoyed that.
Hey wait a minute now are you saying that because I predominantly play death metal and thrash metal and can do all that cliche stuff that I don't have any rhythm in my soul or Style? You don't know what you're talkin about most guitar players worth their salt have to learn all the stuff that they just played on that stage right now
@@brucea550 No I play death and thrash but much more also . country ect... BUT Bill's guitar playing on that boogie woogie rhythm is BLAZING FAST. For what he is playing it is not easy. I can't keep up with him. NO WAY
Redd Volkaert(63) was a successor to Roy Nichols in Merle Haggard's backing band, and is "among the country’s top Telecaster guitar slingers." Volkaert won a 2009 Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance. Wikipedia
I saw him in Tulsa with Comander Cody in a dingy strip center converted into a nightclub in 1972. When they came out of backstage after the break, the pot smoke poured out the door. Good times. I saw the Eagles open for Jethro Tull about the same time period.
That's likely around the same time I saw them at the Academy Of Music on 14th st in Manhattan. I think the other acts on the bill were The Flying Burrito Brothers (Post-Gram) and Nils Lofgren & Grin, but I might be conflating two different shows.
I met Bill at Musicfest Vancouver Island a few years ago. We had a great chat...and he was funny,affable and very approachable...and that looks like Red Volkaert on his left..He also played Musicfest and is considered one of the best also.
You can just picture this guy as a teenager listening to 45s, albums, and later to cassettes, and CDs listening and playing over and over to get it just right.
They were the opening act for a leo sayer concert on the u of m ( st. paul mn.) campus back in 1978 0r 9. great time. i was there. front row. i was the one who hollered " hey it works " at the sound check for leo's mike. everyone sat on their hands for commander.
Nice cover of a Charlie Ryan tune, and cool medley. The first time I heard Hot Rod Lincoln was the Commander Cody version. In the 1970s my cousin had a band that did a cover of this song and their fiddle player would make tire squealing sounds.
These are quite possibly the world's coolest Grandpas.
GREAT Grandpas!
No doubt
Quite possibly?
@@koshersalaami
Any time I need to impress the marks, I slip in a 'quite possibly'...
... and watch their eyes go slack.
Good times, good times.
These grandpas kicked my grandpa's ass
That guy has forgotten more about guitar than most people will ever learn . This guys technique is fabulous. What a Great Guitar player
what about the bass?
Hes out the back having a smoke with the drummer 🤣
He is simply amazing! And to make it even better...he doesn't look like he'd pick FIRE!
This guy does some serious acoustic lead breaks too...
ua-cam.com/video/wNipYXqPgnU/v-deo.html
Q lmk
Entertaining!
Bill Kirchen is a national treasure of the United States of America.
Came for Hotrod Lincoln...
Stayed for the show...
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
I fell in love with "Hot Rod Lincoln" in 1972, when I played it incessantly on a dime juke box in a Copake, NY diner when I was 10 years old. I was a drummer then, but his guitar fascinated me. I was finally asked to stop playing the song over and over by the owner of the diner.
So, here's one of the greatest days of my life:
I was sitting in with a friend who was opening for Bill in 2013. We had already met several times, but I guess he liked my playing that night , because I was putting away my gear when he says: "I wouldn't put that stuff away if you want to sit in." I was freaked out, in a good way.
It was an outdoor gig, and a brief little drizzle started up. I threw my Telecaster into its case, and asked Bill if he wanted me to cover his up too. His reply: "Son, the only reason we put Telecasters in cases is so they don't hurt the other instruments."
A few songs in to playing with him and his band, he starts off Tony Joe White's "Polk Salad Annie." Then he yells over to me: "you take it!"
In my head, I'm like: "Hell no! You're Bill Kirchen. YOU play lead - I'm just keeping time!"
But then he takes off his guitar, and figure I have no choice. Next thing I know, he comes around behind me and yells in my ear: "you take the low strings, I'll take the high strings!"
Not only was I lucky enough to play with one of my all-time guitar heroes, but I got to play with him ON THE SAME GUITAR.
I am truly blessed.
Such a great story!
Amazing story, Jahn. That's one for the grand-kids someday.
That is so awesome!
It's good to be forced out of your comfort zone. You never know what can happen!
@@savage22bolt32 So true, and that's what I always aim for. I always tell my fellow musicians that when we are playing (meaning when I'm the front singer and guitarist) to be prepared to go anywhere, that things will change depending on whre the audience is. A five minute song may be shrunk to three minutes, or stretched out to ten. Hell, if people are dancing, I'll vamp on a tune, throw in other songs harmonically or rhythmically related for as long as they want to go! One of my favorites is playing a new song after only running it down a few times. Either it dies, or it comes out with things you never thought possible. One night as I was handing out the setlists, one of my guys said: "so how many high-wire-acts are we doing tonight?" Now I mark it on the list: 'high-wire' and they're always right there with me. Working with other intuitive musicians is a blessing not to be taken lightly. Thanks for the kind words!
great story. thanks for the laughs.
I'm thinking the performance on this video belongs in the Guinness Book Of Records listed under "most songs put into one medley". a bit of a stretch to call it a "medley", but it deserves the title anyway.
Always thought Hot Rod Lincoln was the original, coolest rockabilly song ever and Bill confirms it.
It's August 2022. I'm loving these 2 dudes😍
Peace-out 🌎💞
I got to hold Bill’s tele one time in Rochester. He does a Christmas show - it’s light as balso wood
A self-contained lesson in the history of rock ‘n roll.
...and blues and country and ....
That was the best 9 mins I have spent in a long time. Terrific!
What a totally amazing guitarist. This video has most definitely been a huge pleasure to watch. Thank those who made it possible.
Yes👍Thank you👍
yes ua-cam.com/video/R1Gzb-snFeI/v-deo.html
Holy crap, is there nothing this guy can't play. Awesome.
Peeled myself up off the floor here, and Wowzers! Edmund Fitzgerald...I almost died.
:-D Seriously amazing talents here, yes!
I can't imagine being this comfy on a guitar to just be bop n hop around through songs like this. That's pretty awesome!
Yup it's called a medley . it's fun.
Had the pleasure of hanging with him back in the 80's GREAT dude!😁
50 years of music history in 9 minutes!
These guys are having fun, it’s infectious. I’m loving every minute.
sure ua-cam.com/video/R1Gzb-snFeI/v-deo.html
Awesome show still sound the same. Saw CC & LPA in the 60s at Pinto Lake 3 day concert along with Sopwith Camel.
What a great show.
I’ve never heard so many guitar styles in one place in my lifetime!
Son I said Boy you gonna drive me to drinking if you don't stop driving that Hot Rod Lincoln !!!💥🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
This guy just played every lick ive been talkin about for 40 years.
(in case you missed it) 6:48 Billie Jean King is a famous tennis player from 1966-1975. That's why he mimicked a tennis match with his guitar. Brilliant.
I'm from Michigan, in fact only about an hour from Ada. I wish I had known about this and gone!
This just freaking awesome,,,great song two insane amazing guitarist ❤
Excellent outstanding amazing and spectacular!
So sayeth the PETE!
Ladies and gentle men this is a master at his work.
Just love Bill and guitar snobs have never heard of the man.
THIS version of hot rod Lincoln is awesome. They don't make music like that anymore. The music of today sucks!!! The artists today have no imagination whatsoever. Bring back the oldies. Your friend- Paul.
one day i will own a tele but prolly wont ever be good enough to justify it . this is great
William (Bill) Knight Kirchen(73) is an American guitarist, singer and
songwriter. He was a member of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
from 1967 to the mid-1970s and is known as a "Titan of The Telecaster"
for his musical prowess on the guitar. Wikipedia
He covered a multitude of musicians and still got the song finished. So enjoyed it ☺️☺️.
Even if I caould play this, I would have forgotten which song we started out with.
This guy has been kicking ass for so long and so well.
fella on his left ain't bad either: mr redd volkaert.
@@matthewchunk3689 I don't know much about the other guy but he is dang good.
@@matthewchunk3689
amen to that understatement. thanks for cluing us to who he is.
That man is full of rock and roll, and joyous about it. A pleasure to watch.
Your gonna drive me to Drink'n if you don't stop driv'n that-Hot-Rod-Lincoln!
Now this man knows how to make MUSIC on the guitar instead of just playing patterns like these "shredders" who can't play a melody without a crib sheet. Awesome! I really enjoyed that.
He's more than shredder sir . You're correct .A fine guitar player
I took a seminar he taught about twenty years ago in Nashville. Best 4 hours of my life. Told some great road stories and picked a mean guitar.
Hey wait a minute now are you saying that because I predominantly play death metal and thrash metal and can do all that cliche stuff that I don't have any rhythm in my soul or Style? You don't know what you're talkin about most guitar players worth their salt have to learn all the stuff that they just played on that stage right now
@@mikekovko7563 I’ve never met/heard a death/thrash metal player who knew how to play much else. Guess you’re the exception?
@@brucea550 No I play death and thrash but much more also . country ect... BUT Bill's guitar playing on that boogie woogie rhythm is BLAZING FAST. For what he is playing it is not easy. I can't keep up with him. NO WAY
Red Volkaert AND Bill Kirchen....... damn would have loved to see this live!!!
That Telecaster is like an Ouija Board....calling up all the spirits.
Awesome!!!!!! Reminds me of my daddy and all musicians I grew up with-- and sense of humor. Ty God needed this tonight!
Redd Volkaert(63) was a successor to Roy Nichols in Merle Haggard's
backing band, and is "among the country’s top Telecaster guitar
slingers." Volkaert won a 2009 Grammy for Best Country Instrumental
Performance. Wikipedia
Always loved Commander Cody & his crew, always will
Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen was one of the greatest bands on all Times ! Saw them live a few times ! Crazy fun !!
Uncle Bill is the best!!!
DAMN I wish I'd been invited to that party.
Well thats 9:13 seconds of time well spent!!
Insane video. What a gem. Can't believe this doesn't have 500million views.
First i wordered how he could make HotRodLinclon last almost 10 min.. Well. Wilbur...... Wow. The Dude Nailed every one . on the Head. ..
That old pine body tele of his has a voice of it's own!
Absolutely! Most will never understand the ability it requires to get a certain sound of every musical instrument.
Pine? I bought a fairly newer Tele that I thought was unique but loved it and had no idea they had a history as a guitar wood. Cool to know.
That's so... but Bill's fingers are in there somewhere too! :)
He flipped the knobs 180 degrees. Great volume swells.
Saw him with gthe Commander on the grass in front of CCNY in May 1973. A free concert. The Eagles opened for them.
I saw him in Tulsa with Comander Cody in a dingy strip center converted into a nightclub in 1972. When they came out of backstage after the break, the pot smoke poured out the door. Good times. I saw the Eagles open for Jethro Tull about the same time period.
That's likely around the same time I saw them at the Academy Of Music on 14th st in Manhattan. I think the other acts on the bill were The Flying Burrito Brothers (Post-Gram) and Nils Lofgren & Grin, but I might be conflating two different shows.
Reminded me of my uncle Rick uncle Bill and my papaw Johnson lots of fun Rest in peace.
Click for hot rod Lincoln which we have been listening to for years the rest was a treat God bless thanks for posting
Outstanding ... in a field, but ... Outstanding. LOL Great!
An awesome performance! I really enjoyed his sampling of some of the guitar playing styles of other famous musicians.
So enjoyable. What a showman.
This is one of those clips that needs to be rated way more than just one thumbs up!
Now that was fun to watch, great job. Loved it
Oh man, did I NEED this.
These two guys are AWESOME,,,Thank you
Awesome. I wish I was at that show. Could watch this guy for hours.
I was at that show right behind the camera guy in back yard around Rockford Michigan they gave away a signed Telecaster 👍
126 people are simply wrong. This is masterful.
Well now that was way more fun than expected. !!!!!!! Respect sir...!
These old timers are getting few and far between...enjoy them while we can folks!!!
So true
Agree 100%
outstanding! any fan of guitar will LOVE this awesome tribute!
If you wanted to explain American rock n roll to a foreigner this is the quintessential song. It says everything!!
I met Bill at Musicfest Vancouver Island a few years ago. We had a great chat...and he was funny,affable and very approachable...and that looks like Red Volkaert on his left..He also played Musicfest and is considered one of the best also.
I dont see how he can play that tune so fast at the end. I can't even play it at regular speed.🎸🎸🎵🎼🎶👍
Not sure how I got here... but WOW!
THAT GUY IS AWESOME!!THAT TELECASTER & FENDER TWIN REVERB SOUNDS AMAZING!!!
Fantastic Bill...
Jesus..Bill K and Redd Volkeart...OMG...Legends...Sounds like a backyard BBQ...lucky fans.
You can just picture this guy as a teenager listening to 45s, albums, and later to cassettes, and CDs listening and playing over and over to get it just right.
They were the opening act for a leo sayer concert on the u of m ( st. paul mn.) campus back in 1978 0r 9. great time. i was there. front row. i was the one who hollered " hey it works " at the sound check for leo's mike. everyone sat on their hands for commander.
THAT MADE A MEH DAY BETTER LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FAN-TASTIC!! Those two Gentlemen are awesome! 👍👍🤠
I loved every bit of it
So fun to watch. Thanks.
He's been a fave of mine for years, great to see t his vid! He'll never get old, that's for sure! Born entertainer, and oh, that geee-tar!
Guy is awesome
This guy is Great
Outstanding Performance!! These guys are Fantastic!!! Thanks for posting this. I just clicked because of Hot Rod Lincoln but what a great surprise.
Old school pure entertainment!!!🇺🇸
Bill!! Excellent!! Thank You!!
Excellent.
Wow!!! So amazing
All I can say is Wow ! Loved it . Wish we could have a party in the back yard like that. 👍🖖✌💖
Very cool!! RIP George Frayne
Saw him with Dave Alvin at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA before the shit down. Blew everyone away! Great show.
These guys are awesome.
Fantastic!!!
Amazing performers right here
Great job! Very entertaining.
One of the all time greats.
Good guitar players are always fun I love that old tune
Absolutely fantastic!
Nice cover of a Charlie Ryan tune, and cool medley. The first time I heard Hot Rod Lincoln was the Commander Cody version. In the 1970s my cousin had a band that did a cover of this song and their fiddle player would make tire squealing sounds.
He was in the group then.
Love this! Red Volkert too.
Amazing guitar skills 👌
Awesome performance.
An American musical legend!
I enjoyed every minute of that...well done.
JUST INCREDIBLE!!!!!! Thank you for sharing