As an 18 yr old kid in 1989 I met Danny Gatton in Lucky’s Restaurant in Blasdell NY. He was shocked a young metalhead knew who he was. Very humble nice guy & incredible talent!
I can hold my hand up to that comment. I was very fortunate to grow up right between Baltimore & DC and saw Danny on a handful of occasions. Everything that Warner said was true and then some! John Previti is a Monster bassist with as broad a skill set as Danny had. I was also lucky enough to have a couple of one on one encounters with Danny and he was the most humble, good humored Man one could meet. We can all continue to enjoy what he left us!!!😌
I live in DC and got to see Danny with various bands over the years, my favorite was a trio he had with Billy Hancock on bass and vocals and Dave Elliott on drums. Great Rockabilly band. Grog and Tankard was a small bar on Wisconsin Avenue in DC. Miss seeing him, he was the best. Thanks Otis, really enjoyed the Mike Bub interviews recently too Thanks
"The Humbler" with Robert Gordon is one of the most kick ass albums you've ever heard. I bought it from Norma Gatton, his mother who used to sell his CD's. Truly the finest Tele picker of all time!
When I was a student at Berkelee Danny came and did an evening show at the performance hall and it was great! Earlier in the day he did a masterclass and I skipped class to go see it. It was in a small room with maybe 15 or 20 people (students and faculty). He said, "I've never done one of these so my bass player and I are going to play and you can ask us questions." He was amazing and super nice!
love these stories, I was fortunate to see Danny Gatton up close numerous times in NYC! I had tickets to see Danny at The Bottom Line (now closed) here in NYC which was scheduled a for a few weeks after he tragically died, his band and the Hellecasters played a tribute to him, was so sad but I couldn't miss it. I really miss him. RIP Danny Gatton
I lived in DC 1977-2000 and saw Danny Gatton many many times at places like the Grog and Tankard,The Cellar Door, Psychedeli, Desperados and Crazy Horse . My friend Chuck was his soundman. DC had this great rockabilly scene with Tex Rubinowitz and Billy Hancock.
Saw Warner at the tiny downstairs room at the Hope & Anchor in Islington, London, just before Christmas 2021. Fantastic. Otis, do you know the club’s off-color nickname from the old days?
My dad took me to see Jason and The Scorchers a few times as a kid. You were playing a black Flying V if I remember correctly, and YOU are one of the guys that inspired me to play guitar.
The Humbler was as good as it gets. And Red Neck Jazz Explosion (featuring Danny and Buddy Emmons!!!) is one of the greatest bands that has ever existed. Two of the greatest players on their respective instruments inspiring each other every night. Thanks for posting this Otis.
I was aware of Danny long before he left us, regret that I was never able to see him live. Warner is a wonderful story teller! Kudos Otis, you've always chosen great, perhaps unexpected storytellers.
Danny Gatton and Scotty Anderson…been waiting for one guitarist outve Nashville to mention Scotty Anderson and I haven’t as of yet. Danny definitely knew who Scotty was an they were going to do an album, but Gatton passed before it could happen
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One of Gattons sobriquets was "The Humbler". I agree, after seeing him I thought game over for me. [It also motivated me] I don't know why he never garnered a ton of fame, but somehow I don't think he cared. RIP Danny. Thanks brother you're appreciated.
Danny Gatton had a protege, you know; and everybody has heard of him. Joe Bonamassa's Dad was a musician and Joe grew up with a guitar in hand and his father's encouragement; Danny discovered him at age 11 and mentored and trained him, and at age 12 he was opening for BB King. Try to listen to Danny Gatton's album "The Humbler,"(which was his nickname) - it includes some incredible performances and the Hammond B-3 Master Joey Difrancesco. And, as Warner has said, all the sidemen were also monster players.
Saw Danny at the Ritz in New York when he was playing in Robert Gordon’s band. My friends had a band that opened up for RG that night so we were all up in the dressing room that night and it had a window that overlooked the stage and we were right over Danny. What a show and so glad that I’m able to say that I got to see him play live. Just an incredible player.
i saw that dc gig with bob d and opening act jason & the scorchers. front row seat and warner blew me away that night. living in the area, i saw danny gatton several times over the years and was always-never-fails-swept-up on a musical magic carpet ride. what can you say, he indeed would leave you humbled, but no more than he already was.
I never got to see Danny Gatton live but just from the videos we have available to see, his talent was absolutely off the charts. I have to agree with Warner that I can't really think of anyone who was more skilled a guitar player.
I learned about Danny Gatton from his Guitar World cover issue, which at the time came with a super-thin super-flimsy vinyl single of Gatton playing. Astonished by it, me and a lucky friend went to see him play at a hole in the wall in Cambridge called Nightstage. To this day it's still mind-blowing how great he was. Like a blizzard. Unforgettable. Years later I watched one of his instructional videos uploaded to youtube. The telecaster he was playing? The finish on the neck was entirely worn off of the entire neck except for a little square from the 20th to 22 fret, under the E and A strings. Yeah. Like a swarm of locusts had devoured it. Which it had.
I saw DG at the Cubby Bear in Chicago; I remember a gorgeous version of In My Room instrumental, and he played the bluegrass tune The Gold Rush in A without a capo at tempo - bluegrass guitarists usually capo this. He also played slide with a beer bottle, very entertaining.
Had the good luck to see Gatton on one of his last tours on a stop in Nashville at Ace of Clubs, probably the show Warner referenced. Hate I missed that Boardwalk show! Used to go there to hear the great Johnny Neal…
Danny will always be my favorite. His bottomless basket of chops becomes evident on tunes like "Harlem Nocturne" and "Funhouse". No one can touch Danny. Just think he was also a banjo and steel guitar player. The book "Unfinished Business" really does Danny justice, read it if you can.
The Grog and Tankard on Wisconsin Ave in Georgetown... every Thursday night in the from about '84 through '89 or so. The bass player was John Previti, most nights in that timeframe the drummer was Dave Elliot. Billy Windsor on vocals. Bruce Swaim would sometimes sit in on sax. There was never a set list... Danny played what he wanted to or would take requests. It was best setting to really see him stretch out.
I once saw Danny open for John Mayhall in NYC. I was hammered and fell asleep during Mayhalls set. My friend said his guitarist looked at me "sleeping" with an incredulous look in his eyes like WTF?
A flexi disc in Guitar Player was my introduction to him. Got 88 Elmira St. shortly thereafter. Not thinking of that album in years, off the cuff, I remember that he did a version of the theme to "The Simpsons" as well as a Beach Boys cover, "In My Room". I remember thinking, "he likes 'The Simpsons' AND The Beach Boys? And he can play like that?"
Love this. Many years ago I did a rental backline gig with Robert Gordon at the China Club in the basement of the Beacon Theater in NYC,. Might have been a private show, and not a ticked event? and Danny Gatton was the guitar player. I wasn't really hip to the significance at the time, it was work, and a shitty load in, down a set of stairs, but I did know who Robert Gordon was. During soundcheck or maybe during the show if there was no sound check,? I had to ask someone, "who is that guitar player?" It was Danny Gatton. I wish I could remember more about the show, but do remember being transfixed by the guitar player enough to want to know who he was. .....NRBQ???? Whoa .....saw many, many shows in the Big Al Anderson era. Always a fun night. thanks for posting this.
I got to see Danny Gatton one time at a free show he played at the South St seaport here in NY. Talk about being blown away. He was incredible. I think I remember him playing through a Leslie cabinet. He was easily one of the best Gtr players I've ever seen. I wish I could have seen Roy Buchanan. I was into him before Danny but never got the chance to see him unfortunately.
Check out the UA-cam video of Mr. Gatton and his band on Austin City Limits from 1991. Incredible. Watch the end where he plays killer slide with a full beer bottle. Ha. How is it possible? Take that. The whole band is great too. The tenor sax player is a beast with incredible altissimo playing. "Danny Gatton comes closer than anyone else to being the best guitar player that ever lived." -Steve Vai.
I met Roy Buchanan after his show in downtown NYC. Late 78,79??? After show he was upstairs at bar with his tele on the bar. Just laying there. Think he was talking to Larry Correyll. Hey man. Hey . Next thing I know he says he's got a disease and he's going to die soon. Yep. That's what he said. True story. Wtf??
I’ve never taken the Danny Gatton deep dive. If anyone could inspire you to do so, it’s Warner. I’ll get right on that. Incidentally, I got to see Jimmy Hall sing a few numbers with Jeff Beck in 2019. Jimmy still sounded amazing.
As an 18 yr old kid in 1989 I met Danny Gatton in Lucky’s Restaurant in Blasdell NY. He was shocked a young metalhead knew who he was. Very humble nice guy & incredible talent!
Would love to hear more Gatton stories. Those who saw him live are very fortunate.
I can hold my hand up to that comment. I was very fortunate to grow up right between Baltimore & DC and saw Danny on a handful of occasions. Everything that Warner said was true and then some! John Previti is a Monster bassist with as broad a skill set as Danny had. I was also lucky enough to have a couple of one on one encounters with Danny and he was the most humble, good humored Man one could meet. We can all continue to enjoy what he left us!!!😌
I live in DC and got to see Danny with various bands over the years, my favorite was a trio he had with Billy Hancock on bass and vocals and Dave Elliott on drums. Great Rockabilly band. Grog and Tankard was a small bar on Wisconsin Avenue in DC. Miss seeing him, he was the best. Thanks Otis, really enjoyed the Mike Bub interviews recently too
Thanks
"The Humbler" with Robert Gordon is one of the most kick ass albums you've ever heard. I bought it from Norma Gatton, his mother who used to sell his CD's. Truly the finest Tele picker of all time!
When I was a student at Berkelee Danny came and did an evening show at the performance hall and it was great! Earlier in the day he did a masterclass and I skipped class to go see it. It was in a small room with maybe 15 or 20 people (students and faculty). He said, "I've never done one of these so my bass player and I are going to play and you can ask us questions." He was amazing and super nice!
love these stories, I was fortunate to see Danny Gatton up close numerous times in NYC! I had tickets to see Danny at The Bottom Line (now closed) here in NYC which was scheduled a for a few weeks after he tragically died, his band and the Hellecasters played a tribute to him, was so sad but I couldn't miss it. I really miss him. RIP Danny Gatton
I lived in DC 1977-2000 and saw Danny Gatton many many times at places like the Grog and Tankard,The Cellar Door, Psychedeli, Desperados and Crazy Horse . My friend Chuck was his soundman. DC had this great rockabilly scene with Tex Rubinowitz and Billy Hancock.
Check out Warner's new record, Soul Shaker and tell him Otis sent ya!
www.warnerehodges.com/
Saw Warner at the tiny downstairs room at the Hope & Anchor in Islington, London, just before Christmas 2021. Fantastic. Otis, do you know the club’s off-color nickname from the old days?
My dad took me to see Jason and The Scorchers a few times as a kid. You were playing a black Flying V if I remember correctly, and YOU are one of the guys that inspired me to play guitar.
"he had the deepest pockets of any player..." is the best way I've heard anyone describe Gatton's talent... on another level!
Great post Otis! Ask Warner if he's ever heard the record Danny did with Joey DeFrancesco on B3? Jazz that never loses the one and stellar playing!
Warner is an amazing storyteller! I got into Danny about a year before he passed amazing talent!
i've been a huge fan of Danny "The Humbler" Gatton for years.....still am.
The Humbler was as good as it gets. And Red Neck Jazz Explosion (featuring Danny and Buddy Emmons!!!) is one of the greatest bands that has ever existed. Two of the greatest players on their respective instruments inspiring each other every night. Thanks for posting this Otis.
NRBQ IS AWESOME (and so was Danny Gatton, R.I.P.)!!!
What do Nashville guitarists ask?
"Would you like to supersize that?"
Love this stuff but the realNRBQ was Fergie and Terry
I was aware of Danny long before he left us, regret that I was never able to see him live. Warner is a wonderful story teller! Kudos Otis, you've always chosen great, perhaps unexpected storytellers.
Danny Gatton and Scotty Anderson…been waiting for one guitarist outve Nashville to mention Scotty Anderson and I haven’t as of yet. Danny definitely knew who Scotty was an they were going to do an album, but Gatton passed before it could happen
That would have been quite an experience had it happened!
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One of Gattons sobriquets was "The Humbler". I agree, after seeing him I thought game over for me. [It also motivated me] I don't know why he never garnered a ton of fame, but somehow I don't think he cared. RIP Danny. Thanks brother you're appreciated.
w o w . . .
Warren is a beautiful man and can share the word .
well done men .
Merry Christmas everyone
There are legends and titans... and then there's Danny Gatton. In a class all by himself.
Danny Gatton had a protege, you know; and everybody has heard of him. Joe Bonamassa's Dad was a musician and Joe grew up with a guitar in hand and his father's encouragement; Danny discovered him at age 11 and mentored and trained him, and at age 12 he was opening for BB King.
Try to listen to Danny Gatton's album "The Humbler,"(which was his nickname) - it includes some incredible performances and the Hammond B-3 Master Joey Difrancesco. And, as Warner has said, all the sidemen were also monster players.
Great stuff Otis!! A killer video is Danny Gatton Live at Gallaghers!! His Strictly Rhythm instructional videos freaking Awesome!!!
Saw Danny at the Ritz in New York when he was playing in Robert Gordon’s band. My friends had a band that opened up for RG that night so we were all up in the dressing room that night and it had a window that overlooked the stage and we were right over Danny. What a show and so glad that I’m able to say that I got to see him play live. Just an incredible player.
I saw Danny play in Robert Gordon's band in Hollywood sometime in 1980-1.
This guy has great enthusiasm, very positive! I could listen to these stories all day
I'm not a guitar player, I love music tho. Thank you for turning me on to musicians, I would never have known about otherwise. Your so "down to earth"
i saw that dc gig with bob d and opening act jason & the scorchers. front row seat and warner blew me away that night.
living in the area, i saw danny gatton several times over the years and was always-never-fails-swept-up on a musical magic carpet ride. what can you say, he indeed would leave you humbled, but no more than he already was.
before I even watch, he'll yeah Danny Gatton. In the mid Atlantic region he's an absolute legend! Just a flurry of ice picks!
I never got to see Danny Gatton live but just from the videos we have available to see, his talent was absolutely off the charts. I have to agree with Warner that I can't really think of anyone who was more skilled a guitar player.
I learned about Danny Gatton from his Guitar World cover issue, which at the time came with a super-thin super-flimsy vinyl single of Gatton playing. Astonished by it, me and a lucky friend went to see him play at a hole in the wall in Cambridge called Nightstage.
To this day it's still mind-blowing how great he was. Like a blizzard. Unforgettable.
Years later I watched one of his instructional videos uploaded to youtube. The telecaster he was playing? The finish on the neck was entirely worn off of the entire neck except for a little square from the 20th to 22 fret, under the E and A strings. Yeah. Like a swarm of locusts had devoured it. Which it had.
TY Warner...had the opportunity to see you and the Scorchers at the old Iota Club in VA...you were pretty darn talented yourself
so many great acts performed there...
"WOW"! Great show...love Danny.. Thanks.
I love Gatton content & stories! Thank you
I saw DG at the Cubby Bear in Chicago; I remember a gorgeous version of In My Room instrumental, and he played the bluegrass tune The Gold Rush in A without a capo at tempo - bluegrass guitarists usually capo this. He also played slide with a beer bottle, very entertaining.
Had the good luck to see Gatton on one of his last tours on a stop in Nashville at Ace of Clubs, probably the show Warner referenced. Hate I missed that Boardwalk show! Used to go there to hear the great Johnny Neal…
this guy speaks the truth.
Danny will always be my favorite. His bottomless basket of chops becomes evident on tunes like "Harlem Nocturne" and "Funhouse". No one can touch Danny. Just think he was also a banjo and steel guitar player. The book "Unfinished Business" really does Danny justice, read it if you can.
One of the benefits of being in the DC area in the 80's and 90's was routinely getting to go see Danny Gatton perform.
Awesome
Damn Otis, you get the most interesting and entertaining guys to interview. Thanks for sharing.
F$ Yeah! Warner is a beast, as is Danny G ! Thanks Otis!
Danny is still my favorite guitar player of all time.
The Grog and Tankard on Wisconsin Ave in Georgetown... every Thursday night in the from about '84 through '89 or so. The bass player was John Previti, most nights in that timeframe the drummer was Dave Elliot. Billy Windsor on vocals. Bruce Swaim would sometimes sit in on sax. There was never a set list... Danny played what he wanted to or would take requests. It was best setting to really see him stretch out.
Legend. The Ace of clubs damn it's been a minute
The Humbler..... I jammed one night with Danny's guitar tech Jay Montrose in New Jersey
I once saw Danny open for John Mayhall in NYC. I was hammered and fell asleep during Mayhalls set. My friend said his guitarist looked at me "sleeping" with an incredulous look in his eyes like WTF?
A flexi disc in Guitar Player was my introduction to him. Got 88 Elmira St. shortly thereafter. Not thinking of that album in years, off the cuff, I remember that he did a version of the theme to "The Simpsons" as well as a Beach Boys cover, "In My Room". I remember thinking, "he likes 'The Simpsons' AND The Beach Boys? And he can play like that?"
I still mourn Danny's untimely and heartbreaking demise. There was truly only one Danny Gatton.
I saw him at Rockefellers in Houston.
worked as a bar back in the 70s at Circus Maximus in DC...Danny played every Thursday night...i never got shit done those nights
Thanks Otis I tell ya Warner is one cool cat what a great attitude and talent!
Love this. Many years ago I did a rental backline gig with Robert Gordon at the China Club in the basement of the Beacon Theater in NYC,. Might have been a private show, and not a ticked event? and Danny Gatton was the guitar player. I wasn't really hip to the significance at the time, it was work, and a shitty load in, down a set of stairs, but I did know who Robert Gordon was. During soundcheck or maybe during the show if there was no sound check,? I had to ask someone, "who is that guitar player?" It was Danny Gatton. I wish I could remember more about the show, but do remember being transfixed by the guitar player enough to want to know who he was. .....NRBQ???? Whoa .....saw many, many shows in the Big Al Anderson era. Always a fun night. thanks for posting this.
Danny kind of flew under the radar in my life. I think several guitarists like that who I should have discovered somehow, but didn’t.
I got to see Danny Gatton one time at a free show he played at the South St seaport here in NY. Talk about being blown away. He was incredible. I think I remember him playing through a Leslie cabinet. He was easily one of the best Gtr players I've ever seen. I wish I could have seen Roy Buchanan. I was into him before Danny but never got the chance to see him unfortunately.
@@randyjones280 You're lucky
❤ Excellent. Just Excellent content. What happen to the Danny Gatton movie?
Awesome!❤
Warner speaks the truth. If anyone is in doubt go listen to Nit Pickin' or any of Grattons' instrumentals.
DG was a beast. I really loved his rockabilly stuff with Robert Gordon.
Jeff Beck played at the Boardwalk Cafe - wow, that's insane. I would have never guessed that in a million years!
John Previti was the Bass Player he couldn’t remember the name of.
I recently discovered a youtube video of Danny playing with Buddy Emmons. you wanna have your mind blown? go watch that shit right now.
Gatton was the bomb
Check out the UA-cam video of Mr. Gatton and his band on Austin City Limits from 1991. Incredible. Watch the end where he plays killer slide with a full beer bottle. Ha. How is it possible? Take that. The whole band is great too. The tenor sax player is a beast with incredible altissimo playing. "Danny Gatton comes closer than anyone else to being the best guitar player that ever lived." -Steve Vai.
❤
John Previtti played bass with Gatton.
I saw Evan Johns .......any thoughts ?
I met Roy Buchanan after his show in downtown NYC. Late 78,79??? After show he was upstairs at bar with his tele on the bar. Just laying there. Think he was talking to Larry Correyll. Hey man. Hey . Next thing I know he says he's got a disease and he's going to die soon. Yep. That's what he said. True story. Wtf??
I’ve never taken the Danny Gatton deep dive. If anyone could inspire you to do so, it’s Warner. I’ll get right on that. Incidentally, I got to see Jimmy Hall sing a few numbers with Jeff Beck in 2019. Jimmy still sounded amazing.
😮 88 elmira street.....😊
Jimmy?
I checked out a live version of 88 Elmira from 1994. That was insane. Thx
God I'm like a kid in a candy store for super picker stuff
Who is nrbq.
I believe it means New Rhythm and Blues Quartet.
Danny Gatton never got his due because the average Joe off the street thinks Madonna, Justin Bieber and Lady GaGa are what music is.