This post is OUTSTANDING. It is sad to say that throughout all of these years (for me since the 80's) very few knew the genius and talent that Mr. Wakeling has. I wish all of us who grew up with EB could see this interview. We dont see enough of Dave Wakeling or the others that brought the 80's alive.
Dave is amazing! I’ve seen him three times. Looking forward to seeing him and his band at The Bourbon Room in Hollywood Mar. 5th with my best friends. I’m very grateful!
Dave was born like Elvis, multi-gifted by good looks, rich voice, skills on Music, a musical mind and a charming persona and presence on stage. One of those Natural's to be in it not just like a fish but like a Dolphin FUN! And from Birmingham of all places, the West borderlands Gate so down to Earth folk
It is his. That is how he plays it. He is not even left handed, he chose to play that way when he taught himself how back in the day. He thought that the right hand should play "the difficult bits". When he was new, everyone discounted him because he played his guitar "wrong". Now that he is in the R&R Hall he is considered a guitar genius because he plays upside-down and backwards.
I just noticed the upside down thing!!! I've only been a musician for 42 years and have always loved the English Beat but never noticed Dave played upside down. At least I knew he was a lefty!! Ha ha!!
He's actually right handed but plays "left handed" I think Macca also had done that many years ago, during the Beatles earlier days But it's really impressive that he can adapt so quick to play upside down a right handed guitar, in reverse frame of mind to follow over neck and strumming reverse too, and fingers moving accordingly to adapt too, so richly too. I've only met a few so smoothly doing such, actually only two people in my whole life
He plays most of the Beat songs with an open-tuned guitar, which helps, I’m sure. I saw him in Buffalo, NY in 2005 and he held up. One of those white oval guitars “this guy one is going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland tomorrow. I never really learned how to play it.” I’ve now seen him since then on every USA tour, he often has a few drinks at the bar after the shows, so I’ve been able to chat. He’s so wonderful. He has a keyboard player, I believe from China. At the Buffalo show, he looked SO nerdy, like Dave pulled him out of a conservatory. Two years later in Minneapolis at the Cabooze, he looked hip. I asked him afterwards what happened. He said “oh. Probably that I discovered weed…” From the album original releases to now, 2024, I have loved this man and this band.
THATS why it sounds like that! Such a gutting sound, like crying and joking at the same time. I've been wondering what the secret was since that song came out, Ha! just got to the part where Townsend + Gilmore were flummoxed by it as well, so thats an ego boost.
I guess he found it difficult to buy left handed guitars and just started playing with a righty. It probably adds a little to the unique sound of his playing as well. I also think the Vox teardrop shaped guitar (mark IV or V?) help shaped the sound of the English Beat.
This post is OUTSTANDING. It is sad to say that throughout all of these years (for me since the 80's) very few knew the genius and talent that Mr. Wakeling has.
I wish all of us who grew up with EB could see this interview. We dont see enough of Dave Wakeling or the others that brought the 80's alive.
yeah,this is gold
Dave is amazing! I’ve seen him three times. Looking forward to seeing him and his band at The Bourbon Room in Hollywood Mar. 5th with my best friends. I’m very grateful!
This bloke is just all around brilliant - cause he's got a personality too.
Dave was born like Elvis, multi-gifted by good looks, rich voice, skills on Music, a musical mind and a charming persona and presence on stage. One of those Natural's to be in it not just like a fish but like a Dolphin FUN!
And from Birmingham of all places, the West borderlands Gate so down to Earth folk
Can't believe I went backstage with this guy in 1980 when it was allowed, and shook his hand, proud moment
It is his. That is how he plays it. He is not even left handed, he chose to play that way when he taught himself how back in the day.
He thought that the right hand should play "the difficult bits". When he was new, everyone discounted him because he played his guitar "wrong". Now that he is in the R&R Hall he is considered a guitar genius because he plays upside-down and backwards.
he plays all guitars upside down, gack-handed.
A legend of a bloke
I just noticed the upside down thing!!! I've only been a musician for 42 years and have always loved the English Beat but never noticed Dave played upside down. At least I knew he was a lefty!! Ha ha!!
He's actually right handed but plays "left handed" I think Macca also had done that many years ago, during the Beatles earlier days
But it's really impressive that he can adapt so quick to play upside down a right handed guitar, in reverse frame of mind to follow over neck and strumming reverse too, and fingers moving accordingly to adapt too, so richly too. I've only met a few so smoothly doing such, actually only two people in my whole life
He plays most of the Beat songs with an open-tuned guitar, which helps, I’m sure. I saw him in Buffalo, NY in 2005 and he held up. One of those white oval guitars “this guy one is going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland tomorrow. I never really learned how to play it.”
I’ve now seen him since then on every USA tour, he often has a few drinks at the bar after the shows, so I’ve been able to chat. He’s so wonderful. He has a keyboard player, I believe from China. At the Buffalo show, he looked SO nerdy, like Dave pulled him out of a conservatory. Two years later in Minneapolis at the Cabooze, he looked hip. I asked him afterwards what happened. He said “oh. Probably that I discovered weed…”
From the album original releases to now, 2024, I have loved this man and this band.
Dave is one of the coolest guys on this planet!
The mere fact that he had Townshend and Gilmour stumped....I mean...come on.
What a fine chap, superb Brummie wit and charm
THATS why it sounds like that! Such a gutting sound, like crying and joking at the same time. I've been wondering what the secret was since that song came out, Ha! just got to the part where Townsend + Gilmore were flummoxed by it as well, so thats an ego boost.
What a delight! So many human stories!
This was back when 94.9 was worth listening too.
I really really miss Halloran
It's Pete on the phone with Dave. we have a question. right about there is when I have my stroke.
I guess he found it difficult to buy left handed guitars and just started playing with a righty. It probably adds a little to the unique sound of his playing as well. I also think the Vox teardrop shaped guitar (mark IV or V?) help shaped the sound of the English Beat.
for some reason, they cost way more, plus, he plays a right handed guitar upside down.
Fabulous...;-) I've been doing DADGAD forever.
top bloke
I guess I'm lucky....never used a tuner...taought myself to tune by ear forever at first haha. I can get to dadgad or dadaad in about 20 seconds
He's trying to explain for the radio audience.
I don't think it's his guitar, just one they had in the studio, so to play it lefty, he had to flip it.
it’s not his guitar. it was on loan from taylor, he just takes a regular righty, and flips it.
Somebody needs to find the correct gauge for that damn string!
Doh! The mics are blocking the fingerings!
danh5150 It's ok! There's another video of him playing the actual song!
Wow...a wound G string. I've never done that because it too thick and hard to play.
It is standard in acoustic steel string sets. Plain is usual on electrics.
I like the fact that Dave could say Detroit instead of Deetroit!
hey thats a local station :)
John Martyn -- He has a lot of different stuff to choose from.
Birmingham's Best... :)
ugh,,,,,the g-damn mics!!!!!!!!! I got the tuning...but am not quite exact on the fingering. Son of a beotch!!!!!