I swear, "Gypsy Soul" tore my heart in two the first time I heard it and it still does. I've heard several other artists cover Bolin's songs but I haven't heard anyone cover that one. There's a video of a bar band covering "Alexis".
Saw Tommy on February 24, 1976 in El Paso, Tx. He was playing with some guys who called themselves Deep Purple or something. Great back up band for Tommy. Really loud, too.
Loved Tommy Bolin. Teaser is in my top 20 of all-time. Was fortunate enough to see him in Sept 76 at the Aragon in Chicago. He opened for Blue Oyster Cult - Rick Derringer was also on the bill.
Man...! I was just surfing through and came upon this. So glad I pulled up a chair and stayed! Brilliant, old school testimony about back when players were _PLAYERS_! Always liked Bolin's style! Not surprised he got tied onto Beck when he toured. Good stuff, mate!
I was a big fan of Tommy I was just out of high school in 1972.. I saw him many times. His band called ENERGY at the time. Opened for REO SPEEDWAGON. The crowd did not want Tommy to stop playing. He was truly a great guitar player. Really sad how drugs took him. His record Teaser is great check it out.
Thanks for the classic Tommy Bolin story. Saw him at Santa Monica Civic with Brian Auger. Great show. Love all his songs on "Teaser" and "Private Eyes," as well as "Stratus" on Spectrum.
Tommy Bolin is a guitar virtuoso!!!! If you want to hear him wail listen to Billy Cobham's Spectrum album. Tommy also wails on his two solo albums Teaser and Private Eyes, too, as well as Alphonse Mouzon's Mind Transplant album!!!!
I'm from Boulder and can picture everything in the story. I'm a little younger, perhaps you knew my brother Clint Reiss. He saw Tommy play both at Tulagi and at CU house parties. Heady times in Boulder and Tommy is the least known of the top 5 guitarist/performer/writers to ever grace this earth. Thanks for keeping the fire alive!
Really awesome story,Garth! Yeah, Tommy Bolin is still my favorite musician. Brilliant guitarist,awesome vocalist and great songwriter and arranger. I’ve lived near Boulder my whole life, but never met him. That would be awesome if Boulder had a Tommy Bolin museum,even though he was from Souix City, Iowa. Thanks for sharing that!
As others have said, WOW! What an incredible experience & great memory for you Garth! Thanks for sharing. Tommy still loved & remembered by some of us here in Australia. He only made it here once but left a great impression. I have one burning desire & that is to hear a 5.1 high res version of Private Eyes - it's already so good in stereo but I can only imagine how much better it could be. If you haven't heard the BGO records cd release of Bang & Miami, (on one disc) do yourself a favour & get it. Sonically excellent. Cheers mate.
As a child I new nothing about nothing but when my brothers put the album's on Tommys style took complete control of my ears and mind to the point my grip would loosen and GI Joe would hit the floor. Thanks for the story.
Great story, Garth. I used to see Tommy at Tulagi in Boulder in 1970-71. It was post-Zephyr, but before James Gang. He was a wizard on the Strat and wowed us with the Echoplex. Sometimes there might be only 25 people in the club. My only regret is that I never introduced myself to him even though we were within a few feet of each other. I was in awe and just a bit intimidated. Too bad because he was a good guy.
He was a good guy. When I would ask him questions about playing he was always friendly and forthcoming. I have yet to see anybody get more out of an Echoplex!
I have both Zephyr albums on vinyl, still listen to them. Tommy was the biggest influence on me and playing guitar. Saw Tommy with Deep Purple he was one of a kind. Thanks for the story always like hearing stories on this terrific human being.
...And Alphonse Mouzon nobody talks about that "mind transplant" album it is kickass jam beginning to end with Tommy blowing anyone's mind that listened
Thanks for sharing your experience! Tommy’s been so important to me my entire life as his music touches me so deeply. Miss him as I’m sure you & many others do & your story is a great look into his early history. God Bless you & yours Garth!.
Good story - just a sad abrupt ending. I was 14 when I got the " bang " album. He was an awesome musician - another soul in a long list of musicians that motivated me to make sounds outta that box with the wires strung across it. I thank God everyday, for that instrument , it saved my life.
Thank You for the story! I was born the same year Tommy died, so I first heard his music as I borrowed his collection 'The Ultimate' from the library in early 1990's. However, the double-cd opened whole bunch of new doors on my musical journey. I think The Ultimate marks as one of the key albums I have ever heard. I really had not even heard 70's fusion prior to that point. Golden Rainbows (with Mouzon) could take you to places...
Great story Garth! Did not not know you knew Tommy Bolin! I just got done listening to "Homeward Strut" and saw your post here! Awesome! I saw him at Winterland in 1975 and was blown away
I remember Tommy walking around on the Hill dressed all Glam Rocker with dyed hair, eye shadow and a shoulder bag like purse in Boulder when everyone was flannel shirts and jeans. And an acquaintance of mine was living with Candy in a farm house out on 92nd (where Indian Peaks is now) and Tommy would drop by sometimes to get high.
Awesome story and information! Thanks for sharing. I'm a huge Tommy fan since around 76 just after his death. I'm 56 now. Our local radio station in San Antonio used to play his 2 solo albums quite a bit. Thank God for KISS FM and Joe Anthony and Lou Roney......they really loved Tommy. San Antonio had an amazing rock n roll history. Tommy's playing is truly jazz in the truest sense.......his improvising is second to none. The "Glen Holly" jams are simply amazing if you haven't heard them. With Alphonse Mouzon on drums. Not sure of the linep on both recordings but there were at least 2 sessions in LA. I'd love to find out more about the complete lineups and what gear Tommy used. I'm guessing it was his Hiwatt at that time.....1974. Thank God Tommy's brother Johnnie has release all these old recordings.......hundreds of hours.
Garth, one of the ancillary benefits (and deep joys) of recording in your studio, beyond your incredible skills as producer, player and engineer, was your willingness to tell me wonderful stories like the ones you are telling in this series of videos!
I watched this video first thing this morning even before having my coffee and am I ever so happy that I did! What a cool and funny story to hear, priceless gems of experiences you have encountered. Thank you for sharing Garth Webber, what a way to start the day!
I know you mean additional recordings that not many have heard but I've got brand new nearly untouched copies of his two LPS Teaser and Private Eyes...
i got to see tommy with zephyr in 1970 and tommy and energy about 72 all in sioux city iowa where tommy was from...met him at a house party then......never got to see purple or james gang with him.....but did see the james gang with joe walsh
Great story. I remember first hearing you play in Colorado, you were playing guitar at that time and playing very well at that. You might check out Lee Sklar's your tube channel, he talks about that session with Billy Cobham.
@Garth Webber, Greetings to you from this 67 yo Englishman Londoner! What a great story about the legend that is/was Tommy Bolin. Both myself and my brother are huge fans of him and we are TOTALLY convinced, if he had lived for several more years, that HE and not Hendrix would be idolised as the true 'god of the guitar'. Myself, although I appreciate JH as a trailblazer, I just can't listen to and/or enjoy his music: my two braincells get scrambled by it, a feeling that sits very uncomfortably with me, but Tommy's I can always listen to and be stunned by what I hear. Such a terrible loss, this 'live fast die young' sadly has its place for some but for all us out here not for all. Thank you for sharing your memories!!
I know what you mean. Tommy was more polished while Hendrix was more adventurous and ground-breaking. Tommy told me once that he wanted to die young and leave a "good looking corpse". I would have loved to see where he would have gone had he had a chance to mature. Same with Jimi. The Cry Of Love signaled a change in style and I was really excited about where it might have taken his playing.
Saw Tommy in June 76 for free best show.i have ever been to. He came.ba c k to Dallas the next November. It snowed that night the only time I can remember in November.in 50 years. We could not drive the 30 miles from ft worth. I was torn up 3 weeks.later he was gone.
Hi Garth We are the same age and these stories are so great to listen too, I'm familiar with all of the artists from the time period as well as being a drummer from the bay area playing in blues bands. I have your album and still play it a lot, hope you make another one. Huge fan! Your style of playing jazz influenced blues and Robben Ford's music has always been in my listening sweet spot that I enjoy the most. Can't wait for the next video. Stay safe stay healthy
Hey Garth, what a great story, thanks for sharing in a most eloquent voice. I love the part where you describe Tommy wearing his velvet green bell bottom pants chasing a goat with a drumstick.... too funny! And while I know the Billy Cobham album, Spectrum, I did not realize that both Tommy and Lee Sklar played on it. I did get to play racquetball with Billy once when he was in Marin recording with the Dead, he was so cool and we got to talk about drums. A memorable experience to say the least. Keep those stories coming, you may have inspired me to tell a few of my own. Stay safe & healthy my friend.
Spectrum shows Tommy's playing in the style that I most enjoyed from him. It was very much like Energy's music. He came up with truly original phrasing and rhythm playing. At the time I didn't fully appreciate his originality but now I do. Like very few players he sounded classic even when he was playing stuff I had never heard from anyone else and still have not.
He died in Miami the day before he was to play in Tampa opening for Jeff Beck. I went to that concert and we were told Tommy had passed away and would be given a refund. We refused and stayed for Jeff Beck because it was Jeff's Blow By Blow tour.
Outstanding story...personally, I came VERY close to being a musician/guitar player. SO many stories I have but it just wasn't quite in the cards for me. Just recently picked up an axe and re-learning how to play again! Hope to see LIVE sometime soon!
Good god... you saw Energy? And they rehearsed in your barn? I am waaaaayyy past jealous. I am such a Tommy fan. Tommy was amazing. I am still bummed he was gone just before I started seeing music live.
Thanks, interesting story. And you told it so well 🤓 Seriously though, really enjoyed this & often wonder what he'd be doing now, such a phenomenal talent who did so much in so little time.
Great story! How fortunate for you to have been friends and had that experience with Tommy. Any story about Tommy I'm open ears. He's the reason why I have EM- 1 and EP-3 Echoplex. Totally agree with you, he was the best at manipulating one. I think of him every time I use one, also try to recreate a lot of stuff he did. Haven't found really anybody who has
The spectrum album got me hooked on Tommy, when is the last time a guitar player (kind of unknown at the time) steals the show on a famous drummer's solo album?
Was in Tampa the day after he died. Jeff Beck played the whole concert (blow by blow, wired) All the FM stations played nothing but Tommy Bolin the whole day. I always wondered what could have been for him.
Stratus holds a special place in my musical heart. I played that record every day for a couple of years and played the guitar to that song countless times.
Yes this is a great story Tommy played with Joe Walsh Billy Cobham from mahabish new orchestra? I remember one story I can't remember the name of the band but Tommy was so high he couldn't even play the the lead he was supposed to play but that was all right that was Tommy! Musicians are very eclectic and Tommy was not only eclectic he was electric! And humans have a tendency to make mistakes! Tommy made a couple but he also made history what a prolific artistic musician a genius! I mean ask the question why would Billy turn turn to him to play on the his album with Jan Hammer except for the fact that Billy knew Tommy was best in the West this side of the Colorado Rocky mountains! Tommy we miss you but we still have you in a heart computers and in the cloud! And that's all that matters! Because you're playing on another planet another solar system now enlightening extremely advanced civilizations and I'm sure they're really digging what you're laying down! about music art poetry philosophy and self-realization! Go little Tommy and spread your knowledge and then go to a black hole and return home! Cuz we still need you and love you! No that you left us with and that's all we need? Travel light Tommy! Will see you when you return! May God bless you that little kid big dick that guitar and played into Oblivion!
Im gonna watch this again. Big Tommy fan since around 78. Were are you located? Would like to meet you someday, have wanted to meet someone who knew him. Im in his old stomping grounds in Colorado. Thanks for sharing and God bless.
You should come out to Bolinfest. It is every year in Sioux City, IA. I've met members of his band, his brother Jonnie, and been to his childhood home and high school.
Garth I saw a picture of a barn with Tommy playing through his HiWatt’s and Sound City cabinets. Was that your place? I know you said he had the Marshall back then?
I doubt it was at my place. I think he was using a Marshall head and speaker cab that whole summer. I recall hearing him at a club playing through a HiWatt head and I thought it sounded really brittle and thin.
@@gwgwgwgw1854 yeah,but I'm talking Berkeley,i moved there in 78,within a month a was jamming with david margen,ex-Santana,then everything else that came out of there,but people are too stuck on old ideas,this is after i met john Maclaughlin,...who figures?..Peets coffee,those that ring a bell?
@@gwgwgwgw1854 ha ha,I bet...I met Ponty's ex guitarist at a guitar shop in 81'..then met while invited by him tons of fusion players from the bay,all the narada walden/ tom coster clan..in one gig,1982..oh and Randy Jackson...
As a cousin to Tommy Bolin, it is good to hear the stories, and recognition of his abilities. Truly one of the best guitarists ever.
Your cousin was a rare talent.
Very nice. Im sure youre filled with stories, but so had his public persona lots of stories
bullshit
I swear, "Gypsy Soul" tore my heart in two the first time I heard it and it still does. I've heard several other artists cover Bolin's songs but I haven't heard anyone cover that one. There's a video of a bar band covering "Alexis".
Larry ive been playin for 53 years , Tommy my biggest ever influence THE ULTIMATE
Great story, Tommy Bolin was truly amazing
I seem to be on an eternal hunt for more and more Tommy Bolin recordings. What a player.
Saw Tommy on February 24, 1976 in El Paso, Tx. He was playing with some guys who called themselves Deep Purple or something. Great back up band for Tommy. Really loud, too.
Love your comment. Finally someone that’s able to see it correctly. Deep hasbeens
Blessed that Tommy was a good friend
Tommy was one of those special players.....to me his playing is timeless
It is timeless.
Loved Tommy Bolin. Teaser is in my top 20 of all-time. Was fortunate enough to see him in Sept 76 at the Aragon in Chicago. He opened for Blue Oyster Cult - Rick Derringer was also on the bill.
I would always go to the Aragon. But I missed that night. Always regretted it.
Nice. I know all this music, I've been a Tommy Bolin fan since the 70s. I saw him with Deep Purple. I play his stuff constantly. Thanks.
i know I'm kinda randomly asking but does anybody know a good website to watch new movies online ?
Man...! I was just surfing through and came upon this. So glad I pulled up a chair and stayed! Brilliant, old school testimony about back when players were _PLAYERS_! Always liked Bolin's style! Not surprised he got tied onto Beck when he toured. Good stuff, mate!
I was a big fan of Tommy I was just out of high school in 1972.. I saw him many times. His band called ENERGY at the time. Opened for REO SPEEDWAGON. The crowd did not want Tommy to stop playing. He was truly a great guitar player. Really sad how drugs took him.
His record Teaser is great check it out.
Thanks for the classic Tommy Bolin story. Saw him at Santa Monica Civic with Brian Auger. Great show. Love all his songs on "Teaser" and "Private Eyes," as well as "Stratus" on Spectrum.
Tommy Bolin is a guitar virtuoso!!!! If you want to hear him wail listen to Billy Cobham's Spectrum album. Tommy also wails on his two solo albums Teaser and Private Eyes, too, as well as Alphonse Mouzon's Mind Transplant album!!!!
Ahh the infamous barn story ... love it - great to hear it from the source
I'm from Boulder and can picture everything in the story. I'm a little younger, perhaps you knew my brother Clint Reiss. He saw Tommy play both at Tulagi and at CU house parties. Heady times in Boulder and Tommy is the least known of the top 5 guitarist/performer/writers to ever grace this earth. Thanks for keeping the fire alive!
Really awesome story,Garth! Yeah, Tommy Bolin is still my favorite musician. Brilliant guitarist,awesome vocalist and great songwriter and arranger. I’ve lived near Boulder my whole life, but never met him. That would be awesome if Boulder had a Tommy Bolin museum,even though he was from Souix City, Iowa. Thanks for sharing that!
That was an awesome story. Omgosh... 😍😍😍
Tommy Bolin was a fantastic person!! 🌹🎵🎵🎵🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
As others have said, WOW! What an incredible experience & great memory for you Garth! Thanks for sharing. Tommy still loved & remembered by some of us here in Australia. He only made it here once but left a great impression. I have one burning desire & that is to hear a 5.1 high res version of Private Eyes - it's already so good in stereo but I can only imagine how much better it could be. If you haven't heard the BGO records cd release of Bang & Miami, (on one disc) do yourself a favour & get it. Sonically excellent. Cheers mate.
As a child I new nothing about nothing but when my brothers put the album's on Tommys style took complete control of my ears and mind to the point my grip would loosen and GI Joe would hit the floor. Thanks for the story.
Great story, Garth. I used to see Tommy at Tulagi in Boulder in 1970-71. It was post-Zephyr, but before James Gang. He was a wizard on the Strat and wowed us with the Echoplex. Sometimes there might be only 25 people in the club. My only regret is that I never introduced myself to him even though we were within a few feet of each other. I was in awe and just a bit intimidated. Too bad because he was a good guy.
He was a good guy. When I would ask him questions about playing he was always friendly and forthcoming. I have yet to see anybody get more out of an Echoplex!
Tulagi was the coolest club. I used to sneak in the back door when I was 17. Never has so much as a beer there but I heard some great music!
I have both Zephyr albums on vinyl, still listen to them. Tommy was the biggest influence on me and playing guitar. Saw Tommy with Deep Purple he was one of a kind. Thanks for the story always like hearing stories on this terrific human being.
The first time I saw Zephyr I was electrified!
Dp was never the same
Saw Tommy Bolin several times at Tulagi's.
...And Alphonse Mouzon nobody talks about that "mind transplant" album it is kickass jam beginning to end with Tommy blowing anyone's mind that listened
Lotus is a true gem
thanks Garth! Loved your Miles stories and this one too. Tommy was one of my fave guitar players!
Stratus at Ebbets Field gives me chills. Incredible phrasing.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Tommy’s been so important to me my entire life as his music touches me so deeply. Miss him as I’m sure you & many others do & your story is a great look into his early history. God Bless you & yours Garth!.
Good story - just a sad abrupt ending. I was 14 when I got the " bang " album. He was an awesome musician - another soul in a long list of musicians that motivated me to make sounds outta that box with the wires strung across it.
I thank God everyday, for that instrument , it saved my life.
The guitar has been my constant friend for 50 years and it has never let me down. So, in a way it saved my life as well.
Thank You for the story! I was born the same year Tommy died, so I first heard his music as I borrowed his collection 'The Ultimate' from the library in early 1990's. However, the double-cd opened whole bunch of new doors on my musical journey. I think The Ultimate marks as one of the key albums I have ever heard. I really had not even heard 70's fusion prior to that point. Golden Rainbows (with Mouzon) could take you to places...
Great story Garth! Did not not know you knew Tommy Bolin! I just got done listening to "Homeward Strut" and saw your post here! Awesome! I saw him at Winterland in 1975 and was blown away
Thank you for sharing, lovely to hear.
I remember Tommy walking around on the Hill dressed all Glam Rocker with dyed hair, eye shadow and a shoulder bag like purse in Boulder when everyone was flannel shirts and jeans. And an acquaintance of mine was living with Candy in a farm house out on 92nd (where Indian Peaks is now) and Tommy would drop by sometimes to get high.
Tommy wore platform shoes, velvet bell bottoms and dressy shirts to the rehearsals that Energy did in my dairy barn!
Awesome, story , big TB fan here , his music still gets me high .
Awesome story and information! Thanks for sharing. I'm a huge Tommy fan since around 76 just after his death. I'm 56 now. Our local radio station in San Antonio used to play his 2 solo albums quite a bit. Thank God for KISS FM and Joe Anthony and Lou Roney......they really loved Tommy. San Antonio had an amazing rock n roll history. Tommy's playing is truly jazz in the truest sense.......his improvising is second to none. The "Glen Holly" jams are simply amazing if you haven't heard them. With Alphonse Mouzon on drums. Not sure of the linep on both recordings but there were at least 2 sessions in LA. I'd love to find out more about the complete lineups and what gear Tommy used. I'm guessing it was his Hiwatt at that time.....1974. Thank God Tommy's brother Johnnie has release all these old recordings.......hundreds of hours.
Awesome insight.
Some might say Bolin is the GOAT. Thank you - I'll be performing all week.
I wouldn't say the greatest, but a very important and influencial player.
Been a fan Deep Purple and post Deep Purple and Private Eyes you know the rest. Thanks for sharing the story. I still listen to him
Garth, one of the ancillary benefits (and deep joys) of recording in your studio, beyond your incredible skills as producer, player and engineer, was your willingness to tell me wonderful stories like the ones you are telling in this series of videos!
Thanks Alan!!!
I watched this video first thing this morning even before having my coffee and am I ever so happy that I did! What a cool and funny story to hear, priceless gems of experiences you have encountered. Thank you for sharing Garth Webber, what a way to start the day!
Thx for doing these stories. As time passes, and we pass with it, these stories shall pass as well.
Awesome video! Thanks for it, I enjoyed it immensely. Cheers Man!!
I know you mean additional recordings that not many have heard but I've got brand new nearly untouched copies of his two LPS Teaser and Private Eyes...
Zephyr at a high school prom. Insane. Bolin the most under appreciated ever I think
i got to see tommy with zephyr in 1970 and tommy and energy about 72 all in sioux city iowa where tommy was from...met him at a house party then......never got to see purple or james gang with him.....but did see the james gang with joe walsh
James Gang - 'Bang' album. One of my faves of all time esp with Bolin.
Great story. I remember first hearing you play in Colorado, you were playing guitar at that time and playing very well at that. You might check out Lee Sklar's your tube channel, he talks about that session with Billy Cobham.
@Garth Webber, Greetings to you from this 67 yo Englishman Londoner! What a great story about the legend that is/was Tommy Bolin. Both myself and my brother are huge fans of him and we are TOTALLY convinced, if he had lived for several more years, that HE and not Hendrix would be idolised as the true 'god of the guitar'. Myself, although I appreciate JH as a trailblazer, I just can't listen to and/or enjoy his music: my two braincells get scrambled by it, a feeling that sits very uncomfortably with me, but Tommy's I can always listen to and be stunned by what I hear. Such a terrible loss, this 'live fast die young' sadly has its place for some but for all us out here not for all. Thank you for sharing your memories!!
I know what you mean. Tommy was more polished while Hendrix was more adventurous and ground-breaking. Tommy told me once that he wanted to die young and leave a "good looking corpse". I would have loved to see where he would have gone had he had a chance to mature. Same with Jimi. The Cry Of Love signaled a change in style and I was really excited about where it might have taken his playing.
Saw Tommy in June 76 for free best show.i have ever been to. He came.ba c k to Dallas the next November. It snowed that night the only time I can remember in November.in 50 years. We could not drive the 30 miles from ft worth. I was torn up 3 weeks.later he was gone.
I can’t dance but I certainly couldn’t dance to fusion. Awesome story!
What a great story. Thank you. So jealous of your experience.
Hi Garth
We are the same age and these stories are so great to listen too, I'm familiar with all of the artists from the time period as well as being a drummer from the bay area playing in blues bands. I have your album and still play it a lot, hope you make another one. Huge fan! Your style of playing jazz influenced blues and Robben Ford's music has always been in my listening sweet spot that I enjoy the most. Can't wait for the next video. Stay safe stay healthy
I have 3 solo CDs out. Get A Grip On The Blues, Man On A Mission, and i.
legendary
Wow that was cool .I've been a Tommy fan for ever ..more and more history is coming out every day ..I wonder what happened to Jeff Cook
I don't know what happened to Jeff Cook!
@@gwgwgwgw1854 I guess he went on to write terrific lyrics for himself ..obscurity.
Hey Garth, what a great story, thanks for sharing in a most eloquent voice. I love the part where you describe Tommy wearing his velvet green bell bottom pants chasing a goat with a drumstick.... too funny! And while I know the Billy Cobham album, Spectrum, I did not realize that both Tommy and Lee Sklar played on it. I did get to play racquetball with Billy once when he was in Marin recording with the Dead, he was so cool and we got to talk about drums. A memorable experience to say the least. Keep those stories coming, you may have inspired me to tell a few of my own. Stay safe & healthy my friend.
Spectrum shows Tommy's playing in the style that I most enjoyed from him. It was very much like Energy's music. He came up with truly original phrasing and rhythm playing. At the time I didn't fully appreciate his originality but now I do. Like very few players he sounded classic even when he was playing stuff I had never heard from anyone else and still have not.
I recorded 5 songs in that Berkeley studio....1992. lol.
I'm just discovering Tommy. I was so psyched to hear this... until the end. I just find out what a fantastic player he is, then ... it's too sad.
I was a huge TB fan too, go figure! Thanks for sharing this story G! TB was KING of the Echoplex!
He was. No one else has ever gotten more sounds out of it.
He died in Miami the day before he was to play in Tampa opening for Jeff Beck. I went to that concert and we were told Tommy had passed away and would be given a refund. We refused and stayed for Jeff Beck because it was Jeff's Blow By Blow tour.
Outstanding story...personally, I came VERY close to being a musician/guitar player. SO many stories I have but it just wasn't quite in the cards for me. Just recently picked up an axe and re-learning how to play again! Hope to see LIVE sometime soon!
Good god... you saw Energy? And they rehearsed in your barn? I am waaaaayyy past jealous. I am such a Tommy fan. Tommy was amazing. I am still bummed he was gone just before I started seeing music live.
It was a thrill to listen to them rehearse. In some ways, even better than seeing them at a gig.
FANTASTIC! 🛸 ☮️
thx Garth,great insight...saw you tons back in the day w Mark Ford and the Blue Meanies...GREAT music!!
Thanks, interesting story. And you told it so well 🤓 Seriously though, really enjoyed this & often wonder what he'd be doing now, such a phenomenal talent who did so much in so little time.
Great story! How fortunate for you to have been friends and had that experience with Tommy. Any story about Tommy I'm open ears. He's the reason why I have EM- 1 and EP-3 Echoplex. Totally agree with you, he was the best at manipulating one. I think of him every time I use one, also try to recreate a lot of stuff he did. Haven't found really anybody who has
Very cool video. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much!
Very cool story. Thanks for sharing
The spectrum album got me hooked on Tommy, when is the last time a guitar player (kind of unknown at the time) steals the show on a famous drummer's solo album?
I think Spectrum is Tommy's best recorded playing.
Was in Tampa the day after he died. Jeff Beck played the whole concert (blow by blow, wired) All the FM stations played nothing but Tommy Bolin the whole day. I always wondered what could have been for him.
These are great stories Garth, keep them up. Wish you would've had a tape recorder for those rehearsals. Thanks for doing this!!!
Glad you enjoyed it
Cheers brother
🤙
Tommy was the best IMO. No one could play like him. My favorite tune is Stratus.
Stratus holds a special place in my musical heart. I played that record every day for a couple of years and played the guitar to that song countless times.
Tommy Bolin is the GOAT
TB also switched from Drums to Guitar at the age of 13 or so...
Yes, I saw him play drums in a rehearsal.
Yes this is a great story Tommy played with Joe Walsh Billy Cobham from mahabish new orchestra? I remember one story I can't remember the name of the band but Tommy was so high he couldn't even play the the lead he was supposed to play but that was all right that was Tommy! Musicians are very eclectic and Tommy was not only eclectic he was electric! And humans have a tendency to make mistakes! Tommy made a couple but he also made history what a prolific artistic musician a genius! I mean ask the question why would Billy turn turn to him to play on the his album with Jan Hammer except for the fact that Billy knew Tommy was best in the West this side of the Colorado Rocky mountains! Tommy we miss you but we still have you in a heart computers and in the cloud! And that's all that matters! Because you're playing on another planet another solar system now enlightening extremely advanced civilizations and I'm sure they're really digging what you're laying down! about music art poetry philosophy and self-realization! Go little Tommy and spread your knowledge and then go to a black hole and return home! Cuz we still need you and love you! No that you left us with and that's all we need? Travel light Tommy! Will see you when you return! May God bless you that little kid big dick that guitar and played into Oblivion!
The last time I saw Tommy play he was too high and didn't play well. He kind got mad at the audience and yelled at us to stand up.
Im gonna watch this again. Big Tommy fan since around 78. Were are you located? Would like to meet you someday, have wanted to meet someone who knew him. Im in his old stomping grounds in Colorado. Thanks for sharing and God bless.
You should come out to Bolinfest. It is every year in Sioux City, IA. I've met members of his band, his brother Jonnie, and been to his childhood home and high school.
Greg, Feel free to hit me up on facebook and we can message.
I lived in Boulder until '77 or so and then spent a few years in Denver before moving to CA in late '79. Berkeley is very much like Boulder.
Nice comment Garth ! I have a one question for you ! Is it possible to have a recording of the musical event where Tommy jammed with Carlos Santana?
It would be very interesting!
Bernard had to tackle TOmmy to keep him from chasing a dime bag out hotel window
Garth I saw a picture of a barn with Tommy playing through his HiWatt’s and Sound City cabinets. Was that your place? I know you said he had the Marshall back then?
I doubt it was at my place. I think he was using a Marshall head and speaker cab that whole summer. I recall hearing him at a club playing through a HiWatt head and I thought it sounded really brittle and thin.
@@gwgwgwgw1854 : That’s HiWatt’s bright and clean! His Sam Ash Fuzzola, I’m sure,was always on.
Hey Garth, Did you know Billy Ryan?
The name doesn't ring a bell.
and I have a Zephr album but Bolin is not on it.
Which Zephr album?
Berkeley?..where?
This was in Boulder CO.
@@gwgwgwgw1854 yeah,but I'm talking Berkeley,i moved there in 78,within a month a was jamming with david margen,ex-Santana,then everything else that came out of there,but people are too stuck on old ideas,this is after i met john Maclaughlin,...who figures?..Peets coffee,those that ring a bell?
@@mastertracker510 I toured with Bob Weir and Kingfish and Margen was the bass player. I have stories!
@@gwgwgwgw1854 ha ha,I bet...I met Ponty's ex guitarist at a guitar shop in 81'..then met while invited by him tons of fusion players from the bay,all the narada walden/ tom coster clan..in one gig,1982..oh and Randy Jackson...
I got to see all of my guitar hero's except for Tommy Bolin. Jeff Beck, Page, Blackmore, Iommi, but sadly not Tommy.
For gwt the rest if he qas aroound yet he qould have been the best him and John Sykes
So who pushed him?
Not sure what you mean.
Karen U was no good, cause of his OD
TOMMY BOLIN 4EVA