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... th-cam.com/video/wNipYXqPgnU/w-d-xo.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.
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
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.
Both of these guys are some of the best living guitarists. Redd, who wasn't featured on this song, played for Merle Haggard for years and is just phenomenal!
Holy hell. This guy has a guitar with every spirit from the greatest players ever. He either bargained with a voodoo witch or made a daring deal with the devil. Man what a video. Thanks for sharing
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.
Bill is a great guitar player but most of all he's a great entertainer. Redd Volkaert is a well respected Nashville Session Guitarist as well as playing Studio Cuts and Live Performances for Merle Haggard.
Been watching him over 5 decades with Cody. From Stony Brook to Crystola Roadhouse in Colorado Springs, to The Little Bear in Evergreen Co! Always amazing!
Saw Bill and his band at the Toms River Library in NJ maybe 7-8 years back... and with Commander Cody and The Lost Planet Airmen at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, NJ, back in the early 70s. The late Nicole Larson was one of their background singers back then.
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.
Bill Kirchen is a national treasure of the United States of America.
Came for Hotrod Lincoln...
Stayed for the show...
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
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...
th-cam.com/video/wNipYXqPgnU/w-d-xo.html
Q lmk
Entertaining!
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.
A self-contained lesson in the history of rock ‘n roll.
...and blues and country and ....
These guys are having fun, it’s infectious. I’m loving every minute.
sure th-cam.com/video/R1Gzb-snFeI/w-d-xo.html
Peeled myself up off the floor here, and Wowzers! Edmund Fitzgerald...I almost died.
:-D Seriously amazing talents here, yes!
That was the best 9 mins I have spent in a long time. Terrific!
I’ve never heard so many guitar styles in one place in my lifetime!
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!😁
Holy crap, is there nothing this guy can't play. Awesome.
That man is full of rock and roll, and joyous about it. A pleasure to watch.
50 years of music history in 9 minutes!
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.
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 th-cam.com/video/R1Gzb-snFeI/w-d-xo.html
Awesome!!!!!! Reminds me of my daddy and all musicians I grew up with-- and sense of humor. Ty God needed this tonight!
Red Volkaert AND Bill Kirchen....... damn would have loved to see this live!!!
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.
Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen was one of the greatest bands on all Times ! Saw them live a few times ! Crazy fun !!
one day i will own a tele but prolly wont ever be good enough to justify it . this is great
outstanding! any fan of guitar will LOVE this awesome tribute!
These two guys are AWESOME,,,Thank you
Insane video. What a gem. Can't believe this doesn't have 500million views.
Now that was fun to watch, great job. Loved it
Ladies and gentle men this is a master at his work.
Always loved Commander Cody & his crew, always will
Well now that was way more fun than expected. !!!!!!! Respect sir...!
This is one of those clips that needs to be rated way more than just one thumbs up!
FAN-TASTIC!! Those two Gentlemen are awesome! 👍👍🤠
An awesome performance! I really enjoyed his sampling of some of the guitar playing styles of other famous musicians.
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
Wow, I love it!!!
Click for hot rod Lincoln which we have been listening to for years the rest was a treat God bless thanks for posting
Bill!! Excellent!! Thank You!!
This guy just played every lick ive been talkin about for 40 years.
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!
The way he demonstrates the different guitar styles helps me understand why guitar is so popular as an instrument and its longevity in pop culture.
The king of the telecaster Mr. Bill Kirchen! Long live the king!! This man is a legend!
This guy is such a talent and true treasure. He makes it look easy, which it ain’t.
THAT GUY IS AWESOME!!THAT TELECASTER & FENDER TWIN REVERB SOUNDS AMAZING!!!
Wow! Half a century of music appreciation in under 10 minutes! Gotta love it!
I enjoyed every minute of that...well done.
It's August 2022. I'm loving these 2 dudes😍
Peace-out 🌎💞
First i wordered how he could make HotRodLinclon last almost 10 min.. Well. Wilbur...... Wow. The Dude Nailed every one . on the Head. ..
Jesus..Bill K and Redd Volkeart...OMG...Legends...Sounds like a backyard BBQ...lucky fans.
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 👍
JUST INCREDIBLE!!!!!! Thank you for sharing
I dont see how he can play that tune so fast at the end. I can't even play it at regular speed.🎸🎸🎵🎼🎶👍
Simply the best of his kind, and I thank the musical gods that he's still with us.
Well thats 9:13 seconds of time well spent!!
This is fantastic!
👍😎cool thank you for sharing
What a hoot Bill. Listening to you and your band just made a life long memory that I have to share.
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.
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.
Really appreciate your talent!
One of the all time greats.
An American musical legend!
Both of these guys are some of the best living guitarists. Redd, who wasn't featured on this song, played for Merle Haggard for years and is just phenomenal!
All I can say is Wow ! Loved it . Wish we could have a party in the back yard like that. 👍🖖✌💖
What gifted talent to be able to change tempos staying inside the lines magically amazing thank you!
I could sit and listen to him all night! Thank you I loved it!
One of the finest players.....great time when he’s in town....don’t miss him.....😎
These old timers are getting few and far between...enjoy them while we can folks!!!
So true
Agree 100%
Two masters having fun doing what they love.
BRAVO !
Outstanding Performance!! These guys are Fantastic!!! Thanks for posting this. I just clicked because of Hot Rod Lincoln but what a great surprise.
These two men gave me the chills hearing these memories! WOW what talent! Where are they today in July of 2021?
Outstanding Gentleman 😁🛫
Holy hell. This guy has a guitar with every spirit from the greatest players ever. He either bargained with a voodoo witch or made a daring deal with the devil. Man what a video. Thanks for sharing
Love this! Red Volkert too.
Just love Bill and guitar snobs have never heard of the man.
I got to hold Bill’s tele one time in Rochester. He does a Christmas show - it’s light as balso wood
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.
👍 These guys are great.
That Telecaster is like an Ouija Board....calling up all the spirits.
Saw him with Dave Alvin at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA before the shit down. Blew everyone away! Great show.
Reminded me of my uncle Rick uncle Bill and my papaw Johnson lots of fun Rest in peace.
Old school pure entertainment!!!🇺🇸
Excellent outstanding amazing and spectacular!
So sayeth the PETE!
Bill is a great guitar player but most of all he's a great entertainer. Redd Volkaert is a well respected Nashville Session Guitarist as well as playing Studio Cuts and Live Performances for Merle Haggard.
Their dueling geetars was awesome!!
This just freaking awesome,,,great song two insane amazing guitarist ❤
Been watching him over 5 decades with Cody. From Stony Brook to Crystola Roadhouse in Colorado Springs, to The Little Bear in Evergreen Co! Always amazing!
That man is an amazing artist thank you for let us letting us have a chance to see him he’s brilliant thank you in Costa Mesa California
So fun to watch. Thanks.
Fantastic. Glad I got to see this amazing time y'all had.
Talk about being entertained? Um, ya I'd say so. Lots of Smiles!!
Can't believe this guy doesn't have more views. He is awesome
Good guitar players are always fun I love that old tune
This is absolutely fantastic 👏
Oh man, did I NEED this.
Yeah, us old white-haired what-ever-we-are had ALL the good music! ;-)
So enjoyable. What a showman.
You are the greatest artist ever to play the strings. Awesome absolutely Awesome.
Saw Bill and his band at the Toms River Library in NJ maybe 7-8 years back... and with Commander Cody and The Lost Planet Airmen at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, NJ, back in the early 70s.
The late Nicole Larson was one of their background singers back then.
Gosh, what an act and so much to remember... wow...
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.
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.