Forgotten Fretmasters #6 - Tommy Bolin
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 เม.ย. 2021
- SCROLL BELOW FOR LINKS TO PLAYING VIDEOS FEATURING TOMMY BOLIN!
American guitarist Tommy Bolin's short life and career is the stuff of legend. Impossibly talented and master of dozens of musical styles, Bolin was also untameable and refused to settle in a band situation for more than a year or two. Let's look back at Tommy's amazingly rich history that he packed into a professional career that only lasted about 10 years.
Tommy in 1974 with James Gang:
• JAMES GANG - Don Kirsh...
Tommy Bolin Band in Detroit, MI October, 1976:
• Tommy Bolin Band- Ford...
Tommy performing "Funk #49" with James Gang:
• "Funk 49" James Gang w...
Tommy performing "Highway Star" with Deep Purple:
• highway star tommy bolin
Tommy performs "Teaser" live in 1975 (poor quality):
• Video
![Forgotten Fretmasters #18 - Syd Barrett [SPECIAL EDITION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/zPAsKqaV7pc/mqdefault.jpg)
![Forgotten Fretmasters #18 - Syd Barrett [SPECIAL EDITION]](/img/tr.png)
![ตีสิบเดย์ [FULL] | ครอบครัวสะท้านทุ่ง "นางบี & อ้ายสติ๊ก"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/A1rhYcxxNtA/mqdefault.jpg)
I was a vocalist in A Patch of blue back in the 60's with Tommy. I'll cherish all the good times we had while performing together. I knew his whole family very well. They were all wonderful people and so proud of Tommy. I can only hope that I will see them all again. GOD bless you Tommy, Rich, Pudge, And Barb. Also GOD bless Brother Johnie
A great pity. I am one of many that wondered what Purple would be with Tommy. Like Queen any replacement for Freddie is almost impossible. I agree that Tommy was a talent but it would’ve been a more successful journey without the pressures on him. He had a nice style of his own.
Well hello there!
You are so lucky he will always be my forever crush 😍 💓 💖 💕 💗 none one comes even close to Tommy B
Do you know or heard of dominic triano?
Are you "Bree" from Miami by chnace?@@peggymccabe5090
"Teaser" is still on my playlist almost 50 years later.
Every cut is magical.
TEASER is one of my favorite albums of all time!!
It's my fav of all time...
Jeff Beck came onto the stage with tears in his eyes and dedicated the Tampa show to Tommy Bolin the night following his death. Jeff and Jan Hammer played like crazy for over 3 hours.
Every song on Tommy's Teaser album is ultimate music in one way or 4
I agree 💯 ultimate music and artist
Well that's as close to a salute from God period
It was shortly after Tommy's death that I met his parents and family. They were all great people. His mother and father had my wife and I over for supper every Tuesday night for months back then. Rich and Barb were so great to be around. His brothers Rick and Johnny were both wonderful guys as well. Rick and I would sit in the basement in their Sioux City house and jam on Saturday afternoons a lot. He asked me to teach him some of Tommy's songs on the guitar. I taught him several of them. I brought my Vox Wah Wah pedal to one of our jams and Rick fell in love with the pedal. He asked if I would trade it for Tommy's first microphone he ever owned.. It was an instant "Sure, I will".. I still have Tommy's first microphone to this very day!
Barbara and Rich, used to let me borrow Tommy's Ibanez Explorer (shown at 12:43 in this video). I got to borrow it for a week at a time. I borrowed it at least once a month for a week. They would also lend me Tommy's big Crown Power amp as well. I used to do a lot of DJ shows in that area since I was a radio DJ back in those days. I borrowed his big amp to do my shows with at gymnasiums and concert halls etc. I will never forget that amp. It rocked! Tommy lost the footswitch that had the power on and off on it. I remember I used to have to take an alligator clip and clamp it between two of the three poles on the front xlr type connector of the amp. That is how it turned on! It was very generous of them to lend me his equipment like they did.
Barbara told me that she prayed to God for an angel to come and help her get over Tommy's death. She believed that I was that angel. I would sit and talk with her for hours on end about Tommy and told her that she could carry on. She was strong and she would be able to get through his death. Whether I was sent to her as an angel, I can't say, but I did what I could to listen to her and let her know that life would go on just fine. I let her know that she had an important role in carrying on his legacy. I ended
up moving away from that area in 1978. I lost contact with them when I moved to Texas.
I have emailed and such with Johnny once a couple of years ago, when I found someone who knew how to get ahold of him. I asked if he remembered me, he said "I remember you Mr. DJ man!".. He invited me to come up to the annual Tommy Bolin Festival In Sioux City.
At any rate there is my Tommy Bolin Story for your enjoyment.
Thanks for sharing your awesome story
@@briansmolik4653 My pleasure Brian. Those were some good times. I remember Rick (the youngest) grabbing me when I came in the door one day, and pulling me down to the basement, all excited.. "Klark, you gotta hear this.. This is just the most awesome guitar playing in the world." Rick put on Van Halen's "Eruption". After it was over, I had to agree, that it was awesome for sure. We had never heard anything quite like that before! It was just so funny how pumped up Rick was over it though. Every time I hear that song, over all of the years, I still relate it to Rick and his excitement, pulling me through the door to the house and downstairs to hear it..
The connection power of the internet, amazing commentary. Thank you.
@@laconjo You are welcome Laurance! It was just a pity that I never got to meet Tommy. Barb always told me that him and I would have been best friends, had we ever met. She said that we were so much the alike, that we would have been the greatest of friends. It was such a blessing to get to meet and know the rest of the family though. They were some wonderful people to know. The way they treated me as though I was part of the family was just priceless.
I just remembered a story Barb told me once or twice, that you never would know since it's just not common knowledge.. Barb said that one time Tommy had John Lennon watch him perform somewhere, and John Lennon said that Tommy was the best guitarist he had ever heard in his life! She was always proud to have one of the Beatles say such a thing about her son!
The greatest guitarist nobody's ever heard of. His 13 minute (or so) version of "Wild Dogs" is a classic.
That’s Roy Buchanan sir
He put himself out of a job. There's nothing left to do with the electric guitar after that thing.
@@spiceyballs7742, Wild dogs howling in the night. That’s Tommy Bolin sir. Give it a listen.
Anybody who knows or has listened to "some " music damn well knows for sure who Tommy Bolin is one of the best ever no mention of his work with Alphonse Mouzon
I really liked PostToastee.
As a Purple fan Come Taste The Band was a brilliant album with some outstanding tracks, superb artist👍
Gettin' Tighter
Dealer
During a concert in Warsaw, 3 years ago, Glenn Hughes said from the stage that while he had luck to play along many great guitar players, still he regarded Tommy as the best of all of them.
Memories I remember when Tommy lived in Boulder same apartment that I did we had a little band he would stand at the doorway and listen and smoke weed he liked our band
Tommy was and will always be loved and missed he will never ever be forgotten
Got to see Tommy when he was with Deep Purple in a concert they did in New Zealand, i was disappointed at the time that i never got to see my guitar hero Ritchie Blackmore, but wow i was sure impressed by Tommy's playing!...... during the show Purple introduced some songs off Tommy's solo album Teaser, those being the title song Teaser and the song Wild Dogs and WOW! i was even more impressed by how good those songs were, i was so impressed i went out and bought the album as soon as it hit the local record store, and to this day it is still one of my favorite albums ever, full from start to finish of great songs truly an inspirational album, sadly Tommy passed away far too young, leaving his fans wondering just what might have been?..... Tommy, you are gone but not forgotten, you were the man with magic in your fingertips R.I.P.
In my late teens (1967 to 1970) I wore out my vinyl copies of the two albums by Zephyr. Tommy was terrific in everything he tried to do. RIP his troubled but brilliant soul.
I felt the same way when deep purple toured Australia just after Blackmore sacked Ian Gillan and replaced him with Coverdale
I'm a big deep purple fan and have been since 1970. Tommy,s contribution to the band was fantastic. He was a pure genius, come taste the band is a classic example of tb,s superb guitar work. Missed but never forgotten. Rip Tommy.
best dp album
I have come taste the band okay album but nothing great not machine header and Rock
@@mikekeeler6362 agree with you there Mike. But I think early purple was in a different era to the later line up. The early part of the 70s was very heavy underground music. As the 70s went on the sound became more smoother with purple. But hey, what a great band they have been over the years. Im so glad I grew up in such a great time in the rock world.
@@jamescourt4703 yes true but that's most with any bands get cleaner as they go on UFO was the same way
Come taste the band is a great album, but his contribution to the James Gang is weak He wrote 2 albums for them and they failed he quit soon after
Thanks for spotlighting Tommy. I actually grew up near him, in Sioux City, one year difference in age. I started drumming then, and all of us young teenagers in the local music scene knew Tommy was going to the big show! For myself, his Spectrum work is my favorite, but so much else is all so amazing. Over the years, I have turned hundreds of fellow musicians onto his work. Thanks again for this tribute. My best memories are ofTommy sitting in with local Sioux City bar bands, over the holiday vacation time, sometime around 71-73...
Teaser is fantastic!🙂
"People, People" is an absolute treasure as Tommy serenades his family.
He was a great guitar 🎸 slinger, He was similar to Richie Blackmore, Rest in Peace Tommy.
I have loved People,People (and Brother, Brother), for decades. Never heard anyone else mention them in all that time........
I saw Tommy in 1974 when he was in the James Gang and his performance still impresses me today.
Saw them open for Jefferson Starship. He had it. Was to big for Iowa. What a rocket he was flying. He rode it took it's toll on him. As talented and hard working as he was he was in a battle in the 1970s that he needed more help and support than he got.
Those were good shows. I actually didn't miss Walsh
I was as big a Purple fan as you were going to find in 1975 when news came out of Ritchie's departure. I was bummed. At just 16 years old and living lightyears from any metropolitan area, it was clear I would never see Purple with my guitar hero at the helm, if ever. The rock mags told of DP picking up Tommy, so at least there was still a band. I got the Rainbow debut and CTTB that Christmas. I, of course, listened to Ritchie first and then put on CTTB. After hearing Tommy's solo in Comin' Home, I was jacked. The record got better with each song until You Keep On Moving brought it to an end too soon. Then exactly 61 days later I would be in the El Paso County Coliseum for Nazareth and DP. A classmate's mom took care of the logistics and took he and I, along with my little brother, on the 200 mile journey to El Paso. The show was my 17th birthday gift from my parents. How cool were they? So I saw Tommy Bolin. He was relatively sober and put on a very good show. That was 45 years ago and I can still remember Coverdale's mic swinging, Tommy's echoplex, Glenn in his white suit, Mr. Lord on his Hammond with the Leslie, and Paicey's unbelievable drum solo. RIP Tommy, RIP Mr. Lord. 🎙🎸🔈🎹🥁
I felt like that when bondsman passed and I realized I would never see Zep
"Owed to G" is amazing, Tommy was one of the greatest players ever!
You just described my childhood
Just out of curiosity. You were 17, how old was your little brother. You sound like my brother and I
Cool story mate ,cheers from Australia
Love 'Come and Taste the Band', very strong album by Deep Purple, also Spectrum by Billy Cobham.
Still listen to these over forty years later.
I saw Tommy , the Deep Purple days, when the band came out we knew Blackmore was no longer there, but didn't know who was the replacement, so this person comes out with the band spinning and twirling arround ribbons in their hair and hanging from the guitar neck fluid motion graceful ,we sat quite far away. My response to my friends was "who is the chic playing Guitar she is great" . I was corrected by someone that is Tommy Bolin .I burrowed binoculars from someone and was mesmerized by this dude's playing, was in awe, the next day went on a quest for more info that day started to collect everything with Tommy on it. Love everything he did. I was heartbroken when I heard of his death the day after it happened. To this day I still turn on people to Tommy Bolin.
I was lucky enough to be introduced to Bolin’s music in college in 1979. I love both these albums.
I want to Specially appreciate you for being a big fan. Thanks for your nice comment on my post, it means a lot to me. I want you to send me a direct message via hangouts using my personal email. Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don’t reply unnecessary messages.
Hangouts mail: tommybolinlivechat@gmail.com🌹🌹
In 1977 I was performing the song “Lotus” and I’ve always cherished the song of Deep Purple “Ode to G” which I think is a brilliant and wonderful song featuring Tommy Bolin. I really appreciated him as one of my early influential guitarists, also partly because he reminded me of a T Rex with more guitar talent. It’s also because of him and some of my other guitar heroes who had drug problems, that I never did have a drug problem. Even hanging out with Motley Crue and Fleetwood Mac, I couldn’t really fit in because of my lack of drug usage. I’ve been practicing Shaolin Kung Fu since 1980, so I’m one of the few hippie rock artists I know of - who is in pretty good shape to this day, after playing rock ‘n’ roll for 55 years.
Amazing man. It’s sad and frustrating that so many were taken so young because they thought that’s what they had to do to live that lifestyle... meanwhile most old musicians who survived often say that they regret the drugs and appreciate the music and fans so much more now that they’re sober. Maybe people like Joe Walsh should mentor some of the youngsters, even though I don’t think that it’s as much of a problem as it used to be. It’s still there though.
Ode to G was a tribute to Gershwin I believe
@@TheGuitarHistorian I'm the mentor because I've taught in prisons, rehabs, and all grade levels since 1992 my Shaolin Chi Mantis Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan. I reversed the recidivism rate from 80% of criminals returning to jail to only 20% of my students getting locked up again. Mostly I like to teach people how to live smart and healthy lives BEFORE they learn to be addictive and self-destructive. My biggest regret in life is not helping more people be smarter.
@@TheGuitarHistorian Do you like my music? My guitarmanship? I'm releasing music as "Kung Fu Cowboy" now. Previously I am the entire band of American Zen with 8 albums. "House of Rejection" on LEVEL 3 = I Want You To Love Me has a cool guitar solo. I also think I have one of the best backwards recorded guitar solos of all time on the song "God Will Protect" on the the LEVEL 2 = Christ Killer album by American Zen.
I was born in the 90s so I never got to experience him live. But I discovered Tommy while going through my dad’s records and discovered it was his idol. It soon grew on to me as Tommy becoming my idol too
Tommy's work with Billy Cobham was epic.
arklat - Totally. I started playing drums in 1981. About 3 years later I saw my dad had Spectrum in his album collection which I thought was weird cause he's a jazz sax player. I checked it out for Billy, but was more impressed by Tommy's playing. Been a massive Tommy B fan ever since.
Absolutely. He showed no fear despite being in the company of Cobham and Jan Hammer, two of the baddest cats to ever play their respective instruments.
Until last month, I hadn’t listened to “Spectrum” in decades. One thing that really stuck out was Billy Cobham’s generosity, especially during solos. He lays down some incredible grooves, yet he keeps focused on his players’ dynamics, and skillfully adds power as they build their solos. A guy with his chops could’ve easily overplayed. He’s always been in my top ten all-time favorite drummers. A fresh listen to “Spectrum” made me respect him even more.
Absolutely; one of the best fusion albums, with his fresh, bold sound front and center, with Billy and the band tearing it up along with him; he must have been a bit intimidated, but it didn't stop him sounding like a roaring beast!
one of the best albums of any kind
Just listen to the track Taurian Matador as Tommy goes “point-counter-point” with Jan Hammer’s Synth. Nuff said!
Dude, you really nailed this, I'm a huge Tommy Bolin fan, and I couldn't have written his story better than you just did. It pains me that such a massively talented musician as he, never truly got his due, and I consider "Teaser" and "Private Eyes" two of the most grossly underrated albums from that period, in fact, PE is a minor masterpiece, in my humble opinion. Thanks to paying homage to such a deserving artist, I still mourn his loss these many years later.
SO good. I LOVE Teaser.
Agree. Two fantastic solo albums.
Gypsy Soul has always been a favorite.
I just turned 65 and have both Teaser and Private Eyes. Will never get tired of them. Lotus and Post Toastee are bombshells!
I just listened to Post Toastee the other night for the first time in a long time.. God, I was blown away with it all over again! What a brilliant song it was. That was one of the four songs I taught to his little brother Rick on the guitar after he died.. I taught him the main rhythm guitar parts of the song anyway. I just love that song so much though, and the other night it was just so wonderful to hear it again with all of it's majesty! I too just turned 65!
Love Teaser
I'm so happy Tommy Bolin is finally getting some recognition love all of his work. "Come taste the band" has a cult following and that is my favorite Deep Purple record. My favorite song off Tommy's is "Homeward Strut" it's a damn shame he died young and how many people dont know about him.
Great album but my pic is "Owed to G". The segue into it from " This time around" makes for an excellent listening experience when you want to show off your mega- buck stereo system for friends.
He needs to get more recognizeation .
It's my fav Purple record as well. I always thought it would be considered blasphemy of a sort to admit that. Ha ha. But seriously, that record has a funky, soulful feel to it the other DP records lack. Now I know most people don't listen to Deep Purple for those musical characteristics but to me it gave Purple an energy not ever heard even on "IN ROCK" or "MACHINE HEAD". I dunno, I ain't no music critic; those who haven't heard that record do yourself a favor and put "COME TASTE THE BAND" on and jam out. Also whoever is reading this....if you can, listen to Tommy's solo records "TEASER" and "PRIVATE EYES". Those two albums are also incredible and YEARS ahead of their time.
oh yes..come taste the band is one of the best albums from deep purple,,,i love -you keep on moving-,,great song
PRIVATE EYES IS A MASTERPIECE BRILLIANT
Thank you one million times
Thank you for covering Tommy Bolin!! One of my favorite musicians of all time 🔥
Tommy is gone but never forgotten. Especially with me he was and still is my biggest influence and one my very few idols.
RIP Tommy you are a special soul.
I think Frank Marino would be a great one for you to do.🎸🎵🔥✌
Good call on Frank Marino.
I saw Mahogany Rush & Head East open up for Styx on their Grand Illusion tour.
Tommy also played on Alphonse Mouzon's album, 'Mind Transplant' I had this album, but it's now been MIA for about forty years, lol.
it is on youtube
th-cam.com/video/FpA7WJrIk0A/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=AlphonseMouzon-Topic
I'm sure glad someone else feels like I do about Tommy Bolin.. since I was about 14 (55 now). I've hunted down and bought every piece of music that he's done that I could find.
To think a guy so young and talented could jump from genre to genre of music no problem from Jazz to rock to folk and acoustic.
Had a really unique Style.. always wondered what could have been with him
Tommy did not play as loud as he did to "upstage the band" as was said here. He played at volume because thats how you get an amp to sound it's best. Even in rehearsal he played at volume.
Energy reheased in my dairy barn for a summer. One time when he was going into my house to use the bathroom, he asked me if it was OK if he ate any drugs that he might find in the medicine cabinet, to which I stupidly said yes. Then he told me that he "wanted to die young and leave a good looking corpse".
Unfortunately that came to pass. Tommy was very friendly and he would show me chord shapes and stuff after the rehearsals. I had been a drummer up to that point but switched to guitar because of him. I truly would have loved to see where he would have gone musically, had he survived.~
Addiction is a brutal thing
Amazing memories man. And as far as the volume thing... that’s just the way Patch of Blue felt haha!
Lenny Breau was the same way. Total drug fiend who would swallow the contents of your medicine cabinet.
Amazing story that's very cool., the band Energy I always thought Tommy's best heaviest stuff. His brother played Black oak Arkansas released stuff of tommies sounded like home recordings. Although I doubt they were from cassette recorder they weren't available till 70s maybe I'm wrong, deep purple and tommie are before my time I'm 54 although we listened to older heavier stuff cause late 70s early 80s most bands on mtv sucked
A great player, talent. Yes gone way too soon. If only...but it probably inspired to genius ideas and a thirst for more..RIP Tommy Bolin 👍
I still listen to Tommy all the time....just a boundless bundle of inspiration.... for me he was one of the greatest guitar players to ever strap on the instrument....🎸🎸🎸
Jon Lord always had such kind things to say about Tommy.
John Lord was a very classy man, I met him at a small Private Island Resort in the Florida Keys where I worked, I sat with him for one hour by the poolside and talk to him about deep purple and his life, what a gracious man oh, he was on tour and taking a break at the time they were going down to South America and then we're going to come back to Miami and he took down my phone number and was going to call me and set me up with backstage passes to the show for my family, some kid in Chile climbed up the tower with the speakers on it and it fell over and it killed several people and the rest of the shows were cancelled I also met Ritchie Blackmore in Port Jefferson on Long Island many times and hung out with him what cool guys
@@bobsana4590 Oh, wow! That is an excellent story!! Thank you so much for telling me. And you say Ritchie Blackmore was nice? Did you spend more than a couple of minutes with him? I ask because he can be such an arsehole that it would be refreshing to hear about him being nice. But if it was just like a handshake, that doesn't count. Anybody can be polite long enough to shake hands... at least you would hope anyway. LOL
@@AGDinCA I have always loved Ritchie Blackmore's work, the winter of 1993 to 94 I worked in a restaurant called Ruby's Uptown Cafe one day when I was waiting for my ride to pick me up a red Porsche pulled up with a license plate that said Minstrel I noticed it was Richie as soon as he started walking towards the building I told the owner Joe who it was and he said he's in here all the time, I immediately went into the kitchen and grabbed about 3D purple and rainbow CDs that I had, I walked up to him and started to talk to him he signed them for me and we talked for about 15 or 20 minutes I was gushing like a little teenager, he's such a cool guy they also told me that he was with the bass player from Iron Maiden but I had no idea who he was, it got to the point that he would walk into the restaurant open the kitchen door look at me and say I'm here I am here and I should burn it, he was talking about the chicken Dijonnaise that he would always order, he was a cool guy plus the owner of rubies used to be the old tour manager for Foghat, and I got to meet and hang out a lot with Rodger Earl the drummer his wife sorry his ex-wife Debbie worked there as a Hostess and his present day girlfriend with one of our servers it was so freaking cool, after graduating culinary school move to the Keys and that is where I met John Lord both of them were really nice one on one. Peace and love
@@bobsana4590 You have no idea how happy I am to hear one genuinely good account of Blackmore as a person. Every other story I've heard of him (firsthand accounts only - never rumors) are what a prick he can be. So, this is nice to know!
@@AGDinCA cheers, big ears
I was fortunate enough to see my 2 fav guitar players in Albuquerque in 1976, Tommy opening for Carlos Santana. Been to many, many shows and have seen almost all of the guitar masters and let me tell you, Tommy was so incredibly talented. I was blown away by him and to this day he is my #2 fav and if he wouldnt have passed so early omg who knows how much better he would have become RIP
I saw Tommy with The James Gang when they opened for Black Oak Arkansas in Southern IL in 1974. A concert that I've never forgotten!!!!
Ahh my wish come true! Kudos for FINALLY giving this incredible axeman his due. Almost scary to think what Tommy could have done were he still alive. Left us way too soon. Well done GH. Thanks!
I got to see Tommy a lot living in Denver. I also saw him from the first row when he played with Deep Purple.
I met Tommy Bolin in early 70's at A bar, a 3.2 beer only called Pinocchio's, in Pueblo, Colorado!! His band, Energy, this was just before replacing Joe Walsh in JamesGang!! Lol ...we shared more than one Doobie!!! His hand across the guitar strings at times appeared a blur!! Just so talented!!!
Great musician, amazing player. Sad story. He was the Ultimate. Thanks for a well-done documentary.
Thank you so much for doing this for my favorite guitarist for like 3 decades. You are a true historian.
my all time favorite artist...The long version of Wild Dogs is, in my opinion, the greatest song ever written.
Same
Such a beautiful tribute. Rory and now Tommy! Thank you for bringing these geniuses to light for others.
Thanks for the happy/sad memories. Someone turned me on to this dude over 40 years ago & I still listen with the same enthusiasm now as I did back then. There aren't many songs that make the hair on my neck stand up, but Post Toastee sure as hell does!
Tommy was GREAT !!!!;
Thank you for this tribute to the Incredible artist Tommy who gave us such sweet music 🙏Rest In Peace
This was well done. Thank you for keeping Tommy's spirit alive. It's important.
I did see Tommy Live And remember he had a lot of peddles and electronics at his feet
He was a favorite artist and have the two solo the James Gang, Deep Purple , and Zephyr LPs pus other music with his touch.
Any one who listens to him comes away with wanting more.
Lost but not forgotten 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎯🎶🎶🎶🎯💯🎶🎶🎶🎶
Thank you. Tommy Bolin is my favorite guitar player. Picked up The Ultimate boxed set in the early 90’s because the cover looked cool and he quickly became my favorite and biggest inspiration. I have watched all the forgotten fretmaster series so far. I love that you did this episode.
My words and thoughts exactly!!! 😄
That "Ultimate" set is out of print for some moronic reason.It's fantastic and it sums up Tommy's career very well.
Great job, I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never heard of Tommy before. I’m definitely going to start now. Thank you
Got Tommy's 2 solo albums , each in its own right a masterpiece. He was taken from us much too soon. I'm sure he's making music somewhere. God bless you Tommy, you are sorely missed!
Nobody has forgotten Tommy
First Rory then Tommy Bolin ! You are a legend man you are a hero you have a fucking great taste !
Agreed!!! All though their styles are very different from one another, they'd easily be in my Top 3. Both are by and large sadly overlooked, and certainly missed. Thanks again Guitar Historian, for featuring the aforementioned two!
@@ericweitzmann3890 couldn't add anything !
He was a badass guitar slinger.
Thanks for making more people aware of Tommy Bolin . I first heard of Tommy on Come Taste The Band album. I had been collecting Deep Purple for a while at the time and was really enjoying them. When I figured out Richie Blackmore was not on the LP I kinda left it till last to purchase. When I got it eventually and put it on the record player I was completely blown away by energy and brilliance of Tommy Bolins guitar playing. To this day I’m still blown away by it. Tommy was a great talent.
He is strangely loveable. And sounds so sweet.
Teaser is a masterpiece
“You keep on moving” on Come taste the band is, although hard to admit, one the best Purple songs ever!
Tommy also appeared on Alponse Mouzon's fusion masterpiece, Mind Transplant.
My favorite tracks are "Golden Rainbows" and "Nitroglycerin". Tommy's performances there are among his absolute best.
Absolutely RIGHT!!!
have a sealed copy
Thanks for the tip...listened to it. Amazing stuff!
Roger that! well done piece by this guy but he left out a major piece!
Surely one of my favorite of all time!
You are an American treasure. Thank you, sir!
Tommy was an incredible talent that was way ahead of his time. The man could play every style of guitar and play it like no other. It's a terrible tragedy and waste that he flamed out so young. I was fortunate enough to see him play with Purple in Feb of 76 and his final show of his short life when he opened for Jeff Beck in Miami. It's truly sad that the world will never get to see or know just how far his amazing talent would have taken him. IMHO he would be right up there with or far beyond anything EVH has ever done. To this day he's still my favorite guitar player. Rest In Peace Tommy. You are missed!
great video, well done! Spectrum, Teaser and Private Eyes are among the 10 LPs I like the most.
Tommy you and me painting my grandmother's roof ,hanging around the Golden Apple and LaPettite after American Standard ,guru les paul and one of a kind best friend forever RIP my best friend Philip
Still remember burning up Private Eyes when it was released and then again as part of every road rotation selection since.
The first time I ever drove over the Golden Gate Bridge, just as I pulled on, Bustin Out For Rosie came on at full volume.
That had to be 1979?. Even the memory... Still sends a chill up my spine.
Come taste the band was Magnanimous. Blackmore thought it was a masterpiece. The production was stellar!!
Loved Tommy Bolin....had the pleasure to have seen him twice at Winterland .....what a show!!!
Did you see the one with Trower when he brought the huge PA system? OMG! What a night. I still listen to Tommy all the time.
Randy Salles, glad that you got to go both nights. I went the first night.
Was that the one at Winterland xltec1 ?
I loved the teaser album. It was definitely music that stood on it’s own
I saw Tommy Bolin live at Radio City Music Hall back in 1975, while touring with Deep Purple after the release of "Come Taste The Band." I had fifth row seats. What a magical show that was...super loud too!
I could not wait for this one, good work
I saw Tommy Bolin's second to last show Nov 14, 1976 in New Orleans. I was 16 years old. He died Dec 4. Wow what a great musician. I played along to Teaser as a drummer. I just researched that track and Jeff Porcaro played drums on Teaser track!!! I forgot what a talented guitar player, singer, musician. I always gravitated more toward alternative rock and jazz fusion. I remember weeks later after the concert, listing to the local rock FM radio station, what we did back then, when they announced he passed. I forgotten this. 45 years later memories flood back. I need to get my favorite Tommy Bolin vinyl out and dust off the turntable, crank it. As other said, his music also influenced me. I can't imagine if he had been around the last 45 year and all the great music yet to come but never to be. RIP Tommy.
I saw an interview with John McLaughlin years back, I think he was still in Miles Davis' band at the time, in which he said Miles was gutted to learn that Jimi had died as they had planned to work together. I could easily see Tommy and Miles at least trying to get something to happen, although it remains to be seen if Miles was looking for the tonality of Jimi's playing - I personally rate that in JH's but really can't stand listening to him, screws my braincell up - whereas Tommy's playing I have always found to be without equal. He WAS the best, ever, imho, and taken far too soon, what magic has been denied us....
@@forearthbelow Tommy Bolin' played on everyone's albums in his late teens and early 20's. He was a prodigy. He could play any genre. Check out Billy Cobham's Spectrum and the Song is Stratus (link below see video comment drop down). It features Tommy and Jan Hammer keys and Lee Sklar Bass and a who's who of players.
th-cam.com/video/b1rX9E8NuRw/w-d-xo.html
@@gmcjetpilot My dear friend, I was a Mahavishnu follower back then, and so had Spectrum vinyl virtually from the day of release: I was completely blown away by Tommy's playing, and it was from that point I became a fan: his subsequent work just reinforced his standing in my eyes/mind. I never listened much to The James Gang, so it morphed into his fusion and solo/Purple work it totality.
The anniversary of his passing is the day after tomorrow, reckon it will be a Tommy Bolin musicathon as well as a glass of something stronger than lemonade to celebrate his short life. Greetings from London!
@@forearthbelow 😎 Cool. I forgot and rediscovering or never relized. I had no idea Tommy Bolin was so prolific back in the day. I was a young teenager and loved TB's solo stuff. I was not that sophisticated to know who played on what, with no internet. Also often I did not have album notes, as a lot of my music I recorded on cassette from FM radio when they had album night. This us when FM played real music and often whole albums uninterrupted.
As a drummer Billy Cobham was a big influence. Tommy playing on Spectrum went by me. Jeff Porcaro playing on Tommy's album's I was also unaware of. Jeff was always great, but this was before Toto. I had no idea who he was, even though well known studio player. Studio guys often go unrecognized. I learned Toto Rosanna (Purdie) Shuffle on my kit. That brought my playing to a new level. I played in clubs in New Orleans in bands for years while in college.
I played mostly Rock and "New Wave". I was in my HS Marching drum line and stage jazz band. I had wide tastes. Bellson, Krupa, Max Roach, Tony Williams, as well as Prog Rock players like Phil. All hero's. I'll add Ringo because I played along to Beatles albums all day as a kid and, and later to Zep, John Bonham. It's fun to see all the ties of my heros of the day. Musuc can be powerful in one's life experience involving memories. Nice Chat.
Oh agree Jimmy Hendrix was amazing, revolutionary, avant-garde, but to be honest I listened to Mitch Mitchell more on their tracks than Jimmy. I had never heard drumming like that. It was a perfect compliment to Hendrix frenetic playing.
Cheers.
I still have both of his albums that I bought around the time I was a senior in HS in 1976. I appreciate that you mention Teaser as one of the great rock albums of the 70s, for it truly is. The song Dreamer is almost a prediction of his demise. Great presentation of his career and skills as well as his problems. I have always felt that some people live life so hot, that they we never meant to live long. Tommy was one of those special people.
To me Tommy Bolin was a guitar genius that obviously never got his just dues. I always loved his work since the beginning with Zephyr's first album. His guitar chops blew me away. I thought, this is guy is really great! I followed his music during his few short years. Till this day, I play a lot of Tommy's music. He's never forgotten for me. He will always be one of my all time favorite rock guitar players. So sad he died so young. His music will live forever.
He got high and drunk and was opening for Santana in Lubbock Texas (no show )
I was really disappointed till he was replaced with Freddy King as the opening act. Great show
Tommy Fan
I saw Freddie King in late 1973 in OKC, he opened for Steve Miller Band. Kind of a let down, as Steve did the Joker on an acoustic. Met Freddies son Freddie Jr in Dallas in 1986 or early 87, he opened for Johnny Winter.
@@bluesingmusic3443
I got in to see Freddy King in the Lone Star Concert hall ( bar ) in Lubbock Texas when I was 17 and still in high school. I was front and center the whole show. It was the greatest.
Texas Cannonball has to be one of the best blues albums ever
I saw an interview with Jeff Beck. He said he took inspiration from Tommy after hearing him and that was what pushed him into the fusion direction. Not the other way around.
Yup!
Correct. Carmine Appice who was With Beck on Beck Bogart Appice says the same thing!
@@flyingburritobro68, saw B, B & A at Winterland, and they were outstanding too!
Exactly! Tommy changed Beck's direction!!
Yes, Jeff Beck was hesitating back then, but after he heard Spectrum he put out Blow by Blow.
I saw Tommy Bolin at a James Gang concert in June of 1974, and was mesmerized. Of all the good guitarists I have seen (Leslie West, Ronnie Montross, Joe Walsh, Joe Perry, Ted Nugent, Alex Lifeson, Jeff Lynne, to name a few) Tommy Bolin was by far the best. A rare talent.
Yes I did see Tommy live at Winterland in San Francisco. Can’t remember the other acts (I’ll have to look it up) as I was there to see Tommy. He was in good form that night, and I was shocked when he suddenly passed away. Thanks for bringing Tommy back to life on your program, he was special. My he RIP.
Tommy Bolin was a largely unknown legend. I have all his studio stuff, some remastered or remixed. Also lots of stuff his family has put out of live performances, demos and outtakes. I have been a fan since shortly after he died and slowly gathered up all his work. I wish I could have seen him live. A friend of mine saw him open for Blue Oyster Cult shortly before he died. If you want to hear more of the story, pick up the book Touched by Magic by Greg Prato. It's a great book that combines input from family, friends, bandmates and more regarding Tommy's life and his slow descent into drugs and eventually death.
His two solo albums were SOOO good.
Saw Tommy several times at local clubs in Boulder with Zephyr. My friends and I used to play touch football with him on Goss street and City Park. A nice down to earth guy.
Teaser is one of my all time favorite albums. I can listen to it and here something new every time.
Thanks, I was turned on to Tommy, in the early 80s. His solo album Teaser was great. I had forgotten about him through the years untill I saw this. Got to give him a listen again.
Yeah, 'Private Eyes' stood out amongst so many good albums of the time. Nice work, thank you.
Grew up in Colorado was lucky enough to see him live at Mcnicols Arena. 1976 a month later he was gone.
thanks for this
Such a talent musician! A guitar player open minded on style and spirit. He left us too young, unfortunately.
Thanks for this, Tommy was truly the Ultimate!
Heard him on FM radio one night and had to research. Thanks 🙏
Yes, thanks for this!!
Tommy was brilliant. I do believe that it was Jeff Beck that was influenced by Tommy’s work on Spectrum, which led him to record Blow by Blow and Wired. I nominate Alvin Lee for your next episode!
No way, saw his last performance. Beck let his band open on the Ian Hammer Wired tour 1976. He was still partying and O.D. after the show in Dania Florida. What a shame Tommy just didn't know when to turn off the party
Tommy's ovrerdose may gave been accidental but his death probably wasn't. Several people accused him of stealing songs and greed set in. Not savung Tommy's life was no accident.
Listen to Rough and Ready and you get the answer.
It was mostly John McLaughlin. However, "Blow By Blow" was different from either in many ways. George Martin's production made this album into something unique in rock up to that time. Also, the 2nd Jeff Beck Group had been mining a fusion/jazz-rock/funk type thing before Bolin had made any sort of recording that had been anything besides a local following out in Colorado.
@@brianhammer5107 you are correct sir, enjoyed your comment.
I remember picking up his album Teaser back in the late 70s and liked it so much I quickly went looking for more and found the Second one. I know I really liked theses albums and I still have them in my collection. You just told me more the I ever knew about him.
Thank You
Great video! Thanks for creating this.
I live here in the Denver area.
Tommy Bolin is still a known name to old rockers in this area. I have Tommy’s private eyes and Teaser album down in the basement in my album collection. I need to get the stereo/ turntable set back up… I know I can listen to it on the computer through the phone. but, there’s something special about albums.
This series is excellent! Thanks for the insights on Tommy Bolin. RIP Tommy 🎸🎶
Everything about this was phenomenal! Seriously, so well done....
One of my favorite unknown guitarists. So glad I discovered your channel!
"Unknown" Surely you're kidding.
Great job. Thanks
Tommy Bolin was ahead of his time. Huge fan here! Gone too soon🥲🙏🏻✌🏻
Bro, every episode gets better and better!!!! Thank you for keeping the music of guys like Tommy and Rory alive!!!
Tommy bolin is my favorite guitar player ever happy you did a video glad there are others that know about this legend
In 1976 I was 20 and a t a coworkers house in Tahoe after work and having a beer and my friend put a record on and this sound made me stop and stand up and say who the hell is this? It was "Busting out for Rosey" I went out the next day and bought both of his records. I still put them on the turn table once a month, I have the James Gang records too he played on. It's all so good!