Alvin Lee RIP

alltom1 - 2013-03-08 9:15 PM

Guitarist/front man for blues band TenYearsAfter died the other day. As someone who's watched 'Woodstock' not fewer than 100 times, I can tell you his mind-warpingly awesome performance is pretty much the highlight of the festival. No small thing considering some of the other great acts that played(Sly Stone, Santana, etc). Another favorite Alvin Lee moment comes at the beginning of the solo in 'Id Love to Change the World' when he screams 'Oh Yeah!!' just before he starts his shred. Fast guitar players backed by blues bands were pretty common back in those days but Alvin Lee was just that much better, and at the time he frequently was put on the same pedestal as Hendrix, Clapton, etc.

I only saw him once - late 1980 I think - when he opened for the Kinks. I don't remember much about that show except everyone was hysterical to hear 'I'm Going Home' and he mercifully obliged.

Here it is:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bW5M5xljdCI

pitt83 - 2013-03-08 8:50 PM  I've watched this probably 3 times this week and just giggled and shook my head in amazement. Jimmy Page, Keith Richards or Eric Clapton can't hold a candle.