Early Influences

[SpiderTrap]

Someone had a recent thread questioning early influences . There were many who answered , and I don't think there was any mention of John Mayall who was a large influence on me . His songs , "Prisons on the Road " + " Television Eye " are more applicable today than they were almost 50 Years ago . " Round the clock commercials - tryin to sell me things I'll never need " - Maybe why he didnt get Big Airplay ?? Cept Underground FM Like WORJ in Mt Dora , FL What a Great Station that was ...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3yDLqBMqjI

[Silurian]

I suppose for many Mayall is overshadowed by the musicians who worked with him. Clapton, Green, Bruce, etc.

His influence is certainly undeniable.

For me, it was only when I heard the 'Beano' album that I began to realise where lots of the rock I had been listening to for years came from.

[catdaddy]

When I need me some blues harp shuffle I always turn to Mayall's live recording of "Room To Move". That song completely changed the way I felt about the harmonica as an instrument, and inspired me to play.

[HHP]

I go back a little further than John Mayall. Hearing guys like Link Wray put guitar in my mind first.

[Dru Edwards]

Although not popular here on the AGF, Iron Maiden is the reason I picked up guitar back in the '80s. It was those amazing dual harmonies that Adrian and Dave played (and still play).

[AmericanEagle]

SRV got me hooked. What he could do with a stratocaster totally amazed me. I had no such skills or talent, and eventually switched to acoustic guitar.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by catdaddy

When I need me some blues harp shuffle I always turn to Mayall's live recording of "Room To Move". That song completely changed the way I felt about the harmonica as an instrument, and inspired me to play.

Ya "Room To Move" is the one that got the most airplay that I remember

[Jim Owen]

That Beano album got played a lot at my house. I followed the bread crumbs to find Freddy King and Otis Rush. And the Hard Road album with Peter Green was just as good.

Mayall put together a lot of great bands.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by AmericanEagle

SRV got me hooked. What he could do with a stratocaster totally amazed me. I had no such skills or talent, and eventually switched to acoustic guitar.

Although SRV wasn't an influence for me I think he's one of the best and most influential of all time. Of course I played Pride and Joy when I bought my first American Strat years ago ... played it poorly might I add.

[fumei]

John Mayall's concert in Ottawa in 1973 was a stand out for me. I had almost front row seats. Blew my mind....ahem.

[BTF]

My friends always used to make sport of me for liking 'The Lawrence Welk Show". But Buddy Merrill and Neil Levange could right cut it on those Fender (and later Microfrets) guitars.:



Each season during the black and white days they'd have new, juicy Fender equipment (they were allegedly personal faves of Leo) which we could never hope to afford!

[Pitar]

1968 - Mason Williams became a 1-hit wonder and that's all it took for 13 y/o to change his opinion about the guitar.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by Pitar

1968 - Mason Williams became a 1-hit wonder and that's all it took for 13 y/o to change his opinion about the guitar.

Was that Classical Gas? I didn't realize the song was that old.

[Silly Moustache]

Most of the "influences" mentioned in the other thread, were still learning when I was, but I got a lot of info from many of them.

As a teenager, I saw people like Jeff Beck, Cyril Davies, The Yardbirds, PinkFloyd, and the Rolling Stones at my local clubs.

Kieth Richards and Brian Jones were eager to tell me about the original blues men and where to get their records (Dobells).

I guess my first influences as a beginner guitarist were Jimmy Reed, Louisiana Red, and Lightning Hopkins - basic primitive stuff, that my friends and I could handle.

As far as blues were concerned I guess Bill Broonzy was and still is significant, but then I got into bluegrass and similar stuff. Perhaps I should mention Jimmie Rodgers, and although I became aware of him later - Peter Rowan.
Then I got into specifically, but not exclusively Texan singer songwriters and paramount was and is .... the late great Guy Clark.

[SpiderTrap]

90s - I did several gigs at Songwriter Nights with Original songs , accompanied by a SAX player , sorta a Tip of the Hat to Mayall ...I was even surprised we sounded Very good together and got many compliments ...