The Wonderful Phil Keaggy

[Doug Young]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

I first saw Phil play in 1971. Instantly became a Glass Harp fan.

Hey Jeff, where was the show? I might have been there, too :-)

[nedray]

Wonder why we don't hear more about him. He's a monster player and a true original.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

Hey Jeff, where was the show? I might have been there, too :-)

It was at the John Carroll University Gymnasium, in University Heights, Ohio. GH opened for Humble Pie. Great show!!!

[Doug Young]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

It was at the John Carroll University Gymnasium, in University Heights, Ohio. GH opened for Humble Pie. Great show!!!

Ah, didn't see that one. But I was at many others around the area. One memorable one was Glass Harp, followed by Cactus, followed by Grand Funk Railroad. Kind of some odd pairings :-)

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

It was at the John Carroll University Gymnasium, in University Heights, Ohio. GH opened for Humble Pie. Great show!!!

Originally Posted by Doug Young

Ah, didn't see that one. But I was at many others around the area. One memorable one was Glass Harp, followed by Cactus, followed by Grand Funk Railroad. Kind of some odd pairings :-)

It's such a small world.

Phil Keaggy and I are from the same hometown (Youngstown, OH), and I have lived here my whole life. As a pre-teen and teenager I saw Glass Harp several times at venues around town (Idora Park, Tomorrow Club, Stambaugh Auditorium).

Moreover (in the small world category) my youngest daughter is currently a student at John Carroll!

[Nort]

Being in Southern California, my first exposure to Phil Keaggy was in the 70's
during his time playing in Love Song.

I've had the opportunity to see him quite a few times over the years, often in
very small intimate settings.

He's an incredible guitarist, a thoughtful singer/songwriter,

Most impressive is that in every setting I've seen him in on and off stage,
he's a most sincere and humble gentleman.

[smurph1]

Originally Posted by steelvibe

Love that guy. He has a style all his own and is so fluid!

Yeah. He's unreal!! Him and Tommy Emmanuel are 2 of my favorites. Very different but both great!

[smurph1]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

Ah, didn't see that one. But I was at many others around the area. One memorable one was Glass Harp, followed by Cactus, followed by Grand Funk Railroad. Kind of some odd pairings :-)

Off topic a bit, but Cactus was a phenomenal band!!

[guitargeak99]

I saw him in the late 90's at a local church - 1500 capacity outdoor amphitheater. I had never heard of Keaggy, but my pastor said we're going.
Fantastic performance! Just him and his guitar, playing thru a loop station.
His playing was just ridiculous, and he sang very well.
Of course, afterward I went out and bought some of his CD's.
Been a fan ever since.

[GuitarsFromMars]

Saw him in Cincinnati. I was told that he did the gig with a 102 degree fever, that he did not want to disappoint the audience. It was an electric show with the band.

He did NOT disappoint.

I really appreciate his focus and his music.

[musicman1951]

Thanks for the post - definitely inspired playing.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

Ah, didn't see that one. But I was at many others around the area. One memorable one was Glass Harp, followed by Cactus, followed by Grand Funk Railroad. Kind of some odd pairings :-)

A friend of mine back in the day was a concert promoter; he did some shows at Nelson Ledges Raceway, and one at the Cleveland State University Gym. Definitely, some interesting pairings at those shows. One at NLR, on July 4th, 1975, was Buzzy Linhart, Pure Prairie League, the Hello People, and Todd Rundgren & Utopia! Todd brought a crate of fireworks with him !!! As this thread is about PK, the concert at the CSU gym was Richie Havens, Phil with Peter York, and McKendree Spring; fantastic shows, all around.

As an aside, that concert promoter friend, and his brother who I'd played music with for decades, had a band called Song Without Words, a very progressive, at the time, fusion of rock, folk, jazz, and classical music. They had two great female singers, and excellent violinist and an oboist, not to mention two great drummers in the band (one was my music playing friend, who also was a great keyboardist; we did a couple of gigs with a guitarist friend, and Roy would play keyboards and drums simultaneously).

Originally Posted by Ed-in-Ohio

It's such a small world.

Phil Keaggy and I are from the same hometown (Youngstown, OH), and I have lived here my whole life. As a pre-teen and teenager I saw Glass Harp several times at venues around town (Idora Park, Tomorrow Club, Stambaugh Auditorium).

Moreover (in the small world category) my youngest daughter is currently a student at John Carroll!

I drive by JCU, occasionally, and an old band I was in years ago played there, in front of the gym, one summer. When I was a teenager, a couple friends and I who jammed together, played one afternoon at the studio of WJCU.

[wooglins]

Originally Posted by nedray

Wonder why we don't hear more about him. He's a monster player and a true original.

Possibly because his music is predominantly contemporary Christian? I do not like to believe that is the case but I think it may be the case.

He has been recocognized with a ton of Dove awards, several Grammy nominations, and is regularly voted by music community as one of the best fingerstyle guitarist ever. His skill is considered so legendary that there is a persistent urban legend that Jimi Henderix when asked what it feels like to be the best guitarist he would answer I don't know ask Phil Keaggy.

[lpa53]

He's playing my dream guitar!

[noledog]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

Ah, didn't see that one. But I was at many others around the area. One memorable one was Glass Harp, followed by Cactus, followed by Grand Funk Railroad. Kind of some odd pairings :-)

Wow that is odd Doug! Funny thing, my band opened for Mike Pinera (Cactus) back in late 80's, he was pretty cool...+1 on PK, been a fan long time of his playing & message. His ex-daughter -in-law Cheri, had a few nice songs too.

eric