10 Life Changing Guitar Moments

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[@fishypaw]

"Dark Side of the Moon" and "Led Zeppelin II" ... I first heard them as a young teenager, and they blew my mind. I never knew music could be so well written and produced. They opened up a whole new world of musical appreciation. "Animals" is a great album too. In recent times, I've listened to it more than DSOTM.

[@mojogaucho]

Hendrix "Machine Gun", couldn't agree with you more. Miles Davis also is in agreeance with us. I'm from Australia so maybe a slightly different take on things, I was not so much aware of Alan Holdsworth or Michael Shenker or for that matter Randy Rhodes. But I got to see Rory Gallagher live, his album "Calling Card" is on my list. Got to see Steve Ray Vaughan 3 times, "Texas Flood" also on the list. Ritchie Blackmore I saw live with Rainbow, his playing with Deep Purple, dare I mention "Smoke". The first couple of bars of "Whole Lotta Love" from Led Zeppelin 2 was a turning point, reminds me of a nasty swarm of bees! Pink Floyd and Gilmour, particularly "Shine on You Crazy Diamond". The Allman Brothers but more Dicky Betts than Duane if you can believe that. I'm still having life changing guitar moments, but these days it's more of enlightenments. Rick Beato and your good self are providing those.

[@ComptonSlim]

Ronnie Montrose with Sammy Hagar on vocals for me - Space Station No. 5 - Madison, WI

[@JeffMcErlain]

Very cool!

[@JimmyDel]

Great list there. I'd have to say for me, the absolute big ones are Rory Gallagher Live In Europe (that got me to pick up a guitar in the first place), Gary Moore - Still Got The Blues, Guns N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction, Metallica - Master Of Puppets and also the Black Album and Led Zeppelin 4. Those records pretty much shaped my early guitar playing years and opened up so many more avenues. These are just off the top of my head right now.

[@danthedem]

Top 10: 1) Disraeli Gears by Cream 2) Past Masters Vol. 1 by the Beatles 3) Thrill Is Gone by BB King 4) Strong Persuader by Robert Cray 5) Freddie King All His Hits (CD) 6) The Very Best of The Eagles (2 CD set) 7) All Things Must Pass by George Harrison 8) Rubber Soul/Revolver by The Beatles 9) Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs- Derek & the Dominoes (Eric Clapton) 10) Still Got the Blues by Gary Moore Hearing these gave me a sense of what one could do with the guitar. They continue to inspire my playing and outlook on how to change, evolve and better my playing.

[@deanyork]

I had the same arm hair experience driving when I put JH Experience into my cassette player in my VW bug.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Great image!!

[@tommyraper3895]

Jeff, living in Texas SRV's Texas Flood followed by Couldn't Stand the Weather really grabbed my attention with the ferocity that he played the blues, very impactful!

[@johnthursfield3056]

In no order off the top of my head Electric Ladyland, Blow by Blow, Marquee Moon, Discipline (King Crimson), Sailin' Shoes, Birds of Fire, Difference (Larry Coryell), Waiting for a Miracle (Comsat Angels), Be Good To Yourself at Least Once a Day (Man), Coming Around the Mountain (Funkadelic).

[@JeffMcErlain]

All excellent choices!

[@pkflash2004]

Comsat Angels! Wow!

[@johnthursfield3056]

@@pkflash2004 yes, showed me how to play less but still make it count

[@PaulWill-ok5zq]

Hey Jeff, I've said this before, however it's worth saying again. You are "the most" underrated guitarist on KZbin. Thank you for your faithful offerings, I am grateful for them.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Wow, thanks! I really appreciate that!!

[@MrBobby-1159]

Thank you Jeff.

[@JeffMcErlain]

You’re welcome!

[@VilleKuitunen6]

Passion And Warfare (Steve Vai), Fire & Ice (Yngwie), these two albums came around the same time I started playing guitar. I still love them both, remember when I bought them, and they changed my life. I grew up listening to Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, whose LP's I stole from my parents' collection, as well as Eagles' Hotel California. Very guitar oriented, and very much my favourites to this day. Then there's a great Finnish guitarist called Juha Björninen whose tone in particular is divine. He was a session player, but very famous and exceptionally good (still is). I heard his tone and something just clicked.

[@andydinesguitar]

Made me laugh when you mentioned flexidiscs that came with magazines - takes me back!😂😬

[@davidcromwell6805]

Thanks Jeff - great choices! Especially love your Hendrix-style playing here! I saw the Michael Schenker Group at the Glasgow Apollo sometime in December 1982 (support act was Vandenburg). Wish I could go back and relive that gig! As for albums, I was blown away hearing 'Relayer' by Yes, especially 'Gates of Delirium'. There's also spectacular playing by Steve Howe on 'Sound Chaser' (using a Telecaster!).

[@AriaMehr648]

My all-time favorite teacher. You're the real teacher, sir. Thank you! 🎉

[@JeffMcErlain]

Wow, thanks!

[@TommySG1]

Hi Jeff, really dig your channel as well as your instructional lessons via Trufire. You’ve taught me a lot 🤙 Thanks and keep doing what you’re doing man.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thank you Tommy!

[@jamesianp]

Thanks for this Jeff, it very closely matches my journey. I got 8 of 10 in the first few bars. I saw Robben twice on the Daughter tour 90-91, Eric once in 91, Alan once in 83 in a small room in Vancouver with about 50 guitars players, plus a few Wives and GFs . . . and Michael Schenkers' solo on Rock Bottom was one of my early inspirations. Great channel, keep on.

[@jamesianp]

UFO - Rock Bottom. That cab-throb muted riff at 2:08 is what hooked me, and probably launched 1000 bands in that moment. The solo that follows probably influenced Alex Lifeson. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oamzpKikhrx-mLc

[@JeffMcErlain]

Ha! The wives and GF gigs. Love it!

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend jeff ❤😊

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thank you! You too!

[@GregJallans]

Live at Fillmore East and Blow by Blow are timeless with me.

[@scotthall8502]

Hi Jeff - love the content btw - my list tracks somewhat with yours - Spectrum by Billy Cobham - Wired JB - Led Zeppelin II - Band of Gypsies - Elegant Gypsy Al DiMeola - Animals (for sure) - Live at the Fillmore AB - off the top of my head :) ha I'm with you on Disintegration too

[@haroldbelfast]

Saw Robben Ford playing guitar for David Sanborn in the very early 90's. Had no idea who he was, but he absolutely blew me away (was right around the time Talk to your Daughter came out). Went and got that album and never been the same since. Another was Carlton's Last Nite record, completely changed my perception of what was possible on guitar. Yngwie's Rising Force was another. Heard it late night on KLOS (they played the whole album), and it was another watershed moment in my guitar life. Seeing Ritchie Blackmore live with Rainbow in 1983 is the whole reason I play in the first place. Couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing, and I knew I wanted to do THAT. Finally, seeing Rik Emmet playing at the US Festival with Triumph blew my little 15-year-old mind.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Last Night was huge for me as well!!

[@riffs66]

So many similar choices match mine 👍🏼 I also saw Alcatraz open for Nugent at Pier 84 in NYC (it was Yngwie’s 21st birthday 🤯). Animals is massive for me, Stern too, Schenker influenced me more than I realized (my band covered Captain Nemo back in the day at our “rehearsal studio” behind a grocery store on Flatbush Ave & Ave. K in Brooklyn). Incredibly similar influences! I’m surprised we’ve never crossed paths 😊

[@JeffMcErlain]

It’s a big town!!! I’m sure we were in the same room on a few occasions!

[@pkflash2004]

I'm guessing we may be of a similar age Jeff, we seem to have been exposed to the same stuff around the same time. First for me was Led Zeppelin. I had the sounsdtrack to The Song Remains The Same and then went to see the film when it was released at the cinema. Next was Deep Purple In Rock. My word, Ritchie Backmore changed my life and made me want to play guitar. Next was Michael Schenker and the UFO live album Strangers In the Night. Side 3 with Lights Out followed by Rock Bottom was awesome. Then I guess it was hearing Farewell To Kings by Rush and the track Xanadu. It was a rites of passage to try to work out the guitar parts. Then it was the first Van Halen album which was mindblowing for so many reasons. Like you, Hendrix was always around and I was familiar with the songs without being too aware of the significance of his guitar playing. However, I got The Essential Hendrix Volumes 1 and 2 on vinyl, a triple album. Once I became immersed in that I became more open to the sonics of the guitar and Hendrix's use of other worldly sounds and techniques. Then came a big game changer - King Crimson's Discipline. What Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew did on that album completely changed my perspective on guitar playing and I started listening to Talking Heads and David Bowie, Brian Eno and Roxy Music, Siouxie and the Banshees, The Cure. I aslo got Jeff Beck's There and Back around this time. When I listened to the Final Peace it sounded like the guitar was a living, breathing entity outpouring all of its' emotion. Now, I see beauty in all forms of music, it's very rarely that I even notice guitar playing on records these days.

[@JeffMcErlain]

So it seems we are both turning 34 next month…🙌🏻. Great picks in here man.

[@mcburneyp]

I am from Canada, so Permanent Waves from Rush was a huge influence on me. Got to see them twice on that tour, once in Toronto and once in Buffalo. Alex is one of my biggest influences.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Saw them on that tour and a few following. Huge band for me when I was young!

[@mikeandrulonis6553]

Man there are so many guitar moments. In no particular order, some of mine are: Queen: Queen II - heavy guitar driven prog rock Yes: Fragile - Steve Howe is so versatile Steely Dan: The Royal Scam - Larry Carlton, Denny Dias et al. Jeff Beck: Wired Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti - 4 vinyl sides of genius IMHO

[@JeffMcErlain]

Excellent choices and I’m in agreement on Physical Graffiti!

[@karmadave]

Michael Schenker for sure. I wore out UFO ‘Strangers In The Night’ as a teenager. Hendrix absolutely! Same with Clapton and Page. I liked Jeff Beck’s ‘Blow by Blow’, but not much of his other work. Of course Gilmour. It wasn’t until til later that I discovered Robben Ford, which opened the doors to BB, Freddie, and Albert. Then of course mind-blowing players like Matt Schofield and Chris Cain. Finally, I never really ‘got’ Jerry Garcia while he was alive. But once I got exposed to albums such as ‘Live Dead’, ‘Skull and Roses’ and ‘Europe ‘72’ I was immediately hooked. Thanks Jeff for a great, thought-provoking video 😃

[@JeffMcErlain]

I'm still not in the Jerry thing gut I'll give it a shot again!

[@karmadave]

@@JeffMcErlain If you can get past the hippie weirdness, associated with the GD scene, you will discover a deep well of music with Blues, Rock, Jazz, Folk, Country, and Bluegrass influences. Jerry's musical vocabulary was simply off the charts. Anything he may have lacked as a technical player (especially as his health declined due to 'lifestyle choices') was more than made up for in his soulful melodies and adventurous improvisations. Check out some YT videos from my teacher (and fellow Brooklyn resident) Jack Devine (Jacksnax 4 Guitar) who really brings out the nuances in Jerry's style 🤩

[@uberjam-sam8512]

Great list, not all am I family with. Such a fun thing to think of; I'd like to do this with some of my musician and music loving friends. Maybe for a follow up do top non-guitar albums that influenced you. Machine Gun is The Masterpiece on BoG to be sure. For me, Who Knows is the tune I can listen to over and over again.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Humm non guitar records. Fun idea!

[@artdesimine798]

My life changing guitar moment happened in a Two Guys store . If you’re not from NJ that was a department store in the 70’s. The in store music selection went from something by Cream to solo guitar like Joe Pass. I’ve been trying to do these styles for most of my life.

[@JeffMcErlain]

I’m from NJ and remember Two Guys!

[@JD-ZagaDude99]

Good list, Jeff. I could list several you would know, but how about the Crusaders w/ Larry Carleton, “Southern Nights”. His playing soars on that record.

[@JeffMcErlain]

For sure! For me the Last Night record was the big one.

[@jimc6687]

Looks just like my own 1964 CAR Strat, J.M.! Jim C.

[@stratman9449]

Hi Jeff...loved it....and hey....Strats galore...!!!....have you got a little backroom where they grow.....??...and yes i go with about 2/3 or 3/4 ers of your choices.....im a mid 60s to 70s guy...so i sort of "missed the 80s and 90s guitarists...in a way....cheers

[@JeffMcErlain]

Ha! Well I have been playing for a long time and things accumulate. It’s funny did you notice how all the Strats sounded different?

[@rudiyantohalim736]

For me, maybe Surfing with the Alien who drag me to the guitar instrumental world

[@victorbeebe8372]

The first time I ever heard Jimi Hendrix on the radio. Purple Haze just came out. I knew them that Jimi was the best.

[@JeffMcErlain]

I’m sure that was an amazing experience… 😝

[@jeremyversusjazz]

ha I’m wearing a brand new Pink Floyd animals T-shirt as i watch this! I just got from a company called Worn Free, which is awesome. They make a killer animals shirt should check it out comes in different colors. It’s got a big pink pig on the front and it says Pink Floyd animals on the back in the classic typography from the record AND you were playing the black landau Strat, which I noticed you put back to original speck at least as far as it looks, I also have that guitar- great minds!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Oh those are cool shirts ! Thanks!!

[@jloch9312]

Electric Ladyland was the Hendrix album for me. Still can't believe the record store sold it to a 15 year old me with its original cover! Seriously though the last 3 songs were All Along the Watchtower, House Burning Down and Vodoo Chile (Slight Return). Anybody accuses Hendrix of being sloppy just play them those!

[@brealguitarguy762]

We share alot of the same taste I also really like Alex lifeison(sorry about my spelling) Carlos Montoya, Carlos Santana, jimmy page, Jeff ( you )

[@ecojot]

Al Dimeola's Elegant Gipsy. Baden Powell's Afro Sambas

[@JeffMcErlain]

Excellent choice!!

[@tedmardesich8257]

I never get tired of Animals.

[@philjones8693]

Can't really disagree with your choices. Tricky to say which ones "influenced " me, because I only started playing seriously when I bought a guitar in 2019. As one who's still pretty much a noob, if I had to choose which pieces shaped the way I (try to!) play, it would probably be a lot of your intro jams in the old Brooklyn Broadcast covid days. I tried to copy licks from there! One other guitarist which I used to listen to and like a lot as a teenager was Jan Akkerman of Focus. Mixture of bluesy jazzy fusiony classical-y playing.

[@kooleyandmac]

Top priority, rory gallagher still blows me away. Taste very close second though!

[@JeffMcErlain]

🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@Wermode]

Great choices. For me, I’d have to include Ted Nugent’s Cat Scratch Fever. If I forget the divisive politics, I remember when I played along with every song until I could “do it,” which showed me I could actually play guitar like I wanted. ZZ Top Tres Hombres would be in there, too.

[@janders3205]

Hard to pick 10… Hendrix Axis Bold As Love Pink Floyd Animals (2nd would be Wish You Were Here tied with Dark Side) Joe Pass virtuoso Pat Metheney Trio Live tied with Miles Davis Kind Of Blue (no guitar but learned every song…still learning…led to ‘Train and Wayne…if only you could get an EJ set up where chords sounded like Bill Evans and Lead sounded like Coltrane) Segovia: The Art of Segovia Freddie King Best Of Shelter recordings Dinosaur Jr Hand It Over (think J recorded this by himself at his house…big muff, super fuzz, tweed bandmaster, les Paul jrs, esquire…voodoo vibe and mellowtron…) Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti Allan Holdsworth Blues for Tony (IOU or 16 Men of Tain…all great) Jeff Beck Blow by Blow (or Wired) Shoot…maybe bump Dinosaur for Rush Hemispheres… too too hard…Hemispheres and 2112… should be up there…uggh

[@JeffMcErlain]

I approve of this message.

[@davedavid7061]

I had the chance to see the Animals tour in Omaha when I was 16. I decided I would "catch" them next time.Oh Well.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Ugh.

[@GraniteSoundtrack]

Had the same experience listening to Band of Gypsys.

[@JeffMcErlain]

I think a lot of us did!!

[@yourguitarist]

I still have the cliffs of dover flexidisc...🙂 but I think that I saw him on Austin City limits first. 🤔

[@JeffMcErlain]

So much going on back then!

[@WickBeavers]

Ted Who? That aside, personally, EC is overrated, Stern is under. You, young fella, are moving your way up to this list! After "Rise", I feel Nino B is there at the top today- just the pure joy of making (great guitar) music.

[@JeffMcErlain]

EC is 100% not overrated. I have spoken. Here concludes this debate. 😝

[@PsionicAudio]

Disintegration…. there’s a reason we’re friends.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Bowie and The Cure!

[@haydenpimm8857]

Should have been 12 Led Zeppelin and ZZ Top

[@bazilbrushrocks]

I suspect that wasn't you in the leather jacket playing a Flying V....

[@JeffMcErlain]

You would be wrong. That would be me.

[@bazilbrushrocks]

@@JeffMcErlain wow! Then you definitely should consider growing a BFG beard! A whole different Jeff.

[@13thAMG]

Jeff, is that a cream Strat with Scalloped frets? 05:10 I've always fascinated on how they're played. Maybe you could do a video on it? Love your choices of influences. Totally agree.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Yes it’s an Yngwie Strat. It’s actually really easy to get used to.