British guitarist analyses The Knack with 'My Sharona' Live in 1979!

Tonight I'm taking a look at The Knack performing their monster hit My Sharona back in 1979!
Original video - • Video
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[@brotherjohnnyjones693]

The complexity of the drumming on this song is seriously overlooked.

[@billthebutcher4435]

This is the most criminally underrated guitar solo in rock history.

[@scarbourgeoisie]

Without a doubt!!

[@tonyshoulders7598]

I couldn’t agree more.That guy can play the crap out of a guitar.

[@markdovers5150]

You are absolutely correct! The creamy sound of that Les Paul neck pickup (on the studio recording) is amazing.Burton’s ability and technique serve this song well. I don’t think I have ever heard mention of this solo, when the topic is “ great guitar solos “ . It’s been in my top ten list forever.

[@brianpickrell2477]

I never heard it on the radio. If it's criminally underrated, we need to throw some 70's Dj's in jail. In the same prison with all those disco heroes who committed fashion crimes.

[@duane8829]

Brian Pickrell when I was a kid we all considered it the greatest sounding guitar solo of all time

[@RonaldReaganRocks1]

The greatest guitar solo ever in pop music.

[@hkhilner]

The Knack came along at a time when a large percentage of suburban American kids were flat out sick of the disco that had been saturating the radio airwaves. This was a straight forward garage band playing a catchy groove.

[@hifijohn]

Nooo kidding, disco came out of nowhere and took over everything.the knack was a breath of fresh air, shame they only had one good album in them.

[@friotaiocht101]

Yes indeed absolutely SICK & tired of DISCO PERIOD...

[@snowdog202]

My shredder buddies always gave me shit when I listed this as one of my all time favorite solos. Very underrated.

[@edwardvaca2627]

Way ahead of its time. That is how I always felt.

[@monkmchorning]

The idea was short sharp "breaks," not solos. Giving the dancers a rest after two and a half minutes.

[@stevebengel1346]

For all of us who were old enough to remember this ruling the airwaves: just remember, this. was. 40. years . ago

[@marnaehrech1223]

LMAO

[@haroldwilkes6608]

Steve Berger - you're mean - I was trying to forget - darn Alzheimer's never kicks in when you need it.

[@aryanmia9281]

Don't remind me!!!!!!

[@dahliaall7041]

I think what made watching live performances of the Knack is just seeing how much Doug and the rest of the band is BEAMING are so so happy just to be living their dream - it's truly heartwarming.

[@g.prince6265]

Yeah and then jealousy in the music industry went to work crushing them.🤔

[@gatekeeper65]

I still listen to this album regularly. Don't listen to Sharona while you're driving or you're almost guaranteed a speeding ticket ;O)

[@marquee6]

gatekeeper65 also never listen to Super Freak. Same thing!

[@Gynecologist]

Lolol. These comments. Good advice!

[@GT-mq1dx]

I almost rejected a business call yesterday because it came in right when the solo started, needless to say I took the call, though lowered the volume…lol 😎

[@newspapertaxis1]

Let me just say this.....Doug and Sharona were friends of me and my Ex-wife....Everytime the Knack would play in town or even near by Doug would always call us and invite us to the show and Dinner.....I remember 1 night the 4 of us stayed up until 5am and partied in the hotel room What a night!!!! And when we had our 1st baby, Doug made sure to give us a call That night!!! Doug we LOVE you!!!! May you RIP..............................

[@geraldhartley]

Oh the stories you could tell....

[@fredpayne6260]

I'm about to turn 70, & this is one of my all-time favourite top songs. It was a huge hit in Australia for months when it came out, & I still play it a few times a week. If this song doesn't fire up the adrenalin, you are beyond help. Gr8 review.👍👍👍👍👍

[@my-t-mikedaly607]

Hi Fred, i also turn 70 soon and love this song with his amazing Solo. And there are more great underrated Bands & songs , like The Cars .

[@gregfeo8639]

Miss my friend, Doug, passed on Valentine's day, his music lives!

[@jv-ep2tc]

I didn't know him but I do know that he was a warrior for the rock and roll cause. Thank god for him and the music he left behind.

[@imogenimeson664]

Miss Bruce Gary more,my kinda guy.

[@imogenimeson664]

@Billy Reed yep.

[@nkyryry]

One of the tightest sounding bands you’ll ever hear.

[@feedwinnie]

They never reminded me of The Beatles but rather The Kinks. Sorta. Kinda. 😏Great review Fil!😁

[@gnosticmom2805]

Beatles - no way, never. Kinks, yeah - kinda sorta... :D

[@Voirreydirector]

Yeah, kinks, cars, Joy division, my boys of summer! You really are going to give me flashbacks one of these days! This was just the song that followed me everywhere back when I had hair prettier than yours, I was called Sherona like constantly. By the time I was twelve I could hit the Chinese restaurant and kick back a couple double Cutty Sarks, no ice, then hit the roller rink and with skates on, up my score on this terribly rigged game of Centipede that had these two screws, one on either side of the track ball, which would actually give you an electric shock if you touched them, all the while singing to what was on, whatever. Two outta Three Ain’t Bad also comes to mind. Next morning grab my saxophone and get on a bus for some competition or fundraiser for the school, babysit all night and then Sunday School and choir Sunday morning. High School was even more, well, unorthodox, but that I will save for the next flashback.

[@shirleymuhleisen683]

Great call on Kinks

[@elaineandjohn9599]

I think your definitely on to something.

[@PK1971PK]

Yep, more Kinkish. Great comment!

[@kolchak3578]

So frustrating when you’d hear the “radio play” version with all the great guitar work cut out. Always hated when they would shorten a song for a quicker playing time. 😤

[@chrisstory563]

yeah, the single version really butchered the badass guitar solo. talk about insulting. radio edits are downright abomination when they're not done right.

[@flee4342]

The worst case of this is “Whiter Shade of Pale”. After the first verse it’s like someone just turns the mic off. There’s actually 2 more verses.

[@Alsatiagent]

@@flee4342 I remember listening in horror on the very day of Bob Marleys' death as a Toronto radio station butchered No Woman No Cry in the same manner. Blasphemers!

[@LJPorcello]

Completely agree. One of the many ways that rock radio killed itself. Another case of this is when they cut off a part in Bob Seger's Night Moves...it's just a simple acoustic part where he sings "I woke last night to the sound of thunder..." It's perfect...understated...and cut off.

[@bobbynoe1]

Totally right - same with The Doors' "Light My Fire" and, worst of all in my opinion, "Riders On The Storm"!

[@gregfeo8639]

Attended Doug's memorial with 200 of his friends and family. Before the doors closed (at the House of blues on sunset), Ringo and Joe attended.

[@mike04574]

How did you get to know Doug? Always loved the Knack

[@jamesrusso2523]

@@mike04574 RIP

[@thewalruswasjason101]

If you don’t bob your head to this song, I can’t be friends with you. What a pop/rock song. Pretty perfect

[@MarcoPolo-je5ej]

I remember when this song hit the radio waves in the late 70s. It was HUGE here in the States.

[@laurakali6522]

And then they kind of just faded away......but man was this song hot. I sort of recall Rapper’s Delight out around the same time....but again, blurry times....

[@JeepersCreepers2013]

@@jayedwards1205 Because it was lampooned or you just don't like it?

[@paulablissett9396]

@Mr. FIRST AWWWWWWW......

[@paulablissett9396]

@Mr. FIRST Hello,yeah,,him and Crazy Legs, it's Friday Night, tho, and i'm doing laundry, so exciting, lol!

[@paulablissett9396]

@Mr. FIRST EWWWW, YOU'RE KIDDING RIGHT?

[@billybud9557]

A very underrated band.....this was the biggest hit of 1979 and one of the few songs that sounded totally new and fresh at the time. I'm a New-Wave junkie, and this is one of the best. Still play this and Good Girls Don't at least a few times each year. Thanks for this. Stellar.

[@DoctorQuackenbush]

Sharona is now a real estate agent (per WSJ). She said that she is frequently asked if she knows the song. 😏

[@eileendobbs8009]

This song is a total earworm and they wore it out on the radio but I never got sick of it. One of the catchiest songs ever.

[@bazbear]

what a riff......as a child of the 60's, a big fan of 60's to mid 70's music, this caught me ear; it's a case of notes, rhythms, energy, coming together to reach my blood stream

[@scottmcgregor562]

Bruce Gary on drums was a hell of a drummer and actually had a pretty amazing career before The Knack. In the early 70s he was playing for Albert Collins and went on to play with the Jack Bruce band also featuring Mick Taylor. He was also a very in demand session drummer. A subtle yet powerful drummer that play with alot of skill and invention. What a wonderful surprise analysis. Thank you Fil. Cheers.

[@jamesrusso2523]

Didn't know that,thanks for the info

[@leriwaters.9744]

I have him also on a albert king record with joe walsh...

[@imogenimeson664]

Hardly mentions him,not right.

[@fiction8909]

He was the Knack - he made that song, but his skill stands out immediately.

[@TWTexasA1]

Even after he left the Knack and became a highly sought after studio drummer, ya man Bruce was just incredible…👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@icm65]

Doug was a real Rock and Roller and this band was very tight! Incredible. Doug called this “jungle music” with the drum beat influenced by Elvis Costello’s “Pump It Up”...I had the chance to see them.. 🙏 Doug and Bruce 🙏

[@Murp268]

I was 15 when Get The Knack came out. Huge success right off the bat. I do remember the backlash too but it didn’t bother me as the album was so catchy and the musicianship was top notch. No gimmicks just straight ahead rock on the pop side. I agree with all that said Berton’s solo is iconic. Still as fresh and rocking as it was 43 years ago. Bruce Gary’s drumming and fills also a standout.

[@pauliuskellius8309]

That guitar solo is a magical musical moment very rare to hear it makes everyone smile.

[@tjmooremusic]

The last thing that could have possibly come to my mind watching this band was the Beaatles.

[@ms8742]

One of the best written solos ever, and he plays the hell out of it. Just perfect in every aspect.

[@Justme77400]

"We're going back to 1979..." Oh, if we only could. They were such great days. Great music too.

[@joeg9810]

Amen to that, the year before I graduated High School!!

[@GT-mq1dx]

I was 13 and I’d go back in a heartbeat!

[@arthurmurfitt7698]

wow... Burton's amp tone is CLEAN AF. And he still absolutely SHREDS that solo... *salutes*

[@anthonyhaylock6655]

Hey Phil , let me just start by saying , that here in Australia at the time of The Knack’s debut album , they weren’t maybe as big as they could have been and should have been , the initial single My Sharona and preceeding singles were absolutely brilliant , the songwriting . The lyrics and musicianship of these guys was and will always be outstanding from my point of view , I am 62 years now and having a working musician since I was about 14 years. I tip my hat to the Knack for the brilliance of their whole catalogue of their music , I’ve owned many of their albums and have thoroughly loved every single song in the collection since the beginning and will always be a huge fan of this band

[@Crinkle65]

One of the greatest guitar solos of all time. IMO

[@fairmont___d]

I think The Knack and The Kinks shared the same manager who said in a radio interview that My Sharona was recorded live and in one take, as was most of the album. He said they were one of the best live bands he ever saw.

[@robertoclavo3078]

Me encanta The Kinks

[@indycustommade3568]

Great job Fil. You are definitely doing the music of the past a big service to the youth coming up. It takes someone with a passion for music to do it right. Thanks again.

[@starshiptrooper7670]

Indy, I agree. Fil does a great job. I was a bit embarrassed at the time to tell anyone I had bought the single. Just not something a self respecting Sabbath, Stones fan would do. But the Beatles fan in me loved that hook. Guilty as charged!

[@nadogrl]

@@starshiptrooper7670 - Sounds like you knew good music, and followed your instincts.❤️

[@watzup62]

This is one of those iconic songs that never fails to put a smile on my face every time I hear it which is a rare thing these days.

[@robertsparkman8516]

If you were in a band in the late '70s you played this song.

[@HamiltonRb]

You are right, we did for sure and was always received well. Funny, the we played that always got the biggest ovation was Brewer and Shipley’s “ One toke over the line”

[@sjwillis1137]

It was a powerful sound .

[@shannondawn44]

I remember when this album came out , I always thought Doug Fieger resembled a young Pete Townsend , so that's interesting that they were inspired by The Who with My Sharona . I had never heard that before . It was actually ten years ago today that Doug passed away . Great video Fil

[@ChrisWhalenCPA]

The lead solo from the album version of the song is my favorite of all time. Berton Averre is a legend.

[@johnnyreno7200]

The way the album was recorded...brilliant drum sound...Bruce Gary's drumming is so much fun...so much energy he had...and the parts he created...just great fun!

[@richieroo4844]

My thoughts exactly , love the early albums , and Bruces creative and high energy drum work, just great, cheers.

[@johnnyreno7200]

@@richieroo4844 ...heck yeah brother man...you know what I'm talking about...the drums sound so alive !...Rock n Roll!

[@richieroo4844]

@@johnnyreno7200yeah Thanks frm downunder ,Rock on Johnny.

[@mikesummers4530]

Yep, show everyone in the band BUT the guitar player during the solo. Fine camera work there.

[@DLoh7073]

I saw The Knack in Phoenix in 1979 when My Sharona was a hit. It was amazing. I will never forget it!

[@mayberrygary25]

Berton Averre was/is World Class !

[@pipperlou6753]

Love the Knack. Can’t hear this song without smiling and feeling energized! WHEW!!!!

[@rodentcafeteria]

This was a great song that withstood the test of time! Seeing them play it reminds me a bit of The Kinks.

[@enigmacarson927]

Sina drums gies an excellent drum cover of this song which has went through my head 40 years...she really gives the original drummers style to anything she plays...Pert, Ringo, ect... Awsome analysis Fil !!!

[@ricklacy2485]

Please analise Peter Horrelbeck and His band "Rare Earth" he was the greatest asset the band ever had and made thier sound iconic. In my humble opinion.

[@EarthWindandFirepower0990]

I WAS 15 WHEN THIS JAM CAME OUT.NOW IN MY MIDDLE 50'S,I STILL CAN DANCE HARD 2 THIS JAM.WELL AT LEAST FOR MOST OF THE SONG.

[@borgtennis]

One of my all time favorite songs. Loved the riff, energy, direction of the song, going into the amazing guitar solo. as a kid the lyrics went over me. I love the music not the lyrics.

[@shirleymuhleisen683]

Tight, fun, band-great musicians and showmen-love the groove!

[@brucerave2468]

Great job on this! I was actually their A&R man at Capitol. We did rush the follow-up album. Not that we wanted to but when signing them we had to give them full creative control and their manager wanted the next album out to accommodate touring plans. We hoped to go with "She's So Selfish" for a third single and yes it would have been better to hold off on "But The Little Girls Understand" for awhile. Berton was one of the most underrated guitarists. The limelight wasn't important to him.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@marksherman1887]

They were a great signing during an exciting, yet short -lived period, that gave us the Cars, Joe Jackson, The Plimsouls, The Beat (Paul Collins who I believe was with Columbia Records?), Blondie, The Producers, the Romantics, The Jagz and the Talking Heads. Must have been a great time to be in the music industry!

[@brucerave2468]

@@marksherman1887 Thanks! Amazing time, and so many of these songs are still relevant today.

[@invisibleman1028]

That's exactly what Doug has said in interviews. He blamed himself for the decision of rushing out the second album.

[@invisibleman1028]

Any chance you have any Knack items you might want to sell ?

[@ty_stick1410]

The band who put the stake into the heart of disco! Their first LP was a life preserver to a lot of us back in '79. Excellent job, Fil!

[@amierikke6225]

I love this, I was in high school when it came out. What I love most is the joy, the heart and soul the band is showing, and just their joy in their playing and singing. They seem like they are having a party, so happy to be there.

[@philip8899]

The Knack had been my favorite band when I was a kid growing up in the 70's. I was so happy that I finally got to see them in Las Vegas before Doug passed.

[@quicktastic]

Being old and remembering clearly when this came out, it was in the late stages of disco and that music was still dominating pop radio. Then one day, this drum beat comes on the radio and that rhythm. The clincher was the guitar solo. It just rocketed. Just a note on that, the radio version cut the solo short. When I bought the album, I didn't even know there was a longer version, but it was sublime to hear it and a sin that there was ever a version with it cut short. Great video again.

[@stacey37m]

always thought the singer looked like a young Pete Townsend but maybe it's just me

[@maryasbury7814]

When I first saw this I thought the same thing.

[@SM-vw7pl]

The extended lead is one of the best in rock... especially the studio version.

[@michaelmatthews4096]

This song put them on the map,great song.

[@candydale8380]

NO WAY I heard "My Sharona" yesterday & totally thought it would be great if Fil did a segment with The Knack! Unbelievably cool!!! Thank you!!!!!

[@bekind6763]

They were on the radio all the time way back.The Knack had it all, great sound and playing abilities in every way. Thanks for the reminder of them. ❤😎^m^

[@loripond1839]

I adore this song!!!...Talk about a hook!!!....Thanks Fil!...✌❤🤘😎

[@jamesgordonakacrazylegs8222]

Had some fun with this one back in the day

[@geoffoakland]

I always thought this was a forgotten, overlooked and under rated guitar solos. Thanks for giving it the credit that it was due

[@tommonk7651]

Great tune. Takes me back to my freshman year of college. This was on the radio constantly. They could never duplicate the magic they had on that first album.

[@grooviefan]

Then you never saw them live years later. Their later albums were superb but tragically ignored

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

My favourite band of all time. They were absolutely amazing live. Their albums are chock full of superb tracks. They did a fabulous concert at Radio City Music Hall, most of which is on KZbin.

[@tkenglander6226]

The camera person didn't focus enough on Burton during the guitar solo. I really wanted to see more of that!! Thanks for the wonderful review, Fil!! I love how your respect, admiration and generosity toward other musicians is so obvious in your reviews. :-)

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@ancil57]

For those who lived through the misery of the Disco movement of the late 1970s, this song, which sounds very tame today, was thankfully the beginning of the end of Disco. I remember feeling pure "joy" when I first heard that solo. "Yes," I remember saying aloud to myself, "Finally!"

[@kevinb3812]

That guitar breakaway bridge has always given me a thrill... that man is Great!

[@kevinkelly9956]

Doug worked hard for his success. Saw in way back in about 1970, in the Sky. Detroit. He was good.

[@fieldsrt2]

Phil, you are such a musician. I learn so much from you on your analysis of bands and their songs. thank you. The Knack don't get the credit they deserve because their flame burned out quickly due to many things outside their control.

[@normanturnbull7967]

Have to add, the solo sounds like a mix of Mark Knofler and Ace Frehley to my ears.

[@JulioLeonFandinho]

As odd as it sounds, it seems pretty accurate for me

[@timothylawrence707]

I bought a '57 Reissue Les Paul Custom "Black Beauty" off reverb.com about a year and a half ago. After the sale was finalized the seller told me the guitar came from Doug Fieger's estate. I must admit I didn't know who he was but being intrigued, I did some online research. After reading about him I found him to be an exceptional man who passed much too early.

[@grooviefan]

Was there any documentation to show Doug really owned it. ??

[@timothylawrence707]

@@grooviefan Nah; just the seller's word. The way I see it, he had no reason to lie since he didn't tell me that until after the sale. Maybe it's true, maybe not. Either way I bought a very nice guitar. :-)

[@ravelg]

I remember watching a documentary on this band, and if I recall correctly, other than 1 or 2 songs on the album it was recorded in one take. Incredible.

[@frostriver4547]

I played bass in a band that covered this song. It was really fun to play and audiences always seemed enthusiastic to hear it played. Was lucky to be in a group of guys that could always pull it off very successfully!

[@Lea99Jones]

The history here is phenomenal. Your perspective is priceless. Keep going.

[@Butterflies-are-free]

💕 FIL 💕flashback in time. Thank you! 💕

[@jennycraigadventures3314]

This band bridged the 70’s and 80’s as much as any. Nice job Fil!

[@lobster4501]

Hey Fil, They weren’t ripping off ,they were paying tribute.!! Anyway, I am from California ,Southern California. I am 60 years old, ...back in the day from 75 to maybe 83 I would go all the time to Hollywood I live 20 minutes from there. The Whiskey ,The Roxy etc. Troubadour, the Hollywood Palladium. Anyway one night I went to the whiskey to see one of my favorite bands a three-piece band with a nice girl bass player that kicked ass the band was called” LA Dogs” They had a kind of a hit called “ rRght on tTme with the LA Times”... meaning the newspaper. The Knack opened up it was great !! That was the second time that a band that opened up was going to be famous the first time was 1977 and AC/DC was playing at the Whiskey I’ll never forget Bon Scott for stripping down to his underwear putting Angus on his shoulders with one of the first wireless guitar systems ever walking through the Whiskey and going out on Sunset Strip during a extended guitar lead! I was only 17 what the hell! anyway I love you show take care buddy

[@marnaehrech1223]

love the memories!

[@Dutch2go]

Great song, great band. Was 14 when it came out, remember it fondly. Loved it.

[@jamespennington9719]

Had a 76 Trans Am, 455, 4 spd with an 8 track tape player! And remember cruisin to the Knack! They were the "It" band at that time! Great Analyses Fil! Sharona got a note from her parents to hang with Doug! I remember that! ROCK!

[@tonymusic4773]

Absolutely brilliantly informative analysis. I bought the album first time round. What a band. Thanks Fil.🎸🎵

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@michaelcrowley5680]

Where to start! I was 15 when this came out. It really was everywhere pop, rock, and alt radio. Like the Cars everyone claimed them as "ours". Yes that solo was unbelievable! Subtle influences from here and there can be pointed out easily, but it just flows. A tiny bit of Nashville in the chicken pickin part. As well as a jazz breath or two, and of course strangle that note for all it's worth! The rhythm guitar is there and not competing for space. The bass and drums push the solo to that break down ending. It's a band in the groove with minimal effort or effects. The reissue of the album features boom box recording of the infant stages of the song. It didn't change much, down to the Strat Doug used on the day. Well worth the money if I say so. They got steamrolled in the very same way they changed the scene in L.A. George Lynch almost cut his hair and bought skinny Ties! Anyway it's a flawless song. As are most of the songs on that album. Keep it up for the guitar kind! sorry for that, I will leave quietly.

[@letitbesummer6536]

Yes all my friends & I rushed out & bought the album - this song was hard not to sing & bop to. I was 15 when it came out too. The good old days!

[@ljwarhurst58]

sound tracks from my life. I had this song in the loop during an insomnia night. I couldn't clear it, got up to read and felt sleepy again. When I reached the edge of the bed------The into started again! But its in the Library still.;)

[@ruthalvarado7086]

Every song on this album is great.... I still listen to it regularly!

[@yendor1232]

Little known and fun factoid The lead singer Doug Fieger had a Little brother that founded one of the largest Law firms in Michigan. Geoffrey Fieger became best known as the Lead attorney for Dr. Jack Kevorkian now known as Dr. Death.

[@yowsah1961]

Geoff Fieger also ran to be governor of Michigan!

[@leandabee]

I tell you what, I'm so glad I had these songs in my teen years. Great era of music 💖💖💖💖

[@darlatidwell6255]

They came to play,.. very well .👍🎤😎🎸🤟🥁

[@marksimpson2321]

Anyone who enjoys this song should find the live version fron 2005. What another fantastic version that is with an even better crowd that make it mmmmm Woooo ! ❤😊

[@DEPARTMENTOFREDUNDANCYDEPT]

I have been listening to this song recently, after rediscovering it on KZbin, and was amazed to discover that great guitar solo which was always cut from the radio play version. I was pleased to learn that Doug and Sharona remained friends and she was present in his final days.

[@Chygunachnik]

There's never been a American band that sounded and looked so British.

[@sirtedricwalker2979]

I saw them in 1979-80 can't remember the exact year but I was like 4 rows from the stage at the Fox theatre....It was great!

[@savvasefsef]

"Ballroom blitz",You really got me" & "My Sharona",the radio used to play them in pack, back in my youth days!!:-)

[@scottjackson1420]

Doug's a fantastic frontman, but what made the Knack such a great band was the powerhouse drumming and the elite lead guitarist. I love the Knack!

[@blanewilliams5960]

I remember when this song came out, everyone I knew liked it and were telling their friends. Great riff and that solo is excellent. Well done Fil, thanks.

[@lionheartroar3104]

So glad you are covering the Knack. Very tight band with incredible guitar and drums.

[@sfbadger45]

I never understood the backlash I kept hearing back in 1979. So many of us loved this album but there were always the detractors saying "Nuke The Knack, Nuke The Knack!". What are you gonna do, ... haters gonna hate. After all these years I finally understand the problem, ... pettiness. Thank you for the insightful review.

[@sonnet189]

The Knack were really talented. Get The Knack is loaded with great catchy, fun pop songs. I'm glad you credited Bruce Gary and Prescott Niles. They're both great, Bruce is such a great pop drummer. * I love that the guitar solo might be a little sarcastic knock at Lynyrd Skynyrd's over the top "Free Bird" guitar solo. Lol...that's just my interpretation, I'm probably wrong. Great analysis Fil.

[@comicblueswithjonygitar36]

Freebird is also played nearly the same way every time despite frenetic sound. I miss Doug. He was really nice down to earth guy. Show business moves on very quickly, hard to capture success in a bottle. Soon you're just another guy at a meeting or jam. Doug wrote and sang a #1 hit, not too many people can say that.

[@chazblitz]

This song always takes me back to when it came out. I had just gotten my drivers license and that changed everything! It's the infectious bass riff that makes this song go.

[@OFLHLGZ28]

I loved playing this song out with my band….back in 2002.

[@jean-paulmoreau7178]

Fantastic job Fil. This was one of the favourite albums of Kurt Cobain by the way... no one understood back in Aberdeen at the time but Kurt knew what he was talking about didn' he?

[@Knards]

Something I always thought about the solo is that its just so natural. Its almost what you would expect to hear. Reminds of the Jeff Beck Song "Situation" from the Rough and Ready album

[@McFlySwatter]

You were spot on when you said their live performances sounded just like the records. Such a tight band... Lead guitarist Berton Averre definitely had a knack (🙂) for playing fast while staying in perfect time. His melodic solos and riffs during the verses of songs remind me a lot of The Cars guitarist Elliot Easton's style of playing.

[@yensilluap]

That’s a great observation - melodic playing but also fast runs thrown in as well- just like Elliot.

[@GT-mq1dx]

I couldn’t have said it any better.

[@maryasbury7814]

Haven't heard that song in tears but I loved it! Thank you.

[@bradsmack1]

Vacationed from Houston to LA in June of 1979, apparently the very week of the LP release of "Get the Knack." I walked into Tower Records' legendary Sunset Blvd. location, and was met with a massive end-cap display of the LP----hundreds of copies surrounding the actual---maybe a replica---of Bruce Gary's entire drum kit, complete with bass drum logo! Apparently, the store had just finished erecting this monstrous display, because standing right next to it was Doug Fieger, himself, having just come in to observe and OK the display. I chatted with him for a few minutes, and he seemed very pleased with the display. That same week I was there, I went to several shows on the strip, at the usual places (Whisky, Madame Wong's, etc), and managed to run into some of the usual "denizens" of the strip I had read about so eagerly in Hit Parader, Creem, PRM, Crawdaddy, and other rock zines of the day: Chief among them being Rodney Bingenheimer and Kim Fowley (on separate occasions)! If you're not familiar, look 'em up....amazing bios for each! I moved to LA 7 months later!