Eric Johnson - Cliffs Of Dover

[@farfromperfek]

I have met Eric multiple times, (advantage of working in a guitar store) you will not find a nicer and more humble musician on earth. He once offered me to go on stage with him and play, I'm not nearly good enough for that. He is one of those guitarists that other guitarists sit in awe watching him play, knowing they will never be that good. Most concerts I go to I find a few riffs and licks to steal, the first time I saw him live I just stood there like an idiot with my mouth open. FYI he is from Austin, Texas.

[@nintony2994]

He is my hero! You're so lucky!

[@blank4142]

Holy shit, that offer would have my heart skipping beat after beat.

[@stevenewcomer8837]

I saw Eric at a big Rock Festival in San Antonio in 1992 right after this came out. He said he doesn’t feel like he can take credit for writing this song. He said a higher power must have been involved because it just came to him and he wrote it in FIVE MINUTES!

[@josephgonzalez6070]

That higher power chose him... That means very much with regards to Eric.

[@jerryboy3301]

I was there. I lived in San Antonio for 18 yrs.

[@guitartec]

The man is a musical athlete!

[@damnalien6998]

Saw him live last year. Still sounds amazing 30+ year later.

[@keithbrown4487]

just saw G3 in Spokane, amazing and Eric is my favorite

[@frankdeutan]

One of the only live versions of a song that I truly enjoy watching and hearing. Nice reaction Maddy!!

[@TRWilley]

Eric was a contemporary of Stevie Ray Vaughan in the Austin, TX music scene in the 1980's - they were the two hottest "guns" in town. He actually won a Grammy for the studio version of "Cliffs of Dover," and is most widely known amongst guitarists - and although he does sing, he is mainly known as an instrumental guitarist which is why he never got huge attention from the mainstream. Another very cool thing about EJ is that he used mostly vintage guitars and amps, especially back then. The guitar in the video is a first year production Fender Stratocaster from 1954, and most of his amps and pedals where from the 60's and 70's. His sound is known as the "Violin Tone" amongst guitarists, and his hearing is so discerning that he can hear the difference in battery brands in his effect pedals. As for the anime comment, I never thought about it, but in this video he does look like the character of Roy Fokker from the 80's anime series "Robotech"...

[@SmokeyTreats]

I've read Eric was a child prodigy classical player & had composed his first piece at 5 yrs old. Also equally interested in jazz & Texas Blues for his entire youth. I saw him in 84' & 85' in a small bar in Charlotte with 116 people capacity. Think it was called The Double Door Inn. You wouldn't believe how loud he was. The bar was just one long room, low ceiling & he setup & one end. He had two half-stacks & two Fender Twins. One of the half-stacks was behind the others & faced the drummer as a monitor... Only PA was two TL Cabinets raised to the 8 foot ceiling. Three piece band. First time I saw him he did mostly Hendrix covers. He went completely wild on Hendrix's Are You Experienced backwards lead part, extended. First time I had ever seen reverse/backwards notes played live, so awesome! The 84' show was totally instrumental. 85' show had vocals since he had released an album in the previous year. Thanks for your reaction!

[@docmetal8194]

Always loved this song. It's so joyful, bright, and uplifting!

[@scottbrooks2255]

I have seen EJ live many times. One of the GOATs!!

[@raymondregis6219]

Saw his band open for Rush in 92. They were great.

[@mikelundquist4596]

Funny that you said "brag performance"... Eric is possibly the nicest and most humble person I've met, not just in the music industry. Cool guy.

[@mikelundquist4596]

@@JackW467 true.

[@bwlynn73]

I've seen him live a couple of times and both times were amazing. Great reaction as always.

[@michellemondragon2400]

We (myself & my kids) call this the happy song because no matter what mood you're in, this song will lift your spirit and make you smile from ear to ear!

[@bbox5938]

Thank you for reacting to this and your comments. He's got a really nice voice and many great songs. Awesome band. Please listen to "Desert Rose".

[@DarrellW_UK]

I saw Eric as part of a G3 concert with Steve Vai and Joe Satriani (the host); despite the differences in genres between Joe and Steve Eric held his own without any difficulty at all, he’s just a great melodic guitarist! You can listen to anything from Eric all of his music is really accessible. Nice reaction Maddy, it looked very much like you were enjoying it! 🌹

[@misterkite]

I went to the first G3. They had an opening act, Adrian Legg.. the dude was amazing. Played an acoustic guitar and changed tuning *while* playing to do some crazy impossible bends. Search KZbin for Adrian Legg - Midwest Sunday for an example.

[@Will_Wel]

Saw three G3s. All were great. Eric Johnson Steve Vai and Joe Satriani at the Hollywood bowl was a good one.

[@V0ID_X5]

Not many songs pack so much emotion and skill as this one does! It’s hard not to get emotional listening to this... Loved seeing your smile throughout the performance 😊

[@kylekerwin4993]

What an anthem song if there ever was one. Dang. I agree the intro is a sweet sound and on loop would be cool. I dig his high school marching band coat. He could merchandise that and donate the proceeds.

[@grandwazoodebris1015]

Eric Johnson was a legend before he was even famous. Their was a Guitar Player magazine feature on him before he was famous, with players like Stevie Ray Vaughn and Billy Gibbons talking about how amazing he was. Someone said he sounded like if Jimi Hendrix went on to study with Barney Kessel for 5 years; Kessel was a legendary jazz player. Joe Bonamassa always jokes and says he stole most of his style from Eric. Special player, and seems really really nice in all interviews I've heard by him.

[@ernestpacheco8148]

High School in the 80s , So much variety. I Miss it ! Nice that you reacted to this one. ; )

[@daniellacroix-t9h]

EJ has the most beautiful guitar tones and one of the smartest phrasés. Really a classy guitar player.

[@thatcomicdad1687]

Im am still amazed at how he gets such clean tone. Unreal

[@notedrockhistorian4382]

I think he uses an effect called a dumbler. Gives that pulsating sound.

[@SIXSTRING63]

I saw Eric in a small club in Rochester NY around 1994. He was just amazing to say the least. It was a nice up close and personal type of place with cool cushioned couches and chairs to sit in. I wish I could remember the name of the place.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

This was really good. Thanks

[@dinoc734]

Guitarist lost their damn minds when this came out in the early 90s

[@thatcomicdad1687]

Yes I did

[@mattpfarr5992]

This was one of my favorite songs to play on guitar hero

[@Majic2657]

I can't believe I forgot about him. Thanks Maddy Much Love❤❤❤❤

[@jaybaker149]

Truly one of the BEST!

[@johnboydTx]

Great Vibes 😊 .. I Drove to Houston and saw him ,, fantastic concert 👏👏 I'm glad you've discovered Eric 👍.. Enjoy your Adventures in Music 🎶✌️💙🤍💙🤍

[@yesorlando05]

I've been listening to him since the 1880's. Eric is from Texas. Very nice, handsome, kind, humble, extremely talented guy.

[@artsolano6762]

My favorite guitarist. He got his start in Austin Texas playing fusion . He’s got incredible range and control.

[@johnspartan3465]

one of my all time fave players, fun fact, this won a grammy for best rock instrumental performance in 1991 very well deserved too i'd say 👍

[@friscocoonsliscano]

Texas Style ❤we love our Erick Johnson 🎉we saw him at the Dallas blues festival back in the day 🙌 gracias. Maddy

[@shepardnedmondsiii8093]

🇺🇸👨🏽‍🦳😃😆🫵🏽 Yeah Girl !… Eric , is a TEXAS GUY ! I’ve been listening to him for a long , long time . He’s been around since the late ‘70’s , early ‘80’s !! 😃 The guy is a “ MONSTER GUITARIST “ ! He blows the competition away at a moment’s notice !!! He really does !! And always will , in My estimation ….😆😃🍀👍🏽👍🏽👋🏽👨🏽‍🦳🇺🇸

[@redSectorA]

Roomer has it his guitar smokes a cigarette after that performance

[@gilleskraemer4964]

He also sings amazingly! A great example would be "when the sun meets the sky" from "Venus isle" album

[@vicprovost2561]

Another great album, she should also do the title track and Battle We Have Won, they seemed to just flow into another like others on this classic disc.

[@vicprovost2561]

Another great album, she should also do the title track and Battle We Have Won, they seemed to just flow into another like others on this classic disc.

[@vicprovost2561]

Another great album, she should also do the title track and Battle We Have Won, they seemed to just flow into another like others on this classic disc.

[@vicprovost2561]

Another great album, she should also do the title track and Battle We Have Won, they seemed to just flow into another like others on this classic disc.

[@vicprovost2561]

Another great album, she should also do the title track and Battle We Have Won, they seemed to just flow into another like others on this classic disc.

[@SnoBear626]

Won a Grammy for this album. Instrumental Album of the Year!

[@mikeconway9849]

Great reaction, Maddy! I've not heard him before, it was very enjoyable guitar work. I'm happy to aww you you back listening to good music.

[@Geerladenlad]

Eric Johnson sings as well! This whole album is pretty good. The album is called Ah Via Musicom. I saw him with the G3 Tour in 1997. On that G3 tour was Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai.

[@vicprovost2561]

Six string Heaven!

[@vicprovost2561]

Six string Heaven!

[@vicprovost2561]

Six string Heaven!

[@Geerladenlad]

@@vicprovost2561 I think Steve might have been already using his 7 string in that point in his career.

[@MattKrogmeier]

"Zap" or "Desert Rose" would be a good next step in EJ's catalog for you...great player, great singer, and always seems to be just a good-ol-boy from Texas - very humble and soft-spoken.

[@ahmadeyzmansabumansor6780]

Eric Johnson -Your Sweet Eyes

[@codyhickman6433]

The comment about him being the archetype for a Japanese Anime version of an American is one of the funniest, and most accurate, things I’ve heard in a while. Spot on.

[@csphoenix9]

Saw him twice live, Great shows

[@Jonathan-iq3sg]

Maddy, I agree 100% with you on the style Eric played at the beginning because for me, I find it soothing to the soul. And on a side note, you're looking gorgeous....As always 😊

[@donaldcoffey800]

Best guitar ever! Such a breezy sound.

[@ellavaderknows]

This was an Austin City Limits episode and it just so happened that Prince saw this show and contacted his record company (Warners) and told them to sign him, but Eric had already been signed to Warners a few months before.

[@johnmitchell5065]

Heard this in my truck,on the radio. Turned right around, and went to Tower records, bought it . then I forced my friends to listen

[@jollyrodgers7272]

I always liked this, the main body of the recording - used to hear it a long time ago, as someone used to use it on the radio as their 'bumper' music (fade out and back in from commercial hard-breaks). I have a Stratocaster very similar to his, but mine never sounded so good - LOL!

[@billofalltrades2633]

An awesome song

[@bigelile07]

He was his own critic. If you watch the original video he missed a note at 3:02 and he gives a subtle head nod to acknowledge it.

[@andymccracken4046]

Thanks, that was great, I hadn't seen this before. I think I have seen him doing covers of Jimi Hendrix stuff.

[@lylesommers1249]

I love the hook in this song

[@memorylane7068]

Eric on his 1954 Stratocaster. He may still play the real deal live today, but I can't be sure, as the reissues (Strats) are super accurate these days. He's from Texas.

[@krisk1515]

That's his 54 Virginia strat...ive held it before...he doesn't have it anymore...super great guy...known him for years...

[@memorylane7068]

@@krisk1515 Thanks much!

[@GregCombs100]

I don't think Eric has ever hit the wrong note. He prides himself on perfection both in his technique and tone.

[@GunnerSG]

so awesome !!! I get to see him along w the other original G3 members Joe Satriani and Steve Vai live at the end of the month !!! you have started an amazing journey Maddy so much amazing instrumental guitar music out there !!!

[@stevenewcomer8837]

Another great band from Austin is Arc Angels. Their song “Living In A Dream” is awesome. They are a Supergroup composed of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s friends Doyle Bramhall II and Charlie Sexton and two of the band members from Vaughan’s band Double Trouble after Stevie’s death.

[@toddcoburn921]

Eric Johnson is from Austin, TX!

[@justitia257]

Beautiful

[@IrishPizzaMan]

I never thought about him looking like a Anime’s character! 😂 I’ve been listening to him for years and a casual fan of Anime that’s hilarious!

[@bukeksiansu2112]

This song along with Desert Rose, Nothing Keep Me From You and Forty Miles Town are my favorites Ah Via Musicom songs.

[@jettechdonatkins]

A bautiful piece of work by Eric.Always loved this song.Eric does sing in a lot of his songs and does that very well too.For another guitarist who brings everything he has and is also a good singer,try Frank Marino doing It's Begun To Rain from Live at the Agora,you will see a guy who inspired a lot of other guitar greats.Thank you Maddie!

[@wls64]

He is such an impressive tallent! I know that you will really like the official video for his song Trademark 👍

[@SonorGeek05]

I think he toured with The Four Tops back in the mid - late 90s.

[@Robert_Fordin]

That guy is from a better world.

[@robertwoods3750]

your glasses be rockin girl . always enjoy your "reactions" .

[@jhas727]

Closest you will get to Mozart on guitar. Amazing! If you don’t know Mozart or haven’t listened listen to in a long time give another. Good for the brain and soul.

[@sumonjamal1653]

Eric Johnson is one of many instrumental guitar composers that u can check out... Of course, the King is Joe Satriani, who I got to see live in concert 🤘🤘 Steve Vai (who studied under Satriani) has a more eclectic style of playing... I've also seen other solo guitarists - Vinnie Moore... Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal ... Gary Hoey... Yngwie J. Malmsteen ... And I got to experience former Scorpions lead guitarist Uli Jon Roth in concert playing his classic Scorpions songs.

[@shannonvanpatten8341]

This song always reminds me of a drive through the country in a fast convertible

[@SnuSlavin]

Isn't that just about one of the Best things you have ever heard?

[@Tijuanabill]

Just saying you can play this is a bold statement, that few would believe without hearing it.

[@williamweiss6128]

Yea, his stuff is beautiful

[@rogerdaly6326]

Hey Maddy the jacket he's wearing is a nod to one of his heroes that also wore that jacket - Jimi Hendrix

[@paullatour7012]

Played on a hilltop in Austin, Tx with the Texas State Capitol building in the distant background.

[@neillenet291]

Maddy, for more Guitar virtuoso fun please react to Joe Satriani SURFING WITH THE ALIEN and Steve Vai FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.

[@franksullivan1873]

Lightning fast fingers,lol.

[@thomasroth4695]

Made everything look natural and easy. True signs of pro’s pro

[@PrenticeDanner]

best it gets. all that talent and dressed as captain crunch.

[@richsalm7474]

Best of the best.😎

[@scottcrosby-art5490]

If technique was a human being.

[@therepublicofcynica]

Soon they'll be reaction videos to reaction videos.

[@RobXHEphotosPs37.29]

One of my favs, wonderful legato playing style. In my personal top 5 guitarists along with Steve Morse, Rik Emmett, Steve Howe, Jeff Beck.

[@neillenet291]

Joe Satriani

[@mikelundquist4596]

Very nice group of guitarists.

[@vicprovost2561]

Wow, what a great song, nice you reacted to him, we saw him a couple times back in the day, he is magnificent. This is original!y off the brilliant album, Ah Via Musicom. Amongst other great tracks on it was Desert Rose, he played it also at this concert on Austin City Limits and it is a fabulous track and you get to hear him sing! Check it out, you would love it, Enjoy. 🎵🎸🎤🎶

[@lIlIANONYMOUSIlIl]

Hi Maddy!

[@Noel-b8o]

Awesome

[@4yules]

eas wes...or forty mile town ,manhattan will give you that peaceful vibe

[@paso193]

Uhh........... _WHA-A-A-A-T_ ! 😶

[@Bill_Jones.]

You should study to his song “Trademark.” You’ll achieve your goal.

[@danm9460]

If you could have watched that for hours why did you keep checking to see when it ended?

[@erichfisher325]

Try "Desert Rose" or "S.R.V" as both are amazing. Great reaction

[@vincentvancraig]

I accidently shit talked him in fb once....i had no idea it was his actual page, i thought it was some random page posting *about* him....i wasnt paying attention, it was in my highly drunk years....he responded and he wasnt happy with me....i wasnt familiar with much of his work then....this is a dope tune tho, no doubt.....also, all apologies to mr johnson, im sure hes very nice under normal circumstances.....all i said was parrot what kurt cobain had said about ppl like steve vai, and pll like that....i didnt let that be known when i commented tho....i felt bad in the moment, i didnt want to keep the thread going, im not really a comfrontational person....i swear i thought it was just a post about him from some rando facebook page, haha:/ ...great reaction.

[@csphoenix9]

His outfit is Captain Harlock inspired

[@rogerdaly6326]

Its a nod to one of his heroes that wore the same jacket - Jimi Hendrix

[@alexo5861]

I don’t think this was the first time he wore the jacket but story goes he knew he was going to bee seen on TV a lot. Went to his old High School, walked in to the band room said “hi” to his old Marching Band teacher, went into the uniform closet got his old Marching Band jacket and walked out with it! No one stopped him.

[@jeremyhazard5249]

Cleanest picker evaa

[@kyleclark7449]

Whys there no more Ren reactions from you 😢😢

[@Jack_Wynand97]

Now please reaction to Desert Rose of Eric Johnson!!!

[@daveh9335]

Eric is a fantastic player Check out Into the Arena From Michael Schenker

[@famat161]

Cool. I know what this guy can do.

[@jonp4846]

He must be seen live. The video doesn't come close to the live experience.

[@Grumpy12]

👍

[@Tobbes-music]

eric is an old germanic and skandinavian name. not an american name.

[@ploppill34]

It ain't braggin if you can do it

[@alikleit5890]

Hey plzzz Can you do a reaction to linkin park crawling live reaction. it's a really sad lyric and you hear chester bennington's vulnerability