Eric Johnson - Zap (Live From Austin TX)

[@brianwilson4404]

Met Eric at the guitar show in Dallas in the late 90's.. a friend of mine freaked out and asked him for his autograph, then sadly told Eric that he didn't have a sharpie. Eric walked from booth to booth and asked vendors until he found a sharpie.. just to sign something for a fan. Huge respect for him as a musician.. and a person.

[@Philip_McIlvain]

Brian Wilson that’s just so heartwarming

[@Brucev7]

He's a good hombre

[@Smokeater116]

I'm disabled from a work injury and a few years ago I entered a contest for a free wheelchair van with a lift, etc. that would go to whoever got the most signatures for the contest. Eric somehow saw my post on FB (The only way I can even imagine how was because I had joined his fan page on Facebook) asking for people to sign and then he reposted it on his fan page with a note from him that asked his fans to help me out with it. I didn't win but am truly appreciative to him for doing that. Not only is he a GREAT guitarist, but an extremely decent guy.

[@jt1929]

I read that when SRV first heard EJ play in a club that he went nuts and was running around the room with excitement

[@jakewithclorox9739]

Just met Eric at the end of his show in Napa earlier tonight, he's so humble and such a kind man! He wasn't meeting with anyone because of covid and yet when me and my father (who loves his music dearly) asked if we could possibly meet him he was all for it!! He was so shy in person but so unbelievably kind... THANK YOU ERIC!!!!!

[@collinjamesguitar]

88-96 Eric Johnson is absolutely the closest any guitar player has ever been to perfection IMO. Still absolutely blows my mind every single time I watch these videos and listen to those records. Christ almighty.

[@ThatDangKid1]

Beyond facts

[@DVMCellini]

truth

[@bojangles6444]

I always get lost when he starts singing. Wish it was all instrumental. Also wish that strat cut through the mix a little more live lol

[@bassprofishe1549]

@@bojangles6444 I know im a year late but I love his voice tbh but I get it

[@dkcorderoyximenez3382]

How does one close their jaw when Eric Johnson plays...??? He's freaking awesome...!!!

[@robertomingo9822]

Live from Austin has to be the best ever live gig in terms of guitar playing. Simply insane stuff

[@dkcorderoyximenez3382]

100%...

[@sgenetti77]

I absolutely LOVE Johnson's tone. It's so atmospheric. This version is so very, very good.

[@jimd9360]

He isn't known as the King of Tone for nothing. :) His touch and precision are amazing.

[@jspartacus]

It's smothered in reverb and echo. That's why it sounds that way.

[@ATX0705]

@@jspartacus And it sounds beautiful :-)

[@davedexter1583]

+jspartacus And expensive gear, obsessively set to deliver great results. If I add that amount of reverb and delay to my tone, it doesn't sound like that.

[@scomu9742]

Dave Dexter yes because you need a fuzz face in addition

[@tedcabana]

E.J. in his prime. Zap, is my favorite tune of his. Absolutely amazing. Only a genius can write shit like this!

[@notgeorge7563]

Zap and cliffs of dover from this show is peak guitar as an instrument. I would dare to say that this eric johnson was better than hendrics even

[@tedcabana]

@@notgeorge7563 Dare to say, and I will agree. This would have blown Jimi's fucking mind. But with no disrespect. Jimi was a one of a kind outstanding in a world of his own, where many may try to copy, but none never come close. Eric also stands alone, and far away from all others. Love them both for their unique originality.

[@catadjusterdave]

Drummer and bass player are smokin!! They play with speed,precision and feel. What a rhythm section!

[@DomSchu]

The best rhythm sections are hardly even noticeable. But they hold everything together and allow the lead the shine.

[@zptbass5162]

The drummer and the bass player are solid. Don't forget the drum have an amazing voice for back-up vocals!

[@johnnyblazeallday7817]

Cédrik Paquin everyone forgets the heartbeat

[@StanleyRodgers]

Tommy Taylor, the drummer, played on all of Christopher Cross's hits. He is so good. That and he blends in to whatever song he is playing on.

[@thelesnah8904]

Their names are Kyle Brock (bass) and Tommy Taylor (drum) if you're wondering.

[@margiedavis1685]

He's the best living guitarist in Texas! And he's wearing a vintage West High School Trojan Marching Band jacket! My old school, Class of '71! Going to see Eric in Waco Thursday night before the Crossroads Festival in Dallas this weekend. I've seen him over 10 times---an amazing talent and all around great person.

[@jennrat513]

He's coming here to the ATL next month and I'd like to try to go..be my first time..🙂

[@smittypsrandomguitarstuff2106]

MARGIE DAVIS , So THAT’s what that jacket is! I want one! How can I get one?

[@leehanson1416]

This was recorded before LED lights on stage. I spent my time in a marching band uniform, they are HOT in Texas without 10K watts of stage lighting bearing down on you.

[@ericjohnsonsdover]

I need this jackettt

[@NotDwight-j8n]

I always thought it was some old military jacket. Cool to learn it’s origin.

[@HiImSeanIPlayBass]

"Hi, I'm Kyle Brock, and I'm fully capable of hanging with Eric Johnson and only need 4 strings to do it." Holy shit.

[@HellShredder713]

Eric Johnson and Paul Gilbert have to be my two favorites of all time. They're both amazing musicians with awesome technique and great sound. Plus they are some of the coolest and most down to earth people to meet. No egos or cockiness at all.

[@johnwestcott5612]

There's nothing I don't envy about Eric Johnson: His AMAZING guitar playing, his AWESOME head of hair... his jacket... AWESOME from head to toe.

[@mtsilvagt]

John Westcott +Gaaaylooord !!

[@Bkens023]

Leopoldo Chatz Mata come on his hair is god tier and you know it

[@DonHaka]

@@Bkens023 it really is, like holy shit.

[@annmarieknapp]

And he's actually a really nice guy. Met him after a concert in 01' and he was down-to-earth and spent several minutes talking with my ex and I. Just an incredible talent and person

[@aprilcox871]

I have a similar jacket... But that's about it!

[@BleuLaneBand]

I have known Eric since the 1980's when we shared a bill in Memphis. At the time I was living there & working in studios there. Eric took a 4 hour sound check to be prepared for the best possible sound in the venue. We shared the bill for two nights over a weekend. Eric rocked the house each night as we sat & watched in wonder. Now I live in the Austin area. I still get goose bumps when I see him play. I've seen & played with the best & Eric is up their w/the best of all time.

[@zoso4563]

Johnson's chops are unbelievable

[@prophetviewer]

what is chop

[@tomsfruitstand6821]

jb nano it's a karate thing

[@johna.3529]

Sean Patrick chicken chop

[@cgcAWESOME84DANK]

One of the most underrated bassists I've ever heard!

[@ZachDoty]

cgcAWESOME84 True that! I've tried to find more music with him in it. The drummer is no slouch either. :)

[@OuttakedPerformancesTM]

+Zach Doty Yeah, Tommy Taylor and Kyle Brock. Both are amazing musicians! Kyle Brock was with EJ since Electromagnets band, and some early Mariani stuff (around 1969-1971). If i'm not wrong, Tommy Taylor joined EJ in 1983/1984. There was a show in 1983, Dallas, TX that Eric played with Stevie Ray Vaughan. He was with Roscoe Beck and Tommy Taylor. Before that, EJ was with "Eric Johnson And The Avenue" band, Rob Alexander (bass, vocals) and Steve Meador (drums). In 1996, he got Brannen Temple Jr. and Roscoe Beck on line-up, as used on G3 tour. Most of people think Eric's first band was Mariani, but that's just his first professional band. His first band was Sounds Of Life. I forgot the line-up, but he said that on a interview. He also comments that him and Mariani played with Deep Purple on a festival, while Eric was drunk and forgot to tune the strings (lol). On another interview, he commented that he stopped to drink on his 19 years. "Life's pretty tough, you can get thrown a lot of curves. I thought, 'I don't want to make it even tougher with substance abuse". He also turned to vegetarianism, "I was actually against it. I had an attitude about it, but I thought I would just try it. I felt better - healthier - so why not?". His first live performance was with 13 years, while a band duel, not sure about the line-up... Lol i wrote a lot of stuff, but that's cool stuff.

[@rogerwilliams2629]

When I used to see him and play at the same clubs, it was late 70s and early 80s. He had Kyle Brock and Bill Maddox played drums. Every musician in town would rush over to wherever he was playing after their gigs ((if they were playing) or we would all just be there. Back then there were no recordings, his first album was tiied up in some legal limbo (7 Worlds) that had many of these songs on it. So, the only way to hear Eric was to be at his gigs. It was unreal, everyone in the crowd was just in a trance, and he would push the boundaries each and everytime he played. No one, and I mean no one had ever sounded like him and he blew us all away. Changed my life, and was definitely the biggest influence on me. Super nice guy, too.

[@MrMetalhorse]

cgcAWESOME84 if you play with Eric Johnson, no matter who you are, you'll get ignored because Eric is too badass

[@faggotsmoker9588]

cgcAWESOME84 who cares about bass tho

[@TracyFClark]

I bet Leo Fender never thought someone would play like this on a Strat! That was Cool!

[@HauteGameFR]

Da fuck the cameraman while Bass solo... "I have a MISSION ! To Film ERIC ! ERIC ! ERIC !" ^^'

[@brothermarlone]

haha.dummy! 😂

[@HonkyReduction-b2g]

There's multiple cameras. It was the director or editor's choice to show Eric.

[@vidtrax662]

Eric's first album 'Tones' was amazing. Sounds like electric classical.

[@outoworkdreamer]

Just bought it on iTunes...although Live From Austin Tx is the first EJ I've bought. (and that was only a week ago) It's ALL I've been listening to! Amazing! I can't believe I'm just now discovering Eric Johnson.

[@williamwarren3618]

That was what I thought when I first heard him play in Austin Texas. I did not know anyone could do such amazing things on a guitar. I only regret I did not buy a guitar at that point in my life.

[@guitar78ish]

I came across this a couple years back, it's from 1975 when he was with the Electormagnets. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIPCp6ypeMSen8k

[@pbstratocaster]

The best Line up Eric ever had, Tommy Taylors dry and tight drums, and Kyle on the steady bass. And particular his bass solo in this piece. A REAL POWER ROCK TRIO in its very sense.

[@Eddu13]

One of the best performances by any musician on any instrument ever, what this animal played here is unreal. Remember it is all music, and not a bunch of scales put together. Amazing, when I first heard it not even my speakers could tolerate it, they blew off.

[@sweeps42]

I had the pleasure of seeing these guys back in 2019 and holy crap do they still got it. Still tighter than a zip lock bag.

[@deathscythekim729]

this guy has the best tone ever.

[@stratsouldier]

35 years ago and everyone is still trying to catch EJ. Maybe the best to ever do it. Austin definitely had something in the water at this time. So many greats

[@strange0music0nature]

this guy is....one of the BEST GUITARISTS EVER....His style...his tone....his AMAZING SOUND QUALITY!...and this solo is one of my best in electric guitar history....Eric Johnson has influenced me a lot...

[@johndboran]

That run he starts at 3:03 is unbelievable!! I would love to see someone try to transcribe that one....good luck!! I've been playing for more than 45 years and he is the best overall player on the planet. He's so good in SO MANY STYLES!! That's the key to earning such a blanket title from me. You can't be great in just ONE type of guitar. You gotta be good in a LOT of styles. He is.....

[@johnsham7568]

What get's me is when he runs the entire board, doesn't fully do that in this one but on Cliffs he does. Reminds me of running up and down the keys on piano during a classical performance. Pretty impressive stuff.

[@Pauly421]

Gotta give credit to the sound guy and engineer this could easily be a studio live version by how amazing it sounds... Just a class act all the way

[@papa_pt]

this show has a live album 😂

[@blendzol]

He is purely amazing. So much feeling in every single note he plays. And that tone.

[@Pauly421]

The drummer is so sick. What a band. Would kill to see them live in this era

[@balaton1]

I'm a huge EVH guy. But what this man has done blows me away for decades. I rewired my strat to what I heard was how he did it. I'm so close.

[@JuanCruz-io2sd]

I am 52 years old and throughout my life I admire this guitarist a lot, I am from the city of Mexico and how blessed life is, now I live in dallas tx and I feel very proud to live in the state where he was born, I know that He was born in Austin but it is a blessing to know that I live in his home state. Greetings and one of my favorite great guitarists.

[@DonHaka]

Everybodys fucking going off in this performance, drumming and bass is precise and fast and wonderful, they both compliment Johnson's playing extremely well.

[@alhme50]

One of the BEST Guitarist to EVER LIVE, PERIOD...........

[@dwdesignandmusic]

OMG, he such an amazing guitarist, how is he able to time it so well and continue to make it sound melodic?

[@Ken5244]

Everytime I watch this, I'm struck by how fiery his playing is, juxtaposed against the sterile TV studio environment. And then after more than 5 minutes of the coolest licks & ridiculously hard playing, he just sidles up to the mic & quietly says, "Thank you very much." *laugh* Like it was no big thing. Computer audio doesn't do this justice. Listening to the DVD thru a high quality stereo, his tone is just monstrous (as usual).

[@mauijaystar]

Ah, the flashbacks. God bless this talent.

[@davidbennett420]

Saw Eric 2 times in this format....did not even want to smoke my skunk weed...he was that good...and my brother mentioned there was not a fret he didn't hit...killer shows

[@johnburns272]

I've been fortunate to see him a couple times, and talk about being unaffected by his greatness. So polite, so humble, so gracious, such a wonderful son of Texas. Knows that what you have will stand on its own and speak for itself, and attitude and cockiness do nothing but tarnish it. He'd say things like "I'm not really where I'd like to be with this next piece, hopefully next time I see you, I'll be further along with it, but I hope this gives you an idea of what I'm trying to express..." and then he'd launch into something jaw-dropping and spellbinding.

[@bobravenscraft5376]

Tried listening to Mayer. Ran back here to get the sound out of my head lol. Much better

[@chanhtrungle1188]

He’s the wizard of pentatonic. The simple pentatonic scale becomes so intricate in his hands

[@lilyh4467]

I like how you can tell that he's practiced his whole life just from how his hands move... They look magnetic

[@educassiano]

i think is just batshit crazy how he takes the guitar playing to this hole new level. so great.

[@AlcirGomes10]

I would love to drive in I-70 (Colorado) listening to this.... Awesome

[@nahuatlSOUL]

this is when Austin was still really cool!!

[@monsterg7]

who does not like the style , performance, dexterity and heart of this song... if you are one of the 6 with the thumbs down... don't answer... Eric Johnson is the Real Deal! I Love this Song Thank You to Eric Johnson and my friend Ben who sent this to me!!!! it Rocks!

[@lorrigrrl]

I never really listened to this entire song before now....It's insane how GOOD Eric Johnson's guitar playing is!

[@MrFEYT]

He is a guitar god. Great, fantastic, there is no word to define his talent. God bless you, you are a genius. You come from another planet. An alien of guitar. We can't play after listening to you. You are very and very impressive guy. Please give me a little piece of your talent. You are a monster playing guitar.

[@DaveDexterMusic]

I've been a fan of Eric for nearly half my life, and I never knew he could quite play like this.

[@davidbennett420]

And at the little theatre we saw him in, he was signing pics, and all I wanted was eye to eye contact and I got that walking right past him...silent words were spoken, he is a master guitar player....prodigy.

[@zackeriah87]

3:25-3:30 is thee most sickest/ most amazing run ever mustered by a man...period!

[@paulajacobson2760]

I saw this concert on PBS when I worked there in the 80s. Have been a fan of Eric's ever since. Saw him live in around '89-'90, What a fabulous, amazing guitarist and singer.

[@lailaikhithie5509]

According to me eric johnson is simply the best

[@grumpyoldgraymetalhead2441]

Remember seeing this on Austin City Limits on the Providence PBS station! Then I finally got to see him live, opened for Steve Miller Band.

[@oyeboy94]

I love his style. How he plays the individual notes, it makes the guitar freaking sing.

[@conjandysecurity]

How have you been old friend?

[@TruthSurge]

His pentatonic runs are just way cool. Plus, he tries so much to NOT play standard guitar licks and that helps to keep it more musical instead of the obligatory pentatonic licks most people do. His clean chords are great too.

[@llllllllllllllIIlIllIIllIIIIll]

Ya

[@TruthSurge]

@@danielduplantier3741 Oh, you want to tango? Let me guess... you have 0 vids on your channel of YOU playing a guitar. I won't even waste my time GOING there to find out you have 0 vids of you playing. Clearly, you have nothing better to do than bash someone w/o supplying any BETTER details. And if you think I'll respond to your next reply, you're a complete idiot.

[@barrycrook9310]

This man can play a guitar. Just love his music

[@djazzsomething]

First time I listen closely to Eric Johnson. This is fantastic.

[@markhorner3561]

Live, EJ is absolutely breathtaking!

[@Mescalineification1]

1988 Austin City Limits in Austin Texas. I was at this show

[@lazydog1964]

I remember several years ago now my older brother Frank asked me do you still listen to EJ? Ha stupid ? As this Video just came out and i just said watch this! Again several minutes later he says now i understand i have never seen anyone move like that or sound so clean. Never the less the rest of the show was in Silence.. Thanks

[@chaseheatwole2213]

I love how Eric Throws in chords into his solos. The man is a genius. Great guitarist but a very underrated artist!

[@eyeofbass]

Saw Eric Johnson and crew last night in Knoxville, TN. The Ah via Musicom tour. It was smokin'... end-to-end, awesome. I feel blessed. Highly-recommend if you can catch this tour.

[@wildhogdog]

Eric is really cranking on that guitar!!!!!!!!! Master of beautiful guitar sounds....

[@chemx1998]

Woooow, I love his way of playing, so elegant!

[@Aaron_French]

All eras of EJ are fantastic but I have to say that the stars aligned that night. Incredible.

[@davidjohnston9651]

Just saw him last week in Washington state and only other time I saw him since he opened up for satriani on the original tour for via musicom. Just a killer band and an experience I thoroughly enjoyed! I feel so lucky to have seen thus point blank! Still buzzing from i and it was almost a week ago already!

[@kevinkgillette]

I love that Eric just gets to it - none of the silly posturing or dancing around (except for the goofy jacket he's wearing - not lovin' that) - he just plays amazing jams and runs without breaking even the remotest bit of sweat. Truly exceptional!

[@juangomez-mo6wl]

One of many Texas Best guitarist’s has unleashed on the music scene 😃😃😃

[@nfbnn]

That's crazy how he manages to control such a huge reverb so well

[@cosmic687]

the marshall tone is monstrous

[@bobgomez9481]

except for 50% of it is Fender tone though...

[@bobgomez9481]

And a strat through a Marshall is Yngwie Malmsteeeeeeeen crap.

[@cosmic687]

@@bobgomez9481 worked for hendrix

[@Hydrochoerusisthmius]

When the bass player plays the camera immediately moved to him! Thanks !

[@mwyatt222]

l lived off of Greenville ave in Dallas when SRV and Eric were still just Texas heros. They would both play a place called Tangos (frogs on the roof that are at Willy's truck stop now) about twice a month for about 2 years. SRV was young. Tones had just come out. They would each do a set then at midnight play for another 1 1/2 hours doing an all Hendrix jam. l saw Eric perfect Spanish Castle magic and SRV nail electric ladyland. We were so spoiled we'd show at midnight for $5 cover and $2 draw Shiner Bocks and the hendrix jams after seeing them both so many times. We could walk there from the jam house.

[@simonbertioli4696]

Appreciation, is a very meaningful word..and that is Eric Johnson quality guitar work.🇬🇧👍and live too..no gimmicks

[@Ariovistus1]

Eric Johnson Rocks!! Mega Talent!!

[@drummerboyatx]

My favorite EJ song. Dad was at the show too bad i missed it!!

[@krazycitizen]

saw this Austin show and thought, with a jacket like that you'd better be good---he is

[@Nghilifa]

Outstanding performance!

[@timothydillow3160]

Simply astonishing he has never played better than this night that I have seen

[@Tombrosapien]

No one makes playing fast look and sound as magical as EJ

[@AndyBankside]

God, how can anyone be this good?

[@coreylahey1397]

I love the little details like the pinch harmonic at 0:30… so many techniques in one tune! Eric Johnson is a monster!! Also glad to see that Ray from Trailer Park Boys dropped the VLTs and picked up the bass…

[@C1983]

what the fuck he is perfection

[@yambo59]

And like so many years in the past, Fender guitars carry the day.

[@actionvid1]

This is so insane; probably the best version ever! Thanks Eric and Band! B.

[@screechkid116]

HELL YEAH on that intro! just WOW!

[@jmpwatt1150]

saw him last night - he's too modest for his own good - superb !!

[@ElapidLover]

i love that sound that eric has on his guitar durring the bass solo

[@frankiethewolf7712]

from 3:00 till about 4mins in is probably the coolest , quickest pentatonic licks ever composed. Enuff sai.

[@frankiethewolf7712]

+franklin stevenson said*

[@jmcgovern51]

franklin stevenson

[@michaelstrode8924]

His switches and changements are literally hallucinating. I am still confused if he intentionally prepared it like that or he just took off and almost never returned. Unbelievably crazy...

[@randalclarke5487]

This song changed my life as a guitarist...i heard that intro and was never the same

[@bstrange666]

I love that off time bit at 2:40 , sounds like a mistake but perfectly covered up, goes to show the kind of musicians they all are, it also adds a little bit extra to the start of the solo and it makes me go crazy every time I hear it, one of the best Guitarists of all time

[@texas4christ]

eric the great. beyond beautiful, beyond fabulous.

[@harrymitchell7306]

I actually gave birth to Eric Johnson and he had a mini strat when he popped out

[@andristic]

i got to see him in austin tx about a year ago. so awesome

[@Rasshode]

Man, he's such a perfectionist, it's all just perfectly executed!

[@pmarchino]

He makes it look so effortless.

[@davexxx5175]

Eirc is totally Great! Probably one of the most underrated guitarist.

[@TruthSurge]

I just need to see 3:40 tabbed out man. hehehehe then I can die in pieces oh, peace. It's just down/up on pick hand but he's shifting his left hand position sometimes. that's just awesome.

[@dclaytonw]

I have also shaken his magic hands. Awesome, just awesome.

[@caprise-music6722]

Lovely to see a bass solo in there too

[@vmat1000]

I believe this tune from his debut Tones was nominated for a Grammy back in the mid '80s. Quite killer for an under the radar (except to guitar freaks) player.

[@guitarross94]

One word: fantastic

[@davidferrara1105]

saw this tour in Cincinnati....obviously it was astonishing.

[@eastonmackay]

i just love his tone