When Shawn Lane SHOCKED NAMM 1993 😱

[@stevebanning902]

shawn lane might legitimately be the most under appreciated guitarist of all time, literal virtuoso..

[@informedcarpet]

He’s not unappreciated at all! Why say that?

[@stevebanning902]

Go into any guitar shop and ask someone looking at guitar if they've ever heard of him. I guarantee you you'll be there all day without hearing the answer "yes". He's under appreciated by way of being mostly unknown by most modern guitarists.@@informedcarpet

[@leagueofotters2774]

@@informedcarpet Due to the fact that not many people even knew who he was compared to other guitar greats.

[@eniakk]

@@informedcarpet ⁠Perhaps b/c he's not just as well known as Elvis, MJ or other super stars, which he rightfully should.

[@Incog2k6]

When you force Paul Gilbert, of all people, to resort to gimmicky guitar playing during his turn, you simply are one of the greatest guitarists to ever walk this planet. Shawn was on another level.

[@powerseostrategy]

Seemed he had to hide his face too!

[@davederoux3361]

@@powerseostrategy Flushin n blushin. no shame though. Cant compete with a savant.

[@Tx1113]

Gilbert was hiding behind his guitar after Shaun Solo LOL

[@paulolsen6870]

That’s complete crap. He’s channeling his inner Hendrix. Nothing gimmicky about it. Lane’s solo was crap…. Just a bunch of notes…. Scales like he was noodling. Killer chops but nothing to grab most people’s attention. Which is why hardly anyone has ever heard of him.

[@thewhitewhale5311]

​@paulolsen6870 Shawn is heralded as one of/the greatest technical guitarist to have ever lived by Guthrie Govan, Buckethead, the aforementioned Paul Gilbert, Eric Johnson and John Petrucci. All of them have publicly stated that Shawn was a singularly unique talent that will probably never be seen again. Lane wasn't known by the general public becuase virtuosic jazz fusion is not a particularly marketable genre of music, not because he was a bad songwriter. If you think that his playing is "just scales", I encourage you to slow these solos down and learn what he is doing musically (fully improvised and at ludicrous speed). The musical complexity will shock you. Shawn's truly remakable quality, as described by Guthrie Govan, was not his speed, but WHAT he played, and his ability to play far more interesting and complex lines than anyone else has been able to, sans Holdsworth. "Shawn taught us all that if you must play quickly, play interesting things quickly" -loosely paraphrased quote from Guthrie Govan, immediately followed by the statement that there will never be another Shawn.

[@Hndsmstrngr1]

That's pretty funny because we went backstage when Malmsteen came to play in Memphis and Shawn shredded his Ying Yangs face off, playing a bunch of Y's famous runs and licks even faster than he could, all with with his famous scalloped a guitar. The look on Malmsteen's face was priceless

[@jethrokeys1438]

I wish I could see someone like him get humbled

[@MetalHeads-w6o]

sir is that true? 😊

[@MetalHeads-w6o]

pls share more sir😊

[@jamessullivan8820]

Jimi's jaw would be on the floor,..... I love them both

[@StreatorGrace]

I was standing right there ! It was amazing and I had no idea who Shawn was when he stepped up there. He left every jaw on the floor. So happy to see this.

[@surfthejapstrat7010]

How did he pass away?

[@consentofthegoverned5145]

You lucky f__k! Cherish that memory!

[@neoclassic09]

@@surfthejapstrat7010 i think it was sepsis and just general poor health. he was very overweight and smoked and just let himself go. it was really sad, but he still did amazing stuff right up to the end.

[@baronvonsatan]

@@neoclassic09 What an ignorant comment. Shawn wasn't disregarding his health. He was overweight as a side effect of the medication he was prescribed to treat his psoriatic arthritis. Everything he did on guitar, he did while suffering tremendous pain and frankly he didn't die so you could take a giant steaming crap on his memory.

[@rgbjojozahau]

@@baronvonsatan Why are you judging comment the way you interpret only? How is that an ignorant comment. Your interpretation of his comment is ignorant.

[@blanco18]

I remember this night. Being in the industry, I was working the pre-show and I was on the stage before it started. I knew all of the musicians there, but there was this guy I had never seen before. I whispered to Reb “who is that guy?” He replied “Shawn Lane”. I said “That’s Shawn Lane? Wow, I’ve only heard stories.” He replied “They’re all true”. The most impressive story I had heard was Paul Gilbert saying “Shawn Lane does things on guitar with one hand that I can only do with two”. Needless to say everyone played great and the audience,most of whom had never seen Shawn play before was treated to an amazing performance. Thanks for sharing this, it brought back great memories.

[@ZachMcCordProg]

I believe that quote was what Eddie Van Halen said about Allen Holdsworth, or so I remember reading - "He does with one hand what I have to do with two" referencing his tapping arpeggios.

[@blanco18]

@@ZachMcCordProg he might have, but I did hear paul say that about Shawn.

[@mbolaramanoelina625]

​@@ZachMcCordProg Yes, Paul Gilbert said something similar when someone asked him what he thought about Shawn Lane. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXnYqWqobKufjs0

[@sageantone7291]

@@ZachMcCordProg Paul Gilbert said this about Shawn. It's on video.

[@ZachMcCordProg]

@@sageantone7291 Interesting. I believe it 👍 I guess Eddie just said the same thing somehow though

[@Nyarlathotep1926]

Shawn's work with Jonas Hellborg is among the greatest music ever made.

[@flame-sky7148]

Yea, their material is the stuff that legends are made of. The HLS trio created more space and interplay. Shawn was able to tap into the Pakistani/Indian influences with his playing. Shawn actually grew musically with Jonas, which is insane because he was already a monster after the Powers of Ten period.

[@HoofHearted6]

When I listen to Personae, I feel like I am taking a stroll on an alien planet experiencing mysterious wonders.

[@harrykadaras9459]

Shawn wasn't just a step ahead of the pack... he was miles ahead - and still is. Being a speed demon scale master is one thing, but his phrasing is unreal, and his solos sound beautiful and clean.I've never heard anyone like him

[@PaulPaid]

Straight facts. Only one I'd put in his league is Tony Macalpine.

[@BongEyedBastard]

Whilst that ay be true, that solo over Let It Be is ghastly, completely ill suited, sometimes less is more.

[@Ontonaut]

@@BongEyedBastardthere’s one place where less is not more: NAMM

[@BirdLives7]

​@@PaulPaid with all respect to Tony mcalpine. The only one is Lane's league is Holdsworth.

[@andersschrder4446]

​@@BirdLives7 ...and if you could ask Shawn, he wouldn't consider himself anywhere near Holdsworth.

[@robertthornton2269]

Me and a friend used to go watch Shawn(RIP) play solo, every other Sunday, at a place in mid town Memphis called Murphy's. It was always phenomenal, even after this health deteriorated. He'd have his guitar, keyboard, and a sax, and play along with loops and tracks. Unfortunately there were usually only about 5 people there, us included.

[@keyboardwarria]

FIVE? wtf, a player of his caliber should be drawing in hundreds

[@bernardbrennan1612]

Of thousands.

[@notacommie5415]

@@keyboardwarria I went to an Yngwie show that had about 25 people there once it was Surprisingly light

[@barbaradascalos4411]

20 people at Eric Gale show in Conn.

[@ShnarfKat]

Life is t always like that

[@treybruce9789]

Shawn was a sweet guy, and curious about everything. There isn’t enough space in one human to carry all the things he was gifted to know and comprehend about science, art and how people interact with everything. His playing, way beyond shredding. It was simply otherworldly, heartbreakingly soulful and terrifying at the same time. As complex as he was, he made it look effortless. The best ever. #oneofone

[@HeavyProfessor]

Yes, he was one of a kind. Hyperspeed shredding that brings tears to your eyes.

[@gh103]

I totally agree, anyone that says Shawn Lane is just a shredder is just clueless…his expression and melody are on a par with anybody.

[@alejandrososa1534]

Shawn was Unique. All guitarrists Say that he is one of a kind !!! RIP master

[@facemelters]

Amen to that!

[@ScottD-44]

He Was The Greatest Of Them All🎸🎸🎸

[@princeworld4769]

If only he lived 10 years more….he can create so many beautiful and amazing guitar solos…RIP Shawn…keep rockin wherever you are now..

[@consentofthegoverned5145]

You missed a zero...

[@markwinkle1915]

What an incredible guitarist! His talent went way beyond shredding!

[@ErikStone1]

As good as he was on guitar, he was equally as good on piano. A true genius.

[@u.v.s.5583]

I always disagree. He was an awesome piano player, let us leave it at that. One would have to be the best piano player in the history of classical or nonclassical music to be as good at piano as Shawn was on guitar. That is much too tall an order even for Shawn himself. He would need to easily outplay Hamelin and Juchan Lim and Jordan Rudess and absolutely every piano/keyboard player who ever lived.

[@jabbawakka7286]

👉🏼😎😎Shawn was an awesome pianist, and drummer. All the instruments including bass and drum parts on Powers of ten were laid down on a synth off a keyboard in real time.......a true legend, gentleman, humble spirited virtuoso......R.I.P Shawn 😎😎👈🏼

[@Frip36]

Some guys just have a need to say this kind of thing.

[@JoeandAngie]

​@@u.v.s.5583Vladimir Horowitz would shame him and Shawn would admit it. His piano was ok, but I'm biased because my mom is 88, still teaches Advanced Russian Technique and I know good piano. Met several Russian composers...they are in a different league...lightyears ahead of my old friend Shawn.

[@philgaetano6926]

I think Gilbert’s solo right after that masterpiece was brilliant. Idk if that was planned, but it was a perfect counterpoint to Lane’s stunning performance.

[@DaNgErDaVe1994]

Who said shredding couldnt bring a man to tears 😭 beautiful!!

[@ericskinner7355]

Of all the incredible players, to me Shawn is in a league of his own.

[@Johnnysmithy24]

The Let It Be solo that Shawn Lane played is … in my opinion the greatest guitar solo every recorded/played. There’s no competition, the emotion is out of this world specially towards the ending, it’s otherworldly. And of course insanely technical. I’m so glad you put it here, not enough people know about it

[@partialcapo]

angels love bad men

[@Fearzero]

I strongly disagree. He's done better work.

[@usquebaugh1]

There will always be someone that declares a performance the "best ever" and another that comes along immediately after and states "I strongly disagree". Subjectivity and the difference of opinion. Welcome to mankind.

[@Fearzero]

@@usquebaugh1 Yup but as a veteran of the shred scene I've heard him play way way more melodic w better tone.

[@sweetassgigs]

ok "veteran of the shred scene"

[@GreenDistantStar]

When the best players of his era were left slack-jawed, there's not much left to say. Shawn was the GOAT, period.

[@slightlyaboveaveragebutaverage]

The sad part is shawn was doing all this since the 70s and it took until the 90s for him to get any real recognition.

[@buddyalbert5808]

The second solo in this video is definitely face melting. Wow

[@panavisionnot7180]

Soloing one thing.. his compositional talent matches this playing.." Powers of Ten " rules !

[@Fuego.perpetuo]

He was connected to power beyond this realm 🔥❤️

[@ghostwriter1415]

As with most players, it's three-notes-per-string that garnishes speed. With 3NPS you can anticipate your strinh skips. With Shawn, it's 3 notes for 2, 5 for two, etc. This year marks the 20th anniversary of his decent into Guitar Heaven. and his tabs are the still the MOST insurmountable! A lot of new players, Marchbank, That one dude, that other dude, have yet to conquer the fretboard like Brother Lane. RIP Shawn, see ya when I get there. L/R

[@mykemech]

That power called him home to play forever without pain.

[@fenderbender8556]

Shawn was simply from another planet! Among a small handful like Alan Holdsworth & Stanley Jordan, Etc.

[@bawbsmith]

Aww, I hoped there was some long-forgotten video footage that was recently unearthed for that Let It Be solo, or at least some improved audio. Sadly it's the same one on YT uploaded 12 years ago. Still a great listen, I've heard it countless times over the years and it never disappoints!

[@galihrusyadie1629]

Everybody talk about guthrie, but shawn is the best.

[@orbita1]

Guthrie usually references Shawn. It's the circle of life

[@DavidRFIT]

Matteo Mancuso is the best.

[@SLAYERSWINE1]

I go with Jeff Beck as the GOATGuitarist...

[@devinw5150]

@@DavidRFIT Agree 💯 Nobody can touch that guy. He’s taken guitar playing to another level and that level is above everyone living or dead and he did it without using a pick! 😂

[@boykidmanboykidman5420]

@@DavidRFITmatteo is crazy good, i dont think there is a specific best guitarist tho

[@johnpeart6843]

Shawn lane was a phenomenon. One in a billion.

[@TruthSurge]

That means there's 7 other people out there right now just as good as him! As I don't believe that's really true, he's prob more like 1 in 8 billion! Definitely unique but there are players who are very gifted and as fast or just about. Guthrie is pretty badass but doesn't do lots of the runs Shawn did. Gambale can sweep terrifyingly fast and is a theory monster. There is some Scottish turd who claims he's as fast or faster than Shawn but he sounds like crap live and he makes fake vids where he plays at slow speed then speeds it up. it's literally like a computer playing notes 100% clean and faster than a human COULD play them at those speeds. Sad people have to lie like that. Why doesn't he just admit he can't hold Shawn's jock strap and move on?

[@sarojsherpa7409]

Shawn didn't found music..music found Shawn.

[@bayougtr]

I met him summer of 87-88. He used to jam w/ our drummer at our rehearsal space, I let him use my amps. Dude sweat like crazy, all over my gear. Pissed me off! And smoked on MY rig! LOL!!!

[@GeorgeKam]

Pissed you off ?..you know why...

[@vanguard4065]

the greatest live improv rock solo of all time

[@jeffsoileau8813]

I was there. This review is 100% spot-on. Shawn OWNED that stage.

[@leechild4655]

His story sort of reminds me of Jason Becker`s only, Jason is still with us, we lost one of the greatest players to play the instrument. His early stuff when he was just starting to turn heads, his genius was pretty apparent.

[@oscarsaldanaudio]

Shawn was a real monster. Incredible.

[@claudevieaul1465]

I've seen the late great Shawn Lane live in London in 2001, and while he was at that point already seriously hurting and vastly overweight, his playing was still absolutely unbelievably phenomenal.... RIP Shawn....

[@Tx1113]

I think Shawn Lane was an alien 👽🎸… lol

[@karlfowler3742]

Shawn Lane was the greatest Guitar player I ever had the pleasure to see play. I was blessed to see him play many times with the Willy's. RIP Shawn, you are still missed.

[@uraniumcranium2613]

Shawn still breaking hearts in 2023, he had feel and could burn up the fretboard better than anyone. The people who say he only shreds are just upset hes better than (insert their favorite guitarist here).

[@peternelson7048]

All he seems to do is shred though so it's a fair comment.

[@NickManJams]

People are quick to spread his shreds, since they're outstanding, but he has a lot of very mellow music, too. They're worth checking out.

[@biscobisco1882]

​@@peternelson7048 Wildly inaccurate

[@peternelson7048]

@@biscobisco1882 if you have any videos of him playing without shredding I'd look forward to watching them

[@biscobisco1882]

@@peternelson7048 There is a big difference between saying "all he does is shred" and saying "many of his solos contain fast passages". The former implies that he never slows down or plays melodically, which is simply not true. It also implies that a solo can't contain feel and emotion if it contains ANY fast playing (even if it's the minority), which is equally ridiculous. Examples: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpi3hHaOqtdrqKM kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6GsfHanqZl2es0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3jaXnaMZ9Kma7M

[@snogglemonkey]

Maybe I'm out of touch, but I never heard Shawn's playing until recently - on a murky old video where the picture quality was awful, but the way he played on that session was just brilliant and one of the best examples of fluid, creative soloing I've ever heard. Sorry he died so young. He's was a super human musician.

[@diverdown631]

He has two solo album but he's has a bunch with bassist jonas helborg and drummer jeff sipes

[@TimsTunes]

His work with Jonas Hellborg & Jeff Sipe is amazing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2ikkn6ofcx-Z6M

[@OhGodWhatIsThisAah]

@@diverdown631 speaking of, Jeff sipe is another fucking beast

[@the_lespauley_studio6450]

Shawn was out of this world!!! Great Genius And A Humble God!!

[@joluijten6313]

He was better than god!!

[@primaballerina84]

Some very famous guitar virtuoso once said "we were all a bit scared of Shawn Lane" - I wish there was more high quality footage of his mastery tho! Damn!

[@0ptriX]

Apparently footage of this exists but people hoard it. I hope I see it in my lifetime.

[@michaelfinley4440]

Shawn was sooo goodman good, that Beatles solo was super musical..

[@ezekielbrockmann114]

Holy crap. That's not just shredding. That's MUSICAL!

[@davidsmith6976]

Shawn was very musical,even the fST PLAYING,SLOWED DOWN ,HAD MUSICAL PHRASING,MELODY[not always the case.

[@flame-sky7148]

Yea, that's what we were trying to tell everyone back in the 90s, but other guys got better record deals and magazine cover footage. It was difficult to show people this just from his Powers of Ten album, which he played keyboard on as well. Now that we have youtube videos, over time some people may see it.

[@davidsmith6976]

@@flame-sky7148 WRLL SAID,he is getting more respect now ,pity hes no longer here.

[@Flornmonk]

That Let it be live solo is one of the greatest recorded pieces of guitar playing of all time.

[@gordiannot77]

Shawn was and always will be.. Untouchable ♥️..

[@chrisking6695]

I don’t even know that dude lol

[@uraniumcranium2613]

@@chrisking6695 GOAT

[@steveymoon]

Errrrm, no. I'm assuming you've not seen people like Rick Graham then?

[@JV-rx3ov]

The two most incredible guitarists that I've ever witnessed are both, unfortunately, not able to play anymore. The first was Jason Becker. As a cocky kid who was 16 & playing in a band of adults, I thought I was hot stuff. Then I saw Jason. It was one of the most humbling experiences as a musician in my 40+ years of playing. The second player was... Shawn Lane. I saw him in a small club in Nashville on my birthday. It was a sight to behold. I've seen nearly every 'great' shredder over the years live (I even shared a bill opening for Tony MacAlpine once) but none of them touched the speed, articulation, touch & feel that Shawn played with. It was a few years before he died & he just didn't look healthy at all, but he tore the roof off of that little place. THANKS for posting this! There are shockingly few video clips of Shawn in his prime & this one is great.

[@superxorn]

Saw him live in my town. He played great, and improvised over traditional themes of my country on occasion. He hang out at the bar, talking to everyone and being just a great guy. I didn't talk to him, cause I wanted to leave him alone. I regret that. Fantastic show.

[@rmzzz76]

He's proof and I would even say the arch-type for a virtuoso that no one who isn't a guitar player really cares about. He had amazing talent, I would say skills beyond many well known players, but the ugly truth is and I know many will hate when I point this out, but his compositions just aren't very memorable. They touch guitar players who get moved emotionally by technical accuracy, I get it. But that's not good enough to be a truly great musician. Others can have their opinions. But look, I wore a few "Powers of Ten" CDs out in my teen years, I really loved this guy, but I can barely remember a damn one of those tracks. They aren't memorable in the same way as say Beethoven's Für Elise or Mozart's Turkish March or Joe Satriani's Always With Me, Always With You, or Eddie Van Halen's Eruption, etc... That's why you rarely hear his work played anywhere. Very few could do it justice to cover, but no one's going to try, in part because no one in the audience would recognize it... So sadly, he's lost to history and in 50 years I doubt many people who know his name if any at all.

[@NoName-ql1wk]

Lumping Mozart in with EVH is cringe worthy.

[@rmzzz76]

​@@NoName-ql1wk Time will tell, but considering the response following his passing I think there's a very strong chance 200 years in the future people will still be talking about Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson and others. When he passed it was a like a black hole, the loss was just immense and every fucking well known player. From John Mayer to Malmsteen to modern finger style artist like Mikes Dawes came out doing covers, paying some respect.... Outside the guitar player community, greatness isn't all about technical ability. Your value, you're weight as a musician to the universe is a combination of two metrics, how far your reach is (essentially popularity, number of people around the world listening to your music) combined with that technical skill/innovation/etc that makes other players respect you. You absolute must have both for history to remember you. Eddie Van Halen, was not the fastest player, not even the most technical player. But he wrote compositions that touched a lot of people and he was an trail blazer during his early days.

[@jscordoba3]

I still believe board tapes exist of at least the first performance. They record so much at NAMM, someone somewhere has better recordings.

[@BazonBlades]

I met Shawn in a music store in Memphis in my early 20's. He came in to pick up a couple of Ibanez customs that had been built for him. Which was cool because I was playing Ibanez RG's at the time. This would have been around '92/'93 I believe. He walked in, plugged in and commenced to shredding. Stone cold, didn't even warm up. He played about 30 minutes. There was only 8 or 10 people there. Damn, he was so fast. Both hands.

[@Ghoster311]

Shawn also had unusually small hands for an elite guitarist. Just look at his hands compared to Vai or Buckethead.

[@image30p]

Haha! Paul's response was really funny. Sure I'm mean there's no denying that Shawn was almost completely about shred. He said in an interview that he believed it was just the way his brain and nervous system worked. It was just very natural to play like that. The Let It Be lead is more what I would have tried to coax out of him as a producer. Sure definitely blow my mind. But also sometimes break my heart. Luckily a lot of his playing was recorded so we can go back and enjoy. He was unique.

[@jroberts2nd]

Good lord the Let it Be solo is the best guitar solo I’ve ever heard. DAMN.

[@bigfaby]

That's what it is.

[@RossoNero1987]

​@@bigfabythat's "The Way it has to be" 😊

[@vincentdenismusic]

When he came into the spotlight around this time, I was amongst those who dismissed him as just the newest super fast player. Thankfully, a little later, a friend of mine turned me onto the music he made with Jonas Hellborg. Now, THAT was truly something!

[@Eccentrics]

The greatest there ever will be. Shawn is inspirational. Truly missed.

[@thestratinez3430]

R.I.P. Shawn ! 😢❤

[@jk-76]

Wow, a bunch of nobodys saying this guy wasn't special. If I hated myself as much as some of you I would never try anything.

[@pauloguitar4366]

Most of those tools need to put others down just to make themselves feel better, because they can't come close to that and most of these people probably don't even play guitar, or even don't have coordination to masturbate and wanna trash talk others. I'm not a fan of fusion music in general, but I recognize talents like his, you are capable of disliking certain genres of music and still recognizing talents.

[@stevesorrell9835]

My God! Breathtaking. So much emotion, in a "shredding" solo 😢 Absolutely beautiful.

[@zezuntxiduntxi]

What?! People actually think/thought he was just a shredder??!?! How about listening to his music to find about... Great video! Shawn is for sure one of the greats.

[@jacobguitars214]

Shawn you are badly missed.... RIP Shawn...there is none like you..

[@delanoarts3703]

Shawn was insane just discovered him checked out his instructional video the man was a genius his simple for him but it's really not simple 5 hammer on scale runs he developed is in my opinion just genius they give a unique sound because it ends in odd numbers I thought thar was byound clever doing thing on 5 9 and 7 changes the sound of the scales at ultra fast speeds he really deserved the same level respect as Steve Vai yngvia Gilbert I just heard of him and that's really a shame his choice of music to play I think is the main reason a large crowd never heard of him shredding is mostly metal and the people who love shred typically are metal head guitar players if Shawn just did one shred metal album he would of a had a large fan base maybe even enough to afford health care it's really to bad

[@donaldrose1232]

SHAWN IS THE HERO of your guitar hero!!! RIP LEGEND🎸🔥🤘

[@BURNOUT3272]

That let it be solo was beautiful

[@richardperusse4299]

Shawn was the king, i listen to his stuff since 80's ....

[@Ukfamine2025]

A sat five feet away opposite shawn while he played his heart out with jonas. Absolutely amazing experience.

[@cavalierx6099]

I was there... back stage at the Ibanez show- ONCE in a lifetime experience. I met Shawn- he was very nice and super polite, he was a guest of Paul Gilberts: who was also SUPER AWESOME and friendly to a couple of no bodies just hanging out at the Coolest place on the planet at that exact moment. RIGHT before the Encore Set Security wasn't going to let Shawn back on to the Performance side to get on stage (think he lost his badge)- I literally SAVED the show and straighten out Security and got Shawn in for the Encore. It was all Amazing. Incidentally Paul Gilbert played that whole Encore Left Handed on his normal guitar upside down with his then trademark fringed neck falling on the strings AND he did it from the moment he WALKED ON STAGE with all those KILLERS clear through the end of the show WITHOUT letting on to anyone not paying attention what he was doing. It was JUST for the other Guitarist to know- like "yeah you guys are AWSOME, but can you do it upside down and backwards?" LoL Shawn and Paul's set was like fire with there jam to "Let it Be." It stole he show IMHO. I will never forget that show. . .

[@cavalierx6099]

I went out and bought Powers of Ten the next week.... still have it today.

[@javatherus170]

How have I not heard of Shawn Lane before?

[@sotiristsallis]

We are all so lucky to live during the 80's and 90's. So many wonderfull musicians....the golden era of the electric guitar...great music and compositions also....

[@chrislawson7983]

Shawn played outside the box, so he could kick it.

[@IggyBing]

Wow... I've never been a true believer, (rated him up there but "best" is always a tough sell)... but this is pretty incredible. Just. Wow!

[@andrewkeen3129]

If this impresses you, from somebody who knows this kinda thing very well lol, you should see the true extent of this alien

[@kevinac4397]

Truest musical prodigy guitar world ever got

[@gabrielebenson4784]

RIP master of the masters. Melodies and impossible class phrasing with immense feeling ❤

[@qwertyzxcv123]

For me, Shawn Lane and Alan Holdsworth are the 2 greatest guitarists of all time.

[@Frip36]

What about the dude from Loverboy?

[@GuitarguyRichard56]

Dude. Paul Gilbert is a monster talent. Shouldnt be anything but huge respect for his decades of greatness

[@benharbak]

Yes. But this is about Shawn Lane.

[@edwardv4546]

I remember when i first came across the whole video. My jaw dropped. Sick

[@yogimarkmac]

That Let It Be solo left my crying and breathless. OMG. When speed and melody just become sort of plasma of emotion and energy that's hotter than the sun.

[@gilgamesh2832]

Buttery smooth runs.

[@Uncle_Mark2600]

That solo from Let it Be is just amazing! LOL just incredible

[@jimmyc5498]

Perfect timing for Shawn’s bday (and mine) on Tuesday and beautiful examples of his mind blowing musicality. Awesome job. Shawn will always be on the top of my list. Thanks for posting

[@facemelters]

Oh wow, I didn't realise it was his birthday! Happy birthday to you (and Shawn RIP)!

[@jimmyc5498]

Thanks brother and loved that post. Always heard the story but you captured it perfectly. Just subscribed Thks jimmyc

[@EVEROSFP1]

Shawn died on a kid age, stayed a kid forever, and God gave him unparalleled charisma and talent...he was an angel among musicians.

[@U2WB]

Shawn was, in my opinion, the single greatest guitarist who ever lived.

[@saintannsbeach]

I was at this show, with a group of professional players, and we all could tell Shawn Lane was by far the best guitarist on stage that night. It was over 30 years ago and I still remember Shawn Lane’s performance. His tone cut through everyone else. . .even Steve Vai just gave up.

[@cobyvaknin9449]

Holy cow...Let It Be solo was phenomenal...not sure a guitar solo has ever just grabbed my heart and given me goose bumps quite like the first 30 seconds of it or so...

[@totallykoolyeah]

Damn it's like flying

[@205WILD]

OUT OF THIS WORLD talent, speed, feel and style. RIP legend of music!!! 🙏

[@snakelover7703]

Shawn Lane=legend!

[@klaussteinberghaus8684]

best guitarist of all time. and I'm saying this as a jazz musician, which should mean something. thank you for sharing this, my tears are only of happiness

[@MeongMiao]

The best thing of his speed is it doesnt sounds offensive, i felt it very peaceful, filled with dedication and discipline, soulfull and free. That is what i noticed when hearing his play at first time.

[@asegal4677]

​@@MeongMiao Great observation about his speed. He manages to create very accessible melodic contours while rolling past dozens of notes, unlike most other speedy players.

[@ScottD-44]

The King Of All Guitarists 🎸🎸🎸!!!

[@lanesblitz]

Shawn could blow them all off the stage and they were and still are all legends. Technically he was ridiculously over all these guys, but as an ARTIST ... Gosh he was light years ahead of them . And they are all legitimate legends in their own right.

[@Honkey_Tonker]

Shawn was an incredible talent. He has some very melodic music. You can’t judge him off this video if so, you are very closed minded

[@hermanodejesus7264]

Shawn was most likely the most talented musician that ever played a music instrument.

[@asegal4677]

I love Shawn but this is quite hyperbolic, not to mention unsubstantiable and unquantifiable.

[@captainshiner42]

​@@asegal4677Facts.

[@svenjansen2134]

I used to say that about Jaco but I let that go.

[@Ibanezguy2007]

He literally out-shred everyone on stage - so much so that Paul Gilbert was humble enough to not even try and compete with it. That is just outrageous!

[@edlytkin707]

Shawn Lane GOD of Guitar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JoeandAngie]

We were friends from 86-90. We'd go see him w the Willys every time we could , usually 2-3x a month. He'd sit with my buddy John and myself btwn sets. Good guy, sorely missed.

[@ryanmosher8445]

Shawn Lane kicks ass thanks for this vid

[@kurtsherrick2066]

I grew up in Memphis. I saw Shawn Lane with his kid band called Savage at Audubon Park. Shawn was 13 or 14. He was already better than 90% of the greats. I was blessed to talk to him twice for a few minutes. He valued all Musicians. He was a humble dude. He is another Memphis Legend. We lost him to soon. I believe he had undiagnosed Stills Disease. My sister who was a great Classical Pianist and Guitarist has Stills. She is 68 and the oldest person to still be alive with that killer.

[@CarloRegadasGuitar]

I remember reading about Shawn in the guitar magazines back in the day. In the UK, we could get Guitar Player, Guitar World and Guitar FTPM, on import from the USA and Shawn's name was always being mentioned by the seasoned players, he was almost a bit mythical. Then I remember hearing one of Mark Varney's (Mike's brother) Guitar on the Edge compilations and being floored by the speed and articulation. Then the REH video terrified and humbled me at the same time. Like with Jason Becker, you can only dream about how their music and playing would have evolved and soared. God bless, Shawn. 🎸

[@DenkendeMystik-ll8oi]

Shawn and Jason... Yes, they were qutstanding.

[@martinpaddle]

Shawn Lane was out of this world, but this particular solo does not do him justice...

[@MeAndTheBoys_]

Most of his solos are carbon copies of this one. What are you even saying,dude? Even Zakk Wylde sounds progressive compared to Lane. No wait....they are the same actually,lol. Both stay always within the strict confines of their particular genre.

[@martinpaddle]

@@MeAndTheBoys_ you just admitted that you know nothing about Shawn Lane's music.

[@MeAndTheBoys_]

@@martinpaddle What? Can't hear you, im just watching other Lane videos like Illusions etc. He started the video with some super fast nonsense diminished lick. Then when Illusions starts, he plays that old west coast, Lukather LA crap, and then he of course starts doing the fast stuff, because that is after all, what the average people came to see. Lane's solos are always exactly the same. LA style, mixed with anything that is fast.

[@martinpaddle]

@@MeAndTheBoys_ Well, there's the whole thing he did with Hellborg and co, also with Indian classical mucisians. I'm not a big fan of his original music like Powers of Ten, but it's doing him injustice to say it's all the same

[@shredmaster300]

​@@MeAndTheBoys_ what guitar players do u think are the best?

[@modularmuse]

Phenom.

[@Bricklinsv1970]

You know you're good when you got guys like Alex Skolnick behind you with arms up cheering you on!