Monday April 17, 2017. Allan Holdsworth.

[@chriscollesano8463]

Hey man, stubbed across your channel. I would love to share my Allan Holdsworth story. I'm a self taught musician and stated playing guitar in 85. Van Halen, lifeson ,page, Hendrix and on and on were the shit to me. A friends older brother turned me onto a lot of old fusion. And this Holdsworth guy kept coming up. Anyways, I was hooked from the first listen. Went out and got IOU. Around 91/92 Holdsworth came to Buffalo and I went with another buddy to see him. The show was unbelievable! After the concert I stuck around for a chance to meet him, and sure enough I did. I had my copy of guitar world with him on the cover to see if he would sign it. He took the magazine from me and said come on. We headed to the bar and I bought the first round. What happened for the next 40 to 50 minutes was unbelievable. I sat at the bar just he and I and A couple of others of at the end and talked guitar and music. He told me the whole Van Halen deal that never happened. Ed just wanted him to be bigger than he was, get the credit he deserves. But, it wasn't going to work out do to timing. But I got the impression that it would have put him in a light that wasn't true to himself. I picked his brain about tones and amp setups and so on. The man was a true gentleman and had nothing bad to say about anyone. Christ, he was chatting up a storm with me where must wouldn't bother. We had a couple more beers and he signed my GW mag and off he went. I went to see him when ever he was playing in my area and I would always try to stick around to say hi. He would always remember me, like an old friend. When I read the news of his passing yesterday, I cried. He was the best and thank God we will have his music for ever. His music simply takes you somewhere ,where others don't.

[@chriscollesano8463]

No problem, and thank you.

[@MrJoenaz]

Chris Collesano thanks for sharing your story man

[@chriscollesano8463]

Hey, I had to share with someone lol! Thanks.

[@investorart58]

This was a great story - thank you. My best guitar instructor was a steady session player here in Chicago - Bill Ruppert. In late 1978, Bill played the Nevermore intro and solo and then the solo from In the Dead of Night. My mind was blown. Bill went on a pilgrimage to GB in the mid 70's to meet him without knowing exactly where he lived. Bill was a resourceful guy - and he found him. Like your story - Allan could not believe Bill had come all the way there just to meet him. For the few of us who really "get it" it's not unlike that part of Close Encounters where Dreyfus and a handful of others get the image of that mountain and cannot think of anything BUT that mountain after that. Allan Holdsworth literally moved the Earth with his playing. My humble opinion.

[@chriscollesano8463]

Peter Blindt that's great! I've been watching KZbin videos of him the past few days. Still can't believe it. I truly do believe that people will be speaking about him decades from now. Soon they will get it, and if not, well what a damn shame.

[@MrEarldawkins]

A great tribute to an amazing man and for me too one of the most creative musicians of our time. I was fortunate to meet him back in the 80s/90s. My friend new him back in the 60s and were both from the same town in the uk where Alan was born. I too really miss him but his music will live on and hopefully inspire the up and coming young guitarist to carry the torch on. Thanks Dereckvon for sharing this vid.

[@b.scottfarthingsworth]

Wow, more synchronicities - did not know you are a fan of Allan Holdsworth. He is just beyond what a guitarist does, his music and the way he weaves, produces more than just a guitar line. It has meaning that is unspoken. Tells a story that has no words. Leaves a feeling inside you that only the listener can have. Listen to AH all the time, drums with Tony Williams, Chad Wackerman, Gary Husband, bass Jimmy Johnson wow, so many greats played with along with him to create what I absolutely love - music that is pure sonic art for the mind/heart/soul. Always uplifting. Taken too early, and never to be forgotten. He will be the best guitarist to have ever lived for years to come.

[@richardriley4415]

I'm an old guy who's new to this music. Thank you for sharing.

[@rogerfalk3859]

Thanks to all for sharing their stories. I completely agree with the recitation of his humble, friendly, demeanor. I met him at an event we both attended and he was incredibly engaging, what a thrill for me as he was one of, if not my biggest guitar hero. He was so generous with his time, I felt like I was intruding on his day and didn't want to take advantage. I have some great pictures of us together that I will always treasure. The Velvet Darkness album Derick held up brings up memories of back in the 70's hanging out with Eric Johnson in Houston listening to VD and we were in awe of Allan's playing. He was a great influence on us and so many others. What a trailblazer with a unique fluid style and soaring solos. He will be missed - RIP.

[@lightup7584]

R.I.P. Allan..thank you for all your great music

[@oddboxTopper]

R.I.P. Allan Holdsworth. I have loved Allan's guitar and SynthAxe playing since becoming aware of him sometime back in the 1970's. Recently, my son has become a huge Holdsworth fan. In fact it was he that gave me the unfortunate news of Allan's passing. He was nearly in tears when he told me. Thank you Dereck for the touching comments.

[@billyyee1618]

Sad to learn about Mr Allan's passing. His fabulous guitar works lives on. Thank you for the wonderful music, RIP.

[@truthlivingetc88]

great tribute. once upset Alan when I told him I loved Velvet Darkness. thanks. RIP Alan.

[@mattf9076]

Velvet Darkness has the best acoustic songs I have ever heard.

[@martymandrell5961]

Thank you Dereck............and very heartfelt! Allan has been my #1 "guitar hero" since I was 13............ I am now 51!! Very sad news, indeed............. I went home from work early..........couldn't focus on anything?! Saw him live about 8 times and yes he "is/was" a humble man! Saw him in Phoenix and after everyone left we waited and went back in and I had a one on one conversation with him, Chad and Jimmy for about an hour!! Had him autograph his "Reaching For The Uncommon Chord" book and he gave me a free autographed "Yoshi's" dvd! About the book he said........ "The most important thing about this book is drinking beer"!! Ha Ha!! I hope he understood what I was saying because I was dumbfounded and stumbling on my words when I was talking to him!! I'm not worthy!!........ I'm not worthy!!

[@musicalSFCat]

Realize this comment is quite late (just found your video). Nevertheless you pretty much put exactly put into perspective how I always felt about Allan, He not only had a major impact in my musical life, but was also a great honor to get to know Allan back in the '80s. Had experienced several gigs since his debut IOU tour back in '82 at the Stone in San Francisco. Still have one of the original 500 IOU LPs which his tour manager was selling at the clubs. The two LPs which changed my musical world in the late '70s was UK and Tony Williams Lifetime. He truly was the John Coltrane on guitar. There will never be another like Allan. A high mountain on his own musical sphere. R.I.P. always Allan.

[@SVATTIMO]

Yes I miss him very much too Sir.

[@paulkennedy4920]

Beautiful tribute, Dereck. I found this video while watching Tony Williams videos and had to watch. The way you feel about Alan Holdsworth is the way I feel about Tony Williams. I met Tony at a clinic nine months before he passed. He was gracious enough to sign a poster, a CD jacket, and take a few pics with me. I can only imagine what he would be doing with music if he were still with us. I love that you're so passionate about music and your heroes, and I echo your sentiment about Trump. Keep doing what you're doing.

[@jimmijune]

Hello Dereck, Thanks for your kind and eloquent words about Allan as he was my favorite as well. I love hearing stories about folks who've met him. Everyone says the same thing about what a humble, kind, brilliant man he was. His daughter Louise had posted a brief clip of Allan yesterday and it made me think about him quite a bit, and you summed it up nicely by stating that he did raise the bar and it really mattered to him that he made something beautiful of lasting value. You inspired me to make a tribute clip about him as well. Regards

[@dioavila6206]

I'm still in tears whenever I think of Allan Holdsworth!

[@romainverbeke]

With your video on Saturday you inspired me to pull 'Sand' from my collection for the first time in years. Got a mail on Holdsworth's passing only one hour after watching that. Life is strange.

[@ThePmfan]

Beautiful tribute to Allan. Thanks.

[@CarnorJast1138]

You, sir, are a true music aficionado. Your tribute to Allan shows how much you really love REAL music. I truly hope I can meet you one day, and check out your incredible collection of music. I too have collected massive amounts of "old" music, especially in Jazz/Fusion and Progressive Rock. And I agree, he will always be one of the greatest musicians we have ever had. Thank you sir for your inspired and heartfelt tribute to a man that got little recognition from "mainstream" press or music. Allan Holdsworth, may he Rest In Peace.

[@gwensciora8516]

condolences...... i agree with what you say... Music runs through my soul.

[@519robertthomas]

I love what you said. I totally agree with you about the dumbing down of our music and Allan Holdsworth took it to the level that music deserves. What an amazing musician and such a kind person.

[@anthonyfelker1712]

I saw Allan 3 times. The first 2 where in 1982. The first time he just came out with I.O.U. I was walking around outside the club and I was carrying the album. They were selling them in the back for $5.00 after the show. Some guy pointed to my album and said: “Go back inside, he’s autographing albums.” So I go back in and hardly anybody was in there. I went to the back and pushed a door open and all I see is the back of Allan’s head. I walked around and asked ‘would You sign this for me?’ He said ‘Sure.’ We talked, he gave me a few beers. He loved Coors beer! He was depressed and talking about going back to England and working in a factory. He was tired of not getting anywhere with music, not making any money. I was listening to Velvet Darkness all day and I had the cassette in my shirt pocket and I said Allan look what I was listening to today. He put his hand to his head and said: “Oh, why do yo like that? Why do you want to listen to that?” He told me about the cession, they didn’t talk to him about what they were doing. They played a song and they would say, over the mike, Uh, why don’t you try something else? They cut it short and about a year later he got a copy in the mail. He hated the album cover. Hated the recording. The next 2 times he had Jeff Berlin on bass. The last I saw was the Road Games tour. The were playing a bigger club and they really put on a good show! He looked and played wonderfully!

[@donbroni]

Hi Dereck I feel ya! I love holldsworth both as a person and a musician, I saw him twice in london in the 90s (the jazz cafe and ronnie scotts )and i'm really grateful I did get to see him play,. When he died I felt a lot of grief as though someone whos art and presence on the planet earth, who added so much to my spiritual emotional growth as human being, had now left me, I touched that loss as gaping hole and felt an absence in the conscious field of human race emerge. We have lost an imagination and genius that will probably not to be seen again for a few generations. To end, I feel his music will be a lifelong companion on this journey through life, i've spent 24 years over half my life in reciprocity with his sonic landscapes and one of the myriad reasons I chose to exist in this form on this planet if there ever was a choice is to be be one of the guys that resonated with his imagination for sound. Rip to one of the greats.

[@MrJoenaz]

Thanks Dereck..I learned of Allan from a fellow guitarist & friend years ago. He played me some of his music and I immediately went to Sam ash and found a few guitar instruction DVDs by Allan. I wanted to soak up what I could. An awesome talent whom I learned a lot from. So jealous of those of you who actually met & talked with him. RIP Allan Holdsworth...your influence lives on

[@mwhite212]

I bought "Sand" at the age of 16 when I discovered many of the metal guitar heroes I loved as a kid thought some guy named Alan Holdsworth was a God and a huge influence on them. I was utterly blown away by how strange, emotive, and beautiful it was. I did get to see him in 1990 at Tipitinas in New Orleans.

[@ALotOfBottle]

Just listened to Ian Carr's Belladonna - Allan's playing is sublime here, especially on the last track. Listened to Bundles earlier - he is truly what makes that album so great. What a horrible loss, I'm still in shock. He inspired so many and will be remembered.

[@warvandal3443]

Nucleus and the Softs were so part of my world as a teen and discovering Miles etc.

[@ALotOfBottle]

They are a part of mine right now in fact. It's so sad that just when I have been listening to all these great musicians (Allan, Jaki etc.) for a year or so, their time is slowly passing. And there aren't many I'm aware of that carry on that torch of creativity, intricacy, and intelligence. :(

[@warvandal3443]

+ALotOfBottle I hear you bro.

[@RonWinter335]

Yikes - such an intimate post. Thanks for sharing. I've been crying today...and that has happened exactly once (again - today) for a musician / idol. Such a talent!! Sad day...thank you Allan.

[@mapp4751]

HI, very nice tribute to Mr Holdsworth! i am a fan of guitar players Clapton,Hendrix,Beck,Green,sad to say i had heard of him but did not know his work,except for his work on an early Ponty album.sadly i will have to learn about him now! may he RIP!

[@kamarancolamusicola3738]

realy nice to hear what you say about Allan Holdsworth, very heart felt, thanks, sad news about Allans passing, RIP Mr Holdsworth, your legacy lives on,

[@lynch777]

Thank you soooo much for your touching tribute!

[@maurogiller8294]

Man it´s just sad News. I Heard Allan first time when I lived in N.Y. back in 1984, a friend showed me the UK and Road Games LP´s, I was blown away!. I saw some videos of him recently, he really looked sick. Amazing guitar player. Thanks for showing your LP´s and sharing the best songs of Allan. I think when he played or compose he was into a higher level of consciousness, when you became music and music comes dawn to you from some place in the heavens. It´s terrible to hear such geniuses very often end up financially broken with all the treasure of albums and high level music. Doesn´t sound just for me. It seems that music today became a type of low cost commodity, in such way that people cannot tell the difference from what is treasure and what is trash. Thankfully we belong to a generation who experienced and could appreciate such people as Allan, and all the great musicians form the Jazz Fusion and Progressive era. I share the sadness and sorrow of this big loss with you. Your post was a true tribute to the man.

[@TheBeeRescuer]

I have to get up early for work, but I watched this entire video and loved it. It was very touching. I appreciate it so much. I've been shaken in various ways since the passing of Allan. I think about it a lot each day.

[@DrewCreal]

I really enjoyed this. Thank you for this video and for sharing your record collection.

[@denonhd8]

Well said, Derek. My introduction to Allan was on Tony Williams' Believe it, Back in the 70's. That album, and then Velvet Darkness just blew my young self away. I was lucky to see him on the Road Games tour, when he opened for the Steve Morse Group at Tipitina's in New Orleans. We left after Allan's show, as there was nothing Steve could do to follow it.

[@alf5948]

Nice tribute. Thanks for sharing your story about meeting him. Good stuff.

[@stringchild]

Nice. Monster musician and saint. Genius. RIP Allan Holdsworth. True musicians always knew him and can try to catch up some day in the future? Sweet video.

[@jackbroad6109]

thanks for posting this. we are all pretty stunned and heartbroken right now :( thankfully, we have allan's music to help us through this tough time

[@martymandrell5961]

Also, Dereck.............. love your Zappa and Genesis vinyl videos.............! Frank "was/is" my #1!! And Genesis is way beyond today's music............... I don't listen to too much of today's music......... it's really sad!!

[@MaliVinnyB]

Sincronicity....FULL EFFECT!! Just a few days ago,I got the urge to peep some Holsworth on Y.T. Also one of my favorites, along with Hendrix, Pete Cosey... RIP!!

[@jorgerodriguez6042]

dereckvon thank you for your reviews you are doing great amigo

[@54NT14G0]

I love what you had to say about Allan, very moving, thank you!

[@g-r-a-e-m-e-]

I was only getting to know his solo work, and loving it. I often listen to Gong too. I decided to Google him and see what he was up to - only to find that he had just died. Shocking. RIP. Dereck, your tribute was heartfelt, and moving.

[@empirestatelvr3694]

Dereck Im glad you also mentioned Tosin Abasi, what an innovator!

[@josephleiter7913]

a well spoken and presented eulogy...thank you so much dereck

[@lastingtruth7306]

Dereck you nailed it. AH was always trying to speak the un-sayable. He knew music was beyond words. He tap into something in his life endeavor to attempt to say it. ....and my fellow AH fan He is the ONLY guitarist that can make me cry. Great post thank you.

[@robbrown5922]

Your video tribute was one of the first I had watched after he passed. I came back here today to watch again; your description of his playing early on really speaks to how I hear his music too.

[@marcthornhill2870]

Bro, saw you holding up one of his albums and had to tune in to you. Your story made me cry literally. My brother and I and our friends loved his music so much. We spent hours in my basement listening to any album he played on. It's comforting to know that I am not the only person who felt so deeply about him. Your story about meeting him confirms my idea of the type of personality he had. Thank you for sharing your experience. We that love him are a brotherhood of people that will miss him like a family member.

[@dereckvon]

Word.

[@user-uo8yh9tb8g]

"Saying the unsayable..." I like that, and that was pretty much my reaction to Allan as well who I saw like three times back in the late 1980s early 1990s (the last time opening for Chick's Electric Band with Gambale on guitar... out of the thousands of guitarists and guitar solos I've heard I've never heard a better player than Allan or a better solo that "Devil Takes The Hindmost"... thanks for sharing. That he had not even the money for a proper burial at the time of his death is indicative of the musical climate we're imbedded in...... but I was very happy to see the guitar community and his fans step up and do the right thing.........often imitated but never surpassed, and he was all that for 40 plus years!

[@bloomdidier]

I saw Allan when he was with Gong, he was an amazing guitarist, so sad he has passed.Real musicians know how good he was........your wonderful tribute is straight from the heart Dereck.

[@cosmicjazzman4817]

Thank you for being here! I feel better knowing there's more people out there that love the same great music. Honestly,most of the time I feel alone with my music... Thanks for offering your heart felt condolences to one of the most important artistic musicians of our time and ALL TIME 😎👽😇

[@Merl1960]

Thanks for this great tribute, Dereck. I'm a prog fan, and a DJ on indie radio WPRB FM 103.3, but AH was not on my radar until a listener called in a request for him a few years back. Now, thanks to your post here, I can really do an informed tribute to AH on my program tomorrow. And I share your enthusiasm for Peter Gabriel as well. Peace to you, brother, glad I found you (subbed!)

[@netzah3488]

Massive Respect. Me too, tears brother. Love Always. We love you Alan and we will always remember and hold you close in our hearts. I loved his work with Tempest: Gorgon! Massive Respect, Man, i am so glad and privileged to sit here and listen and meet you here in this forum. Feel like you shared everything that many of us would have shared and connected with. so few of us in the grand scheme of things though. Man 'melancholy' is the word i eternally feel. Man i love you my true brother for posting this, Alan we love you always. What you said, i could not say it any better, Massive Respect

[@lawrenceterwilliger6787]

Well Said! Thank You!

[@TheOhiowolf]

At the Queen Mary Jazz Festival, I put together the "Queen Mary all Stars" Freddy Hubbard, Michael Brecker, George Duke, Stanley Clark, Lenny White. These all were selected by Allan and put together by me (Al's Mgr at the time). While the set was going on, I looked in the shadows of the side curtain, and saw Miles Davis (with his back to us)playing muted trumpet into the curtain, jamming along with the band. Allan spotted him and motioned him on. i don't remember if he did or not, but I have some pics that show he did. That says it all! Miles only wanted to play, or was ever attracted to musicians that played from the heart with new sounds he never heard. Miles physical statement that night says it all. Your not alone man, your in very good company.

[@Becker333]

Thank you for this vid...u r a great fan of music and much more organized than myself....noticed Tune at beginning "Joshua" yES. The best and most melodic tune Allan did on a solo album....his music....so....haunting...it will be haunting us forever.......with affection....Cheers..RIP Allan

[@paulkazakoff9231]

First heard Allan play on the very first Tempest album.Wow just awesome and knew right there he was going to be a special musician !!He was one of the best.

[@Bawookles]

Hey, Dereckvon. I just want to say how much I appreciate your youtube posts. You're obviously a true music lover. Holdsworth was, to me, the greatest musician I've ever heard in my life. It is tragic that he died and died like he did, but what is so important is that the man existed at all. And his music and his musical genius will live on forever.

[@bauhausoffice]

Thank you. Your words are deeply shared by me.

[@markusantonio4866]

Great share about Holdsworth. You express your feelings about him, and how he helped shape your life.

[@sgguitar77]

Beautiful tribute here. The man has been one of my musical heroes since I was a teenager, and your thoughts about him reflected so many of mine as I've thought about Allen the past few days. All the best to you.

[@thormusique]

Beautifully said, man, and I wholeheartedly agree! Thank you for sharing this; I feel I'm in good company.

[@lorenzmuller3542]

My favorites are "Sand" and especially "Secrets" because of Jimmy Johnson and one of my drum heroes Vinnie Colaiuta... Loved that you listened to it in the background.

[@cosmicjazzman4817]

I hear you man 😎 I met Allan a few times! You said it... Allan is a very humble man. I enjoyed a cigarette with him outside Johnny Dee's in Summerville Mass. I also love his work with Bill Bruford..... Sixteen men of tain is my favorite then secrets (I love Vinnie Colaiuta) I'm a drummer and Holdsworth is one of the best band leader musicians because of his originality emotional soulful soloing and he loves improvising and playing off other great players! He always allowed the other musicians complete freedom within his music Wich is so lacking in most places. I AGREE 100%,😎👽 THANKS FOR your kind words about my favorite musician 😇 RIP ALLAN

[@Oenloveslife]

Thank you for this beautiful tribute to AH from your heart, and for your intelligent, insightful commentary on music and creativity. Did you hear his solos on Level 42 or his work on Jon St. James' "Rainy Taxi"? I completely agree with you that Allan Holdsworth is one of the greatest musicians who ever lived! And his writing is not only often overlooked and underappreciated, but is also so deeply abstract and harmonically challenging that it turns many listeners away. People for example who say that Clapton is God. Holdsworth is a Zillion miles ahead!! Thank you thank you thank you!

[@gottastayfocused]

Thank you so much for your thoughts, you really exposed me to a lot of his music and fellow musicians that wor ked wit him.. I got the first run of his carvin custom guitar when my mom passed away and his guitar always brings me joy. Really appreciate your love of him. Peace

[@TERRYMism]

Dereck, thought I would add my little comment on Allan Holdsworth's passing. You are so spot on with your assessment of Allan's talent. I will certainly be one of those who contribute to his families crowd funding. Thank you for the Holdsworth retrospective.

[@johnp9525]

I love your commentary here. Thank you! ❤️

[@westrokker]

Wow, how cool you met him and played his guitar! I saw him live twice. So glad I did. I was just recently thinking about going to see him this year at the Iridium in Chicago where he was scheduled to play. I also agree about the Sand album, "Macman" is just incredible. Also, listen to "distance vs desire", it will bring a tear to your eye, it did to me.... sad day indeed.

[@gorvo31]

I still remember your 'music that moves you' thread response from a few years back and your visual reaction to his solo certainly illustrated how a lot of us feel now. You said it all here. He's as singular as they come, and will be deeply missed on this plane. One of the greatest I agree. -Carm

[@greatmusic382]

Derek, your words, your video, your emotions connected deeply with me - it is very simple, my dear friend --- and there is no time to be quaint and subtle - sir, my brother, you are a star person (takes one to know one) - sending you a big gigantic enormous fantastic THANK YOU -- we starry folks are ALL missing missing missing Allan Holdsworth right now -- we always will be --- being SOooooooo connected with your words --- very big :) - your brotherly fellow Allan Holdsworth fanatic... again, i am deeply moved by your words and energies here ---- just wonderful to be friends. Light and Luminescence to you. Randy

[@dereckvon]

Thank you so much.

[@stewartconacher6552]

A very heartfelt tribute Dereck.

[@SimulacronX]

Beautiful. May peace be upon you brother

[@71ELP]

yes ,Holdsworth is the best

[@DougThacker]

So very well said and from the heart. I first heard of Allan from reading an interview with EVH and he was saying that Allan was the greatest. Me being a young and impressionable 16 year old I immediately went out and bought the first album I saw which was IOU. I couldn't believe what I heard! Was that a keyboard? lol The music literally brought tears to my eyes just absolutely life changing! RIP Mr. Holdsworth and thank you Mr. Higgins for this heartfelt video!

[@MaXaNoMaLoUs]

I have my own A.H. Story/journey to share as well. I graduated high school in 00' and around 01-02' I started listening to a Band named Meshuggah and in one of their cd booklets they wrote all of their influences from books to movies to other musicians and they wrote Terminator 2, X-files, Bjork and Allan Holdsworth, to name a few. If you listen to early Meshuggah, it's honestly the only music I've heard where the guitar player had the same Tone (Fredrick Thordendal). Listen to "Missing Time" on Sol Niger Special Defects. It's a straight Homage. Around the same time I came across another Beast of a guitar player, Shawn Lane. Years later, I watched an instructional tape of Shawns and he told a story about going to a free concert when he was 20, had no idea who was playing and low and behold it was Holdsworth, who of course changed his musical life and completely influenced how he would play from then on, and what's funny is 2 of my favorite albums are from these 2 swedes, Jens Johansson and Anders Johansson, and they only made 2 albums, one guest staring Shawn Lane called Fission and one called Heavy Machinery featuring Allan Holdsworth. These 2 albums belong in everyones collection, I try to share them as much as possible, they are on KZbin, go listen. I was also lucky enough to meet Allan a few times when he was playing with Alan Pasqau, Jimmy Haslip and Chad Wackerman! The most humble group of people you'll ever meet, creating other worldly fusion Jazz. The first time I saw Allan was in Seattle when he did the reunion of Soft Machine called SoftWorks. I've lived everything this man ever did, from the minute I heard him as a teenager. The solo on Gong's "Expresso"and Joe Hendersons tune "Isotope" was the first thing I had heard, it blew me away, I didn't know what was going on or that any of that was possible on the guitar or any instrument. He opened my mind to what was possible on the guitar or rather tackling the impossible and devouring it. A true Jazz musician. Ive been obsessed and always will be over A.H. He is the first name I mention and the last when I talk about guitar to anyone. I'm like a 'dead head' for A.H. I once bought tickets for all my friends to see him in Berkeley for the whole weekend simply because I knew it would make them smarter, metal heads, all different kinds of people, I just knew they had to see this in person. I have over 20 live bootlegs, spanning from 76 to 06, some of my favorites are from 91' like Devil Takes the hindmost 91' and Material Real improv Sweden Umea 97' I grew up obsessing over David Gilmour and S.R.V.'s tone in my early teens and then Holdsworth sealed the deal for me. As John McLaughlin said "I would copy him if I knew what he was doing" ;) I picture him sailing into the cosmos in his Star Trek uniform like on the cover of Atavachron, soo fitting. I'm wearing my Holdsworth Shirt right now... I thought this was the best place to share my story. There's still soo much more to talk about, favorite albums, favorite solos etc, feel free to message me. On my song "Mitosis" by Anomalous is my homage to Holdsworth. You are truly missed Allan but will Never, Ever be forgotten! -Max Seeman

[@MaXaNoMaLoUs]

A quick comment about velvet darkness. Allan went in to rehearse, he did not know he was being recorded. He never saw any of the money from that recording. Very Questionable recording along with questionable cover art.

[@d.dedrick7991]

Beautiful...

[@KingTabor]

Great collection

[@3rdPlaya0709]

Thank you for your content! Just getting into Holdsworth now. I discovered your channel a while back and making note of videos regarding Frank Zappa and Pink Floyd. Your videos are great and help a young listener navigate older music. You answer a lot of the questions I find myself asking.

[@Beadbud5000]

Nice tribute Dereck!

[@YOutsider]

Thanks for sharing, dereckvon! great anecdotes from you, a long-time fan.. the BEST tribute looking at Allan's life in vinyl. Metal Fatigue was the blitz when I was introduced to him. Sorry--I really like Velvet Darkness as a stand-alone album. Not a surprise that Allan would hate V.D. Jazz perfectionists are hypercritical of themselves--especially their early recordings. Peace to you!

[@ulfingvar1]

Only recently have I begun to listen to Alan H and my God, am I glad for discovering him. Mentioning the likes of Alan and Tosin in the same sentence as hip hop.. is like speaking of roses while looking at an exploded septic tank I absolutely HATE the current music scene. Yes, there ARE great bands/artists out there, but you need to seek 'em out, as they are very much on the fringes, almost avant garde in a way. Hopefully things will change eventually.

[@richardrobbins7949]

I appreciate this guy - this is an african american guy saying that the hop hop culture/music is worthless - that he see this speaks volumes - love this!

[@dereckvon]

Don't misunderstand what I'm saying because I love the people.

[@jeffthrow6892]

R.I.P.- Allan Holdsworth. Dereck as usual you are spot on sir. Surprised though that you didn't show or mention one of my favorites, the great Tony Williams Lifetime album - "Believe It", just mind blowing stuff......

[@dereckvon]

Of course I have it. Honestly, it's not one of the first records to come to mind regarding Allan.

[@jeffthrow6892]

The Tony Williams album was my first exposure to Mr. Holdsworth, & then the Tempest album, which I haven't listened to in a long time....

[@kevinogracia1615]

Dig... One must not forget his brilliance on Bill Bruford's first solo album "Feels Good To Me." Peace on earth...

[@rickg8015]

I first got to listen to Allan's sublime playing in Tony Williams (Lifetime) 'Million Dollar Legs' on vinyl.. Was hooked ever since . R.I.P. Allan Holdsworth. It's funny, Allan reminds me of one of my faves, Sterling Morrison in terms if demeanor. Even if their playing couldn't be more different from each other. But if you listen to early VU's live (not Max's..) low fi recordings, you can hear a glimpse of their common ground.

[@UriahRoxx]

Allan Holdsworth's work on the first Tempest album, which was kind of a proggier Cream, was astonishing as well. He was the Charlie Parker of guitar. He will be messed. R.I.P.

[@davidsanderson5918]

That pain....is entirely undestandable. The loss is the loss of part of you, made more painful as it's from your youth. These people are like uncles and aunties to us.

[@rockstarjazzcat]

Peace to you, friend. Thanks for sharing this tribute. And on the subject of the go fund campaign, does look like folk are giving generously as they are able. Kind regards, Daniel

[@aaronfrank9649]

So true. Thank you sir.

[@acousticgypsy314]

Beautiful dude, thanks.

[@gyitardave1505]

Yes never saw him live , but I wasn't feeling well and then found out of his passing. I gave to the fundme account. Allan changed the guitar world like Hendrix, and Robert Johnson.

[@empirestatelvr3694]

Sure, Ive heard bits and pieces of his material on Metal Fatigue and his work with Bill Bruford and Jean Luc Ponty. But what a shame it is, that Im getting into his solo stuff now, right after he dies. Sad, sad sad

[@Draxtor]

THANK YOU SO MUCH !!! How you describe at the top how Allan makes you feel and what you think he might be trying to express: never thought about it this way but you are SPOT ON!

[@fusionhar]

I have test pressing of 'Velvet Darkness' given to me by Allan and autographed.....hen's tooth?

[@SpartanLaserCanon]

So much vinyl man WOW.

[@westrokker]

Great comments on state of music today, I agree totally . I'm an "old guy" too...

[@johndoe1765]

yeah me too!

[@AA-uw9om]

That's awesome you got to meet him man. I feel like shit that he's gone but I'm hoping he will atleast be better known in the next 50 years Almost everything he has done is amazing to me especially secrets

[@nicolasleguern7654]

Those songs you mentioned are on the top of my list. I had zarabeth as my ringtone for a long time. I made a video playing the Joshua outro too. I think it's under Nick le guern. Please check out the song/ solo Frontiers by Symphony X. That's shows how much Allan Holdsworth has inspired even metal guitar players to go further out on their solos. Please let me know what you think of Frontiers. Have a great Wednesday!!!!

[@4jefftvai]

I HEAR THE YEARNING HAUNTING EMOTION ALSO IN HIS LEADS AND SOUNDS.

[@tonyrome3119]

good sermon, you make some valid points

[@stoshrice4060]

Dereck, As corny as it sounds, but my condolences. As music and arts folks it really hurts when you lose someone that touches you it leaves a void. As opposed to putting a story I offer my condolences to you. You really are blessed