Tommy Tedesco Throwback Thursday From the MI Vault 3/28/1996

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[@spontaneousgroovincombusti2902]

“I never copied licks... I copied feelings.” Bravo, Tommy, that’s music to my ears.

[@soolan11]

My intention was to watch 10-15 min, but stayed till the end. Really enjoyable.

[@KevinHackett]

Would you mind giving me some feedback on my music? Tommy Tedesco is a big inspiration to me. I have some uploaded on the channel "live" that I'm commenting from. I'm no professional but I have a love of music and I love feedback and constructive criticism or just to connect with people through my music in some way. If you decide to take a look, I hope you enjoy it or connect with it and don't feel like it I a waste of your time. Thank you for your time.

[@SoulfulGuitarLessons]

same

[@jessej.guevara7086]

Me too....funny and clever.

[@sparkyguitar0058]

I'm 2 minutes in and thinking the same thing. I remember as a kid reading in the back of guitar magazines this Tedesco guy showing how to do this or that and unfortunately didn't pay enough attention to it. Now I wouldn't put down a lesson from this guy until I knew it forward and backwards. So I could play it upside down like he did at a session. L O L WOW What a character.

[@pb12661]

this was filmed after a stroke left him basically without the use of his left arm. He had to rehab it and the rest of his left side in order to play again. Still sounds great. He's definitely a guitarist's guitarist.

[@erikvaldur3334]

He was the king. I went to this school in 93 to 94. Saw him then do one of these shows. Best show I've seen. The wealth of knowledge this man has is simply amazing.

[@mothersuperior7942]

TT's left hand after a stroke is faster and stronger than mine...and I've been a guitarist my whole life...he was scary good

[@frankpitochelli6786]

He was quite a funny and charming personality, not to mention that he was a crack number one guitarist, we don't have people like this anymore, R.I.P big guy.!!

[@DomMinasi]

Tommy was one of the greatest studio guitarist of all time. He could read and play anything by sight. He's not a loud mouth, he has a great sense of human, which you need in stressful situations and believe me playing in studio orchestras for movies and TV ain't easy.

[@KevinHackett]

Would you mind giving me some feedback on my music? Tommy Tedesco is a big inspiration to me. I have some uploaded on the channel "live" that I'm commenting from. I'm no professional but I have a love of music and I love feedback and constructive criticism or just to connect with people through my music in some way. If you decide to take a look, I hope you enjoy it or connect with it and don't feel like it I a waste of your time. Thank you for your time.

[@violinoscar]

In the 70s I used to buy Guitar Player magazine, I still have all those old copies, especially to read Tommy's column. He was the king of session players and I wanted to be a session player above all. I didn't know that the writing was on the wall for session musicians. Tommy had a reputation of being able to sight read anything you put in front of him. His Guitar Player page would include a score that he had played that week. Sometimes this was a professionally scribed score, other times it was, literally, something someone had scrawled on a napkin. Tommy was king. This is the first time I've heard him speak. Thanks for posting this.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

@gmw1961 YESSS.. I remember too (says old man from daze of dial telephones, B&W televisions (integrated?), etc...!

[@waltrohrbach2459]

Yeah, remember Tommy Tedesco's column in guitar player mag as well in late seventies. Good times.

[@msaintpc]

He was one brilliant genius. One of my idols.

[@florencerussell3552]

A True Genius with a great heart and mind like a computer....could read anything and with that also a great sense of humor. He was one of a kind and the likes of him will never be seen again. RIP TT

[@MALDAVIN]

That was once of the best and funniest video's I have ever seen on You Tube and I had to watch all 57 mins it was so good, what a funny guy.

[@jeanroy8283]

This man was a genius! I just discovered this man, wow what pure 100% talent!

[@art77fun]

I worked for the delivery company that would deliver Tommy's equipment to the studios. I set up his amp and guitar many times a week for a couple of years.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

AND....?

[@kickbiker7920]

Was he a fussy type of guy? His humour comes across as very droll. What was he like with you?

[@pb12661]

and.......

[@melodymakermark]

and, then he went home to his wife and kids and they had dinner and everyone lived happily ever after.

[@markesquivelarvizu6942]

Andy Brauer?

an amazing guy.. i loved his columns in guitar player way back... what a great video to hear the man tell all those stories

[@merseybeat1963]

Understand..This is after his stroke and that he was a Master of the guitar. This guy and his fellow Crew created the magic that was music of the 1960's. I am lucky to have been raised on it.

[@paulogarbonzo2641]

Truly a National Treasure. Thank you Mr. Tedesco.

[@BassistPaul]

I used to subscribe to "Guitar Player" mag just for this man's page. Wonderful.

[@funguy4utube]

THANKS for posting this .... I have so much respect for this man ..... he was the best ! Hope ya have a guitar in heaven Tommy ... maybe they put you in charge of harp !

[@harpman1876]

I used to love Tommy's column each month in Guitar Player magazine back in the '70s. Good old days.

[@tomsmyth4836]

Singly the most enjoyable video I have ever seen. What an amazing character. Must have been a laugh a minute working with him. And a gem of a musician to boot!

[@oceanographicscorp]

I saw him at MI back in the late 80s wow good times

[@ericw751]

What a treat! Tommy literally made modern recorded guitar accompaniment! I wish I had met him! He was one of the best!

[@glennjames7107]

How many of you older guys instantly recognize Tommy's "Latin" sounds as every Spanish music part you've ever heard o T.V. ? Incredible how much his music has influenced American culture isn't it !

[@basslabd]

I knew Tommy for several years as I was first a student at MI and later as an employee. I have some great Tedesco Stories.... He was a RARE individual and I miss him. Shortly before he died he came to Las Hadas Mexican Restaurant and I was playing in the big band (can't remember the leader's name but he played accordian, lived in Vegas and drove a Rolls to the valley every Tuesday). I believe Tommy recognized me but before the set ended he an the family left. He also made very complimentary remarks at my class recording session.

[@odaydrums]

I went there for drums but would try and catch Tommy because he made me laugh and remember what was really important in life : )

[@jsilence418]

I used to love his attitude in the GUITAR PLAYER magazine columns what a gem, this is great .

[@atgred]

With all due respect, as a mexican guitarist, thanks Tommy for giving us the Flamenco intro as a gift for the Spanish flamenco guitarists that maybe rambling that that is not Mexican music style but from Spain. 😜

[@marcusanderson5745]

maple heights Ohio, the 80s ,I go to a Catholic Church for a guitar clinic by Mr tededco, raise my hand, called me on stage and forgot how to read, he covered me, thank you

[@geoffburton822]

His song, at the end, truly is brilliant! Great seminar, great guitar player, great man. Funny, too.

[@Boddissatva]

I learned so much from This. Thank you Tommy

[@nodbrite4418]

love his tone as he describes his accomplished and result oriented achievements...& Human touch to sharing inside experience.,priceless

[@coolvibes3663]

"You got to come in there and give them something they don't have" Thank for for the encouragement, now I'm going to need some courage:)

[@roman14032]

people, before you criticize him just remember your looking at the single most recorded guitarist in world history you have been listening to this guy play guitar YOUR WHOLE LIFE in fact ,in relative terms; you have rarely heard anyone else

[@thomaspick4123]

roman14032 Tommy has a great sense of humor. The reason he might not have remembered is because he laid down the tracks. The singers came in on a different date and laid vocals down on the premade tracks that Tommy was on. Thus, it is likely, he never heard the completed track. He was already on to the next project.

[@MrDeevo]

Are you kidding? I LOVE TOMMY!!!

[@LightningDogg]

Who would criticize this legend??

[@odurandina]

What many will not immediately realize---this was 4 years after his stroke..... he was quite a ways off from.his peak virtuoso years (here). The day before his stroke he was extremely close to his peak.

[@marcillioficino4663]

@@LightningDogg Are you kidding? The world is full of imbeciles.

[@ProNetUSA]

My Family grew up with Tommy on 12th Street in Niagara Falls. My Dad always had very high respect for Tommy.

[@allancerf9038]

Saw him in 80's at a music store 'clinic' in Bellevue, WA. Was fabulous. He told his familiar story where he said I can only play one flamenco lick and he's used it - that single lick for years kept him paid handsomely for years. I'm sure he knew more than one but it's a fabulously instructive story. Only other thing I remember, was some snooty due said he was a country guitarist and asked a super technical question. I got the impression the dude probably really was a great country guitarist. Tommy said "we have some really good musicians today asking fantastic questions" and then answered the guy's technical question as if it was a totally different question, the gist of which was, if you want to play great technical country licks, come up with something imaginative. Wonderful guy.

[@v2vroth]

I met Tommy in California once in 1991, he was funny and an incredible cool guy!

[@jameskerr9509]

I used to read him religiously in Guitar Player

[@Les537]

The best kind of genius.

[@sysop007]

One huge thing besides his musical talent that made him successful is his personality and humor. Truly a legend in music. One of a kind. RIP

[@TacticalTupperware]

Awesome! Totally inspiring!!!

[@sammyscellojourney3851]

Love this guy Tedesco, l would hire him just so l could laugh through the session.....awesome

[@MonkeJosh_o]

Believe it or not, my teacher is the nephew of this guy. I came here after my teacher told the class. My teachers name is Joe Conti

[@bobbygoesbig]

Love it. A lot of the same schtick from his Hot Licks video from 1989, which was before the stroke so his playing was in much better form. A true legend of the guitar.

[@mikelliteras397]

It’s amazing he can still play after a stroke. It’s also amazing he lived as long as he did as hard as he lived. He might not be the greatest guitar player ever but he might be the most interesting player and best player no one knows.

[@jeffd8597]

I love this! These are great stories and he was the BEST of his time. Hilarious! He's right, we make the music but it's not for us it's for the listeners who don't always (or never) know what's right and what's wrong, only if they like it!

[@MrRea112]

Only a person who’s that good can kid around like Tommy does here. That’s confidence and skill!

[@daleturner]

THE BEST!!!!! So funny and encouraging--and deep as L!!

[@luvbasses5487]

He was a master at dealing with certain perceptions of the people he had to deal with. It came simple to him. We should all learn from this. Just keep baffling them with bullshit and 9/10 it works! He had the talent to back it up too...

[@bosshoss4322]

Iam a session guy I can relate to tedesco I've said some funny shit at sessions bullshit goes a long way.

[@luvbasses5487]

Yeah....some people are just “easy.”

[@garychambers5850]

Very Inspiring! Great Guitarist! Must of been awesome to play on so many hit records! He recorded the music and later the singers came in to finish up the record. That's why he doesn't recall which song is which? He played the guitar on the _Batman_ TV show from the 60's, The guitar part on the " _Green Acres_ " TV show, He plays guitar on the TV show " _MASH_ " _The Elvis Presley 1968 Comeback Special_ The " _Bonanza_ " TV show and …. _The Twilight Zone_ just to mention a few! Tommy passed the following year in 1997 from Lung Cancer. He was only 67. Hes now in that big _Rock & Roll Band in Heaven with Glen and Hal_ … 🤗🎸 ⛪✝

[@bbennettbass]

what a blessing

[@organicwest]

We've heard enough of his guitar licks over the years, it was fantastic to listen to him. Lots of life lessons.

[@GuitarlosCarlos]

HE'S AS CRAZY AS I AM STEPS RIGHT THROUGH IT WHILE HE SITS TO PLAY ON HE'S GOT IT DOWN HE LAID IT DOWN ALL OVER TOWN I WISH HE WAS STILL HERE AROUND TOWN...

[@brianmi40]

In his day, Tommy was THE Guy.

[@jjjohny_a5965]

top 3 players ever to pick a 6 string...mr tedesco

[@kencookeguitarist]

Thank you for posting.

[@binilgn5941]

Who knew George R.R. Martin was such a great guitar player .

[@dmacnic]

He was so great!. Unpretentious, street smart and resourceful.

[@perrykleez]

really, this guy is great...what a smart musician

[@thaxreston4740]

A stunning human. KnockOut talent and kind and lucky. Wonderful.

[@kylebarnett350]

what a boss!

[@Fabsurf101]

Wow, that's what I call a pro !

[@matthennagersguitarlessons]

I WAS THERE!

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

Me 2

[@roxiebeagle]

Tommy was a genius!

[@mosriteminioncause7741]

The most heard...most unheard of guitar player in the world The Late Great Tommy Tedesco... if you grew up in the 60's or heard a 60's tv theme song with guitar from reruns you maybe heard Tommy Tedesco playing. Guitar Player Magazine said he's the most recorded guitarist in history, he played on thousands of recordings, many of which were top 20 hits.🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@sullyb23511]

I haven't laughed so hard, in a good way, watching an "instructional video." I would have loved taking lessons from this guy.

[@tonyaguirre8316]

The legend

[@maximanthemaxican7654]

Great guitar player & comedian

[@kauaiman1]

Hey anybody that criticizes is on a different planet but Louis Shelton and the whole wrecking crew are in the same boat. Truly a great guitar player. I can relate to his work effort and it shows. Practice makes perfect. Some got it naturally and others have to work at it. A guitars players and one that shares. I appreciate him and sounds like a truly good person

[@doughtymqan]

I’m from Buffalo and among the musicians he’s god.

[@donnyroxlive-youtubechanne9482]

I'm from his neck of the woods didn't find out about him till the 80s with his articles in GW ... very much wish I could have shook his hand...

[@EVEROSFP1]

What a musician....and interesting guy he was!

[@robertiaccarino4363]

Class act.

[@eisenjocasaclang1701]

The best quality of the Wrecking Crew is they're all so humble. To them it's jst them doing wht they like doing best...play their instruments

[@blak1lyte]

Carol Kaye HATES them being referred to as the wrecking crew... she said.. they were called the clique.

[@eisenjocasaclang1701]

@@blak1lyte Does it really matter wht they're called? They made good music and hits and tht's their legacy

[@Draxtor]

Goddamn Tommy ❤❤❤ those endings !!!!!!!

[@harveysmidlap]

In 2017, Tommy Tedesco was posthumously inducted into the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame.

[@terryhanready5068]

Wish more musicians were like Tommy.....but unfortunately they're not. Seems very good natured and funny.

[@JustinBryantdotcom]

This is around 4 years after he'd had his stroke and retired... still as sharp as ever.

[@jamesmiles5077]

Tommy the Great! 1948 Class of Niagara Falls High. Graduated with my Mom....

[@barrygoodson4952]

Very cool !

[@joefox9765]

This guy is a riot 😅

[@JonBlondell]

He played on Everything!

[@brynjones7371]

Pure genius.

[@Megadave4life]

Thank you brother lol card board did the trick ;)

[@daviddoyle4516]

"im a distant relative,,," at $30.00 bucks an hour,,,we love you Tommy,,,

[@p47thunderbolt68]

He did the guitar on the Green Acres theme . Thousands of other recordings also .

[@DaveDurango]

Man...I know those shakes

[@duster71]

Great Zappa reference. Music is my religion and Frank Zappa is my God. Another great Italian Tommy Tedesco.

[@deja75m]

I bought Mr. TEDEDSCOs book for geetar players in the early 80s..a gem from a wonderful man.

[@MelissaThompson432]

The Latin expert story reminds me of Leland Sklar's "Tommy, can we hear some banjo?" story. It's a beautiful story....

[@vagelisvandoros9240]

Legend

[@TM-jo4wz]

As Jaco said. It ain’t bragging if you can back it up! I don’t think some people get what Tommy is saying. So what if the guitar is out. Finger nail clicking. When he was in a session looking at the music, He’s such a great site reader He knows what is sounds like before playing. That’s how he could embellish on the “fly. Make his own “. He learned how to please the producers etc. it ain’t bragging if you can back it up.

[@fusion5866]

I was there! Orientation week at M.I.

[@themanfromutopia1]

Can anyone help me out I'm looking for a copy of the Hot licks video ( Tommy Tedesco playing guitar for a living )......I live in the U.K but I'm happy to pay any postage.Thanks guys.

[@kencookeguitarist]

I think I might have a copied DVD somewhere but not sure if will play in UK?

[@stringsnare]

its on youtube!

[@petersheely7246]

👌😔

[@rillloudmother]

10:56 yes, if can tune it like a guitar! FTW

[@ronchrisman]

No doubt a funny man.

[@gius-pe]

if you'd cram together 1000 things "larger than life" you still wouldn't have half of a Tommy Tedesco.

[@tonyhall3845]

Ive been playing for 50 years, and im not even qualified to change his strings....ya know?

[@tonybmusic1166]

At 38:12 his suggestion of staying out of the way of singers is spot on. Most, not all, singers know very little about music theory plus you’re there as a sideman to support them and feature them...NOT YOU! For some reason lots of sidemen have a difficult time comprehending that. Maybe their egos get in the way or they’re frustrated jazzers and don’t feel like they’re earning their pay unless they overplay. I guess they think they get paid by the note? I’ve been a sideman since 1964 and that’s my “rule of thumb” when backing up a singer.....whatever gender...”stay out of their way!”

[@dezionlion]

I wonder if that’s the guitar he got from norms rare guitars for $200?

[@volodyanikolaev]

Hilarious guy!

[@sebring1960]

A GUITAR GOD!

[@michaelzahnwehgitarre8957]

similar story with the music stand hiding the technique comes from cuck rainey about the slapping in the bridge of steely dans "peg". I canno imagine that a engineer wouldn't notice the difference though...