Redneck Jazz Explosion - Danny Gatton

[@JeffSilverman-Palette]

I was asked to audition for Danny's position as lead guitar for Roger Miller's band in the early 80's (when he left the tour). I FREAKED to say the least!!! Thanks to a banjo friend of mine from the Kentucky Colonels (and Dillard's), he gave me a crash course on how to fake my way through Rogers Orange Blossom Special / Foggy Mountain Breakdown. Somehow... I got the gig. I then had the honor of meeting up with Danny when we played the Smithsonian Institute in DC. I asked if he would mind jamming out at his farm in Maryland. He was THE most humble guy & said ABSOLUTELY!! I only remember my jaw dropping most of the jam but he made me feel like I had a few good things to say / play along the way. What a loss to us all. Such an amazing person as well as player!

[@pretorious700]

Doug Dillard?

[@PaletterecordsNet-MSP]

Actually, Billy Ray Lathum

[@scottmatheson2390]

Wow what a great story man. As a fellow player I can only imagine how lucky and honored you must have felt to not only snag the Miller gig (I loved his stuff as a kid and still do)but also to share all that quality time with one of the world's greatest guitarists! I saw Danny play a few times and what can I say? Easily the most impressive player I've ever seen on any instrument. I imagine you're no slouch yourself to be asked to take over for Danny! yikes! That'd be a hard act for virtually any other guitarist on Earth to follow! Btw the Dillards were great as well. I used to watch Andy Griffith as a kid and it wasn't until years later that I learned it was them playing the otherwise mute Darlin boys. Great stuff.

[@BEN14680]

wow.... thats some ask,,lol... respect

[@brianlee5455]

You got to jam with Obi frickin' Wan Kanobi!

[@YesuAiNimen]

Every time I watch a Danny Gatton video my guitar lets out a sigh and says "I wish you would touch me like that."

[@davidfox2832]

vuduhwy my wife does the same

[@YesuAiNimen]

@@bradejensen 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@spudwickthrockmorton2112]

@@davidfox2832that sounds like a different issue there lol

[@privatename123]

So cool that social media is allowing us to easily see these guitar virtuosos, right from wherever we are. Tons an incredible players out there most of us would never have seen otherwise.

[@i.p.knightly149]

Just in case anybody is confused, Danny Gatton is the guy wearing the "Danny Gatton" t-shirt.

[@rainbowriderjt7833]

Well someone down below actually asked the question! Probably drunk or high!! HAHA!!

[@BillRayDrums]

I swear I never would have figured that out, because I'm a drummer, ya know?

[@phantasm8180]

good point

[@bradconklin2878]

Let me get this straight... the guy with the Les Paul Custom (not a Tele) and the Danny Gatton t, is Danny Gatton?

[@ddss6227]

can you be more specific?

[@watermelonbeast]

I grew up in Arlington, Virginia and remember seeing Danny play several times. The time I remember most was one night at the Psychedelly in Bethesda having dinner with my brother. My brother had been in Bethesda Navy Hospital for a couple weeks and the doctors said he could leave for a couple hours as he was having surgery for a brain tumor the next day. Danny started to do his sound check and it was a solo concert on its own. They were starting to ask us for the cover charge and Danny told them to waive it for us so we could stay as we didn't have the money. My brother had the surgery the next day which took over 11 hours. My brother found out from his surgeon almost thirty years later that his tumor was actually considered inoperable and the doctors didn't think he would survive the operation. This was probably the reason the let him out of the hospital the night before the surgery. Danny was a great and humble guy and I will never forget that night in Bethesda! Danny also played a while with a great band, Liz Meyer & Friends, but I remember him the most with the Fat Boys. He came up to Connecticut in the early 1990's and I spoke with him briefly between sets. He was not in good shape and seemed out of his element. He hated being away from home. He really wanted to do music on his terms and couldn't deal with the pressures of the music industry. A very sad loss.

[@michaelslawrie]

Danny Gatton (pre-tele) and Buddy Emmons!?! THIS IS HEAVEN!!!!

[@Callyourmama-h5e]

Took the words out of my mouth! Buddy Emmons! Wow

[@davidferrara1105]

this shit is next-level flow

[@elvislives-gl4rv]

He's not underrated by guitar players. They know who's boss.

[@pereztube2]

hey god, can we have danny gatton back for a little while? thanks

[@TheDrewish]

We'll trade you for any pop artist now. Beiber, Taylor, anybody...

[@MrBighairyass]

Everyone talks about all these “Guitar Gods”, but this hillbilly is way better than all of them. Danny is using so many complicated techniques at once that most people have no idea what he is doing. Probably the best I have ever seen...

[@BUCKAROO6STRINGFEVER]

100% truth

[@JordanPattersonM]

Wow was that ever well said, my friend! Danny Gatton was a musical heavyweight with great humility in a very special way. The man was certainly confident in his capability and understanding of the instrument but also incredibly kind as a human being - his artistry was 100% committed to excellence and solely about him and the guitar!!

[@mjordan8432]

Yes

[@garethwest9069]

When Eddie Van Halen visited Jason Becker, he said that his playing was a gift from God and that anyone who believes otherwise is wrong. I believe that these musos have a spiritual gift ... but not from God, that's for sure. It was Satan's minions who gifted this man and the same demons who got in his head and led him to his self inflicted demise. DO NOT BE FOOLED!! What one reaps, they sow!

[@captainshiner42]

Danny is the shit, but this is just ONE random guy's opinion. There is no "best", my guy.

[@iasoccerdad]

I'll be 70 this year and have been playing for 57 of those years... everytime I watch Danny I wonder why I keep trying.. the best hands down, so versatile and original.. RIP!

[@fisherohvf-men623]

Yeah. I just threw all my sh*t in a pile a burned it. Thanks Danny.

[@carguy3460]

Because she is a wonderful, mysterious puzzle to be solved yet can never be solved! A love affair beyond measure! Keep on pickin! Sincerely, A fellow elderly novice :)

[@ericvalkenaar6276]

Because you carry on the legacy of guitarists. You're part of a special family. Keep shredding!

[@MrKittles1123]

This guy was sooooo talented and accomplished, it aches knowing what became of him. Particularly in today’s musical context. Nothing hurts quite like not being able to just be happy with life, and it’s criminal that such a man succumbed to that struggle. But Danny Gatton is not forgotten and is truly still a humbler today, and this is a fantastic testament to that fact. All guitarists should check this guy out and be reminded that “virtuoso” guitar playing comes in many forms beyond just thick distortion and 3 note per string licks.

[@redghost3170]

There might be one or two dudes in the world who could imitate that. Amazing.

[@BernieHolland-w4l]

Buddy Emmons - the master of Western swing !

[@jamescadwell2731]

I got to shake Buddy Emmons hand at the Turtle Lake casino near Red Wing Minnesota. He was backing up the Everly Brothers. I also got to shake their hands. I was sitting about 10 feet away from the band. One of the coolest concerts I ever went to.

[@rustysheckleferg8380]

Imo one of the greatest/ most underrated guitarist ever. r.i.p

[@tatonkaa]

+Rusty sheckleferg Rolling Stone rated him as like 64th. Those assholes put a terrorist on the cover of their magazine, though. You should check out Greg Koch. A local guy that likes to play here in Milwaukee.

[@sicklicksbyzwick6312]

+tatonkaa whos the terrorist?

[@rustysheckleferg8380]

tatonkaa I hear you there! . fuck rolling stone magazine. I still cant believe no one thought it would be a bad idea to put that fuck head on the cover after what he did.

[@jscordoba3]

+tatonkaa Greg's great!

[@cattleprods911]

+Rusty sheckleferg ...correct, nobody could come close to Danny

[@grahamclews1571]

Emmons is the king of the pedal steel and Gatton is just awesome.. so fast and you can hear every note

[@duster71]

Buddy's solo was so great so out there,much like a Zappa solo

[@RCHeath]

If you just watched the miracle that was Danny Gatton, you missed so much here. Everyone on stage is great. Sadly we don't have Buddy Emmons with us any longer either.

[@BillyDaMountain]

Danny Gatton was unique. His playing combined the very best of all the great players who came before him: Les Paul, Carl Perkins, Duane Eddy, Roy Buchanan, Chet Atkins, Joe Maphis, etc. He was the true master of the Telecaster. I once thought I'd never get to see him play...thank God for KZbin.

[@airdancr1]

Every time I watch one of his videos, I always catch myself saying "damn, I gotta pratice more." R.I.P Danny!

[@elvislives-gl4rv]

Only saw him live once. At the Bayou in Georgetown around '91 or '92. It was enough. I was ruined for anyone else. The best ever.

[@BillRayDrums]

One of the best unsung players the modern world has ever witnessed.

[@ryanferris7841]

This is a whole other level of playing! I’ve never seen the likes of it 🤣

[@bcummings2187]

This is just ridiculously smooth and so in the groove ......and so fucking devastating at the same time ......phenomenal guitar playing ...guy was great ! :)

[@MrSsfsfsf]

Last time I saw Danny Gatton was at the Tyson's Corner Holiday Inn Sunday Brunch. He was playing with I think one other guy, acoustic, while we ate bacon and eggs. Probably 50 people there. We had no idea we were being serenaded by the greatest guitar player of all time.

[@TheGattonmaster]

Acoustic, probably Danny and Pete Kennedy.

[@dutchjay1515]

I love heavy metal shredding Jazz and country, must have died and gone to heaven.... where has this been hiding...OMG....just absolutely farkin WONDERFUL

[@FatherRikhi]

Right on....!

[@dennissweeney6774]

Thanks for the video. The first time seeing DANNY GATTON it was 1988 in a small club in lower Manhattan and my jaw dropped went home told my brother what I saw he was the one who turn on to STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN in small clubs. I had to get him back at one point my brother hands a bottle of beer up to DANNY just took off on it miss them days.

[@stivlucavincent174]

Danny Gatton? THE BEST.

[@stevearle]

Another example of why "The Humbler" literally scares guitarists back to the woodshed... sounds great on that triple pickup Les Paul too with his own Magic Dingus Box attachment (basically a tape echo/ delay / Leslie I believe). In a class of his own, probably forever.

[@robertmuldoon9722]

stevearle ......might not be in a class of his own, but whatever class he's in it don't take long to call roll.

[@ArkyMalarkey]

stevearle : yep, forever.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Danny Gatton was on his own special planet musically-speaking. In his own solar system, one might say. But he's gone and we can't change that. But there are other musicians perhaps equally-deserving of attention, and they're still alive. Scotty Anderson was a good friend of Danny's - and like DG, Scotty is an utterly original voice on the Telecaster. No one else in the world can do what Scotty Anderson does. Not even Danny when he was alive. Scotty's approach to the instrument is utterly unique, and his musicality is just as impressive - he's a genius, he really is - although Scotty is far-too-modest a man to make such a claim. Folks, Scotty isn't getting any younger - so if you care at all about his kind of music, make it a priority to see/hear him live. He hails from rural Kentucky, but performs in the greater Cincinnati, OH area if memory serves. Another unsung great is Johnny Hiland. Johnny is from Maine and attained some notoriety amongst guitar fans when he emerged from obscurity twenty or so years ago with a blazing Telecaster sound that prompted comparisons with greats like Danny Gatton. Johnny is one of the few people living who can cover Danny's tunes properly - and he has recorded several tribute numbers to DG on his past recordings. Johnny can not only play the heck out of just about any style of music - he is also a pleasing vocalist and tours with his own band. If you doubt the greatness of this humble man's playing, just take a look at all of the greats who endorse him. It's like a who's who of guitar greats and guitar slingers. We can still appreciate and enjoy the precious recordings DG left us, but if he was here today, Danny would definitely approve of seeing these two underappreciated giants of the guitar.

[@BenLubin]

Nuts to see danny playing a LP. So much more gain on the tone.

[@erikvartiainen9615]

We humble mortals play what we can, Danny played whatever he wanted.

[@EmotionalShredd]

seriously, this is one of the most amazing guitar performances ive ever heard, and i listen to all the great guitar shredders out there, believe me, ive heard them all from Greg Howe, Allen Holdsworth, Frank Gambale etc...... BUT this is unbelievable, this is not just only shredding very amazingly, this is way more, those triads etc. are crazy, they way how he is soloing with triads and voicings is outstanding

[@NolaVenice]

I had the good fortune and pleasure of catching Danny Gatton in the DC area back in the late 70's back before computers, cell phones and all the electronic medication had done a number on humanity. Did Jeff Beck know this dude existed?

[@garymorgan3314]

I guess so. Beck is very much aware of everyone and all sorts of music, Indian ragas, Bulgarian harmonic singing, the lot.

[@RCHeath]

Yes Beck, who I actually really think is phenomenal but in another time zone to Danny, did know about him. Danny arranged to meet Clapton but he backed out and sent his manager. Beck agreed but failed to show up or send anyone.

[@davecorbin5088]

Yes, Jeff knew about him.

[@TheGattonmaster]

Yes Beck said he was awesome, called him Sir Danny. Beck is great, alot of fans thought he was the greatest; but Gattons better. Alot of people think Django, Wes, Lenny Breau are the greates:; but Gattons better, he's the greatest soloist ever by far, and can play anything, his improvisations messing around are mind boggling.

[@ChicoEastridge]

Glad you guys got the "Expo-losion" cover in there.

[@TheGattonmaster]

HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY TO THE MOST FEROCIOUS , SPECTACULAR SOLOIST EVER !

[@ericswolgaard1808]

+TheGattonmaster You got it, GattonMaster!! No one did or ever will do what he did, and a tip of the hat to the late Big E- Mr. Buddy Emmons. Best wishes-E.

[@calebolin3419]

ok, DG is sick, but I gotta give a shout out to Buddy Emmons too!

[@chuckelator]

Knowing just a bit about Danny really blows my mind! his technique is impressive! Also, knowing this little-known blues legend is from the same area I live (southern Maryland) really brings me a source of pride.. where.. Good Charlotte was all we had to be proud of (and I was never proud of that fact) I love all styles of music (particularly metal and punk and hardcore) but I can ALWAYS appreciate great musician-ship in any genre....Danny Gatton is damn near the top of that list.. wow...

[@footstompinleroyscott6892]

The top guitar player. Rock & Roll, Jazz, Country, Blues The guy was the rockinest and swinginest cat.

[@TheEDZEPPELINBAND]

the dynamics around 4:00 are really nice...and I love the t shirts-these guys were like from outer space... their level of thinking and musicianship just messes me up-and makes me smile-

[@RCHeath]

Just the smiles and fun that Buddy and Dan had, made this so worth while.

[@nobodyspecial7369]

Forrest White and I had lunch in 1981, and on the way back to his office he played a demo tape for me of an unknown guitarist. He was amazing, and his ability to switch styles in mid solo, and make it fit whatever he was playing, blew me away. Of course, it was Danny Gatton on the cassette, one of the most underrated players I've ever heard. He was also good playing Rhythm behind another instrumentalist, because he was so creative and talented. There's a tape up here with Danny, Vince Gill and Albert Lee you really should check out, they tore it up.

[@MichaelLittle47]

Ain't nobody can play like that... I don't care what my eyes and ears a tellin' me. Ain't nobody can play like that!

[@agear2]

Saw him in 88 during college....one of the best ever...

[@joepowell1004]

holy S*#t... really? Been a Gatton fan for many years but never saw this clip. There must be something it the water in the DC/ Maryland region. Danny, Roy Buchanan, and Sean Costello - all amazing guitar players - all gone on. God bless them all.

[@mrguitarwho5500]

A big D. G . fan. just came across this. right hand , left hand . PERFECT ! R.I.P. teacher.

[@hillbillyholdout6437]

And your right about LP and tele. I have played both and they can sound very similar.

[@buddybeetle]

Untouchable. The finest.

[@texasflood3165]

Got to hear him yrs ago in Maryland…so hot.. so smoky..i stood in parking lot..watched him do his magic through open emergency doors.. didn’t appreciate it till later..standing room only…🎸❤️‍🩹..RIP..

[@numv2]

What mastering electric guitar looks like. (and also having 2 brains)

[@bokehintheussr5033]

The master of the Les Paul: the "Lezzie-Master"! I have a bootleg of Danny playing with his band live in 77. Probably the best playing i've ever heard is his performance of "Sweet Georgia Brown" during the encore. Playing Django/Les Paul licks at incredible speed, interspersing them with "The Flight of The Bumble-bee". One of the greatest things about danny is that he could do such amazing stuff, and do it with such nonchelance and such levity. He was just messing about with a guitar.

[@mikejones-vd3fg]

holy crap what did i just listen too, that was awesome!!

[@IwoIwanov]

Just beyond the instrument. Words would not suffice. Many thanks for the upload.

[@SuperOlds88]

RIP Mr. Gatton and Mr. Emmons.

[@broncobrian2620]

+Lightnin Hopkins that big feller sho can bend em

[@ThunderKrak]

Some how the earliest Danny Gatton videos seem more modern than when he was older, also weird to see him with a gibson! He is my guitar idol I will never approach a fraction of his abilities 🤘🤘

[@Johngonefishin]

That Les Paul Custom he is playing will be auctioned this weekend (Oct.24) by Heritage, along with his 53' Tele and other guitars he owned.

[@MrFarangKorat]

Could you let me know how the bids for Danny’s guitars went. I used to praise him to the high heavens here in Chicago beginnig in the 90's to no avail. He needed a PR man...a sharp and smart PR man. Brilliant musician! P.S. Was a cata in

[@petershort1932]

Easy to see/hear why everyone is drooling over Danny's fleet fingers BUT , how about The Big E's pedal steel solo breaks at around 2 and 4 minutes? My LORD the 2 of 'em, burning down every venue they wailed in, are as good, me thinks, is as you'll find in this genre...THX for posting this AMAZING blast off...

[@tomandaj1]

Was in Berkley CA. in 1978? I don't remember the year. But saw Danny backing up Robt. Gordon, @ The Berkley Square. Never heard of him before that night. That performance COMPLETELY changed my guitar playing. I miss him so much...

[@deadhands1981]

wow. it sounds interestingly different done on that les paul. sounds warm w/ that unmistakable les paul snarl. gives off a different vibe.

[@chevy11786]

The king.

[@elpelao2011]

Saw danny at a bar in D.C. bout 1979 where I was a waiter. Amazing! Since I fooled around with the git, we talked about his playing style. He was way ahead ...a musicians musician.

[@FordyHunt]

Can't imagine the quality of player he would of grown in to today. One of the best ever. RIP.

[@abradfordajb]

It's very sad, because he was a troubled man and lived with that albatross of depression that finally took him down. He shared his musical beauty with the world.

[@vic1111189]

What a fucking beast!

[@barristanselmy2758]

Vic The guy's a fucking beast all right.

[@Jamestele1]

I'm so proud of our local boy, Danny Gatton.

[@jbbon]

Love listening to this. Danny was DA BEST...!!!

[@DwainDwight]

The first 2 minutes are pure guitar insanity. Gatton in a league by himself.

[@rhythmrancher9671]

I don't know if I'd consider Danny Gatton under-rated but he was definitely under-appreciated, RiP D.G.

[@daveh5533]

I had the good fortune of following Danny early in his career while playing in the DC area. This could have been recorded at the famous Cellar door they did play there with the red t shirts. I do remember the great Buddy Emmons being in awe of Danny all night. He was by far the best I ever saw and he is missed greatly!

[@namtil]

Sometimes it's really hard for me to listen to Danny - my laughter (in total astonishment) is a serious distraction! It's hard to focus on the video too, because I'm just shaking my head in constant amazement.

[@soundrew]

Seeing him play for the first time (at age 15) stunned me. I didn't pick up my guitar for weeks. After that, I became a devoted fan and would see him play many times and follow his musical meanderings. His version of Harlem Nocturne is one of my all time favorite guitar performances.

[@kenhill3703]

Just note on the Les Paul vs Tele thread...Danny played LP's early on then switched to tele's.. Never saw him with LP after the switch, although he would play a Gibson hollowbody on rockabilly tunes (and Cherokee from Unfinished Business ?). This LP has his self-invented "Magic Dingus" box mounted next to bridge...allowed him to access some effects right from guitar. What a genius, got to see him live shortly before his death at JewMo's in Va Bch. I had a tele in car without case, after show he was gonna sign it. Went out to get it and it was raining like being poured out a boot; got to car and never went back in. I've been fooling with guitars for 50 years and know of NO ONE who can do what Danny did. Incredibly inventive musical mind and ears combined with monster chops. Miss him...

[@davidsedlak2000]

This is my favorite era of Danny, the RJE band w Buddy Emmons, Danny on Les Paul with the Magic Dingus box. No one better. RIP

[@FatherRikhi]

double wow and wtf!!?! I'd love to say something intelligent about this but its too mindblowing and I gotta pick my jaw up off the floor first.....I never heard Danny Gatton before. Wot an intro....

[@Migueltxum]

You won't... you can't be dissapointed... I guess you know by now...

[@Wildvideonyc]

I saw him play with Robert Gordon. I had no idea who he was. Blew my mind into outer space. 3 times in my life I had the immense good fortune to see three epic guitarists without knowing anything about them in advance. Jimi in '67 at Central Park just a few weeks after filming the famous Monterey festival movie. Buzzy Feiten in 1972 at the revamped Cafe Au Go Go and Danny Gatton in the 80s at the Ritz in nyc.

[@YudisDwikoMusic]

One of his primetime....always amazing 👍👍

[@CJBlake-rf7mv]

He was just a phenomenal talent.

[@KenLongTortoise]

the foggy mountain breakdown, tiger rag and orange blossom special nod in approval...too many to count

[@InspecteurClouseau]

the last 20 secs of the gig are just great - First time I see the "gatton device" in action

[@Mystbilly]

fast and clean to the extreme- with a dirty tone ;)

[@Migueltxum]

You have people who love guitars, people who play guitar, people who are very good at playing guitar, very good guitarists, wonderful guitarists, legendary guitarists...and Danny Gatton.

[@BillyDaMountain]

@Garret00074 Well, shame on me as a Gatton fan, I hadn't heard of Jimmy Bryant. I just checked out a bunch of his stuff with Speedy West. Damn! He clearly was one of Danny's biggest influences. Thanx for hipping me to another fantastic guitarist!

[@NolaVenice]

True Americana Music performed by one of the all time greats, Danny Gatton.

[@atticdog1059]

Love this guy...I just wonder why he chose the Gibby? He is/was indeed one of the MASTERS of the telecaster. Buy hey, I am sure he could rock any ax he laid hands on.

[@robertpimenta1479]

Danny Gatton et Roy Buchanan, deux guitaristes hors du commun...

[@ClassicalRay]

Incredible! Any Gatton is precious, keep it coming..

[@kellydavis4223]

Thinking this was at the motel across from the main gate (old gate) to Andrews Air Force Base.....The name eludes me just like these riffs....

[@lauratwo16]

Danny Gatton level of playing = GENIUS

[@ianashworth1101]

The best was yet to come! Who knew?

[@EricAll4soundsAlbert]

Gatton rocks- that pedal steel ain't too shabby either!

[@wehaveasituation]

this one's the best..really, of all the Danny Gatton performances, this captures best his loosed and most leading playing..

[@wr70beh]

I wish I had paid more attention to music when I was younger. This is incredible stuff.

[@v2vroth]

Danny you are one of my all time favorites, thanks for sharing your musical gift with us mortals :-)

[@TheDCGuitar13]

The greatest guitar player to ever come out of dc. The humbler will never be forgotten.

[@drivinsouth651]

How come I`ve never ever heard this before? It is awesome! Thanks for posting; now maybe I can get the cd/dvd. :-D

[@dannyreyna2821]

One of the unsung heroes of the guitar that's not forgotten. RIP D.G.

[@zelpho3]

As the World's Greatest Unknown Guitar Player that was a necessity!

[@lilamilgrom5506]

pure genius and olympic athlete chops. If I can learn 2% of what they do in the coming year, I'll be really happy.

[@metaloutlander]

super natural powers this guy.

[@glennk1931]

He was beyond fantastic. In a class all his own.

[@pugggs]

Listen to that bass... just keeping it right there the entire time.

[@bills48321]

Love that part at the end when he starts turning knobs on the Magic Dingus box and the Leslie sounds like it's blasting off.

[@1954tele]

Thanks sooo much for uploading this!!! Has to be the earliest recording I have seen to date. Its nice to take a trip back to visit Danny's humble(r) beginnings!!!

[@vicboss8929]

Buddy rocked it

[@playAgainMe]

Thx John ... Danny was the definitely greatest unknown guitar player