Roy Clark "12th Street Rag" - Brutally Honest Music Reviews

[@mikesmicroshop4385]

That was being played LIVE with the people maybe 20 feet away! I have seen him live myself and had the honor of sitting in on an impromptu with him and Glen Campbell once in Nashville in a hotel! He was that good and better as the recording media of the day just could not pick up all of his speed and the nuances of the sound. He Played Malaguena for us on an acoustic guitar, and I swear to God his right hand was a freekin blur most of the time. Also when you think that Van Halen wanted Roy to sit with him and give him some pointers and lessons, you have to realize that Very talented people in the industry thought extremely highly of his skills! If you think he is a 7, then Van Halen and many other huge names in music would like to talk to you as they called Roy THE GOAT!

[@coryCuc]

What an unbelievable experience.

[@DanJeys]

I'm not really a country western fan unless their real I saw roy Clark I n Branson I wat

[@DanJeys]

My grandfather played the fiddle I watched roy Clark it wasn't prerecorded he's the best their ever was

[@AcmeRacing]

There's a great clip of Roy playing Malaguena on The Odd Couple. Fil on Wings of Pegasus did a reaction to it, and it's as you described ... his right hand is a blur.

[@goodknight5783]

If it had strings, Roy Clark was a master of it. Guitar, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin.

[@bugvswindshield]

bass , 1 string mophandle in metal wash bucket....i heard he once had a stringy boog and played a tune on it.

[@whipplefish3259]

You left out classical violin

[@carlprince2866]

probably could have played your sneakers

[@momeyerjr]

I saw him play the harp once

[@Wallofdenial50]

Not to mention corny jokes😎

[@ivansavoie3190]

A 7 is like saying you're a 0.5 as a reactor, just being brutally honest.

[@sidpierce9219]

I was Roy’s sound man for a few decades. What you got is what he played…that didn’t come out right. Seriously, Roy was a great player and entertainer, but even better human being. He enjoyed good music irregardless of the genre.

[@janeames1513]

Roy was my 3rd cousin...i'm glad to see that he is finally shining in the public more...just sad that it took him passing to get in the lime light...Roy wasn't no joke he played all stringed instruments to the same level...always all out and well

[@jimreadey4837]

I used to watch him all the time on Hee Haw, Sid, and he sure came across as a wonderful human being. It’s good to hear that confirmed by someone who knew him personally. Hey, I don’t think we’re ever too old to learn something new, so here is something one of my teachers, Nearly 40 years ago, taught me and my classmates (whose ages ranged from 23 to 61) Something about word usage: “You could say _irrespective of,_or _regardless of_- but there is no such word as _irregardless._” (He may actually have said, “Do not say _irregardless_ -regardless and irrespective of how many times you have heard others erroneously use it…“) I appreciated that wasn’t merely telling us we were getting something wrong - he was giving us a couple of alternatives for getting it right.

[@timgolding9912]

No way did he mimic it. Watch him play in other venues. He is the goat. He played all different genres. Van Halen and others called him the goat.

[@jeandoten1510]

And BTW the word is "mime", not "mimic". Look it up, I ain't gonna do your homework for you. What kind of musician is so cocky to say "f** off to his audience when he doesn't know basic performance vocabulary? I know that even a negative comment boosts your channel, but sometimes stupid is just has to begging to be called out. This comment is for Rockn2, not you, Tim.

[@MrMackievelli]

In no time did EVH ever say that. Nor did he seek out lessons from him. EVH top 7 is out there, from his mouth. Don't know where this nonsense came from.

[@boone2188]

Wrong, EVH asked to be introduced to Clark, and had Clark teach him some of his finger tapping

[@MrMackievelli]

@@boone2188 Wrong. Dude it's a simple google search. He asked Alice Cooper to meet Glenn Campbell. He learned some of his skills from watching Roy Clark on TV. In no place can I find any place where EVH asked Clark to teach him. Go on Google it. You won't find him asking for Clark's teaching.

[@lynnhutchens5606]

He can play left and right handed too!

[@katherinelane299]

Having seen Roy Clark in person, I can tell you he did that straight up. He was a guitar genius.

[@danielbell4007]

Roy Clark was the real deal. Definitely not mimicking. Seriously one of the most legit guitarists of all time. Definitely underrated and over shadow by the rock guys who would come not long behind. Check out some of his acoustic stuff.

[@Guccimustard]

Its really a shame the bigger audiences dont talk about Roy as they do about Clapton or Hendrix. Roy was extremely ahead of his time, he was sweeping and shredding on stage while Hendrix was still growing a peach fuzz mustache. He’s belongs in the avant-garde of Guitar players.

[@hawklee9702]

Did it really look like he needed to fake it? Check Roy out on The Odd couple show, the song is maleguena.

[@toodlescae]

Or live on the 12 string

[@satexman2585]

I swear Roy Clark and Prince are probably two of the most under-rated guitar players ever....

[@whyme7996]

Roy Clark is honored as one of the best guitarists of the world by some of the best guitarists alive.

[@kevinloignon7943]

Glen Campbell too..........

[@bmepdoc9675]

@@kevinloignon7943 I agree wholeheartedly. Glen was a member of (IMO) The Fearsome Foursome. Chet Atkins, Glen Campbell, Roy Clark and Jerry Reed. Glen did things on a 12 string that melted others brains.

[@Mark-sd7fc]

I don’t think Roy was underrated, I’m pretty sure he was recognized by a lot of people considered great

[@GGGinJe]

Prince was not even a pseudo Roy Clark.

[@theaffiliate4208]

Lived in Nashville in the 60's-early 70's and attended several shows with Roy. He did NOT Mimic!!! He'd goof, play and joke around, but he was so good and loved to show off his skills and just exclaim "twurnt noth'in".

[@alberteinstein9176]

You have to see Roy Clark perform on "The Odd Couple". It went from a sitcom to a performance where the actors are blown away. Tom Dutkiewicz

[@terryroper5860]

Roy Clark could play any instrument with strings. He was astoundingly talented. And he never faked it, because he could play it.

[@hooya27]

Yeah, no, he didn't 'mimic' - the technology didn't really exist for that to happen. Plus, hell, look at his fingers - dead on with the audio. Check out what he did on "The Odd Couple" - astonishing!

[@aambulancestudios1474]

That’s fine but the technology did exist back then.

[@MarkCookmusic]

I thought he mimic this as well - look at his eyes at 4:01 and then the next camera angle he's looking at a totally different place - but he's moving his fingers right along with his recorded performance.

[@ZoreSlipperyZore]

@@MarkCookmusic that’s because this recording was either edited wrong or corrupted so it cut randomly when it wasn’t supposed to, it’s pretty common for videos from the 40s-60s

[@ThePepper5150]

@@MarkCookmusic thats how he was comedic look back at more of Roy Clark you will see how good he is , no mimic

[@motsy15]

The only player I ever saw to play flamenco with a pick. He’s as good as anybody ever and could do it on anything with strings. RIP Roy. The world need’s celebrities like you again..

[@javierobregon9362]

A seven? Stop huffing paint in the shed.

[@markcain9312]

Easily the top 5 greatest guitarists that ever lived

[@mack1305]

The man wasn't just an expert guitarist. He was an entertainer.

[@Alex-dh2cx]

Roy Clark, the bluegrass guitarist that played ragtime, jazz, rock, blues, latin music, and classical guitar at a comparable level to the top musicians in each of those genres.

[@McGhinch]

He didn't mimic, he didn't have to. Roy Clark had the chops to play what you hear. Since back then the technology was not that advanced, you better knew what you were doing. Roy Clark was Wanda Jackson's guitar player and Twelfth Street Rag appeared on his 1963 album "The Lightning Fingers of Roy Clark".

[@goodknight5783]

I see the look on his face as a performance for the audience. Goofy around for the audience, he is kind of like a cross between Benny Hill and Eric Clapton. A musical and performance master, draws you in.

[@robyoung9933]

No mimic. Explore him further. Multi instrumentalist. Fiddle guitar banjo mandolin. Plenty of concert footage out there. Not to mention Hee Haw!

[@GrannyMetalheadTV]

When Eddie Van Halen is asking you for guitar lessons, you're not dealing with someone who's all smoke and mirrors. Great review. 🤘Rock On!🤘

[@laurathomas2277]

When asked what it was like to be the greatest guitar player, van halen said, "idk. go ask roy clark"

[@drsch]

Roy Clark wasn't mimicking anything. I saw Roy Clark play that live 12 feet in front of me. Roy Clark is easily one of the masters of strings with few peers.

[@Cowboyfiddler51]

I am a huge fan of country music, and Roy Clark was probably one of the most entertaining instrumentalist back in the 1960's - 1990's. That clip was recorded around 1961 - 1968 on The Jimmy Dean Show. This guy is 'bad to the bone' guitar player. I meant to say he is really good in my opinion.

[@gregsoto4777]

The man Roy Clark is one of the greatest guitarists ever. There is also a video of Roy and Glen Campbell playing in together. You should look for that one.

[@Springfield2016]

You should watch him playing "Malaguena" on acoustic. It will blow your mind. I saw him in Vegas in 1986. Fantastic player.

[@joelcabida]

a 7? now that's stupid...

[@jackdundon2261]

I don't know who you are and I don't care but you just witness the greatest guitar player who ever lived.

[@kishintuchis7076]

HENDRIX SAID ROY CLARK WAS THE GREATEST GUITAR PLAYER IN THE WORLD

[@bugvswindshield]

he was a show man. I believe it was in the old movie "the great waldo pepper" an old pilot told the new barnstormer (waldo) the 3 fundamentals of showmanship (stunt flying ) 1. Make the hard stuff look easy 2. Make the easy stuff look hard 3. Never attempt the impossible nuff said.

[@oscarfisherjr311]

Roy Clark was a master muscian, artist and entertainer. He didn't need to mimic. Spend some time and listen to his playing across genres. His accuracy, cleanness, and technique are flawless. Also, I question your experience and expertise to even qualify to critique an artist of this caliper. Those who can do, those that can't critique.

[@nelsonporter8387]

He was playing that live. Mr “ fuck” every other word

[@donschwartz1118]

He was truly playing. Nothing added or taken away. I heard that when it was played live on the Jimmy Dean Show in 1964

[@mlong1958]

He could play the laces of an old army boot and make it sound great.

[@leroybaggett3798]

We watched him every week when I was young in the late 60-70 and we didn’t appreciate his playing because he he made it look simple . Just approaching his talent now after he’s gone is sad

[@myownchannel247]

he was just as good on banjo, fiddle and mandolin. natural virtuoso

[@davidreed8554]

Roy Clark was a GENIUS WITH ALL string instruments.

[@csinrak632]

That video is from 1964 on the Jimmy Dean Show

[@tmon5236]

He was one of the top musicians in the World and could play any type of music

[@ewetoobblowzdogg8410]

I saw a "pickin' contest at the Grand Ol' Opry between Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Roy Clark and a special guest. That was JEFF BECK! Les did his thing. Chet stepped it up a bit. Roy tore the band aid off and Jeff ripped a stank solo the left Les walking over to him, and yanked the cord from Jeff's axe. Les was just shakin' his head in that Oh Hell No kinda way...

[@jacksemporiumofstuff]

That's the early to mid 60s I would say, probably 1962-64. Thats a no faking, live performance. There were some bad ass guitarists back in the day.

[@barryrhoads8716]

Eddie VanHalen was asked what it was like to be the best guitar player in the world. He said, I don’t know, go ask Roy Clark.

[@dmmjq2]

You should check out Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed on video called Jerry's breakdown it's only a couple of minutes long but Chet Atkins does sweep picking..

[@robyoung9933]

He had a huge impact on Danny Gatton who as a kid was his neighbor in Maryland.

[@aperezdeal]

Fantastic musician and perhaps the most financially successful guitarist of all time, for decades he was the highest paid guitar player and amassed a fortune of millions upon millions as well as a small fleet of private air craft.

[@jimreadey4837]

I don’t get your question about mimicking. Mimic means to imitate someone else. Are you asking whether he was imitating someone else’s style? Or, are you using mimic as we would use the term lip-synch with regard to vocals, suggesting that he was only faking that he was playing? I watched this guy growing up, especially on the TV show Hee Haw, and this is classic Roy Clark. He was super, super skilled, and he always made faces to inject humor into is playing. He was, essentially, a comedian, and loved to keep things light.

[@jeffjenkins3019]

If you're not sure if Roy can play or not check him out playing Malaguena on " The Odd Couple" it's amazing

[@michaelfox2256]

Not just Roy but check out Glenn Campbell. Vince Gil. Brad Paisley. Many country stars are always overlooked at their guitar skills

[@jbarry1075]

There were a lot of strings on that performance. There's a great version he did live on the Johnny Cash show with less strings in the background so you could hear his playing clearer. As far as fast guitar players go, check out Jimmy Bryant if you don't know him already. Same era. He played so fast on some records people thought he was playing it slower and just speeding up the record. So in response, the guy travels around the country performing to show it was real. His solo on Tex Williams version of "Wild Card" is a great example.

[@winddancer8086]

ROY CLARK DID NOT FAKE ANYTHING. hE WAS A TRUE ARTIST OF ALL STRINGED INSTRAMENTS. TODAY THEY CAN MIMIC BUT IN THOSE DAYS THE TECH WAS NOT THERE. ROY IS THE REAL DEAL.

[@mackhorton4843]

On a side note. 12th street rag is a ragtime piece of music written for piano. As for Roy Clark , he grew up with an instrument in hand and he practiced religiously not just guitar , he was versatile with a lot of string instruments. As for mimicking this piece I don’t think so because he also performed 12 th street rag on other live shows and each performance never sounded identical if he was mimicking it would sound the same with every performance. Just sayin……. Check out Glen Campbell- William tell overture

[@maxbobness]

No, I think they patched the video from maybe a different take for that five seconds that was obviously different. That was definitely live.

[@xlsacredlx2666]

Thats a ten my guy not seven

[@danielhacker1841]

He liked to clown aroud while he played so the face's we're just part of the act. You should check out him playing malaguena on the odd couple show.

[@echoromeo384]

He definitely want miming anything. He was a master of all things strings. You should see his melaguena rendition.

[@philipdickey6460]

Roy Clark also cohosted television’s Hee Haw with country legend Buck Owens for many many years

[@Djm8520]

Roy Clark was not an “old-timey” guitarist. He died in 2018. In addition: he was a country music legend; was the highest paid singer in country music in the 70’s; was a Las Vegas headliner; was a Tonight Show regular and frequently guest-hosted for Carson; had his own theater in Branson; had several number one country hits and two huge crossover hits with ‘Come Live With Me’ and ‘Yesterday, When I Was Young.’ He was also the co-host of ‘Hee-Haw’ for 28 years. AND, when Eddie Van Halen was asked: “How does it feel to be the best guitar player in the world?” Van Halen replied: “I don’t know, you’ll have to ask Roy Clark.” Clark was also a brilliant banjo and violin (fiddle) player!

[@robertwilliams3818]

Roy Clark mimicked nothing

[@Texashog11]

Find the video of him playing Malenguenga (?) on The Odd Couple tv show.

[@angrychicken6093]

A reporter, it is rumored, asked Jimmy Hendrix "what's it like being the greatest guitar player ever" ? He responded "ask Roy Clark and let me know".

[@mlneale1959]

Yesterday, when I was young, is possibly one of the saddest, most haunting and moving song I have ever heard. What a great lead in to a sermon on the Prodigal Son from the book of Luke.

[@pbwbrian53]

A 7? 7??? Really? Roy killed it!

[@jjandrews2190]

Roy Clark can play almost anything with strings. See him on Banjo or Fiddle. You need to watch his 1964 performance on the Jimmy Dean show. Performing Johnny Cash's Folsome Prison.

[@stanleypalmer7895]

I'm an old person 66 and remember watching him on live show and it wasn't no fake stuff

[@jerricocke987]

Yeah he really did that on a regular basis during live

[@taramiller2240]

Check out Roy Clark play Malagueña! And then Charo play Malagueña!

[@dougberrett8094]

This is how good Roy Clark was, all those facial expressions were an act. He could play and “act” all whilst doing very difficult music.

[@antoniop1968]

Never noticed before, but the camera technology couldn’t even record his hands without blurr.

[@BrianLee-cq2hc]

Roy Clark and Glenn Campbell Ghost Riders In The Sky 🔥🔥🔥

[@Ben-rj7xs]

It's as real as it gets Roy Clark was one of the very best guitarists that ever lived, I put him up there in the very top three players of all time

[@jesseduke694]

Check more of him out. If you think he "mimicked" that. Just check more out

[@chriscox8547]

Hi mate, let me rank a few brilliant guitar players: Django Reinhart; Wes Montgomery, Glen Campbell and Roy Clarke. I would add Eric Clapton, when he played a Gibson in his early years. Roy Clark was a showman, a plethora of material is out there, for your entertainment.

[@loisfreeman1646]

Listen to him in Folsom Prison Blues & Dueling Banjos with Buck Trent.

[@don4476]

What blows my mind is people not knowing Roy Clark.

[@JamesJohnson-tj9pv]

Roy Clark wasn't just a master gutarist he was a master musican .....I'm a total thrash metal fan and anybody old enough to have been around during the heyday of the guitar virtuouso 80s era knew of Roy Clark.....he isn't a 7 player he is a 10.....the Eddie Van Halen or Randy Rhoades of his day.....what you saw was all real picking.

[@stancarr8614]

No mimic here. It was pure Roy Clark doing what he does best.

[@Mark-Ace-LaForce]

Roy Clark was a genius and NO Way that was mimicked. Any decent guitar player would know that after watching it. Here is another clip to show his amazing talent from a spot he did on the TV show "The Odd Couple". kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6nWpKGmbLdoZ6M

[@flipperdale51]

I used to watch Roy C. on He-haw. He certainly never mimicked 🎸😊.

[@annastinehammersdottir1290]

To be brutally honest, I don't know what you mean by mimic. Roy Clark was a boss, on all kinds of strings. Mimic my ass.

[@rvrschrs64]

Judging by his suit, this was the mid to late 50's. He was playing that fast to impress. In the 60's and 70's he had the confidence to simply play very, very well.

[@slimjohn2090]

Not my type of music but I ve know of Roy Clarke since 1975. Most humble kind man I have ever seen enter a room. And yes the most talented musician ever

[@johnirby493]

Wrong! He was one of the greatest of all time. The tv shows in the early 60s were live, in front of audiences, not recorded. Of course, you wouldn't know. It was long before you were born.

[@freespirit61]

there's master class guitarist, then there's Roy Clark Master Master Class!!

[@davidpoe8862]

No He was the real deal on a live TV show. He could play ANY Stringed insterment. He was known as The Man with LIGHTNING FINGERS. DONT SAYSTUFF LIKE THAT UNTILL YOU INVESTIGATE THINGS!!!

[@will180371]

roy Clarck didnt mimic good sir. he's not called the guitar wizzard for no reason.

[@Frostytravels]

Brother I have watched him live sitting around a fire with my family playing and no mimic involved. The man was magic to watch.

[@susanc8241]

Roy clark was a master Guitar player. He is the best of the best. He also played banjo, fiddle, harmonica and any string instrument. Many if his best numbers are hidden in Hee Haw and he could be really funny.

[@davidpoe8862]

He was the real deal. One man one guitar.

[@gregoryjewell5875]

That is a live performance. He didn't need any help!

[@geraldcharles1624]

Roy was the real deal.

[@KraftyChris]

Dude...that's Roy Clarke! When VanHalen was asked "How does is feel to be the greatest guitarist ever?" He answered..."I don't know. You'll have to ask Roy Clarke". He didn't fake shit

[@pgemperl]

No, he was very well known for his fast picking. He was legit AMAZING

[@gahndi9193]

100% legit performance.

[@davidshowmaker4408]

Roy Clark was the best at guitar, banjo and fiddle!

[@michaelmcbride8096]

Roy Clark was badass no tricks l saw him in real life and he was a regular guy no star attitude

[@bradleysanders2992]

I've seen him in person more than once. No mimic he could play anyway he wanted

[@danieljones2183]

No mimic. Guitar, banjo, violin ... Roy Clark was the real deal. If it had strings he rocked it.

[@TheMerryPup]

Back in the 70s when I was playing in a few bands, (never actually _played_ anywhere), we’d look forward to the yearly Guitar Player magazine readers poll on best guitarist. They’d have the best in multiple categories: rock, jazz, country, etc. in rock it would be Santana, Howe, Page and so on but for a number of years running it was always Roy Clark in country. We’d watch Hee Haw every week just to see him play. Well that and the girls in those Dogpatch outfits. 🙃

[@marktombazian6490]

This was just Roy playing around & having fun...check out his other vids you'll just become stunned by his mastery of stringed instruments..

[@michaelbrowne541]

He absolutely was not mimicking.. Like others have said... Roy Clark could play anything with a string.. I've heard that he could play 18 notes a second.. He started playing banjo when he was 14.. by the time he was 15 he was the national champion.. 2 years in a row I believe... But he was also a comedian and a singer... And he was so good he could incorporate all of that into his amazingly good playing.. Check out when he plays on the original odd couple series.. He is so good before a live audience that Jack clugman And Tony Randall brake character in amazement... And like you said.. all in clean tones.. nowhere to hide mistakes..🎸🎸🪕🪕🎻🎻🤗👍