For more on Jim and the book- http://www.stringsofmemories.com/contact-the-author.html

Go get the book- http://www.amazon.com/Strings-Memories-Jim-LaDiana-ebook/dp/B00GNHRKV6

Heres a flash back episode with the interesting and always candid Paul Reed Smith. Enjoy!

http://prsguitars.com

Who said rock guys don’t have a sense of humor? All day on Wednesday 3/2/16 the Foo Fighters were trending hard amidst the rumors of a break up. In response to the hype (cleverly & possibly self produced) the band poked fun at themselves (and us mostly) about what Dave and his “one finger” could do on his/it’s own without the guys and who the band would use to replace Dave. This video proves that Rock bands and Rock music are/is supposed to be fun. At least the Foo Fighters remember that and they’re trying to remind us. Thanks guys.

While the name Donald Leslie may not be as well known as some people in the music world perhaps he should be.

Donald Leslie invented the Leslie speaker in order to help emulate the sound of a pipe organ when used with a Hammond Organ.

Lauren’s Hammond was an engineering student and had attended Cornell University. Hammond worked as a freelance inventor and amongst his many inventions were an early version of 3D movies, automatic transmissions, clocks, and an electric bridge table that automatically shuffled cards.

Hammond first patented his organ in 1934 and in 1940 Hammond was awarded the Franklin Institute’s John Price Weatherill Medal for discovery or invention in the physical sciences.

In 1937 Donald Leslie took it upon himself to improve what he thought were some of the shortcomings of Hammond’s original design. Leslie felt the original Hammond sound was “dull, shrill and still”.

Leslie eventually developed a speaker cabinet that featured a special rotating speaker that produced a lush, wobbling effect by means of the Doppler effect as the speaker passed by openings in the cabinet.

Hammond was none too happy about Leslie’s efforts and subsequently modified successive generations of the Hammond organ to be incompatible with Leslie’s speaker cabinets. Hammond went so far as to forbid his dealerships from selling Leslie’s speaker cabinets.

Although Leslie was thwarted in his efforts to impress Hammond, Leslie would eventually manufacture speakers for other organ companies including Wurlitzer, Conn, Thomas and Baldwin. Despite Leslie’s close association with Hammond organs he once said “I hate those damn things”.

in 1965 Leslie sold his company to CBS and for a brief period Fender produced a rotating speaker cabinet as well did Mesa Boogie.

By an ironic turn of fate after both the Hammond Corporation and Leslie were eventually bought by Suzuki Music which produces modern versions of Hammond Organs and rotating speaker cabinets.

For those who may not have the luxury of having a full load in crew at their beck and call Leslie makes portable guitar and organ specific rotating speaker emulators that are well worth checking out.

Lauren’s Hammond eventually passed on in 1973 and held pattens in multiple fields including guided missile controls, infrared light-sensing devices, gyroscopes and even his own rotating speaker cabinet assembly.

Donald Leslie would eventually pass on in 2004 but not before being inducted into the American Music Conference Hall of Fame in 2003.

The Leslie’s sound is unmistakeable, just listen to Booker T and the MG’s thick, pulsing, lush sounding organ riff on Green Onions it’s right there.

Legend has it that the late jazz great Jimmy Smith loved the sound of the Hammond B-3 organ he locked himself away in a warehouse for a year so he could master playing the instrument.

While I’ve only been able to touch briefly on this fascinating subject for more information check out http://hammondorganco.com/about-us/company-profile/ and http://www.nndb.com/people/710/000061527/

It’s a Blues Double Header, first up the great Tinsley Ellis-
http://www.tinsleyellis.com
We talk about The Blues, touring, guitars and his latest release “Tough Love”

Then we sit down for a chat with Kelly Richey- https://kellyrichey.com and her latest projects including her latest “Shakedown Soul”

Arlan Ettinger of Guernsey’s, who’ll host an auction of over 250 celebrity-owed and historic guitars this weekend at Bohemian National Hall in New York (also available online).
“I don’t know if it’s strange” he says, of shelling out so much money for,say,a guitar played by Eddie Van Halen in 1982, which you can own for an estimated $60-80,000.
This is a cool and amazing opportunity so totally go check it out.

-Dee Winchester

The Marilyn Guitar, signed by Keith Richards, Frank Zappa, Merle Haggard, and many others. Estimated value: $10K – $1MM.
http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/news/a42510/guitar-auction-guernseys/

500 Words Guitarists of Progressive Rock

I’ll confess, I’m a closet prog rock nerd.

While some prog rock was great and was every bit as transcendent as a work by Mahler or Dvorak but at it’s worse it was just ridiculous.

Prog rock’s heydays lasted from the mid sixties to the early eighties and combined aspects of 20th Century avant-garde, classical, jazz, folk and rock.

While some people like Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis, and Kate Bush had a decidedly theatrical flair and incorporated multi media shows others did not.

Despite the butterfly capes and flower masks there were some great guitarists in prog so let’s take a look.

1. Edgar Froese. Froese was the Lemmy of prog rock becoming the one constant member of Tangerine Dream. Despite appearing on over 100 Tangerine Dream albums Froese recorded a staggering number of solo albums too. Froese is primarily known as a keyboardist Froese was no slouch on the guitar. His highly compressed, fuzzed out, delay and reverb drenched playing can be heard on many Tangerine Dream albums.

2. Allan Holdsworth. Even though Holdsworth is now more known as a jazz fusion guitarist he played with Soft Machine from 1973-1975. Throughout the years Holdsworth has sought to downplay his involvement with the band by stating he wasn’t happy with his playing then I will will counter and say I think this is where he was the most exciting. It should be noted that Police guitarist Andy Summers briefly played guitar with Soft Machine in 1968. Another Soft Machine guitarist of note is Gong founder Daevid Allen.

3. Steve Rothery. Rothery is Marillion’s longest continuous member. His playing is lush, sophiticated and melodic and well worth checking out.

4. Steve Wilson, Porcupine Tree. Prog is still alive but is unlikely to reclaim it’s once lofty perch. That doesn’t stop Neo prog bands like Porcupine Tree, Spock’s Beard, IQ and Dark Matter from waving the prog banner. Guitarist Steve Wilson has guided Porcupine Tree since the mid eighties even though the band has been on hold since 2010. Wilson has expressed a desire to record a new Porcupine Tree album but has said he was unsure what direction to go because he’s stated he’s tired of metal and dislikes jazz.

5. Devin Townsend. In a genre that’s difficult to classify Townsend has spent his career defying convention and expectation. For those with a long memory Townsend’s name may ring a bell because he was the vocalist on Steve Via’s “Sex and Religion” album. After stormy tenure with Via Townsend formed his highest profile band Strapping Young Lad. Strapping Young Lad took joyous pleasure in making abrasive music that was often sprinkled with comic elements. After disbanding SYL Townsend has since ventured into prog, electronic, cabaret and ambient.

Prog isn’t every one’s cup of tea because there’s only so many Mellotrons and crumhorns you can take.

Even though Opeth, Mastodon, and Tool all have prog leanings there’s more than enough crunchy guitars dedicated hesher happy.

For more information check out: http://www.progarchives.com/subgenre.asp?style=18

For more on Waddy and his amazing discography-http://waddywachtelinfo.com

Waddy with Linda Ronstadt-

Waddy and the Buddy Holly Guitar-

For more on Andy- http://wishboneash.com/band/bio/andy_powell/

And to find his new book- http://wishboneash.com/band/bio/andy_powell/

First off, Antone’s, Austin’s “Home of the Blues” Is back! Can I get an AMEN!?!

With a host of amazing blues royalty making their way back to this hollowed mecca, there comes some of the most loved and new residencies every week. So almost every night you can get your blues prescription filled (Ahhhhh…)

Wednesday nights are incredibly special with the Tommy Shannon Blues Band, featuring Tommy on Bass (of course), David Holt/guitar (Storyville & more) and Tommy Taylor/drums (Eric Johnson & more).

On Wednesday 2/10/16 we were served up a special treat when Bill Carter (Austin Music Hall of Famer & Songwriter) brought his harp skills to the trio. Soon into the set the band was joined by Double Trouble drummer Chris Layton. Chris sat in and finished the set with the band (see the video below).

Having Antone’s back is the best thing that could happen to a Blues lover.

For show schedules and more go to http://www.antonesnightclub.com

Double Trouble Reunites-

Tommy Shannon Blues Band w/Bill Carter-