My guitar Master Martin Ellins

Martin Ellins will remain the single most important guitar hero to me. His roots are in blues which was what inspired him to play guitar and is currently playing with a band called Roxi & the Blue Cats. Martin Ellins has gigged all over London including Barbican, Royal Festival Hall, Amsterday. He attended the London College of Music studying Classical guitar and composition.

Why is he my guitar hero? He was my guitar teacher for 6 years, from 11 to 16 years of age. Martin Ellins also tours London school giving "masterclasses". I remember when he had long hair and a Ibanez, them short hair, a gote and a Epiphone Sheraton, now he's bald with a Fender Strat. He must have tutored countless students and all must have as much of a fond memory of him as me.

Today I met Martin Ellins again after 8 years of leaving the school which he taught me at, and I never thought that I would feel so much respect for someone as I did today. The memories of him teaching me Eugenes Trick bag with a metrodome on the schools Encore Strat copies and Squiers.. I had the feeling of meeting my guitar master like Frank Zappa is to Steve Vai.

This is my tribute to him, and for all you guitar players that know him, and hope that anyone that suddenly has the urge to look him up may find this post and remember their own memories of being taught by him.

Chet Atkins - Talks about his Gretch

Chet Atkins is no doubt a guitar legend, he revolutionise fingerstyle playing and thum bass lines. My favourite song by Chet Atkins must be Windy and warm.

Chet Atkins has various signatures out, but his electric of choice is a Gretsch. He talks about how he designed the Gretsch that he plays with Mr Gretsch. The f-holes are abit smaller and the nut had a zero fret at one time. His guitar then inspired the design of the Gretsch country gentleman, and various other Gretsch that came afterwards. Now Gretsch guitars are very popular with many famous guitarists are choosing to play one, famously, Gearge Harrison, and Brian Seltzer. A Gretsch is unique in that it can give another distinct tone and feel to the guitar that will make you play differently, different from a Gibson, of Fender, or a ES335 style hollowbody, they have something special.

I never used to follow Chet Atkins music much before and remember seeing him in guitar magazines in the 90's, then after Les Paul died I wondered how old Chet Atkins was now, then I found out he already died in 2001!!! I think I stopped buying guitar magazine in that period and didn't keep upto date, RIP to another legend. The old legends are getting old now, the innovators of guitar, at least their music and legacy will live on.

Les Paul RIP

I'm sad to hear the news today, that Les Paul has died at the age of 94. This man is a legend, he invented the electric guitar, he made one of the most loved guitars in music with Gibson, he was the innovator of record multi-tracking and sound engineering.

Everyone knows Les Paul, because of the Gibson Les Paul, but his music was also amazing. His music had so much soul, tone, speed, and most importantly it was meldolodically brillant. Les Paul had a great personality, drawing in millions of fans even when he was in his 90's.

Les Paul RIP thank you for the music and thank you for your legendary guitar. Les Paul is the greatest guitar hero, and his gear he invented will be used for ever.

Theres so many Les Paul videos I could post, I start with part of this documentary, Chasing Sound.