I can answer in 2 words: Joe Negri
Joe Negri is a genius...but he's too polite and too humble to ever admit it. Or even acknowledge it. He just plays. And plays. And plays. And plays rings around almost any guitarist you've ever heard.
I first heard him play when I was a kid. Maybe 5 years old. He used to be on Paul Shannon's Adventure Time TV show. Little did I know at the time, he was also the music director for the station. When I was about 8, my Cub Scout troupe was part of the audience, and I got to hear him play live and got to meet the man. He amazed me. He made it look so simple and so fun. Joe has always been great with kids and has inspired countless "kids" of all ages to start playing guitar.
Somewhere at my dad's house, is a photo of my mom and some of her friends with Joe at a show. I've told Joe about this photo many times and if I can ever find it again, I'll be giving him a copy. The original will be framed and hung in my den/music room!
When I moved back to Pittsburgh in 1990, I was thrilled to find that Joe was still performing regularly. I used to go see him play these happy hour shows at the Westin William Penn Hotel downtown. I would badger him with requests for songs like "Moonlight In Vermont" and the original Johnny Smith version of "Walk Don't Run" (yes kids, it was originally a jazz song!). Joe would laugh and ask how I know all of these old songs! Then he would play them and just leave my jaw swinging!
Back then, I was still playing bass a bit and was mostly playing upright bass. Joe asked me once to join his band. Needless to say, I declined on grounds of incompetence! I was honest with him that I felt that my playing (mostly rockabilly/blues based) was far too rudimentary for backing him. He asked me to reconsider but I held firm. In short, I was chickenshit. When I think back on how much I could have learned from that man! JEEZ!!!!!!!
I've gotten to hear and often times befriend some of the best players in the biz. Joe is no exception but I'll tell ya...he outplays them all. Is he as fast as the late Danny Gatton? Maybe not. Is he as inventive as the late Les Paul? Maybe not...but his playing is best likened thusly: his music is like making love. All others are just masturbating.
Joe is 85 now. He's still playing although sadly not as often. I'm lucky enough to hear from him maybe once a year and let me tell you, to me thats akin to getting a call or email from God himself! I've been trying to talk him into letting me produce a solo guitar CD for him. He's so humble, he feels he needs a band with him. I, for one, would love to hear him do a record of just him and his guitar. Just sit him in the studio and let him just play for 4-5 hours. I bet it would be AMAZING!!!!!!!!
Anyhoo, Joe Negri is, and always will be, THE MAN when it comes to playing guitar. If I could play like him, I'd forget rock, blues, rockabilly, country, etc. But if it hasn't happened in the past 34 years, its not likely to happen any time soon! I guess I'll just keep on rockin' and wishing I could jam like Joe.
If you ever get the chance to go see him perform, GO! Well into his 80s, his playing is still amazing! Google him if you get the chance. He's had an amazing career!
God bless you Joe Negri. You inspired me (and countless others) to pick up the guitar and make countless hours of music. And that, friends, is the greatest gift I've ever had.
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