Anyone want to venture a guess as to who influenced Alvin over the years, and who does he currently listen to?

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I know he listened to legends like "Big Bill" Broonzy, Chet Atkins, Chuck Berry and Scotty Moore, and I'm pretty sure he's had Django Reinhardt high on the list too, because the increadible Django is at top of many guitarist's list. Aside from that, he once said that they all sort of inspired each other during the 60's, mentioning Clapton, Beck and Hendrix, plus a special credit to the amazing Albert Lee (no, not related, but an extremely good guitar player too). Albert and Alvin actually both performed on Jerry Lee Lewis's classic "London Sessions" from 1973 - a great double album, BTW.

Funny, really - all those guys has been on my list too for all these years, with the exception that Alvin himself is my main source of inspiration.

I can imagine his feelings last year, when he recorded a CD with Scotty Moore, because I would surely get the exact same glorious feeling if I ever got the chance to record a CD with Alvin. Well, one can always dream about it..

Few guitarists have had such a solid grounding in the history of music, and Borje is right on the money with the names. His early influences come from the classic Blues and Swing Jazz eras, listening to the Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie outfits, and probably The Quintet of the Hot Club of Paris where, with Stephane Grappelli, Django Reinhardt rose to worldwide acclaim.

You could probably add Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Barney Kessel, George Benson, and I think he's mentioned Elmore James and Jesse Fuller in interviews in the past.

I think Alan has got it right - a while back Alvin answered some questions for the fanzine about who he enjoys listening to - I'll drag it out today and let you know his answers at the time. Or....maybe it's time to compile a new list of questions for him????

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I was kind of amazed when I read an old interview and Alvin said he was a big fan of Steve Miller!

Hmmm...sure he wasn't simply putting on the interviewer?

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I think Alvin Lee has much of guitarplaying style from Jazzy chords Rocabilly and straightforward 12 bars texas bluesrock with a tuch of chuck berry. You can hear it in his solo`s and fast chordschancing.Nowadays spanish guitarplayer will have his attention i think.
I think Scotty Moore "Rules" as one of his biggest favorites.
As Alvin Lee "Rules" for me , for me his style is fast,rough,loud,and straightforward,full of energy and musicaly genious. Al the others like blackmoore ,Page,Clapton,are equal to me.

If ya'll go back to the homepage here and scroll down to the "special features" section, there's an interview with Alvin where he mentions some of his influences. I'm sure most already know this, but a few may have over looked it. It's VERY interesting. And I agree with Toni about the Steve Miller remark. Myself, I'm a big fan of his (especialy his early work before the keyboards took over). But I seriously doubt Alvin sat around strumming his guitar to "Fly Like A Beagle" , altough tunes such as "Living In The USA" might have had his head bobbing along once or twice. Who knows. It seems like in the 60's everyone listened to everything and were'nt so quick to dismiss something until they actualy HEARD it and judged for them selves, or so I've read .

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Wow. Someone who actually checks out the website. My eternal gratitude, Rob.

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Heck Toni!! I just found out today there are other pages ????I thought when everything went down to the bottom of this page, it went into, A Space In Time!!

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Oh, I love your website. I've learned so much more about Alvin from it and appreciate him even more. I was fortunate enough to have an older brother who turned me onto all the great guitarist's from the 60's and 70's. Unfortunately, growing up in the early 80's as I did, well, the music sucked. The only ones who influenced my playing from that era were Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robert Cray. As far as TYA, of course I'd heard "I'm Goin' Home" from Woodstock and was blown away. One performance of one song made me realize that Alvin's a guitar slinger on a par with anyone to ever hold that title. Ever! My brother had the "Space In Time" album, and while I use to try and play along with "I'd Love To Change The World", I was for some reason drawn to the song that goes "I got water on my brain" . Speaking of "ILTCTW", I'd strum along and got the first few licks of solo right after he goes "Oh Yeah!!!", then I'd close my eyes, drop back to playing rythm and pretend I was onstage playing with him . Hey, I was like 11 or 12 years old at the time. Ok.....who I'm I kidding....I STILL do that

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I do too

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What a great post Rob !!

I know what you are saying !! I have a eighteen year old who took up the guitar and was blown away by Alvin and had lessons with someone my age who became a guitar player, when HIS older brother brought home Undead for him to listen too.

Because of my brother, I know words to doo-wap songs and most of the early Dylan albums.

Jon

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