Alvin Lee
Alvin Lee
Alvin Leewas an English singer and guitarist, best known as the lead vocalist and lead guitarist of the blues rock band Ten Years After...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionGuitarist
Date of Birth19 December 1944
album almost best bigger engineer free good group guys half knew less nice recording studio three
We wanted to make something that represented what we were actually doing, ... The first album was OK, but that was almost three and a half years ago, and we more or less did that on our own. But with Arhoolie, we were able to go into a bigger studio -- it was a lot more professional -- and we did the whole recording in one day, because we already knew what we were going to do. And we had a good engineer that had a nice system, and he let us feel free to do what we do, and I think that's the best way to record a group of guys like us.
band definitely following pushing record support trying
We're definitely pushing for everyone to do the band full-time, ... But right now, we're just trying to set everything in order, and I'm trying to do it so we have a big record out and have the bookings and the following to support us.
beauty grabbed reached recorded red rock written
That's the beauty of creativity. It comes from the ether. I like to think, sometimes, it's like I haven't written it, it's more like I just reached up and grabbed it from somewhere. That song, 'Song of the Red Rock Mountain,' is one of them. I recorded it and thought, 'Where did that come from?'
conceived solos time
My solos are more tastefully conceived now. But I still get going in places. It's just that I build up to it now. I don't race off on a solo. I take my time.
bill blues both brought ethnic father heart home living parents playing room sitting stuff time
My father was always playing this ethnic blues stuff around the house, and both my parents played. Then one day my father brought home Big Bill Broonzy, and there he was sitting in our living room playing, and blues was in my heart from the time I was 12 years old.
arenas far good playing satisfying seconds sound
It wasn't very satisfying playing the big arenas, but it was good as far as a paycheck. But the sound was terrible, especially in hockey arenas - the sound would go on for 30 seconds after we quit playing.
school practice guitar
I just couldn't take school seriously: I had this guitar neck with four frets which I kept hidden under the desk. It had strings on it so I would practice my chord shapes under the desk and that's about all I did at school.
anniversary thinking band
The chances of a reunion now are less likely. I was thinking of having a 40th anniversary of the band, but now they are really another band, so it's all a bit weird.
music voice gigs
... I'm not conscious of the speed ... it's not my motive ... my motive is displaying a voice through the fingerboard ... it can get to the point where I don't have control over what I am playing ... I never end the gig until I can't sing anymore
nice people guy
George Harrison was also a pleasure to work with. He was one of the most famous people I've ever known, but in spite of that fame, he was such a nice and friendly guy.
dad listening records
I started off playing the clarinet, after I was inspired by listening to my dad's Benny Goodman records.
play people crowds
I just play to the people I can see. So it's almost like you are playing to the first few rows of the crowd. You can see the faces of the first hundred people, but then it becomes a blur as the crowds disappear over the hill.
thinking modern basics
I think a lot of modern day guitarists start off playing like Eddie van Halen, and they don't take the time to learn the basics.
guitar green gigs
I went to see John Mayall at the Marquee, with Peter Green on guitar, and that was a particularly good gig.