Glenn schwartz james gang free#

There werenвЂ™t always a lot of people at these shows (although many absolutely packed), but I tended to see some of the same people over and over again. For years, I would go back and see him every chance I got, although my visits gradually (and regrettably) slowed. Meanwhile, Gene would sit unmoved, almost unnervingly, while he and the drummer kept right up along with him, the intensity of the moment rising and falling accordingly. He swung around, heвЂ™d throw his head and pickhand back like he was hit with shrapnel, and heвЂ™d even play with his mouth, in spite of not having any teeth (he took the no pick thing seriously). His solos became an artillery barrage, the notes shrieking and howling over your head while you stood there mesmerized, shell-shocked and unable to move, but in total awareness that you were witnessing something incredible.ДЄt these moments, Glenn moved like a man possessed. He always looked like he was talking to his guitar, but you could never in your wildest dreams make out what he was saying.ДЄround the fifth or sixth song he would suddenly (and I mean suddenly) shift into high gear, and it was like the venue got hit by a power surge and somehow it all got channeled right into Glenn. It was subtle playing, but it was organic and raw, spontaneous and enticing. He didnвЂ™t use a pick, which was probably the first time IвЂ™d ever seen an electric guitarist play without one he had this strange way of sort of massaging the guitar into doing what he wanted. Glenn always took a while to warm up, but thatвЂ™s to take absolutely nothing away from his more mellow playing. After a quick tune-up, the legendary Glenn Schwartz and his brother Gene, accompanied by Paul OвЂ™Brien on drums, started playing. Eventually, I remember seeing this wiry old man in all denim walk onto the stage, along with what looked like his evil twin in a black trench coat and wide brimmed hat. At 16, the concept of a music venue was still kind of overwhelming in general. I walked into the place unsure of what to expect. On the way to the venue, my buddyвЂ™s dad showered us with the manвЂ™s accolades and musical resume, which included his involvement with The James Gang, the great Cleveland group that would eventually launch Joe WalshвЂ™s career, his top 40 single вЂAre You ReadyвЂ™ by Pacific Gas and Electric, and most importantly, his notoriously feverish guitar playing.

Glenn schwartz james gang free#

I think about him often when I play.When I was 16, the father of a high school friend of mine and fellow music aficionado told us that we just had to go see this guitarist who played a free show at the Beachland once a month.

Glenn had the real blues coming through his hands. And beyond that, he had the gift to make anyone who witnessed him feel. He was influential because of his arguably futuristic skill when he first started coming around. He was trying to tell you something, and you had no choice but to pay attention.

вЂњGlenn SchwartzвЂ™s guitar playing was urgent, physical and confrontational. Ray Flanagan, guitaristВ and vocalist, Ray Flanagan & The Authorities His intensity and creative choices on the guitar were unique.вЂќ He could pull off the most interesting guitar solos because he could do long seamless runs with his left hand. Glenn would just sit in the car and practice runs on his guitar. вЂњWhen I moved to his old stomping grounds in North Collinwood in the mid-вЂ™80s, he was living in his car in the DaveвЂ™s Supermarket parking lot by my house. I really respected his conviction.вЂќД¬indy Barber, co-owner, Beachland Ballroom & Tavern He was a sweet man he loved the Lord and loved music so much. There would be no Black Keys without Glenn Schwartz, thatвЂ™s for sure. I saw him at Hoopples when I was 18 and things were never the same for me. вЂњGlenn was my biggest rock вЂnвЂ™ roll inspiration. We asked three Cleveland music figures to reflect on SchwartzвЂ™s influence, humanity and musicianship.Дan Auerbach, guitarist and vocalist, The Black Keys In recent years, he recorded with Dan Auerbach and jammed with Joe Walsh, his James Gang replacement, at Coachella in 2016. A deeply religious man, Schwartz later preached and played at Hoopples and the Beachland Tavern with his bassist brother, Gene. After his James Gang stint, Schwartz found success in California with Pacific Gas & Electric. SchwartzвЂ™s evocative, blues-based playing was spiritual and fluid, yet primal and aggressive. He didnвЂ™t think that axman even existed - until he met Glenn Schwartz, who died Nov. Jimmy Fox wantedВ a certain type of guitarist to anchor the James Gang in 1966.

Business Hall of Fame and Community Leader of the Year AwardsДan Auerbach, Cindy Barber and Ray Flanagan reflect on the influence, humanity and musicianship of the James Gang guitarist.