Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The legendary bluesman has passed away at 79. He was my favourite slide player ever.

He was the influence that convinced me to take a bottle to my guitar strings in 1972, to the shock and horror of my parents who had paid for classical guitar training for the previous 6 years. Highway 61. Be at peace Johnny, you will be missed.

Saw him live, blue lights streaming down on that stage and his blue-white flowing hair while he was moving across the stage puffing a joint and leaving a trail of blue smoke floating into the sky of an Iowa night at the Wadena Rock Festival (1970). It was 2 a.m. and he played for 2 hours followed by Little Richard, who played until he couldn't sing any more as the sun was rising. Johnny, thanks for seeing us through an incredible night and being a Blues guitar hero for decades. What a voice. What an entertainer. What a player!!!