I had just got home from football practice. I turned on MTV and caught Poison's I Won't Forget You video coming on. I remember watching C.C. hit that opening lick and thought I WANT TO DO THAT! Little did I know that would start a lifelong obsession with music and guitar. I started out learning chords on my dad's old Alvarez acoustic. Broke my left arm in 8th grade running tailback, and was in a cast for weeks. I felt so frustrated that I couldn't continue practicing. The day that cast came off I remember trying to turn my arm around enough to fret the chords. My arm was so tight. I continued until I was back practicing and learning. I later discovered all the amazing guitarists and bands of the time. Gilbert, Lynch, Satriani, Bratta, Van Halen ... there were so many! I was in high school cover bands and we always had Poison tunes in the set. Over the years I saw Poison play live many times. Fast-forward to today and I still get a huge grin on my face when I hear C.C. wail on that guitar. He was my inspiration. He will always be one of my favorite guitarists!
He is a great player. I love the intro to ball and chain especially. There is a lot of snobbery in music and I think Poison were easy to knock because of the emphasis on image. The truth is though that their songs were catchy and fun and his solos were fitting that perfectly in my opinion.
I've always thought of cc as a punk rock shredder. He is fearless with his playing, and That made him different than his contemporaries. Since he didn't fit that mold, he was hated.
CC DeVille and Mick Mars guitar riffs were great because they were realistic short term goals. When I started learning guitar in the mid 80s, I loved listening to Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert and many other virtuosos of the guitar. Their playing was and still is beyond my skill level. Music from bands like Poison , Motley Crue, Cinderella, etc were easier to learn and play within a few days. They helped me build confidence to want to learn more complicated music.
That’s a fantastic way of explaining it. Plus, as a young player, there’s a real excitement behind learning a song you’re hearing on the radio every day. With Satriani and Vai, that’s no easy task.
CC is THE Poison! His guitar licks, guitar tone are crazy good IMO. Haters will always hate and that doesn't really matter because there are tons of fans out there that love CC Deville 🤘
Cc was an innovator on guitar. I’m a guitarist myself and I love his playing. People hate cause he was so different. Songs still stand up today. Check out cobra Kai. Fuck rolling stone magazine, they don’t know shit. Many guitarist and music lovers still dig Poison and CC. If u got haters your doing something right. CC u did rock right 🎸🎶🎶🎶🍻
CC was one of my first guitar heroes and is part of the reason I play guitar today. I don’t really care what anyone thinks of him. I’ve always thought he was a great player and have enjoyed many of his solos. I do agree it’s a shame that he doesn’t get more love, but I still get goosebumps listening to the solos for Life Goes On, Ride the Wind, Every Rose, and Only Time will tell. I get pumped up listening to Nothin But a Good Time. He’s a great musician.
Josh Griffin, listen to One Track Mind by Johnny Thunders.......then you'll acautally be able to appreciate CC. PUNK ROCK FROM NYC IS HIS ROOTS, Itzhak Perlman OR NOT.
CC is a great player, definitely the most talented member of Poison - by far. I think people just thought of Poison as a cheesy hair metal band with a ridiculous image.
CC was a huge influence on me. I'm not so hung up on his tones vs what he contributed to music. He wrote hits! He was a rockstar! Period. We can judge each others sound all day long. But guess what, he wrote great stuff! Great player!
CC was as good as any player of the time, or since. Frankly, he smokes most. Totally unwarranted hate. It’s akin to hating Kiss for their show and theatrics while never listening to their music. CC is legend.
I think people have it in for Poison more so than CC (because they really took that LA scene look, to the extreme - big hair and makeup.....) CC in truth is an amazing guitarist
I see CC's guitar playing as separate from the style of Poison. One minute, I'm tripping on nostalgia. Next minute, I'm hyper focused on solos that blow my fucking mind.
I met him in 2006. He was very kind. He is left handed but plays a right handed guitar. I dunno about you, but I'm right handed and my left is useless. Some of the hate may come from the era when he was having addiction issues, and wasn't very kind, I hear.
I laugh pretty hard at the makeup era, but i don’t laugh at the way this dude plays guitar. He is damn good. And easily should be on a top guitarist list.
CC was a gun slinger type player. Liked to wing his solos and change up the hooks a little to bring up those live performances. Very much like EVH would do but still playing in the pocket, which is fun to watch and lots of energy.
After seeing Poison live many times, I have my own theory about why his guitar playing lacked complexity. C.C. He’s all over that stage. He runs back-and-forth, does air kicks, and all of sorts of theatrics while at the same time, playing that guitar without missing a beat! For me, this is one of the reasons this is my #1 rock ‘n’ roll band.
His solos are legendary and then he goes and basically wrecks them live. He's the Vince Neil of guitar solos. Love the guy, but cleaner playing = respect from guitar purists.
Poison was the Rodney Dangerfield of their time. They couldn’t get no respect. You don’t sell millions of albums if you suck. Poison is my favorite band.
I wonder what those guys on reddit album sales are like. Any gold or platinum?!? Poison and CC were tight and made the music people wanted to hear. Made music that fit into life at that time. Thanks for taking a closer look!
CC is a great player ! Never was a huge fan of hair bands but CC had a lot soul and most of all has a lot Patients in his playing and a course he can Shred !
1st off CC is the reason I play and yes when he was getting high his playing was very sloppy. When he got clean his playing live got better. 2nd I totally disagree with tone being the reason he is hated. I feel it was because he was an egotistical asshole, this is coming from someone who idolizes CC. Now I have heard he is the most humble down to earth person there is.
His tone is also very good on this album. A little beefier and more midrange, almost George Lynch-esque, and he clearly articulates the notes during his solos.
You couldn't be more wrong. That guitar tone is the best sound I have ever heard in rock and metal. I wish other bands had emulated it. They don't like him because he's in a southern band imo. I loved Poison's gritty as crud distortion sound. They were one of the best for great sounding music overall.
Thanks for joining in! I loved Poison for years and have seen them about 15 times. Southern band could play a role, as well. Those bands always seem to have a different following than your typical Hollywood crews. Three Doors Down, .38 Special, for example.
He was like a 70s guitarist, with 80s effects, amps, etc. I always dug his playing. Unskinny Bop has a lot of subtle, country blues aspects and ghost notes - very clever stuff.
Way underrated... but he stayed within what Poison was trying/wanting to do... and his tone really wasn't all THAT bad... but I attribute it to the crappy DiMarzio pickups of the time... the Super Distortion wasn't the greatest for the genre he Poison played. (DiMarzio has come a long way from since...) And BC Rich was notorious for using those Super Distortion pups in EVERYTHING... If he'd have had Seymour Duncans back then, his tone would have been much better... The other thing is, he was never after the "Brown Sound" that Eddie VH was known for and used as the yardstick for all other guitar tone during that time period...
I appreciate you taking the time to analyze but I couldn't disagree more. I think people hated CC for different reasons. Poison was considered a "chick" band. While the guys were listening to Ozzy or Maiden, the girls were listening to Poison. Had CC been in another band he may be viewed differently. Another reason is that his playing doesn't make sense to a guitarist. CC was taught string theory by a violin virtuoso. He doesn't play in a mode like most guitarists do. We agree that he is better than people think or remember. I would argue that he is in the upper echelon of guitarists.
He’s the reason i wanted to play guitar when i was 8. I love him! I use to go to Metal Skool every week on monday nights hoping he’d show up on Sunset. Never happened;.(. Seen Poison a dozen times live though! I’d like to have meet him before we leave this life! I did get a little lovin from a really hot girl front row at a show in 2003! It was rad!
I disagree. That dude had killer tone. People hate him because he was on the sloppy side live, Jimmy Paige, Chuck Berry, anyone??? Plus he was the epitome of the glam-era excess that everyone suddenly hated circa '91. Over the years he just became the easy guy to hate.
Whilst on the topic of tone, you might want to consider getting a better microphone set up. I've had to turn this video way up, and it's all harsh and trebbley :-) Thoughtful video though!
I hated Poison in the 80's and then saw them in concert in 2004 at Cricket Amphitheater in Phoenix AZ where thee opened for Kiss. I was blown away by CC's playing live. it was better than the studio sound, so frantic and melodic! I went to see Kiss and lost interest after Poison finished, they blew Kiss off the stage. Since then My Girl and I go see Poison every time they show up anywhere near Florida. My favorite live band and it's not even close.
because they bought on the fight narrative and envy his skills. Note: I don't like Poison, but I do look after CC as he's a skilled player with nice fun melodic lines
Couldn't disagree more!! Randy Rhoads tone and sound were amazing!! He could have had any tone or sound he wanted to, but his tone was what ozzy wanted .
A very interesting question, but not an easy answer. First, I don't think Poison could have made it big without CC. He added a level of musicianship that the other members just never had. Second, CC hasn't always been hated. For example, when "Unskinny Bop" came out in 1990, CC was getting comparisons to Jimmy Page for his riffs and solos. Lastly, and most importantly, let's not forget who came out in 1991: Nirvana. Seattle grunge bands ruled the 90s, and the LA bands became the "pretty boy has beens," which has stuck with a lot of them. So, maybe CC is more of a "cultural casualty" than a crappy guitar player who got lucky.
Maybe the way his body processed the Coke or could not handle it. made him into an easily irritable vibe? Or Sometimes genius people lack social skills?
Let me solve this mystery. I used to be the CC/Poison hater. It was simply jealousy. Who was the top band of the 80s? Who did everyone hate? JEALOUSY! Let's not make a mountain of a mole hill.
No I was a 90’s kid people hated it Bc it was the epitome of 80’s wuss rock. It was bubblegum and shallow. They were playing small clubs when I found them I had no idea hey were at the top. I always thought that was Bon Jovi- who had considerably better song writing. Bon Jovi aged well kids still sang it in 1999. No one cared who Poison was, most didn’t even know.
Wuss Rock? Lol. Their playing could smoke any of those 90's grunge bands. The grunge bands all played the same dark tone. I do like Alice in Chains and STP but, can only listen for a bit at a time. Too depressing.
I think Cc is a good guitar player for what he does He is the sound of poison. But part of the reason I like listening to poison is cc 's guitar. He is one of my favorite players n if I was to record my guitar playing. I'd sound like cc. Since we play guitar like if it sounds good it belongs in that song. Love his solos. I don't play a million notes a second. Just what is needed for the song Just like cc dose.
I don't get the hate. I think his live solos where he's just improvising and showing off generally suck. But fitting a great solo riff to a song without totally overdoing it......you can't deny that he mastered the art. He knew what rock was supposed to sound like. At the end of the day, Poison sold more and appealed to more people than most of their competition.
i don't view him as a great guitar but he was the perfect guy for Poison They were just a fun, rock band. There's room in the world for such a band. Not everyone can be Pink Floyd or Led zeppeln
I don't agree with the tone thing.. Cause back in those days you used what you could get and let's be honest effects, amps etc have come a long way, but for Randy he didn't use a whole lot. and considering he recorded those songs in 80/81ish, i think it was fine for what he was doing. I mean remember there weren't a whole lot of "distortion" pedals etc back then. They were still messing around w/ their amps/cabs to get distortion back in those days. As for CC, his tone changed on every album. I think most people hated CC because he was in Poison and Poison got a lot of hate due to really taking the whole Glam thing to a new level, and nothing they did came across as "serious". They wanted anyone watching them or hearing them to just smile and have a good time. So I think people don't realize how serious the musicality was, because they were a huge "party" band. I look at CC's playing and to me there's a lot of old school rockabilly and blues phrasing that is really awesome, but no one really paid that close attention. I remember an interview back in the day and they asked CC "what are you". He replied, "Basically I'm Brian Setzer dressed in drag". And by the later 80's serious guitar players was what got the attention. Nuno, Sykes, Slash, Vai, Satch, Gilbert, Bratta, Jake E. Lee, Vivian Campbell, Gary Moore, EVH, Malmsteen, Becker, Friedman and the list goes on and on. They were getting the magazine covers and write ups and attention. It wasn't that CC wasn't good enough, it was all the image that got in the way and of course his serious cocaine problem that didn't help at all in the late 80s to early 90s. But I've seen Poison live back in the day, on the reunion tour, the anniversary tours etc.. and it doesn't matter how much people "hate" CC, cause you can't deny whether they're playing arena's or pavilions when Brett says CC the crowd goes nuts for that guy. CC gets everyone in the audience cheering, screaming and smiling. For those that don't "get" Poison, you have to go see them live. Then you'll "get" it and you'll have a new appreciation for CC and what he does. Cause let's be honest Brett, Bobby and Rikki are cool and all. But CC really is the show, always has been.
CC is a legend. Instantly recognizable sound, memorable solos. Attitude and looks too, which you had to have in the 80s. Poison would not be Poison without him.
Bro did you say Randy Rhoads had thin tone? There's still a hole in the universe from the live version of Suicide Solution and that solo. There's a reason all the greats study Randy, and it ain't cause they can't play his stuff. It because they can't figure out how someone so musically inclined can sound so brutal. For the time when the hottest pick up made was a dimarzio supper distortion. For the time it was amazing.
Nice video. Really enjoyed it. And I mostly agree with you about C.C. being underappreciated. Meanwhile, I totally disagree about Randy's tone. I LOVE Randy's tone! I mean, if you compare it to tones from later in the 1980s, sure, it could be a bit more advanced. But when Blizzard came out, that was some fantastic tone. One of my favorite guitar albums of all time. For me, C.C.'s best work is definitely on Flesh and Blood. I think part of the problem is that he seemed to be a fairly annoying personality, at least in the late 80s/early 90s.
Great video! I cannot tell you how much crap I got as a guitar player when I was 15 growing up in the 80's. CC was my fav guitar player. I liked the open up and say ahh guitar sound. The open riff to "love on the Rocks" Was an awesome sound. I think their image on Look what the cat dragged in set the whole don't take this band seriously. What a shame, because for me I don't judge a sound by the way it looks. If that's even possible. CC is a very underrated guitarist. But he achieved everything that a most guitarist want and will never have. Rock star status. And he's still picking away!
Great riffs. Solos very melodic. Hard to match, even for technically more proficient guitarists. Also, a very influential guitarist, like it or not -- huge influence on the California hard rock sound of the 80s.
I think you are right on the tone. I used to frequent a live music club, and the sound man could make or break anybody's sound. Maybe C.C. just had some tone deaf crackhead throughout the 80s setting up his stuff. I remember hearing the sound check for the guitar rig at Brett Michaels around 2005, and the sound of that thing was like heaven. Holy crap, even now it might be the best sound I've ever heard.
People really didn't hate CC. They hated Poison. Most guys considered them a chick band that wore more makeup than a cheap hooker. I think C.C..was probably the most popular member of Poison. Reminds me a little bit of Ace Frehley personality wise.
I never took C C Deville, or Poison, for that matter, very seriously back in the day, due to their appearance. They looked like a side show. Saying that, over the last couple years, I have really been enlightened, to how great a guitarist, CC is! He has some great riffs, and imo, unskinny bop, showcases some of his best work.
If he would have had a tone closer too Brad Gillis, CC would have been more respected. He was almost out of key at times but that is what gave him his place in Poison. I listen to So Tell Me Why is him sitting on his hands and that solo is one of his best.
If there is any hate for C.C., it's certainly NOT coming from me! I've always been a fan of his playing, and it was a cassette copy of Poison's 2nd album that was the first album I ever bought. I actually loved the guitar tone on that album too. The rhythm guitar especially had heft and sustain, and his leads could go from melodic and catchy to fast and frenetic. His solo on Poison's 1991 live album covered so many styles and had such interesting phrasing. There's nothing he can't do as a guitarist, and to say he was influential to me and a lot of other guitarists would be an understatement!
That was always one of my favorites, too. Look what the cat dragged in was a super simple riff but it made teenage me feel like a real bad ass hahaha 🤣
There is nothing wrong with CC Deville's playing or his tone. The "hate" or criticisms are derived from the looks of the Band. Its rooted in the minds of high school teenagers in pissing matches. Winger got a lot of the same treatment and they were without a doubt FANTASTIC musicians. Reb Beach in particular is phenomenal. Poison kind of shielded Ratt from likely getting into having the same vitriol thrown at them. Warren DeMartini was probably the best guitarist in his day. Atleast none better and few as good.
I met CC many years ago in Vancouver and he was really nice to me! As a matter of fact He was really uplifting and generous with this compliments. I also believe him to be one of the greatest guitar players ever! Sure he made some mistakes but it was the '80s for god sakes I hope the one they see him on the 80s Cruise and tell him in person what a fantastic artist he really is!
C.C.’s never really got the due he’s owed when it comes to his legacy as a guitar icon from one of the best bands of the 80s. Poison is a big part of the music that made the 80s so special and has so many of us longing for and reminiscing about that era.
JEALOUSY HURTS CC IS A FULLY COMPETENT MUSICIAN. KNOWS MUSICAL THEORY INSIDE OUT. STUDIED CLASSICAL VIOLIN AT JULIARD UNDER ITZHAC PERLMAN. MULTI PLATINUM SELLING ARTIST. SO ALL THE LOCAL LOSERS WORKING AT GUITAR CENTER HATE HIM. POOR CC 😂
So i remember the poison years, and they were a power house, but CCs downfall comes from his self-destruction and how he dragged the band down with him. It never had anything to do with his skill more to do with his part in destroying Poison.
You know I’m watching this trying to figure out why people hate him and you’re just talking about his musical talents on the guitar like what’s that have to do with anything?
I remember as a kid people hating him. Fuck....I hear all these technical players who can outplay him. They stir up nothing. C.C. DeVille....pure emotion in his playing. Never gets boring.
Being a teen in the 80's the guitar was my life and EVH and Randy were my primary influences. I really liked Poison's music, but like others, CC's playing sounded a bit unorthodox to me and sometimes it felt like he was just guessing at the notes. I think Poison in general happened into a perfect storm of hate from some folks. CC's playing was great, but it didn't share the same philosophy as the other players of the time. His personality at the time was very different, he was unpredictable on stage and his improvised solos could often sound like a mess. I compare some of his live solos to the late Robin Williams... When scripted, there's brilliance in the work, but when let off the leash and left to their own devices it could be a train wreck and difficult to follow. Plus they got hate from other bands, there's a video here on RUclips of an interview with Joe Elliot about 13 years ago and he was answering questions about the current tour they were on (with other bands, Poison being one of them) and he was incredibly disrespectful to them, saying that they didn't understand music and that they just dressed up like women. In the same video, they later tell Bret Michaels what Joe said and like Bret would do, he was a class act and didn't throw too much hate at them, however he did call them out for lip synching their performance on Dancing with the Stars... Wow, that was a long response. In the end, as I got older, I learned to appreciate CC's playing a lot more and he's definitely worthy of more praise for his his body of work.
I love his playing. I learned to play listening to poison. The first album was heavier and they did get a bit more radio friendly because their producer wanted more radio hits.
CC is an old school player with a glam rock edge. You can tell where he lifted licks from Johnny B. Goode and that’s particularly why he’s that good. During this time, you has tons of learned players using stuff most of us never heard before, and that made it alien and inaccessible. CC repackaged old classics in a ballsy, unapologetic fashion. And that’s why he got hate. Everything was over the top, but all of it was good.
The solo for "life goes on" for me is one of the most amazing solos I've ever heard. I think C.C. is up there with the best.
That was always one of my favorite Poison songs. Fantastic solo!
I totally agree that solo sounds border line like Eddie van halen
Hola
100% agree
Yeah. That solo is awesome. He is underrated for sure.
I love CC.
His solos are full of emotion,feeling,passion and melody.
Exactly 💯
Yes@!!!
Kind of like PUNK ROCKl.....
I had just got home from football practice. I turned on MTV and caught Poison's I Won't Forget You video coming on. I remember watching C.C. hit that opening lick and thought I WANT TO DO THAT! Little did I know that would start a lifelong obsession with music and guitar. I started out learning chords on my dad's old Alvarez acoustic. Broke my left arm in 8th grade running tailback, and was in a cast for weeks. I felt so frustrated that I couldn't continue practicing. The day that cast came off I remember trying to turn my arm around enough to fret the chords. My arm was so tight. I continued until I was back practicing and learning. I later discovered all the amazing guitarists and bands of the time. Gilbert, Lynch, Satriani, Bratta, Van Halen ... there were so many! I was in high school cover bands and we always had Poison tunes in the set. Over the years I saw Poison play live many times. Fast-forward to today and I still get a huge grin on my face when I hear C.C. wail on that guitar. He was my inspiration. He will always be one of my favorite guitarists!
I never hated him. I think he’s incredible.
Me too
He is a great player. I love the intro to ball and chain especially. There is a lot of snobbery in music and I think Poison were easy to knock because of the emphasis on image. The truth is though that their songs were catchy and fun and his solos were fitting that perfectly in my opinion.
Music was catchy and fun, and when rock became too cool for that, youth searched it out and found it in other genres.
Massively underrated player. Such a shame. The over the top image maybe didn't help but he needs a lot more recognition
I agree, man!
I've always thought of cc as a punk rock shredder. He is fearless with his playing, and That made him different than his contemporaries. Since he didn't fit that mold, he was hated.
CC DeVille and Mick Mars guitar riffs were great because they were realistic short term goals. When I started learning guitar in the mid 80s, I loved listening to Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert and many other virtuosos of the guitar. Their playing was and still is beyond my skill level. Music from bands like Poison , Motley Crue, Cinderella, etc were easier to learn and play within a few days. They helped me build confidence to want to learn more complicated music.
That’s a fantastic way of explaining it. Plus, as a young player, there’s a real excitement behind learning a song you’re hearing on the radio every day. With Satriani and Vai, that’s no easy task.
@@ArmchairRockstar Imagine Mick Mars and C.C. Deville teaming up for an album.
@@bgm9517 Mick Mars is actually good, though
It was possibly 88 I bought the tab book too talk dirty to me, it was easy compared too say Vai satch etc, some cool ideas though
@@bgm9517 Jesus fucking Christ that would be awesome
CC is THE Poison! His guitar licks, guitar tone are crazy good IMO. Haters will always hate and that doesn't really matter because there are tons of fans out there that love CC Deville 🤘
Cc was an innovator on guitar. I’m a guitarist myself and I love his playing. People hate cause he was so different. Songs still stand up today. Check out cobra Kai. Fuck rolling stone magazine, they don’t know shit. Many guitarist and music lovers still dig Poison and CC. If u got haters your doing something right. CC u did rock right 🎸🎶🎶🎶🍻
CC was one of my first guitar heroes and is part of the reason I play guitar today. I don’t really care what anyone thinks of him. I’ve always thought he was a great player and have enjoyed many of his solos. I do agree it’s a shame that he doesn’t get more love, but I still get goosebumps listening to the solos for Life Goes On, Ride the Wind, Every Rose, and Only Time will tell. I get pumped up listening to Nothin But a Good Time. He’s a great musician.
Only time will tell! Nice one. Don’t hear a lot of folks talking about that one
Josh Griffin, listen to One Track Mind by Johnny Thunders.......then you'll acautally be able to appreciate CC. PUNK ROCK FROM NYC IS HIS ROOTS, Itzhak Perlman OR NOT.
CC is a great player, definitely the most talented member of Poison - by far. I think people just thought of Poison as a cheesy hair metal band with a ridiculous image.
CC was a huge influence on me. I'm not so hung up on his tones vs what he contributed to music. He wrote hits! He was a rockstar! Period. We can judge each others sound all day long. But guess what, he wrote great stuff! Great player!
Well said! Thanks for watching and commenting :)
CC was as good as any player of the time, or since. Frankly, he smokes most. Totally unwarranted hate. It’s akin to hating Kiss for their show and theatrics while never listening to their music. CC is legend.
CC in my opinion was a guitar player like Mick mars that wrote great songs and riffs that made there bands very successful period ,no more to say.
I think people have it in for Poison more so than CC (because they really took that LA scene look, to the extreme - big hair and makeup.....) CC in truth is an amazing guitarist
I love CC Deville. ....i love Vito Bratta too , Richie Sambora...
Those two will be getting videos in the near future as well.
@@ArmchairRockstar Wow really? ..I love 80's guitar players....all of them....really good players and most of them underrated guitar players.
richie is god
Vito’s guitar solo on When the Children Cry defines guitar solos 🫡🙏🫳
I see CC's guitar playing as separate from the style of Poison. One minute, I'm tripping on nostalgia. Next minute, I'm hyper focused on solos that blow my fucking mind.
I met him in 2006. He was very kind. He is left handed but plays a right handed guitar. I dunno about you, but I'm right handed and my left is useless.
Some of the hate may come from the era when he was having addiction issues, and wasn't very kind, I hear.
I laugh pretty hard at the makeup era, but i don’t laugh at the way this dude plays guitar. He is damn good. And easily should be on a top guitarist list.
CC was my first guitar hero. I later got into Vai, Satch, and others. But I still love CCs playing. Always have.
I say same thing Jason . I found other players but his playing had feeling
CC was a gun slinger type player. Liked to wing his solos and change up the hooks a little to bring up those live performances. Very much like EVH would do but still playing in the pocket, which is fun to watch and lots of energy.
I wasn’t aware everyone hated him. I think he’s pretty good actually.
All’s I know is that CC Deville straight MURDERED Rock N’ Roll Jeopardy. People underestimated him on that episode 😂
After seeing Poison live many times, I have my own theory about why his guitar playing lacked complexity. C.C. He’s all over that stage. He runs back-and-forth, does air kicks, and all of sorts of theatrics while at the same time, playing that guitar without missing a beat! For me, this is one of the reasons this is my #1 rock ‘n’ roll band.
Fair point. Dude was allllll over the place putting on a wild show. Could have played a role. Thanks for watching!
His improvised live solos were really irritating, but when he wrote solos I thought he was fine.
I totally agree. He can write a great pop metal song and record it well but his live play was always a bit of a let down.
His solos are legendary and then he goes and basically wrecks them live. He's the Vince Neil of guitar solos. Love the guy, but cleaner playing = respect from guitar purists.
What CC lacks is a good vibrato and his bends are often off the mark especially live. He's not a bad player at all obviously.
Its simple, in any field, if u are really really good, then hate follows you.
Always loved CC
CC will always be an 80s guitar god! Hands down!!
CC is a rock star who plays guitar not a guitarist who is a rockstar
Poison was the Rodney Dangerfield of their time. They couldn’t get no respect. You don’t sell millions of albums if you suck. Poison is my favorite band.
I like Poison. But lots of bands suck and sell millions
Yes you can sell millions of albums if you suck but Poison didn't suck
C.C. was an awesome guitarist with an awesome tone. Extremely underrated.
Was?? Still is.
I don’t hate CC DeVille he’s one of my favorites and this is the first I heard that everybody hates CC.
One reason a lot of jealousy.
I wonder what those guys on reddit album sales are like. Any gold or platinum?!? Poison and CC were tight and made the music people wanted to hear. Made music that fit into life at that time. Thanks for taking a closer look!
Thanks!
CC wrote Talk Dirty to Me. A punk, party anthem masterpiece.
CC is a great player ! Never was a huge fan of hair bands but CC had a lot soul and most of all has a lot Patients in his playing and a course he can Shred !
1st off CC is the reason I play and yes when he was getting high his playing was very sloppy. When he got clean his playing live got better. 2nd I totally disagree with tone being the reason he is hated. I feel it was because he was an egotistical asshole, this is coming from someone who idolizes CC. Now I have heard he is the most humble down to earth person there is.
He has his own style, sometimes it's weird, but he's amazing.
CC is my favorite 80s hair metal guitar player! Not because he's a great player, but because he was a mad man lol.
C.C is the my guitar hero！！！
from japan！！！ rock'n'roll！！！
He’s a big reason I even started playing. The CC hate is irrational
Flesh and Blood was amazing. CC’s songwriting was peaking on that album
His tone is also very good on this album. A little beefier and more midrange, almost George Lynch-esque, and he clearly articulates the notes during his solos.
Best Poison album for me too 👌😎
CC is so underrated! Loved his music and playing!
pfff
You couldn't be more wrong. That guitar tone is the best sound I have ever heard in rock and metal. I wish other bands had emulated it. They don't like him because he's in a southern band imo. I loved Poison's gritty as crud distortion sound. They were one of the best for great sounding music overall.
Thanks for joining in! I loved Poison for years and have seen them about 15 times. Southern band could play a role, as well. Those bands always seem to have a different following than your typical Hollywood crews. Three Doors Down, .38 Special, for example.
@@ArmchairRockstar Yep, I was a fan of all of them but I got Jesus so I only listen to stay awake at the wheel when tired.
Everyone in poison is either from Pennsylvania or New York they are as southern as they are Japanese
@@lorntrent3308 Well the singer sure tried to sound southern. I heard otherwise.
He was like a 70s guitarist, with 80s effects, amps, etc. I always dug his playing. Unskinny Bop has a lot of subtle, country blues aspects and ghost notes - very clever stuff.
Way underrated... but he stayed within what Poison was trying/wanting to do... and his tone really wasn't all THAT bad... but I attribute it to the crappy DiMarzio pickups of the time... the Super Distortion wasn't the greatest for the genre he Poison played. (DiMarzio has come a long way from since...) And BC Rich was notorious for using those Super Distortion pups in EVERYTHING... If he'd have had Seymour Duncans back then, his tone would have been much better... The other thing is, he was never after the "Brown Sound" that Eddie VH was known for and used as the yardstick for all other guitar tone during that time period...
wait wait wait... who tf hates CC? He's the coolest. Who can hate him?
I knew he was underrated and under appreciated but do people really hate him?
I appreciate you taking the time to analyze but I couldn't disagree more. I think people hated CC for different reasons. Poison was considered a "chick" band. While the guys were listening to Ozzy or Maiden, the girls were listening to Poison. Had CC been in another band he may be viewed differently. Another reason is that his playing doesn't make sense to a guitarist. CC was taught string theory by a violin virtuoso. He doesn't play in a mode like most guitarists do. We agree that he is better than people think or remember. I would argue that he is in the upper echelon of guitarists.
That makes a lot of sense. Great points! I actually wasn’t aware of the violin education. Thanks for watching!
@@ArmchairRockstar Yes Itzhak Perlman was his instructor.
Yep, I think poisons image and reputation mixed with CCs coked out antics towards the end of his first run with them are big reasons.
This is what sets him apart, IMO he is one of the best.
@@Odembackrd best of the worst
If you want a quick poison sound get an 80s Crate 130c half stack amp and any bc rich or Kramer guitar and your set.
Maybe toss in a DS-1 or a tubescreamer? He used both of those extensively back then.
He’s the reason i wanted to play guitar when i was 8. I love him!
I use to go to Metal Skool every week on monday nights hoping he’d show up on Sunset. Never happened;.(. Seen Poison a dozen times live though!
I’d like to have meet him before we leave this life!
I did get a little lovin from a really hot girl front row at a show in 2003! It was rad!
CC de ville is a great guitarist
I disagree. That dude had killer tone. People hate him because he was on the sloppy side live, Jimmy Paige, Chuck Berry, anyone??? Plus he was the epitome of the glam-era excess that everyone suddenly hated circa '91. Over the years he just became the easy guy to hate.
Well put. Thanks for watching!
Whilst on the topic of tone, you might want to consider getting a better microphone set up. I've had to turn this video way up, and it's all harsh and trebbley :-) Thoughtful video though!
I hated Poison in the 80's and then saw them in concert in 2004 at Cricket Amphitheater in Phoenix AZ where thee opened for Kiss. I was blown away by CC's playing live. it was better than the studio sound, so frantic and melodic! I went to see Kiss and lost interest after Poison finished, they blew Kiss off the stage. Since then My Girl and I go see Poison every time they show up anywhere near Florida. My favorite live band and it's not even close.
because they bought on the fight narrative and envy his skills.
Note: I don't like Poison, but I do look after CC as he's a skilled player with nice fun melodic lines
Couldn't disagree more!! Randy Rhoads tone and sound were amazing!! He could have had any tone or sound he wanted to, but his tone was what ozzy wanted .
I loved Randy’s tone. Actually I couldn’t get enough of it.
his tone on Tribute is great.
☝🏻 Before joining Guns N' Roses, Slash auditioned for the Bret Michaels. He made it to final two, but lost gig to C.C.Deville.
Slash turned it down. On a side note slash never insulted his guitar playing, just the image.
Always liked cc don’t get the hate
Appreciate you taking up for C.C. He was awesome, in my opinion. I've always loved and enjoyed all of his music! Thanks! 🙂✌👍🎸🎶
A very interesting question, but not an easy answer. First, I don't think Poison could have made it big without CC. He added a level of musicianship that the other members just never had. Second, CC hasn't always been hated. For example, when "Unskinny Bop" came out in 1990, CC was getting comparisons to Jimmy Page for his riffs and solos. Lastly, and most importantly, let's not forget who came out in 1991: Nirvana. Seattle grunge bands ruled the 90s, and the LA bands became the "pretty boy has beens," which has stuck with a lot of them. So, maybe CC is more of a "cultural casualty" than a crappy guitar player who got lucky.
Maybe the way his body processed the Coke or could not handle it. made him into an easily irritable vibe? Or Sometimes genius people lack social skills?
Very possible.
Ozzy used to call Randy’s rig “Fish ‘’N Chips” because there was so much hiss and pop that came from it.
If he didn't party he would be on top of the world right now. He still might be.
Let me solve this mystery. I used to be the CC/Poison hater. It was simply jealousy. Who was the top band of the
80s? Who did everyone hate? JEALOUSY! Let's not make a mountain of a mole hill.
No I was a 90’s kid people hated it Bc it was the epitome of 80’s wuss rock. It was bubblegum and shallow. They were playing small clubs when I found them I had no idea hey were at the top. I always thought that was Bon Jovi- who had considerably better song writing. Bon Jovi aged well kids still sang it in 1999. No one cared who Poison was, most didn’t even know.
Wuss Rock? Lol. Their playing could smoke any of those 90's grunge bands. The grunge bands all played the same dark tone. I do like Alice in Chains and STP but, can only listen for a bit at a time. Too depressing.
I think Cc is a good guitar player for what he does
He is the sound of poison. But part of the reason I like listening to poison is cc 's guitar. He is one of my favorite players n if I was to record my guitar playing. I'd sound like cc. Since we play guitar like if it sounds good it belongs in that song. Love his solos. I don't play a million notes a second. Just what is needed for the song
Just like cc dose.
I couldn’t agree more and honestly the solo in Every Rose is my favorite part of the song 🤷🏻♀️
It's a beautiful solo!
@@ArmchairRockstar and full of emotion
Absolutely! One of the most soulful solos any song could have - fits perfectly with the song.
I don't get the hate. I think his live solos where he's just improvising and showing off generally suck. But fitting a great solo riff to a song without totally overdoing it......you can't deny that he mastered the art. He knew what rock was supposed to sound like. At the end of the day, Poison sold more and appealed to more people than most of their competition.
i don't view him as a great guitar but he was the perfect guy for Poison
They were just a fun, rock band. There's room in the world for such a band. Not everyone can be Pink Floyd or Led zeppeln
Perfectly put. Thanks for watching!
I don't agree with the tone thing.. Cause back in those days you used what you could get and let's be honest effects, amps etc have come a long way, but for Randy he didn't use a whole lot. and considering he recorded those songs in 80/81ish, i think it was fine for what he was doing. I mean remember there weren't a whole lot of "distortion" pedals etc back then. They were still messing around w/ their amps/cabs to get distortion back in those days. As for CC, his tone changed on every album. I think most people hated CC because he was in Poison and Poison got a lot of hate due to really taking the whole Glam thing to a new level, and nothing they did came across as "serious". They wanted anyone watching them or hearing them to just smile and have a good time. So I think people don't realize how serious the musicality was, because they were a huge "party" band. I look at CC's playing and to me there's a lot of old school rockabilly and blues phrasing that is really awesome, but no one really paid that close attention. I remember an interview back in the day and they asked CC "what are you". He replied, "Basically I'm Brian Setzer dressed in drag". And by the later 80's serious guitar players was what got the attention. Nuno, Sykes, Slash, Vai, Satch, Gilbert, Bratta, Jake E. Lee, Vivian Campbell, Gary Moore, EVH, Malmsteen, Becker, Friedman and the list goes on and on. They were getting the magazine covers and write ups and attention. It wasn't that CC wasn't good enough, it was all the image that got in the way and of course his serious cocaine problem that didn't help at all in the late 80s to early 90s. But I've seen Poison live back in the day, on the reunion tour, the anniversary tours etc.. and it doesn't matter how much people "hate" CC, cause you can't deny whether they're playing arena's or pavilions when Brett says CC the crowd goes nuts for that guy. CC gets everyone in the audience cheering, screaming and smiling. For those that don't "get" Poison, you have to go see them live. Then you'll "get" it and you'll have a new appreciation for CC and what he does. Cause let's be honest Brett, Bobby and Rikki are cool and all. But CC really is the show, always has been.
CC is awesome. So underrated.
CC is a legend. Instantly recognizable sound, memorable solos. Attitude and looks too, which you had to have in the 80s. Poison would not be Poison without him.
Cc is def underrated I love cc deville
Bro did you say Randy Rhoads had thin tone? There's still a hole in the universe from the live version of Suicide Solution and that solo. There's a reason all the greats study Randy, and it ain't cause they can't play his stuff. It because they can't figure out how someone so musically inclined can sound so brutal. For the time when the hottest pick up made was a dimarzio supper distortion. For the time it was amazing.
Nice video. Really enjoyed it. And I mostly agree with you about C.C. being underappreciated.
Meanwhile, I totally disagree about Randy's tone. I LOVE Randy's tone! I mean, if you compare it to tones from later in the 1980s, sure, it could be a bit more advanced. But when Blizzard came out, that was some fantastic tone. One of my favorite guitar albums of all time.
For me, C.C.'s best work is definitely on Flesh and Blood. I think part of the problem is that he seemed to be a fairly annoying personality, at least in the late 80s/early 90s.
Great video! I cannot tell you how much crap I got as a guitar player when I was 15 growing up in the 80's. CC was my fav guitar player. I liked the open up and say ahh guitar sound. The open riff to "love on the Rocks" Was an awesome sound. I think their image on Look what the cat dragged in set the whole don't take this band seriously. What a shame, because for me I don't judge a sound by the way it looks. If that's even possible. CC is a very underrated guitarist. But he achieved everything that a most guitarist want and will never have. Rock star status. And he's still picking away!
I agree, man! Thanks for watching!
Great riffs. Solos very melodic. Hard to match, even for technically more proficient guitarists. Also, a very influential guitarist, like it or not -- huge influence on the California hard rock sound of the 80s.
Who are the people that “hate him so much”? Folks makes fun of him for being the best worst guitar player but there’s no hate that I know of.
I think you are right on the tone. I used to frequent a live music club, and the sound man could make or break anybody's sound. Maybe C.C. just had some tone deaf crackhead throughout the 80s setting up his stuff. I remember hearing the sound check for the guitar rig at Brett Michaels around 2005, and the sound of that thing was like heaven. Holy crap, even now it might be the best sound I've ever heard.
I agree with LIFE GOES ON solo. Excellent!
People really didn't hate CC. They hated Poison. Most guys considered them a chick band that wore more makeup than a cheap hooker. I think C.C..was probably the most popular member of Poison. Reminds me a little bit of Ace Frehley personality wise.
I never took C C Deville, or Poison, for that matter, very seriously back in the day, due to their appearance. They looked like a side show. Saying that, over the last couple years, I have really been enlightened, to how great a guitarist, CC is! He has some great riffs, and imo, unskinny bop, showcases some of his best work.
So glad you mentioned that song. As a little kid, it took me forever to get that lick down. I was so proud hahaha
If he would have had a tone closer too Brad Gillis, CC would have been more respected. He was almost out of key at times but that is what gave him his place in Poison. I listen to So Tell Me Why is him sitting on his hands and that solo is one of his best.
"people don't realize it, but i am actually a shredder"
..... C C Deville, Guitar Magazine
If there is any hate for C.C., it's certainly NOT coming from me! I've always been a fan of his playing, and it was a cassette copy of Poison's 2nd album that was the first album I ever bought. I actually loved the guitar tone on that album too. The rhythm guitar especially had heft and sustain, and his leads could go from melodic and catchy to fast and frenetic. His solo on Poison's 1991 live album covered so many styles and had such interesting phrasing. There's nothing he can't do as a guitarist, and to say he was influential to me and a lot of other guitarists would be an understatement!
I've heard CC described as, "The best worst guitarist there is". One of my favorites is his ripping sound in, "Fallen Angel"
That was always one of my favorites, too. Look what the cat dragged in was a super simple riff but it made teenage me feel like a real bad ass hahaha 🤣
Very melodic playing in Fallen Angel
There is nothing wrong with CC Deville's playing or his tone. The "hate" or criticisms are derived from the looks of the Band. Its rooted in the minds of high school teenagers in pissing matches.
Winger got a lot of the same treatment and they were without a doubt FANTASTIC musicians. Reb Beach in particular is phenomenal.
Poison kind of shielded Ratt from likely getting into having the same vitriol thrown at them. Warren DeMartini was probably the best guitarist in his day. Atleast none better and few as good.
I met CC many years ago in Vancouver and he was really nice to me! As a matter of fact He was really uplifting and generous with this compliments. I also believe him to be one of the greatest guitar players ever! Sure he made some mistakes but it was the '80s for god sakes I hope the one they see him on the 80s Cruise and tell him in person what a fantastic artist he really is!
C.C.’s never really got the due he’s owed when it comes to his legacy as a guitar icon from one of the best bands of the 80s. Poison is a big part of the music that made the 80s so special and has so many of us longing for and reminiscing about that era.
JEALOUSY HURTS CC IS A FULLY COMPETENT MUSICIAN. KNOWS MUSICAL THEORY INSIDE OUT. STUDIED CLASSICAL VIOLIN AT JULIARD UNDER ITZHAC PERLMAN. MULTI PLATINUM SELLING ARTIST. SO ALL THE LOCAL LOSERS WORKING AT GUITAR CENTER HATE HIM. POOR CC 😂
Poison is my favorite band, and it is nice to see others gaining a little more appreciation for them.
So i remember the poison years, and they were a power house, but CCs downfall comes from his self-destruction and how he dragged the band down with him. It never had anything to do with his skill more to do with his part in destroying Poison.
People are missing what cc created ...catchy memorable sounds that take you back to that day. Every time. 80s all over again at the fair for me.
You know I’m watching this trying to figure out why people hate him and you’re just talking about his musical talents on the guitar like what’s that have to do with anything?
I remember as a kid people hating him. Fuck....I hear all these technical players who can outplay him. They stir up nothing.
C.C. DeVille....pure emotion in his playing. Never gets boring.
Being a teen in the 80's the guitar was my life and EVH and Randy were my primary influences. I really liked Poison's music, but like others, CC's playing sounded a bit unorthodox to me and sometimes it felt like he was just guessing at the notes. I think Poison in general happened into a perfect storm of hate from some folks. CC's playing was great, but it didn't share the same philosophy as the other players of the time. His personality at the time was very different, he was unpredictable on stage and his improvised solos could often sound like a mess. I compare some of his live solos to the late Robin Williams... When scripted, there's brilliance in the work, but when let off the leash and left to their own devices it could be a train wreck and difficult to follow. Plus they got hate from other bands, there's a video here on RUclips of an interview with Joe Elliot about 13 years ago and he was answering questions about the current tour they were on (with other bands, Poison being one of them) and he was incredibly disrespectful to them, saying that they didn't understand music and that they just dressed up like women. In the same video, they later tell Bret Michaels what Joe said and like Bret would do, he was a class act and didn't throw too much hate at them, however he did call them out for lip synching their performance on Dancing with the Stars... Wow, that was a long response. In the end, as I got older, I learned to appreciate CC's playing a lot more and he's definitely worthy of more praise for his his body of work.
I love his playing. I learned to play listening to poison.
The first album was heavier and they did get a bit more radio friendly because their producer wanted more radio hits.
He's not as douchey as Kotzen.
He's kicking ass on this 2022 Stadium tour. He sounds amazing.
CC is an old school player with a glam rock edge. You can tell where he lifted licks from Johnny B. Goode and that’s particularly why he’s that good. During this time, you has tons of learned players using stuff most of us never heard before, and that made it alien and inaccessible. CC repackaged old classics in a ballsy, unapologetic fashion. And that’s why he got hate. Everything was over the top, but all of it was good.