He is simply amazing! And to make it even better...he doesn't look like he'd pick FIRE! This guy does some serious acoustic lead breaks too... ruclips.net/video/wNipYXqPgnU/видео.html
I fell in love with "Hot Rod Lincoln" in 1972, when I played it incessantly on a dime juke box in a Copake, NY diner when I was 10 years old. I was a drummer then, but his guitar fascinated me. I was finally asked to stop playing the song over and over by the owner of the diner. So, here's one of the greatest days of my life: I was sitting in with a friend who was opening for Bill in 2013. We had already met several times, but I guess he liked my playing that night , because I was putting away my gear when he says: "I wouldn't put that stuff away if you want to sit in." I was freaked out, in a good way. It was an outdoor gig, and a brief little drizzle started up. I threw my Telecaster into its case, and asked Bill if he wanted me to cover his up too. His reply: "Son, the only reason we put Telecasters in cases is so they don't hurt the other instruments." A few songs in to playing with him and his band, he starts off Tony Joe White's "Polk Salad Annie." Then he yells over to me: "you take it!" In my head, I'm like: "Hell no! You're Bill Kirchen. YOU play lead - I'm just keeping time!" But then he takes off his guitar, and figure I have no choice. Next thing I know, he comes around behind me and yells in my ear: "you take the low strings, I'll take the high strings!" Not only was I lucky enough to play with one of my all-time guitar heroes, but I got to play with him ON THE SAME GUITAR. I am truly blessed.
@@savage22bolt32 So true, and that's what I always aim for. I always tell my fellow musicians that when we are playing (meaning when I'm the front singer and guitarist) to be prepared to go anywhere, that things will change depending on whre the audience is. A five minute song may be shrunk to three minutes, or stretched out to ten. Hell, if people are dancing, I'll vamp on a tune, throw in other songs harmonically or rhythmically related for as long as they want to go! One of my favorites is playing a new song after only running it down a few times. Either it dies, or it comes out with things you never thought possible. One night as I was handing out the setlists, one of my guys said: "so how many high-wire-acts are we doing tonight?" Now I mark it on the list: 'high-wire' and they're always right there with me. Working with other intuitive musicians is a blessing not to be taken lightly. Thanks for the kind words!
great story. thanks for the laughs. I'm thinking the performance on this video belongs in the Guinness Book Of Records listed under "most songs put into one medley". a bit of a stretch to call it a "medley", but it deserves the title anyway.
(in case you missed it) 6:48 Billie Jean King is a famous tennis player from 1966-1975. That's why he mimicked a tennis match with his guitar. Brilliant.
Now this man knows how to make MUSIC on the guitar instead of just playing patterns like these "shredders" who can't play a melody without a crib sheet. Awesome! I really enjoyed that.
Hey wait a minute now are you saying that because I predominantly play death metal and thrash metal and can do all that cliche stuff that I don't have any rhythm in my soul or Style? You don't know what you're talkin about most guitar players worth their salt have to learn all the stuff that they just played on that stage right now
@@brucea550 No I play death and thrash but much more also . country ect... BUT Bill's guitar playing on that boogie woogie rhythm is BLAZING FAST. For what he is playing it is not easy. I can't keep up with him. NO WAY
I met Bill at Musicfest Vancouver Island a few years ago. We had a great chat...and he was funny,affable and very approachable...and that looks like Red Volkaert on his left..He also played Musicfest and is considered one of the best also.
I saw him in Tulsa with Comander Cody in a dingy strip center converted into a nightclub in 1972. When they came out of backstage after the break, the pot smoke poured out the door. Good times. I saw the Eagles open for Jethro Tull about the same time period.
That's likely around the same time I saw them at the Academy Of Music on 14th st in Manhattan. I think the other acts on the bill were The Flying Burrito Brothers (Post-Gram) and Nils Lofgren & Grin, but I might be conflating two different shows.
William (Bill) Knight Kirchen(73) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. He was a member of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen from 1967 to the mid-1970s and is known as a "Titan of The Telecaster" for his musical prowess on the guitar. Wikipedia
Holy hell. This guy has a guitar with every spirit from the greatest players ever. He either bargained with a voodoo witch or made a daring deal with the devil. Man what a video. Thanks for sharing
Nice cover of a Charlie Ryan tune, and cool medley. The first time I heard Hot Rod Lincoln was the Commander Cody version. In the 1970s my cousin had a band that did a cover of this song and their fiddle player would make tire squealing sounds.
Omgosh you guys rock! So glad I got to see this!! Especially since I was raised in Lowell not far away from Ada and now live in southern oregon! Thank you so much for the amazing awesome video!!!👍😎👍
They were the opening act for a leo sayer concert on the u of m ( st. paul mn.) campus back in 1978 0r 9. great time. i was there. front row. i was the one who hollered " hey it works " at the sound check for leo's mike. everyone sat on their hands for commander.
Redd Volkaert(63) was a successor to Roy Nichols in Merle Haggard's backing band, and is "among the country’s top Telecaster guitar slingers." Volkaert won a 2009 Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance. Wikipedia
Saw Bill and his band at the Toms River Library in NJ maybe 7-8 years back... and with Commander Cody and The Lost Planet Airmen at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, NJ, back in the early 70s. The late Nicole Larson was one of their background singers back then.
THIS version of hot rod Lincoln is awesome. They don't make music like that anymore. The music of today sucks!!! The artists today have no imagination whatsoever. Bring back the oldies. Your friend- Paul.
Bill Kirchen is a national treasure of the United States of America.
Came for Hotrod Lincoln...
Stayed for the show...
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
That guy has forgotten more about guitar than most people will ever learn . This guys technique is fabulous. What a Great Guitar player
what about the bass?
Hes out the back having a smoke with the drummer 🤣
He is simply amazing! And to make it even better...he doesn't look like he'd pick FIRE!
This guy does some serious acoustic lead breaks too...
ruclips.net/video/wNipYXqPgnU/видео.html
Q lmk
Entertaining!
Had the pleasure of hanging with him back in the 80's GREAT dude!😁
That was the best 9 mins I have spent in a long time. Terrific!
I fell in love with "Hot Rod Lincoln" in 1972, when I played it incessantly on a dime juke box in a Copake, NY diner when I was 10 years old. I was a drummer then, but his guitar fascinated me. I was finally asked to stop playing the song over and over by the owner of the diner.
So, here's one of the greatest days of my life:
I was sitting in with a friend who was opening for Bill in 2013. We had already met several times, but I guess he liked my playing that night , because I was putting away my gear when he says: "I wouldn't put that stuff away if you want to sit in." I was freaked out, in a good way.
It was an outdoor gig, and a brief little drizzle started up. I threw my Telecaster into its case, and asked Bill if he wanted me to cover his up too. His reply: "Son, the only reason we put Telecasters in cases is so they don't hurt the other instruments."
A few songs in to playing with him and his band, he starts off Tony Joe White's "Polk Salad Annie." Then he yells over to me: "you take it!"
In my head, I'm like: "Hell no! You're Bill Kirchen. YOU play lead - I'm just keeping time!"
But then he takes off his guitar, and figure I have no choice. Next thing I know, he comes around behind me and yells in my ear: "you take the low strings, I'll take the high strings!"
Not only was I lucky enough to play with one of my all-time guitar heroes, but I got to play with him ON THE SAME GUITAR.
I am truly blessed.
Such a great story!
Amazing story, Jahn. That's one for the grand-kids someday.
That is so awesome!
It's good to be forced out of your comfort zone. You never know what can happen!
@@savage22bolt32 So true, and that's what I always aim for. I always tell my fellow musicians that when we are playing (meaning when I'm the front singer and guitarist) to be prepared to go anywhere, that things will change depending on whre the audience is. A five minute song may be shrunk to three minutes, or stretched out to ten. Hell, if people are dancing, I'll vamp on a tune, throw in other songs harmonically or rhythmically related for as long as they want to go! One of my favorites is playing a new song after only running it down a few times. Either it dies, or it comes out with things you never thought possible. One night as I was handing out the setlists, one of my guys said: "so how many high-wire-acts are we doing tonight?" Now I mark it on the list: 'high-wire' and they're always right there with me. Working with other intuitive musicians is a blessing not to be taken lightly. Thanks for the kind words!
great story. thanks for the laughs.
I'm thinking the performance on this video belongs in the Guinness Book Of Records listed under "most songs put into one medley". a bit of a stretch to call it a "medley", but it deserves the title anyway.
These are quite possibly the world's coolest Grandpas.
GREAT Grandpas!
No doubt
Quite possibly?
@@koshersalaami
Any time I need to impress the marks, I slip in a 'quite possibly'...
... and watch their eyes go slack.
Good times, good times.
These grandpas kicked my grandpa's ass
Peeled myself up off the floor here, and Wowzers! Edmund Fitzgerald...I almost died.
:-D Seriously amazing talents here, yes!
I can't imagine being this comfy on a guitar to just be bop n hop around through songs like this. That's pretty awesome!
Yup it's called a medley . it's fun.
These guys are having fun, it’s infectious. I’m loving every minute.
sure ruclips.net/video/R1Gzb-snFeI/видео.html
It's August 2022. I'm loving these 2 dudes😍
Peace-out 🌎💞
Always thought Hot Rod Lincoln was the original, coolest rockabilly song ever and Bill confirms it.
I got to hold Bill’s tele one time in Rochester. He does a Christmas show - it’s light as balso wood
That man is full of rock and roll, and joyous about it. A pleasure to watch.
What a totally amazing guitarist. This video has most definitely been a huge pleasure to watch. Thank those who made it possible.
Yes👍Thank you👍
yes ruclips.net/video/R1Gzb-snFeI/видео.html
I’ve never heard so many guitar styles in one place in my lifetime!
Holy crap, is there nothing this guy can't play. Awesome.
This guy has been kicking ass for so long and so well.
fella on his left ain't bad either: mr redd volkaert.
@@matthewchunk3689 I don't know much about the other guy but he is dang good.
@@matthewchunk3689
amen to that understatement. thanks for cluing us to who he is.
He covered a multitude of musicians and still got the song finished. So enjoyed it ☺️☺️.
Even if I caould play this, I would have forgotten which song we started out with.
Awesome!!!!!! Reminds me of my daddy and all musicians I grew up with-- and sense of humor. Ty God needed this tonight!
Click for hot rod Lincoln which we have been listening to for years the rest was a treat God bless thanks for posting
Now that was fun to watch, great job. Loved it
(in case you missed it) 6:48 Billie Jean King is a famous tennis player from 1966-1975. That's why he mimicked a tennis match with his guitar. Brilliant.
An awesome performance! I really enjoyed his sampling of some of the guitar playing styles of other famous musicians.
Red Volkaert AND Bill Kirchen....... damn would have loved to see this live!!!
A self-contained lesson in the history of rock ‘n roll.
...and blues and country and ....
This is one of those clips that needs to be rated way more than just one thumbs up!
This just freaking awesome,,,great song two insane amazing guitarist ❤
These two guys are AWESOME,,,Thank you
Well now that was way more fun than expected. !!!!!!! Respect sir...!
Ladies and gentle men this is a master at his work.
Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen was one of the greatest bands on all Times ! Saw them live a few times ! Crazy fun !!
Insane video. What a gem. Can't believe this doesn't have 500million views.
Awesome show still sound the same. Saw CC & LPA in the 60s at Pinto Lake 3 day concert along with Sopwith Camel.
What a great show.
I'm from Michigan, in fact only about an hour from Ada. I wish I had known about this and gone!
Just love Bill and guitar snobs have never heard of the man.
Excellent outstanding amazing and spectacular!
So sayeth the PETE!
50 years of music history in 9 minutes!
Now this man knows how to make MUSIC on the guitar instead of just playing patterns like these "shredders" who can't play a melody without a crib sheet. Awesome! I really enjoyed that.
He's more than shredder sir . You're correct .A fine guitar player
I took a seminar he taught about twenty years ago in Nashville. Best 4 hours of my life. Told some great road stories and picked a mean guitar.
Hey wait a minute now are you saying that because I predominantly play death metal and thrash metal and can do all that cliche stuff that I don't have any rhythm in my soul or Style? You don't know what you're talkin about most guitar players worth their salt have to learn all the stuff that they just played on that stage right now
@@mikekovko7563 I’ve never met/heard a death/thrash metal player who knew how to play much else. Guess you’re the exception?
@@brucea550 No I play death and thrash but much more also . country ect... BUT Bill's guitar playing on that boogie woogie rhythm is BLAZING FAST. For what he is playing it is not easy. I can't keep up with him. NO WAY
outstanding! any fan of guitar will LOVE this awesome tribute!
He's been a fave of mine for years, great to see t his vid! He'll never get old, that's for sure! Born entertainer, and oh, that geee-tar!
I met Bill at Musicfest Vancouver Island a few years ago. We had a great chat...and he was funny,affable and very approachable...and that looks like Red Volkaert on his left..He also played Musicfest and is considered one of the best also.
Always loved Commander Cody & his crew, always will
Awesome. I wish I was at that show. Could watch this guy for hours.
I was at that show right behind the camera guy in back yard around Rockford Michigan they gave away a signed Telecaster 👍
Saw him with gthe Commander on the grass in front of CCNY in May 1973. A free concert. The Eagles opened for them.
I saw him in Tulsa with Comander Cody in a dingy strip center converted into a nightclub in 1972. When they came out of backstage after the break, the pot smoke poured out the door. Good times. I saw the Eagles open for Jethro Tull about the same time period.
That's likely around the same time I saw them at the Academy Of Music on 14th st in Manhattan. I think the other acts on the bill were The Flying Burrito Brothers (Post-Gram) and Nils Lofgren & Grin, but I might be conflating two different shows.
So enjoyable. What a showman.
Outstanding Performance!! These guys are Fantastic!!! Thanks for posting this. I just clicked because of Hot Rod Lincoln but what a great surprise.
Bill!! Excellent!! Thank You!!
JUST INCREDIBLE!!!!!! Thank you for sharing
FAN-TASTIC!! Those two Gentlemen are awesome! 👍👍🤠
Son I said Boy you gonna drive me to drinking if you don't stop driving that Hot Rod Lincoln !!!💥🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
All I can say is Wow ! Loved it . Wish we could have a party in the back yard like that. 👍🖖✌💖
So fun to watch. Thanks.
What gifted talent to be able to change tempos staying inside the lines magically amazing thank you!
one day i will own a tele but prolly wont ever be good enough to justify it . this is great
The king of the telecaster Mr. Bill Kirchen! Long live the king!! This man is a legend!
Saw him with Dave Alvin at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA before the shit down. Blew everyone away! Great show.
I enjoyed every minute of that...well done.
Reminded me of my uncle Rick uncle Bill and my papaw Johnson lots of fun Rest in peace.
THAT GUY IS AWESOME!!THAT TELECASTER & FENDER TWIN REVERB SOUNDS AMAZING!!!
William (Bill) Knight Kirchen(73) is an American guitarist, singer and
songwriter. He was a member of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
from 1967 to the mid-1970s and is known as a "Titan of The Telecaster"
for his musical prowess on the guitar. Wikipedia
Two masters having fun doing what they love.
BRAVO !
Holy hell. This guy has a guitar with every spirit from the greatest players ever. He either bargained with a voodoo witch or made a daring deal with the devil. Man what a video. Thanks for sharing
I loved every bit of it
I could sit and listen to him all night! Thank you I loved it!
Oh man, did I NEED this.
Fantastic. Glad I got to see this amazing time y'all had.
Talk about being entertained? Um, ya I'd say so. Lots of Smiles!!
What a hoot Bill. Listening to you and your band just made a life long memory that I have to share.
Simply the best of his kind, and I thank the musical gods that he's still with us.
First i wordered how he could make HotRodLinclon last almost 10 min.. Well. Wilbur...... Wow. The Dude Nailed every one . on the Head. ..
Jesus..Bill K and Redd Volkeart...OMG...Legends...Sounds like a backyard BBQ...lucky fans.
Great job! Very entertaining.
Absolutely fantastic!
Nice cover of a Charlie Ryan tune, and cool medley. The first time I heard Hot Rod Lincoln was the Commander Cody version. In the 1970s my cousin had a band that did a cover of this song and their fiddle player would make tire squealing sounds.
He was in the group then.
Well thats 9:13 seconds of time well spent!!
One of the all time greats.
Great video footage, thanks for sharing!
We got to see him in concert back a few years ago. After the show we got to meet him and got his autograph
Can't believe this guy doesn't have more views. He is awesome
Omgosh you guys rock! So glad I got to see this!! Especially since I was raised in Lowell not far away from Ada and now live in southern oregon! Thank you so much for the amazing awesome video!!!👍😎👍
I dont see how he can play that tune so fast at the end. I can't even play it at regular speed.🎸🎸🎵🎼🎶👍
Bravo! Great fun and guitar playing guys. Would have loved to have been there in person.
They were the opening act for a leo sayer concert on the u of m ( st. paul mn.) campus back in 1978 0r 9. great time. i was there. front row. i was the one who hollered " hey it works " at the sound check for leo's mike. everyone sat on their hands for commander.
Really appreciate your talent!
Absolutely awesome playing and totally entertaining.I even clapped at the end.
This guy just played every lick ive been talkin about for 40 years.
Your gonna drive me to Drink'n if you don't stop driv'n that-Hot-Rod-Lincoln!
This is absolutely fantastic 👏
Redd Volkaert(63) was a successor to Roy Nichols in Merle Haggard's
backing band, and is "among the country’s top Telecaster guitar
slingers." Volkaert won a 2009 Grammy for Best Country Instrumental
Performance. Wikipedia
Amazing throughly enjoyed this a true performer
You are the greatest artist ever to play the strings. Awesome absolutely Awesome.
👍 These guys are great.
Saw Bill and his band at the Toms River Library in NJ maybe 7-8 years back... and with Commander Cody and The Lost Planet Airmen at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, NJ, back in the early 70s.
The late Nicole Larson was one of their background singers back then.
THIS version of hot rod Lincoln is awesome. They don't make music like that anymore. The music of today sucks!!! The artists today have no imagination whatsoever. Bring back the oldies. Your friend- Paul.
One of the finest players.....great time when he’s in town....don’t miss him.....😎
Amazing guitar skills 👌
If you wanted to explain American rock n roll to a foreigner this is the quintessential song. It says everything!!
Fantastic Bill...
These guys are awesome.
Wow!!! So amazing
DAMN I wish I'd been invited to that party.