Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford Teaches the “Last Child” Solo | Shred with Shifty
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
- Behind Steven Tyler’s unhinged howls, Aerosmith’s twin-guitar attack with Joe Perry and Brad Whitford cemented them as one of the greatest hard-rock bands of the ’70s. “Last Child,” the street-strutting, hard-blues hit off their breakout 1976 record Rocks, is one of the greatest demonstrations of this dangerous duo’s interplay. While Perry holds down the funky rhythmic chord stabs, Whitford burns through a volcanic, first-take solo. Did any pedals help snare that screaming tone? Nope. Just a ’57 goldtop Les Paul and a 100-watt Marshall.
That combo just “makes you play real good,” Whitford says with a grin on this week’s episode. Whitford gives Shifty the background story on how Rocks came together between the band’s Massachusetts rehearsal space and the Record Plant in New York. They dig deep on Aerosmith’s influences and the guitar players that shaped Whitford’s lead style, including the shredders that knew when to pause. “Whatever you play, you’re still replicating the human voice for the most part, and you have to take a breath,” Whitford notes.
Later on, Brad’s son Graham-an established player in his own right-joins the episode to talk about raiding his dad’s guitar and amp vault, and Brad muses on a big question: Will Aerosmith’s upcoming tour be their last?
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Brads my neighbor and one the most humble, kindest cats you could meet. Hea a good dude.
I hung out with him backstage in Asheville at the Xmas Jam he was so cool and nice to me even though I was train wreck fucked up!!
You must be loaded too 💰
@@scottellis5692can a guy in Aerosmith really get in a "severe cash crunch"?😂
@@revwillyg6450 in the late 70's early 80's for sure , everyone in aerosmith was in a cash crunch lol , cocaine is a helluva drug, actually drugs are a helluva drug .
@@revwillyg6450 With the amounts of cocaine they were doing ... Yeah.
Brad Whitford and Aerosmith just absolutely floored me the first time I ever heard their music.
ROCKS is still one of the best rock albums of all time. Such a complete, raw, heavy, dark album. The riffs, the lyrics, the mood…I’d love to hear more modern bands pay homage to this album. 🤘🏻
Likely my favorite album of all time
Amazing cover too.
Great album one of my favorites too. Brad is a hip dude. I have the same cherry LesPaul 😊
To me it is the "reference" example of what Aerosmith is. For sure they had many other great songs but Rocks as an album I see as the one. And every time I hear that guitar tone of the solo that starts at around 2:12 into Combination I'm blown away. Massive tone!
I got to hang with Brad and Derek St. Holmes at a private NAMM party for PRS. Both of them were so cool to me. Brad patiently answered all my stupid fanboy questions. He told me that he played a '59 LP through a 100 watt Marshall. Interesting that he says here that it was a '57. No matter what guitar it was, it's an amazing solo. It was a real highlight for me to hang with Brad. He was really nice to this dopey fan boy.
Whitford/St Holmes should have been bigger. Both their albums are badass!
Man even in the interview Brad's tone is awesome. I've been using a Kemper and now the Tonex but they don't compare to a real amp because they have some much top end baked into the profiles. Brad mentioned he has been using Fractal and if that's what he was plugged into during this interview wow it sounds legit. Now that's a nice thick Les Paul sound
I got to see Whitford St Holmes in 2015 at the Token Lounge they had a meet and greet after both were very nice In fact going to see Derek on Saturday
My condolences 🙏
@@caddydr5150Detroit baby
Thanks for the kind words Brad 😎 The amp was actually a tweed Twin owned by the Record Plant. I tried many times to buy it from them but they wouldn’t sell it. steve 🎸
Hi Steve, just want to give a shout to you and Dick for many hours of pleasure pouring over classic guitar workouts like "Rock 'n' Roll Animal," "Welcome to my Nightmare," and "Goes to Hell." "Wish You Were Here" still blows my mind and "I'm Eighteen" off of "The Alice Cooper Show" is amazing.
Those tweed twins are a beast. I got to meet you and Dick at shreveport guitar show . Yall jammed together and it was amazing watching yall play off each other. 🎸
Steve hunter!!! legend!!! we are big fans at shred with shifty!!!
@@chrisshiflett5287 Thanks brother 😎🎸
You rock Steve! 🤟
I like the Gary Richrath kudos. He’s such a great player. His solos are so good.
My absolute favorite Aerosmith solo , turn it up and it takes you to another place . ❤ it’s too short !
Brad is a lot like Mal Young of AC/DC: the sound of the band is for the most part due to his guitar work. Not a spotlight player...but always 100% crucial to their signature sound.
THANKS Chris!
Or John Paul Jones of Zeppelin in terms of overall sound and importance of the music, yet never in the spotlight.
Joe Perry was one of my hero's, but Brad is THE player in Aerosmith! Seems like a real down to earth guy
Perry stinks. Lol. Whitford buries him all day.
When I really started to become an Aerosmith fan, more than just a casual listener, I was sort of shocked to find out that a lot of the solos I loved and thought were Joe's were actually Brad's, like the one on Kings and Queens. That led me to start listening to their music a lot more closely.
You're a lucky, lucky person if you got to grow up in the 70's w all that great rock!
Yep I totally agree. Born (62)and raised in Detroit Ive seen hundreds of concerts at Cobo Hall and Pine Knob Great bands and great shows 🎸💥🎸💥🎸💥
100%. Things got ugly in a hurry in the 80's and beyond. LOL
I enjoy the "Shred With Shifty" show so much. It's always so insightful.
Oh, so nice to hear from one of my most influential players. A wealth of knowledge and info for guitars, amps and music. Brad truly is one of the great ambassadors for American rock music. Thanks for the interview.
Incredible that Whitford played with one the biggest and most influential bands of all time, yet still the humble personality of a common person.
Brad and Graham Whitford are absolutely a delight to listen to! Thank you, Chris, for bringing this legend on "Shred with Shifty" and sharing his son with us too. Bonus! Love you and can't wait for Season Two!!!
As a kid I sat in front of the speaker that had Brads guitar in it on Live Bootleg. Its how I learned to solo. Awesome interview. Awesome guy!
I have been a massive Brad fan since the late 70s!! Brad never ever gets his due respect!! Absolute killer player in every sense of the word!! His son is a great player too!!
Totally agree!
It's amazing going back and seeing just how many of those killer solos from the 70s were actually Brad
Casual fans don’t know how important Brad is to Aerosmith but us true fans absolutely do
Ever since I watched this interview, I’ve been hittin both of Whitford/St Holmes’ albums hard. Sometimes I forget what overlooked gems they are.
Love the ROCKS album and Brad's guitar work. Good interview Shifty.
Yes--Rocks is the monster. Sick as a Dog, Home Tonight, Back in the Saddle...
Listened 2x in last 2 weeks in my truck, but going to leave it in there a bit longer...
Rocks and Toy’s inThe Attic…..
Their 2 best Records
@@Boblobblaw88right on bro
I am the Brad in RagDolls Aerosmith Tribute and this solo is my ABSOLUTE favorite to play. It’s just so freakin tasty. Brad is such an underrated part of Aerosmith. Hey Brad I’m taking donations if you have any guitars you need to unload, they’ll play plenty of Aerosmith! We play all over the nation. Think about it…😂
Rock royalty right there! I actually remember seeing Brad walking around the Boston Autorama with a young Graham. One cool dude
There will never be another Aerosmith. Legendary 🙌🏻
Rocks is a masterpiece. Shocking how good it was. I bought it on my 16th birthday when it came out in 1976.
thanks for everything, Brad. Absolutely wore the grooves off Aerosmith, Get Your Wings and Toys. Then I veered off into jazz, a move for which I will be forever regretful.
Aerosmith is the best American rock band, hands down.
I work at G&L and long ago a guy came in and was checking out some guitars in my room (finished goods) and he had a young kid with him. I thought oh this guy is checking out guitars and he brought his grandson with him how cool.
I was real busy so I kept my head down and did my work and after about 5 minutes as they were leaving I finally looked up to say bye and and got a split second glimpse of them going out the door.
I thought damn that dude looked like Brad Whitford, so when my boss came back in I asked him " who was that guy you just had in here"? and he said "oh that was Brad Whitford".
Damn! One of my favorite bands and I totally missed an opportunity to say hey man thanks for the music...oh well. I'm guessing the kid was Graham as well.
Last Child is one of my favorite Aerosmith tunes...very cool!
I remember working last child out 30 years ago... freaking insane groove...
Fantastic! Chris… all the right questions… guitars, amps and early days recording gear. You nailed it! Brad…I’ve been a huge fan forever! So great to see and watch this interview.
I saw Aerosmith perform live in Cleveland several times in the late 70’s to mid 80’s and they were amazingly talented musicians. Even more capable than most people realize. Impressive.
Brad is such a laidback and humble guy. Terrific interview Shifty!
Brad never left the stage of the
Jimi Hendrix Family revue concerts
here in Avila Beach, CA. 2010+/-
He played with every famous star who played Hendrix numbers that day outdoors near the Beach in the sun on the Golf Course
Steve Vai playing and singing ultra rare tunes, Billy Cox on Bass and vocals.
Got to talk to Jimi's sister who ran the tour and Family business back stage.
Brad Whitford is a guitar players guitar player. Talent OFF THE DIAL
Anything he plays. He can play anything Hendrix like he owns it.
His Marshall Les Paul tone is the
Top of the heap of any
Mongolian String Bender*
Frank Zappa's term for lead guitarists.
Huge Aerosmith fan. One of my all time favorite bands. Huge fan of Brads playing. So many great songs. Toys in the attic is one of my favorite records
Toys in the attic… Absolutely epic. I couldn’t agree more one of the best Aerosmith songs of all time …..in my opinion.
The key point was a lot of these guys have to go back and listen to the records to remember what they did in a moment of inspiration 40 years ago.
Love this! I saw Aerosmith live in 84’ and they were in peak form. What a great band, and Brad and Joe Perry are an immortal rock guitar duo.
you can see Brad come alive as the interview goes on. love this series! for true guitar lovers by true guitar lovers
Great stuff Chris! My son and his girlfriend just saw you and the Foos play a 3 HOUR gig, last night in Dallas, TX. Sounds like it was an awesome show, wish I would have tagged along.
Thanks for all you’re doing thru this Shred With Shifty show, too. I get so excited when I see a new episode drop. Really fun show and I learn new stuff every week.
You’re awesome,thanks again!
I like Last Child, but I wish they had talked about Nobody's Fault.
Absolutely bro nobody’s fault is one of the heaviest coolest Groovin rock songs by Aerosmith, one of my favorites for sure
Man, I was in high school when I heard that fir the first time and part of the reason I have played guitar for forty five plus years is because of this band and more. So yeah. Great band and great interview. Thanks so much...❤
Congrats on the success of this show Chris….you are a natural interviewer❤
Brad is an awesome guy! I've had the pleasure of hanging out with him during the time He produced the Neighborhoods.
Wow. Just found this and started listening. I hope Brad discusses 'Adam's Apple' and that sound, as well.
Awesome interview .....Brad is the greatest!!!!! Mr.Round and Round!!!!! ^^@^^
My father was at Berklee same era as Brad and can confirm "Rock" was very much frowned upon . circa 69'
I never knew Brad was the real ripper in Aerosmith until I saw them play a very exclusive show when they first opened the House of Blues in New Orleans. It was an "all blues" show and incredible. This was in like 1994. I knew then, because Brad wiped the floor with Joe. Joe is the show pony and Brad is the workhorse, but he does the heavy lifting. This is the best solo of their entire catalog. Shocked to hear it was just a 100 watt Marshall. It has the midrange honk that I thought was a tweed or at least a cocked wah. Great tone.
Awesome interview with Mr. Whitford... Early Aerosmith is a huge influence and Brad Whitford doesn't ge enough credit... an integral part of that band's sound in my book... ☕🎸
I’m glad somebody else noticed how Ted went into the more flashy and certainly less musical style. His 70s stuff was golden.
This was another terrific conversation. Shifty really does his homework, which leads to insightful questions.
Brad gave terrific answers. Talking about Jeff Beck's space was particularly interesting.
So nice to see Brad interviewed and hear his thoughts on music. He seems like a really cool guy!
The Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner story is well known by now but it's still amazing to hear the perspective of one of the band members themselves. Brad seems totally cool about it now, I don't think Joe has been as complementary about the experience in the past...
Joe was pissed
I met Brad during the Whitford/St. Holmes era at Atlanta's Hedgens club, where the pre-contract Satellites (later the Georgia Satellites) were playing. He was hanging out and kindly bought me a Heineken.
It's a shame that neither Brad nor Joe are ever mentioned in greatest guitarists of all time polls,I grew up listening to Aerosmith in the seventies,and thier debute,along with Get your wings,Toys in the attic and Rocks are some of the greatest rock albums of all time.
I loved Aerosmith's '70s albums but I never saw them live. I did see Bad Brad and his Whitford/St. Holmes band open for Blue Oyster Cult and Foghat in Philly in '81 or '82. I'm sure they were great, but I don't have a lot of memories of the concert. I agree with Brad about Yngwie Malmsteen, who I saw in another concert in '82 or '83. Malmsteen was and remains "too much," bless his heart. :-)
I was at that BOC/Foghat concert where Whitford/St Holmes opened at the Spectrum. Brad was rockin’ a burst and hit his wah hard. Foghat was great and BOC’s PA turned into a feedback mess on the Reaperfinale.
Yes! The Spectrum. I remember loving Foghat that night and feeling that they were much better than BOC. I think I grew to appreciate BOC more over the years.
I tend to agree, but… At all honesty, if any of the guitar players, who say that, and all he plays too fast, it’s too much… I see them… If you could play that fast, you probably would over play…and just shred neo classical… diminished… Harmonic, minor… And all sorts of riffs like that
I remember seeing Brad performing in Corpus Christi right after Aerosmith got back together. I was up close and I could see how exhausted he looked. I felt really bad for him because he looked like he was on the edge of death. I am so glad to see he is doing well.
I was a HUGE Aerosmith fan back in the late 70's, what a great band.
Aerosmith was a high school hobby
Haha, 'notable salute', very eloquently & hilariously put friend.
Something tells me that it was not a boy scout or military salute, but the far more memorable single digit tribute . . .
@@user-yz3et4lq9yNo, No it was not
I was at that show!! It seemed like hours before Aerosmith came on stage. Me and my best friend saw the band anyplace they played in the Boston area, Worcester, Providence, Springfield and of course the old Boston Garden. Shit, that was like 50 years ago.
My god, I love this channel… I have so much work to do tonight, but can’t stop listening to this!!
Love the questions you ask all your guests! Your desire to learn is incredible!
Growing up in the Boston area Aerosmith was my favorite band. Brad and Joe were the inspiration for so many. Riff rock at its finest. I wish we knew exactly what amps were used on the 1st album. I've heard it was a studio owned High powered Fender Tweed with a Gubson 57 with a single p90. Anyone know if that's true or was it Marshalls?
Wow what an amazing interview. I have been an Aerosmith fan since I was a kid. I still have my ticket stub from Aerosmith/Ted Nugent at the Springfield Civic Center in Massachusetts. It was only $12.50 back in 1984. Strangely he's the only member of Aerosmith I haven't met yet and is probably the coolest and most approachable, I would imagine anyway. My favorite phrase in this video, which would actually make an excellent T-Shirt is "the moment of spookiness" comment you made on the solo. Thanks for doing this, it was really cool!
Brad has a killer guitar collection. Seems like a stellar dude
He is a master and we all can learn from him! Thanks mr Whitford for all the great music!
He does seem humble. It’s amazing when even the creator of a riff doesn’t remember exactly how he did it. I remember the interview with Steely Dan Donald Fagen he hoped someone would have the tabs available because he forgot what they were, haha. Reminds me how human they still are.
Great interview. Brad is a down to earth guy and an amazing player.
Oh man!
I’ve been on a total pre 1980 Aerosmith jag lately and this couldn’t come at better time. Easily top 5 Aerosmith solo and #1 on many day. The backing tracks are out of site
Good one. Nice shoutout to the Shakedown! Also a great band I have been into for several years.
I love the Shifty Show!!! And Brad Whitford?1?! Great guests, great playing, great interviews. Thank you for this!!
The old reverb tank that we had in the studio at the wheeling Jamboree USA show for those who don't know was a live radio broadcast with 50,000 watts of broadcast power and it was a live country music radio show second only to the Opry in the country.. Any way the reverb tank was actually in the basement and it was a huge reverb tank. about 6 foot long , 5 foot high and about 12 inches deep. We sold it to some Nashville guy that wanted it for his home studio. It was a great reverb tank. It get really deep into wompatron territory. That's what we called to much verb. wompatron.
Wish Chris would have asked Brad about the Nobody's Fault solo.By far the best solo and song(Brad wrote it)on any Aerosmith album.That sound and solo is one of the best ever recorded on any album.
Such great words for Hunter and Wagner. Brad is a class act and along with Hunter and Wagner is one of the my main inspirations. "The Alice Cooper Show" live album is a guitar clinic.
Of course, Audley Freed does his homework!!!😁
Shifty ! … I’m absolutely LUVIN these episodes man .. so good!! And I luv Aerosmith- thanks for the Brad Witford episode dude . F&@kn rock ON !! Thanks again
Brad Whitford Wrote some of the best riffs and played some of the most memorable solos. Dunno why Joe Perry gets all the limelight.
Speaking of Nugent....ever hear the old Journey To The Center of Your Mind? Outstanding psych rock track.
This is just the coolest damn show!! Love Mr Whitford and Mr Shiflet!!!👍❤️😎
When I was 12, 13, Rocks was all I listened to for about 8 months' time. I'd already gone thru Aerosmith, Get Your Wings and Toys on The Attic. In 1977 my mom brought me to see Rick Derringer, Jeff Beck opening for Aerosmith here in Seattle at the old Kingdome.
Very nice. Thanks, Chris, Brad, Graham, and PG !!!
I met Brad Whitford at a meet and greet on the Get A Grip Tour. I asked him the dumbest question. Back in the '70's Whitford had a dog named Nugent so like the hammered idiot that I was that night I asked him if he still had the dog named Nugent and he just gave me a look and said no I dont, he passed 20 years ago..........what a idiot I was.
😂 That's funny man! I hate those moments that we think back to some super stupid thing us dudes say. I have to many of those moments. Lol
This solo was the first solo I ever figured out correctly. That was in 1979 and had my first electric and amnp to keep me playin my ass off fpr days. Aerosmith is also the first concert I saw. It was not the "real" Aerosmith cuz Joe and Brad were gone for a lil minute. Horrible seats and a crappy night. But I have seen Aerosmith 8 times live and they are always killing it. Brad is THE MAN. I dig Joe the riff machine but Brad is my guy in Aerosmith. His tone, taste and solid as a rock playing are second to none.
LOVE THAT SUNBURST PAUL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
☆☆ Yeah Guys.."Les Paul's". I Love it.🤟
Brad is a legend. Great melodic feel.
Surprised to hear they brought in other soloists - I loved their playing, sounds like they took as a good lesson and continued to grow.
Really enjoyed the interview!❤
Nice comments from Brad about Audley Freed. Audley is the man! Maybe Chris could do one of these on Audley's "Peace Pipe" solo from back in the Cry of Love days.
I'm 61 years old, and just discovered Cry of Love about a month ago. As a guitar player I absolutely love Audley Freeds solos, they're amazing, as is his song writing and playing.
Their music is very very reminiscent of 'rocks' era Aerosmith. If you dig 'Rocks', you will love the band 'Cry of Love', don't miss it.
Loved Season !! More episodes please 🙂 and more solo dates (near me!) 🙂
Pretty much everything Brad Whitford ever played sounded good. An inspiration to guitar players for half a century.
What a great guy. Definitely the sound track to my life.
ROCKS is definitive 70's Rock
I always said "I wish that I could have Aerosmith play a backyard party for my birthday. My entire life and I'm 62.
Of Aerosmiths first 4 albums, Toys obviously and rightfully gets a lot of acclaim, but the other 3 are probably some of the most underrated albums of the 70's. I probably would have missed them mostly myself, except my friend was an Aerohead and he spun them constantly. Slowly I began to love them so much. Part of their brilliance is that they are kind of understated and slow burn with deadass bangers interspersed throughout.
Brad you are amazing! I always lived watching you and Joe play. You both were a huge inspiration to me!❤
When I'm struggling to play something, I stop playing and come back tomorrow. Great advice.
Great interview!
I don't have the words to express what a treasure this is! Thank you!❤
Just noticed the WASP sticker. Any chance of big Chris Holmes coming on the show?
Rocks + Last Child = FUCK YES!!!
last section has always sounded like Michael Schenker to me!!!
Thanks, Brad!
I learned I think from Aerosmith book that the crowd noise was recorded from the George Harrison Bangladesh concert from the tunnel.
Excellent video....
Everyone allways praises joe perry ,but I've allways loved brad Whitmore just as much
We need SHRED WITH SHIFTY logo t-shirts!!!
So many Aerosmith songs never get old no matter how many times you play them.