John Hendow

With four days until the gig, I’ve gotten my notes onto a spreadsheet with little outlines of chord structures and solos. This is my study material and forms the basis of what I’ll need to memorize for the show. I’m especially enjoying working out the solos:

• Addicted To Love (Robert Palmer) – The solo is really a blues form after the second chorus, but the guitar tone here is monstrous. No surprise here… it’s Andy Taylor, guitarist of Duran Duran and of Power Station. I have always loved his sound and am delighted to be playing this one.
• Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey) – Neil Schon is a great guitarist. His rhythm parts are a study in guitar goodness. The solo in this song isn’t particularly challenging (mostly just E major) but it really propels the song. 
• Let’s Dance (David Bowie) – The classic Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar licks are pretty easy to recreate. His solo is basically a Bb blues.
• Kiss On My List (Hall and Oates) – It’s easy to overlook this one. The guitar solo in this song sits over a simplied version of the chorus, mostly outlining a C and Bb structure.
• Rebel Yell (Billy Idol) – Steve Stevens is amazing. In “Vital Idol” I spent a tremendous amount of time painstakingly transcribing his layered parts and solos to recreate his playing. This is a classic example of his virtuosity.

I’m looking forward to this show. There are a number of elements that I still need to nail down, including the final tone programming on my new preamp… good thing I have a few nights left for final tech preparation. It’s a little unnerving to head into a three hour gig without a rehearsal but I have a lot of confidence in the other band members and I’m sure we’ll all be ready.