Albert Lee

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Albert Lee

Born December 21, 1943
in Leominster, England
Alias(es) Mr. Telecaster
The Guitar Player's Guitar Player
Genre(s) R&B
Country
Rockabilly
Rock and roll
Rock
Label(s) A&M
Diamond Records
MCA
Heroic Records
Castle Records
Magnum
Polydor
Notable guitars 1952, 1953, 1960 Fender Telecaster
Ernie Ball Music Man
Albert Lee Signature Model
Gibson J-200
Gibson Les Paul Custom
Gibson Everly Brothers Model
1958 Fender Stratocaster
Years active 1959 - Present
Official site Official website

Albert Lee born December 21, 1943 in Leominster, Herefordshire is an English guitarist known for his finger-style and Hybrid picking technique.

Contents

[edit] Early life

He grew up in Blackheath, London. His father was a musician, and Albert studied piano. During this time, like many of his age, he became a fan of Buddy Holly, and also Jerry Lee Lewis. He took up guitar in 1958, and left school at age 16 to play full-time the following year.

[edit] Career

[edit] Early career in England

Lee was with a variety of bands from 1959 onwards, playing mostly R&B, country music and rock and roll. Lee first experienced commercial success as the lead guitarist with Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds.

During his time playing with Heads Hands & Feet, Lee became a "guitar hero", playing his Fender Telecaster at breakneck speed.[1] Heads Hands & Feet became a very popular live band in the UK and also in Europe, where they appeared on the German music programme Beat-Club.

[edit] International success

Lee left for Los Angeles, California in 1974 as offers of session work were flooding in, although efforts to record and release his own albums were stalling. In 1976, Lee was asked to join Emmylou Harris's Hot Band, replacing one of his heroes James Burton.

Starting in 1978, Lee worked for five years with Eric Clapton, playing and singing for a live concert recording at the Budokan in Japan.

Albert Lee was responsible for The Everly Brothers 1983 reunion concert and was the musical director.[2] Lee is a regular player with the Everlys.

In 1987, Lee was invited by Gerry Hogan to headline at a Steel Guitar Festival in Newbury, Berkshire. Lee was at first intimidated by the prospect of having to front a band, however, the gig was successful and he now tours with Hogan's Heroes on a regular basis. Hogan's Heroes are renowned for attracting celebrities to their gigs. Stars such as Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Nanci Griffith, Don Everly, Emmylou Harris, Sonny Curtis and Rodney Crowell have all jammed with the band at one time or another.

In 2002, Albert Lee appeared at the Concert for George.

Also in 2002, Lee received a Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance for Foggy Mountain Breakdown from the CD Earl Scruggs and Friends.

Lee continues to tour and work in the studio, and tours on a regular basis with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings Band.

[edit] Awards, accolades and legacy

Lee has received many awards for his playing, including the five times winner of Guitar Player magazine's "Best Country Guitarist".[3]

Lee is known within the music industry for his speed of playing and his technical virtuosity [4] and yet by the same token, one of the most melodic, playing slower passages approximating the sound of the Pedal Steel Guitar with his Music Man and Telecaster guitars which are equipped with B-Benders. [5]

Known as, "the guitar player's, guitar player"[3] due to the high presence of many famous, and non famous guitarists, everywhere, and anywhere he performs. Albert Lee is also referred to as "Mr. Telecaster".[4] A long time Telecaster player, Lee wrote a forward to A.R. Duchossoir's book detailing the history of the instrument.

Despite positive press from Melody Maker and New Musical Express, Lee has never achieved any great commercial success in terms of vast record sales during his career, but more as a live performer, session player and sideman, perhaps due to his self effacing stage presence. Lee has been described by his peers who include Jimmy Page and Richie Blackmore, as a complete gentleman who does not know the meaning of the word ego.[1]

Earl Scruggs, comenting on Albert Lee has stated: "I am constantly amazed at his talent. I am sure there are many guitar players who have been influenced by his style and will continue to be influenced for years to come. Albert is in every sense of the word, a genuine guitar wizard".[6]

Reflecting on the Heads Hands & Feet period of his career, Lee has stated: "What amazes me is, how many musicians in Nashville have a copy of our first album in their personal record collections, and still ask me what happened to the band".

[edit] Guitars owned by Lee

Albert Lee is the owner of Don Everly's Gibson J-200. The Gibson Guitar Corporation made one for Don and the other for Phil Everly. The guitars have an all black, high gloss lacquered finish, and are equipped with twin Everly Brothers white pickguards. The Everly Brothers manager Wesley Rhodes had wanted the guitar to be presented to the Country Music Hall of Fame, but Everly informed him that guitars like that, should be played, not sitting in a glass case. Don Everly presented it to Lee, along with his Gibson Everly Brothers Model.

Eric Clapton also gave Lee the Gibson Les Paul that he played with Delaney and Bonnie

[edit] Trivia

Albert Lee is often confused with Alvin Lee. This confusion has led to Alvin Lee being incorrectly credited on many albums in the past.

Albert Lee currently lives in Malibu, California.

[edit] Source

The Guinness Who's Who Of Country Music. Guinness Publishing. ISBN 0-85112-726-6

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Larkin, Colin. The Guinness Who's Who Of Country Music: Albert Lee entry, Guinness Publishing, 1993. ISBN 0-85112-726-6
  2. ^ [1] Albert Lee biography (retrieved 26 August 2006)
  3. ^ [2] Unsung heroes: session musicians are given their own Hall of Fame (retrieved 26 August 2006)
  4. ^ Mr. Telecaster

[edit] Partial Band List

[edit] Discography

Recordings for other artists not included.

  • Albert Lee - Black Claw/Country Fever
  • Heads Hands & Feet - Heads, Hands & Feet
  • Heads Hands & Feet - Tracks
  • Heads Hands & Feet - Let's Get This Show On The Road!
  • Heads Hands & Feet - Jack Daniels Rare Old No.7
  • Heads Hands & Feet - Old Soldiers Never Die
  • Heads Hands & Feet - Home From Home - The Missing Album
  • Albert Lee - Hiding
  • Albert Lee - Albert Lee
  • Albert Lee - Speechless
  • Albert Lee - Country Guitar Man
  • Albert Lee - Gagged But Not Bound
  • Albert Lee - Real Wild Child
  • Albert Lee - That's All Right Mama
  • Albert Lee - Heartbreak Hill
  • Albert Lee - Road Runner
  • Albert Lee - Advanced Country Guitar DVD
  • Albert Lee - Master Session DVD
  • Albert Lee - Country Legend DVD
  • Albert Lee - Highlights DVD
  • Albert Lee - Guitar Heroes DVD
  • Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes - In Full Flight!
  • Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes - Tear It Up
  • Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes - Live In Paris DVD

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[edit] External links

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