Video #1: It Might Get Loud

Jack White has to be one of the luckiest guitarists in the world. He got to hang out with Jimmy Page and the Edge, trading licks and sharing stories for this movie. Actually, when Jimmy launched into Whole Lotta Love, both the Edge and Jack White looked like they were in awe. Can you blame them?

I loved seeing the huge rig that the Edge uses. He can play a riff that seems boring and repetitive, but with the right effects and attitude it sounds so great. When I was learning to play back in the ‘80s I was more into flashier playing, but I’ve really grown to appreciate what the Edge does. (Mental note...rent a U2 concert sometime soon.)

And I couldn’t believe the historical footage and places they showed for U2. The Edge took the camera crew to the school where the band used to practice, and pointed out the spot on the school wall where he saw the “guitarist wanted” add to join the band. He was wondering what would have happened if he didn’t see the ad. He joked that he would have been working in a bank today! I hope he still would have been into guitar, even if it was just in the bedroom.

It just goes to show that a tiny little thing can have a huge impact on your life. I hope I haven’t missed out on a life changing opportunity because I wasn’t paying attention or take a chance. If the Edge didn’t see that ad, would U2 become one of the biggest bands in the world? I doubt it. His playing is so distinctive, and he did a lot of the writing. As a matter of fact, it was really cool to hear him play old demo songs from his 4-track recorder - songs that would become such big hits.

It was fun seeing Jimmy Page, too. I like how he doesn’t try to look young and dye his hair like so many other aging rockers. Although the Edge was the one who said, “It might get loud,” it was something that Jimmy said that really resonated with me. He said that every show he played with Led Zeppelin, he felt fully alive. He felt like he was totally living. In the different bands I’ve played in, I never quite had that feeling. I’m not sure why. I was mostly performing overs and songs for people to dance to. But I really liked some of the songs I played. Was Jimmy playing more from the heart? Whatever the reason, Jimmy and the boys certainly took their performances to quite a high level. God willing, I hope to someday have the same feelings when I’m performing, whenever and wherever that may be. To be in pure rock bliss.