By: Robert Cavuoto
The Yardbirds are back in action and gearing up for a Fall tour of the U.S., that will kick off on Friday, October 30 in Norfolk, Connecticut.
Founding member and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jim McCarty, as well as renowned guitarist Johnny A, bassist Kenny Aaronson, singer/blues harpist/percussionist Myke Scavone, and guitarist/singer John Idan will tour throughout October and November.
I caught up with Johnny A to talk about this exciting opportunity and how he will be paying tribute to the legacy of the legendary band!
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Robert Cavuoto: Tell me about how you came to join the The Yardbirds?
Johnny A: I have known Jim McCarty and Chris Dreja for quite some time, as well as some of the guys from the previous versions of the band. Many of us have been on Steve Vai’s record label – Favored Nation.
I first got to really know the guys after the Birdland album came out. The band was coming through Boston and I went to see them at the original House of Blues. They invited me to sit in on that show. A couple of years later the label asked me to go down to BB Kings in New York to sit in with them again. We all became friends.
I recently got a call to join the band, but I was out touring with my band for my latest CD, Driven. I had a West Coast tour booked, so I couldn’t do The Yardbirds.
For some reason, possibly faith, their tour got rescheduled and I was able to join them now this Fall. I was happy to be available to do it.
Robert: Tell me about how your style of playing is a perfect fit for The Yardbirds?
Johnny A: Well, my playing style is very eclectic as I like different styles of music. If you are familiar with my CDs you’ll hear that.
In regards to The Yardbirds, truth be told, my style of playing rock music might not be if it wasn’t for the The Yardbirds album; Over Under Sideways Down. I’m huge fan of the British Invasion music with The Beatles being paramount on my list.
I really decided that I wanted to be a guitar player after listening to The Beatles, the Stones and that initial wave of bands that were on the radio at the time.
The first album I ever bought with my own money, while looking for guitar music was Over Under Sideways Down. So, it really influenced me immensely and Jeff Beck’s approach to the music was very special to me.
The band was so much deeper than garage rock band; they had influences of medieval chanting, Indian music, and psychedelic music with a great pop sensibility. Obviously there was an adventurous jamming and rave-up blues background, as well. I think they were a pretty dimensional band of the day.
Robert: Is it a bit unnerving knowing the legendary guitarists [Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton] that came out of the band?
Johnny A: I won’t call it unnerving; anyone who sits in that chair is going to be under the microscope. Those guitarists left an indelible mark on the band with Jeff Beck, Jimmy page and Eric Clapton.
Hopefully, with my own style of playing can pay tribute to their legacy and bring a little something new at the same time.
Robert: Will you be taking any vintage gear with you on the road in order emulate the band’s original sound?
Johnny A: I’ll be using my signature model Gibson guitar. I think I’ll just be using vintage inspired amps, it’s all backlines amps. I have put in my request in order of preference and they are either hand wired Marshalls or the like.
As far as pedals, I’ll be getting a prototype of the original Mach 1 Tone Benders. It’s pretty interesting because the very first Mach 1 Tone Bender created was given to Jeff Beck of The Yardbirds and the first reissue will be given to me. It’s coming full circle.
Robert: Will you be improvising on any of the songs or will you remain true to the way they were written?
Johnny A: That’s an interesting question, I had been thinking about how I was going to approach the shows.
Sometimes with certain songs whether the The Yarbirds or any other band, when you go to reproduce them, the song doesn’t seem right unless it played the way it was written. I’m taking it on a song by song basis.
Some things may be status quo, while others I can be more adventurous with in the spirit of that band. They were a big influence on me and when I play rock, I slide into that world stylistically. I feel very comfortable there.
Robert: What songs can we expect to hear on tour?
Johnny A: We start rehearsal in about two week, I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s everything a Yardbird fan would want to hear.
Robert: It must be on honor playing with band that you idolized growing up?
Johnny A: It’s very exciting for me and an honor. They were a highly inspirational influential band as a kid. I grew up with them in the day. I wasn’t a person who found the records a generation later; I was there in that time frame.
Their’s was the first album I purchased as a 13 year old. The very first guitar that I purchased with my own money that was a really good guitar was a Gibson Les Paul, back in like a 1968 or 1969. I traded my vintage ’60s Gretsch drums, with an additional $90 for it.
So, the first quality guitar I purchased was a Gibson and now I’m a Gibson signature artist with a signature series guitar and the first album I purchase was The Yardbirds, and now I’m in the band. It’s pretty wild. I still have that 1968 or 1969 Les Paul. Les signed it for me in the ’80s.
Robert: Have you ever had the opportunity to play with Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, or Eric Clapton?
Johnny A: I’ve played with Jeff Beck and that was a bucket list moment for me. There is really nobody like him! It goes beyond good or beyond guitar playing for him. His personality is so ingrained in the way he plays the instrument that it’s more than a guy playing a guitar. He is a total inspiration.
As far as rock guitar goes, I don’t think there is anybody better. He totally evolves and still maintains his voice. One of the hardest things to do is be a guitarist and have your own voice – a tone print.
Not only to have it, but to experiment and broaden it over the last 50 years. You look at what he’s done in The Yardbirds, in his rockabilly vein or his fusion vein or his industrial vein. He is still excited and continues to push it. I have a lot of respect for that.
Robert: You played at Les Paul’s 100 Anniversary Party – what was that like for you?
Johnny A: It was an honor to be invited. I met Les in the ’80s and got to know him more around 2002 or 2003 at a Gibson event. I had the opportunity to sit in with him a couple of time at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City.
He got to know me as a player and told me he was a fan of my albums which was great to hear. He was so supportive in conversation. It was nice to celebrate Les with all the artists, many who are friends of mine.
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[…] evening. Johnny is heading out on his solo tour directly after wrapping up his fall tour with The Yardbirds. He originally launched into the Boston music scene in the 1970s, and hasn’t looked back […]