I used to dread going over to my Grandmother's house on Sunday night and eating dinner and having to suffer through the LW show. I read the Vintage Guitar article about Neil and had to check him out. What talent, he and Buddy, as well as the entire band. I wind up recording the show each week so I can enjoy the great music. And Neil played on Zappa's first album? How cool?!
WOOOOOWWWWW!!! he is freaking out! WILD SHIT MAN! Makes me wanna strip down to my birthday suit and throw my woman on the ground woooo hooOOOOooO! Rock it man!
The Strat back in those days was basically space-age tech and is still my favorite guitar today but the Jazzmaster has an incredible tone especially for instrumentals. Neil may not have liked it but it certainly liked him!! Sweet playing! Please give him our best!!
Dad (Neil) told me the other day that he wasn't particularly fond of the Jazzmaster. He felt it to awkward, especially with the weight distribution of the body. His favorite was the 59 strat and his 63 Natural Brown Telecaster.
Why not get Neil to answer some of these questions? He's not dead yet! Neither is his partner Buddy Merrill. Someone should get some interviews up here before they die.
@michaelkochlegal Dad (Neil) is alive and well but quite computer illiterate. Rich Kienzle interviewed dad for Vintage Guitar Magazine December 2010 issue. I will sift through these comments and see what has not been answered and try to get him to chime in!
@momsfudge59 Mark: your dad was the inspiration for me to start studying guitar when I was a child. I have been playing all my life now and it has been the essential thread throughout my life... your dad was an amazing musician, a gentleman and total class; I am honored to be able to have you read my message. Rob
wow.. he could have taught Chet Atkins a few things... as a non-pro guitar player since 1967, I envy and fully understand the joy on your father's face when playing. His skills are as natural as his breathing... truly, an amazing artist.
Pure talent! I've been playing guitar for 32 years, 15 of them professionally, & CANNOT pull this off! How about you shredders out there? Want to give this a try with a jazzmaster through a clean amp?
This one is very precious. Jazzmaster Nail LeVang played on film was early prototype. I guess the neck has been diverted from previous one-piece maple neck 'cause we can see the truss rod cap -called "brown egg"- on the headstock. So it seems the very first Fender's rosewood fingerboard.
What a great talent.I remember seeing him as a kid with my Dad on Lawrence Welk and being amazed by him.Smiling and seemingly effortless style! I love the thumb over the top of the neck grabbing bass notes.Super tone too.Love it.
I am an old guitar player from way back. I have watched Neil for a long time. What a talent, and what an obvious command of stringed instruments, guitar and all the rest. It appears to me that his fingers were not only nimble, but a full inch longer than average. He had huge reach and unbelievable quickness. Anyway, Mr. Smooth and Clean, without a doubt. Thanks for this post!
The Fender Jazzmaster has always been my Sweeheart the Floating bridge
in conjucttion with the vibrato is smooth one of the best and smoothest I ever played it wasnt chosen by
accident to be used in countless bands in the middle 60's and Instrumental rock aka the Ventures listen to there early cut of Lonesome Town it is very pretty but force full as well another tune Trambone Bob bogle is featured in thes song as well as don wilson never heard of themyou are in for a treat then
Mark, May I say how much I enjoy listening to your Dad play...you must be very proud...Your Dad looks so relaxed and happy when he plays....And what a talent!...He must have the longest fingers I have ever seen on a guitar player....Also, his picking is unbelievable....They don't make em' like your Dad anymore......Thanks a bunch for posting...Long live Neil LeVang! PS: Do you play the guitar? Norm
@ncaffrey001 Hey Norm, Thanks for the kind words and yes, I am so very proud of my dad! I am a piano player by trade but since I have a few of his guitars, I am trying my best, with my long fingers to keep the instruments well played!
@momsfudge59 I had seen your father play on the Welk Show, first on first-run episodes when I was a child, and then seeing repeats of episodes I have and haven't seen, and he and his predecessor (and guitar partner from 1962-74, Buddy Merrill) are two of the all-time best guitar players. In fact, your father could really master the Gibson 12-string guitar, and many people say that the 12-string is the most difficult guitars to strum, much less pick).
great sound and long fingers... this is so cool. These guys are great pickers; you don't get a job like that for nothing... just great, so cool on an old Jazzmaster...
I also grew up watching Lawrence Welk just for the purpose of seeing Neil play....after all of these years he is stil one of my all time favs...thanks for posting this !
Neil was also one of the most highly respected studio "hired guns" in Hollywood. His list of album credits as a session player looks like a phone book. Great musician.
I used to watch The Lawrence Welk Show when I was a kid just for the opportunity to see Neil LeVang play. I wanted to be him when I grew up. I still play and study guitar at 65. Thanks Neil.
This is just great stuff from the first note -- he looks like he is having a great time playing -- and wow, who knew, Lawrence Welk used to be relevant -- crazy man
I remember watching Neil on the Lawrence Welk Show with my mom when I was a kid. I picked up a guitar because of his influence and I was an original member of the biggest American heavy metal band of all time...Metallica! Thanks Neil.!!!...Ron McGovney
I'm from a town in North Dakota about the same size as Neil's hometown of Adams. It makes you proud that a kid from such a town can work his tail off and become such a great musician. Of course, that goes the same with others from smaller towns, like Lawrence Welk himself from Strasburg and Myron Floren from Roslyn, S.D.
Dad's story is a great one. Born in Adams, North Dakota, dad was the son of a poor farmer in a dead end situation. Music became his one way ticket away from the poverty. He was diligent and picked up every string instrument that was within reach. Dad never had a formal lesson. Completely self-taught. He was a fan of jazz and would listen to the radio shows from Chicago and mimic the saxophonists that he heard. Thanks for watching. I am a great fan of my father as well!
HI Mark, I understand your Dad spent a little time in the Northwest (Seattle area) in the early 50s...is that right? His talent just makes me dizzy!!!
Yes, dad was in the US Coast Guards, stationed in Seattle in 1951. When he was discharged from the Coast Guard, had a television show on King TV and played with Sheriff Tex in and around the Pacific Northwest. He was playing fiddle and banjo in those early days.
Thanks, Mark. Be sure to give your Dad the best from all of us music fans here in Seattle! I've spoken with a number of veteran local players who recall him very well when he was playing around town.
@momsfudge59 -Thanks for sharing your fathers story with us Mark! Like many others I grew up listening to Lawrence Welk and admired your fathers playing. You must be so proud of him! My father was a Jazz guitarist who played professionally and who introduced me to your father via the Lawrence Welk show. I'm so grateful that we have a medium like Youtube which provides us a window to the past & who's only limitation lies within our ability to navigate it's universe of infinite possibilities.
I heard ; Travis,Atkins,and Garland there. On Wild Dog I heard Django . Neil must have been a real ''student'' of the guitar. Thanks for this video Mark .
I used to dread going over to my Grandmother's house on Sunday night and eating dinner and having to suffer through the LW show. I read the Vintage Guitar article about Neil and had to check him out. What talent, he and Buddy, as well as the entire band. I wind up recording the show each week so I can enjoy the great music. And Neil played on Zappa's first album? How cool?!
devlin0208 2 months ago
WOOOOOWWWWW!!! he is freaking out! WILD SHIT MAN! Makes me wanna strip down to my birthday suit and throw my woman on the ground woooo hooOOOOooO! Rock it man!
tony9L9L 2 months ago
@tony9L9L welll alright party on!
TheOffcialACCFans 1 month ago
Wonderful,wonderful, and on my favorite guitar the Jazzmaster.
crorivpro 2 months ago
WOW! what a GREAT PICKER!
These "old school" American guitarist are BRILLIANT ;-)
2SugarsPleeze 2 months ago
great respect to you and your dad for everything!
adidas331 3 months ago
what !!! no pedals ?
alofislide 4 months ago
The Strat back in those days was basically space-age tech and is still my favorite guitar today but the Jazzmaster has an incredible tone especially for instrumentals. Neil may not have liked it but it certainly liked him!! Sweet playing! Please give him our best!!
PeterPug007 4 months ago
nice picking
callasexperience 5 months ago
Dad (Neil) told me the other day that he wasn't particularly fond of the Jazzmaster. He felt it to awkward, especially with the weight distribution of the body. His favorite was the 59 strat and his 63 Natural Brown Telecaster.
momsfudge59 5 months ago 3
@momsfudge59 Ive got a jazzmaster and its real monkey to play its like working out!
TheOffcialACCFans 1 month ago
The person doing the "Bob Wills Holler" starting at about 1:30 is a crack up. Very well done song and a great guitar player. Thanks for posting! :)
Johnk662561 5 months ago
you have a lot better chance to win the mega millions lottery than to hear playing as good as this at your local guitar center. great :)
seaside882000 5 months ago
Why not get Neil to answer some of these questions? He's not dead yet! Neither is his partner Buddy Merrill. Someone should get some interviews up here before they die.
michaelkochlegal 5 months ago
@michaelkochlegal Dad (Neil) is alive and well but quite computer illiterate. Rich Kienzle interviewed dad for Vintage Guitar Magazine December 2010 issue. I will sift through these comments and see what has not been answered and try to get him to chime in!
Thanks,
Mark LeVang
momsfudge59 5 months ago 3
@momsfudge59 Mark: your dad was the inspiration for me to start studying guitar when I was a child. I have been playing all my life now and it has been the essential thread throughout my life... your dad was an amazing musician, a gentleman and total class; I am honored to be able to have you read my message. Rob
nylawyer55 3 months ago
kind of like a Chet Atkins but with more gusto
inkey2 5 months ago
wow.. he could have taught Chet Atkins a few things... as a non-pro guitar player since 1967, I envy and fully understand the joy on your father's face when playing. His skills are as natural as his breathing... truly, an amazing artist.
nylawyer55 6 months ago
This video makes me so happy watching him play. Are there any CDs out with his work?
IMmoreRANDOMthanYOU 8 months ago
Pure talent! I've been playing guitar for 32 years, 15 of them professionally, & CANNOT pull this off! How about you shredders out there? Want to give this a try with a jazzmaster through a clean amp?
richard42960 8 months ago
Best eletric guitar player ever...
madridista1902 8 months ago
This one is very precious. Jazzmaster Nail LeVang played on film was early prototype. I guess the neck has been diverted from previous one-piece maple neck 'cause we can see the truss rod cap -called "brown egg"- on the headstock. So it seems the very first Fender's rosewood fingerboard.
pudgybonzo 9 months ago
You ve got to love that !
dirtyoldmanxxx 9 months ago
Neil LeVang and Buddy Merrill were some of the first guitar players I stole styles from.
Dust6chap6 10 months ago
Wow. Great tone.
tatsandteles 10 months ago
He makes it look so easy.
zapple100 11 months ago
What a great talent.I remember seeing him as a kid with my Dad on Lawrence Welk and being amazed by him.Smiling and seemingly effortless style! I love the thumb over the top of the neck grabbing bass notes.Super tone too.Love it.
MrJacklips 1 year ago
I am an old guitar player from way back. I have watched Neil for a long time. What a talent, and what an obvious command of stringed instruments, guitar and all the rest. It appears to me that his fingers were not only nimble, but a full inch longer than average. He had huge reach and unbelievable quickness. Anyway, Mr. Smooth and Clean, without a doubt. Thanks for this post!
argus1948 1 year ago
What a player- so clean and accurate with great feel and sound. Top class
BiffaBacon 1 year ago
The Fender Jazzmaster has always been my Sweeheart the Floating bridge
in conjucttion with the vibrato is smooth one of the best and smoothest I ever played it wasnt chosen by
accident to be used in countless bands in the middle 60's and Instrumental rock aka the Ventures listen to there early cut of Lonesome Town it is very pretty but force full as well another tune Trambone Bob bogle is featured in thes song as well as don wilson never heard of themyou are in for a treat then
reverbie65 1 year ago
Fantastic ... love the fancy double-picking during the choruses.
DonJulioBlanco2002 1 year ago
Mark, May I say how much I enjoy listening to your Dad play...you must be very proud...Your Dad looks so relaxed and happy when he plays....And what a talent!...He must have the longest fingers I have ever seen on a guitar player....Also, his picking is unbelievable....They don't make em' like your Dad anymore......Thanks a bunch for posting...Long live Neil LeVang! PS: Do you play the guitar? Norm
ncaffrey001 1 year ago 3
@ncaffrey001 Hey Norm, Thanks for the kind words and yes, I am so very proud of my dad! I am a piano player by trade but since I have a few of his guitars, I am trying my best, with my long fingers to keep the instruments well played!
Cheers,
Mark Le Vang
momsfudge59 1 year ago 5
@momsfudge59 hi mark i am adding you as my friend on facebook
doubletrouble467 1 year ago
@momsfudge59 I had seen your father play on the Welk Show, first on first-run episodes when I was a child, and then seeing repeats of episodes I have and haven't seen, and he and his predecessor (and guitar partner from 1962-74, Buddy Merrill) are two of the all-time best guitar players. In fact, your father could really master the Gibson 12-string guitar, and many people say that the 12-string is the most difficult guitars to strum, much less pick).
JayBBluejay 9 months ago
All Class.
beatlenut65 1 year ago
Great player! I grew up hearing him. Did he dig doing the Welk gig?
Vazmusic 1 year ago
Neil is one of the baddest guitar slingers on the planet, and no slouch on fiddle!
pap4456 1 year ago
What an Inspiration and AWESOME guitarist. Cleannnnnnnnn. Thank GOD for you tube so that the world can experience REAL talent.
guitarrasco 1 year ago
just great... long fingers huh? So cool on an old Jazzmaster... these cats can play... you don't get a gig like that for nothing...
tbonewalk 1 year ago
great sound and long fingers... this is so cool. These guys are great pickers; you don't get a job like that for nothing... just great, so cool on an old Jazzmaster...
tbonewalk 1 year ago
nice playing
jeep331 1 year ago
Great to find this stuff on YouTube, and even better to know these guys are still with us, you must all be very proud.
phabel59 1 year ago
I also grew up watching Lawrence Welk just for the purpose of seeing Neil play....after all of these years he is stil one of my all time favs...thanks for posting this !
sundevilfan47p 1 year ago
My God, he's brilliant! Pity we don't see much of this kind of skill anymore. Certainly not in the mainstream anyway.
DanEile 1 year ago 2
if anyone knows how to play this, please make a lesson vid!!! im sure a ton of people would love it!
MIchigan4x4 1 year ago
This guy's my new favorite, brilliant, and never heard of him! Gotta love YouTube,
thanks so much for posting.
jayscott49 1 year ago 2
Neil was also one of the most highly respected studio "hired guns" in Hollywood. His list of album credits as a session player looks like a phone book. Great musician.
MelosAntropon 1 year ago
I used to watch The Lawrence Welk Show when I was a kid just for the opportunity to see Neil LeVang play. I wanted to be him when I grew up. I still play and study guitar at 65. Thanks Neil.
erod1944 2 years ago
Just fantastic!
JazzEthics 2 years ago
Comment removed
MIchigan4x4 2 years ago
The original lightning fingers !
stupullen 2 years ago
Just AWESOME!
Interestingly, it was the western swing bands that Leo Fender started with--designing guitars and amps for them...
Pickinbuddy 2 years ago
Whoa. Watch your back, Bob Wills.
Emisanboo 2 years ago
Burnin'
pickforfood 2 years ago
This is just great stuff from the first note -- he looks like he is having a great time playing -- and wow, who knew, Lawrence Welk used to be relevant -- crazy man
hiccera 2 years ago
Another great Dakotan playing a Great Fender guitar.. Heck ya . I grew up watching the Welk.
surfinjohnnyq 2 years ago
I remember watching Neil on the Lawrence Welk Show with my mom when I was a kid. I picked up a guitar because of his influence and I was an original member of the biggest American heavy metal band of all time...Metallica! Thanks Neil.!!!...Ron McGovney
metal1982 2 years ago
I'm from a town in North Dakota about the same size as Neil's hometown of Adams. It makes you proud that a kid from such a town can work his tail off and become such a great musician. Of course, that goes the same with others from smaller towns, like Lawrence Welk himself from Strasburg and Myron Floren from Roslyn, S.D.
winghaz 2 years ago
A guitar great and self taught too!
antzzy1 2 years ago
I've only been a fan of Neil for about 30 years. :)
A-sving-out-a boys-a!
zappr5 2 years ago
I am now a fan of Neal LeVang.
dicksatan 2 years ago 3
Is that a fender jazzmaster?
One of my favorite guitars,Neil plays it so well.
One of the few greats..........
johnfriley909 3 years ago
A great talent, clean and beautifully played.
bach2117 3 years ago 2
Dad's story is a great one. Born in Adams, North Dakota, dad was the son of a poor farmer in a dead end situation. Music became his one way ticket away from the poverty. He was diligent and picked up every string instrument that was within reach. Dad never had a formal lesson. Completely self-taught. He was a fan of jazz and would listen to the radio shows from Chicago and mimic the saxophonists that he heard. Thanks for watching. I am a great fan of my father as well!
Mark LeVang
momsfudge59 3 years ago 8
HI Mark, I understand your Dad spent a little time in the Northwest (Seattle area) in the early 50s...is that right? His talent just makes me dizzy!!!
teebeesea 2 years ago 3
TeeBeeSea,
Yes, dad was in the US Coast Guards, stationed in Seattle in 1951. When he was discharged from the Coast Guard, had a television show on King TV and played with Sheriff Tex in and around the Pacific Northwest. He was playing fiddle and banjo in those early days.
Mark LeVang
momsfudge59 2 years ago
Thanks, Mark. Be sure to give your Dad the best from all of us music fans here in Seattle! I've spoken with a number of veteran local players who recall him very well when he was playing around town.
teebeesea 2 years ago
Obviously I am a big fan of your fathers playing, you are not bad yourself there Mark
tulsaboyz2000 2 years ago
@momsfudge59 -Thanks for sharing your fathers story with us Mark! Like many others I grew up listening to Lawrence Welk and admired your fathers playing. You must be so proud of him! My father was a Jazz guitarist who played professionally and who introduced me to your father via the Lawrence Welk show. I'm so grateful that we have a medium like Youtube which provides us a window to the past & who's only limitation lies within our ability to navigate it's universe of infinite possibilities.
1954tele 1 year ago
I heard ; Travis,Atkins,and Garland there. On Wild Dog I heard Django . Neil must have been a real ''student'' of the guitar. Thanks for this video Mark .
billga2007 3 years ago