Tommy Bolin interview

[italianfisher]

high on H as usual

[marciabettany]

Imagine, had he lived, what he probably would've accomplished...

[anonymusum]

pretty arrogant

[notfragile33]

The James Gang "drummer" he is referring to is this Allen Ginsberg "look-alike" (long hair, beard, and college professor glasses), who started the band and whom the band is named for--James Fox (it was "his" Gang!) And yes--he did look like someone who would collect license plates!

[bigkittysmile]

suprised he dis-ed james gang. he did lots of amazing stuff with them. 2 of the best albums of that era, miami and bang.

[TheMichaelseymour]

My hometown ! Damn ! ....was just a bit too young to go to this - i so much wanted to see coverdale and Hughes versions of purple -ah well , i can always watch "california jam" - for the 67th million time !

[az1421]

great job

[gapedhok]

I have a question for the Bolin fans - Tommy's brother had a band that had a song like "Sitting at Your Back Door" or something like that. Sorry for butchering the name of the song, but please respond back so I can search for the band or the name of the song on Google. I have all Tommy's stuff, but am looking for an upload of his bro's band song. Thank you, I haven't heard it since 1984 so the name of the song/band would be cool.

[SlackerSlayer]

@gapedhok You may be thinking of Deep Purples "knockin at your back door".

[misterbill18]

I concur that Tommy B. was very laid back and easy going, but he was not the most gifted of talkers while doing an interview. He does sound spaced out and searching for words at times... A kool guy and decent player, but D.P. was not sounding good live during Bolin's time in the band... WORD!

MR.BILL

[misterbill18]

I dig Bolin as much as anyone, but aside from the good studio effort he did with D.P. in the summer of '75, most of his live stints with the band between 1975 and 1976 were somewhat of a hatchet job to the set list... I don't think drug addiction or booze was as much as a factor in that Bolin simply wasn't all that familiar with the bands older material under Ritchie Blackmore's watch... Bolin seemingly winged it a lot while he was with Purple.... By 1976, the band sounded sloppy...

[cnt7t]

Very, Very interesting! I know Tommy's Brother, Johnnie Bolin. He is also a very cool Guy!

[koowley]

KEEP IT UP what ever you're doing--I hope you do it more-

[Gov502010]

I love Tommy...the producers for "Seinfeld" should give the family royalties for the "Yada Yada"...love it!

[springthecat1]

Gotta respond. I met Tommy in Boulder in 1969 and we became friends. He was always a pretty soft spoken easy going guy. I watched over the years as he got more and more into harder drugs. It was difficult to watch.. BUT..even before his heavy drug days he sounded like he did on the interview. That was him, not the drugs.

[fweekstir]

Thousands and thousands of great musicians. He said it. Yet he was one of them.

They are everywhere. Really cool interview. Laid back junkie. So what. Who was he hurting? Not me.

[Traciiraven]

Incredible Player but whats up with his manner of speech, I guess he really was drugged out of his mind

[SunnyDays951]

Love that a whole new generation are discovering Tommy because of Youtube. Enjoy this genius.

[STRATCAT101]

are there anymore interviews with Tommy?

[JWirtel]

Sweet man....Wish he could have turned the corner...He almost made it...Santana's in town this week...I think of Tommy; he should have had similar career...He and Glenn were in the same league as Jagger/Richards, Rodgers/Ralphs or Bowie/Ronson....I saw Tommy with Mk4 in Miami Feb.76 and the last show in Dec.76....His birthday's around the corner in August...He'd have been 59....Gone too soon...

[TheArbiter74]

I wonder if he" could play the "quadrant 4" guitar solo in this condition?  In my estimation, that was Tommy Bolin's crowning achievement. Go get it, folks- BILLY COBHAM "SPECTRUM(1973): "Quadrant 4" is his masterpiece!

[theonemodifier]

that was a great listen,thx.

-BIG TB fan since the 70's.

[MrListenerman]

Great guy...truely missed...lovely sense of humour..love the number plates explanation..creased me up!...sweet sensitive guy..

[Rixx5637]

Wow, this is priceless!! It's really nice to hear Tommy talking

[033Y03B0VRNE]

very clear and sweet voice especially to a non-english native speaker like I am......just as clear as his guitar... You were You are great. May your God bless You.

[twiggysangelfromhell]

What a beautiful laugh! Can't stop hearing this! Thaaaaaaaaaaanks raibow301!!! I love U Tommy You are THE BEST!

[SunnyDays951]

Up until now I had only heard Tommy's guitar talk. Interesting to hear the Man.

[twiggysangelfromhell]

His voice was so sweet!

[Brucev7]

He doesn't seem strong. Could be the decline to his death in '76. Glamor does not always lead to a long fruitful life. I bet he felt hollow. Peace.

[koki2511]

I have seen him good player as Deep Purple lead guitarist in Japan  20year ago

[dockaiser]

Gettin' Tighter...that's my favourite tune as well..

'Come taste the band'.. what a great album, ..wish I saw that tour...no matter the gossip around those shows... Tommy was best...

[TheJetfighter666]

@dockaiser Saw this tour at Radio City.The band were on that night. I had never heard bad things about the tour but i was young.Nazareth opened for them and John Bonham introduced the band.He was so drunk they had to yank him off the stage. I met everyone at the stage door and hung with Bonham and Purple. Great night.Dave Wyndorf was with me.

[dockaiser]

@TheJetfighter666 Man I envy you. What a night.

I once got behind the stage door and met Robert Plant backstage. That was great.

Yeah those were the days....

[TheJetfighter666]

@dockaiser Now that's cool! Yea, Those were the days! Now that i've got your ear,.Bonham refused to sign my Deep Purple poster.Not even the back!He kept yelling at my friend to put a jacket on because it was cold.The whole thing lasted about 5 mins.I then asked "How about a blank sheet of paper? Absolutely not! .Before they yanked him offstage he was ranting about Led Zeppelin."Yes Purple have been away too long" ,"But there is another band who have also been away too long" OUT CAME THE CANE !

[UliJones]

If you listen to Comin' Home on the album you'll notice that there's no bass guitar! The reason being; Glenn Hughes was in hospital being treated for cocaine addiction. Maybe that's why Tommy Bolin's being a bit cagey about this song!

[wwahc1964]

It's got plenty of bass guitar.What are you listening to?It's just not Glenn,it's Tommy, who also does the backing vocals.

[pb4ueat1]

Bass or no bass...Comin home is the best song on Come taste the band...especially Tommys guitar solo on it.....rip Tommy.

[crazydavedisco]

Ulijones - You need to buy a decent sound system if you think there's no bass on "comin home" or get some ear buds and clean you fuc**ng ears out!

[bayridgedave]

Go to ebay and search for

"Tommy Bolin Four Photo set"

Awesome pics of Tommy!

[4JayeP]

So talented. What a loss.

[TheOnkelremus]

great interview,thanks. I must say that after 36 years I rediscovered "this weekend"T B.

What a great future he had in the music Industry,

to bad its a shame ,damm drugs it really makes me mad..

[60spastlife]

What a cool guy.

[dertrommler54]

Sorry to hear this, but that has what WTF to do with Tommy ???

[ACunningham2112]

When one`s opinion in one`s opinion becomes fact, then one is in danger of becoming a pompous twat!

[ABQBLUE]

Apparently advanced scorbutus has set in and the suppurating wounds are affecting your eyes as well as your TEEFS. Nobody ever mentioned the words "just an American thing". Listen to Tommy Bolin @ 01:00 >of this clip. P.S. LEMMY IS GOD!!! And you dear sir are a swelled up like a dog tick mucopurulent.!!! Rotate it MOFO...

[Ironclawz]

What? Scurvy? How the heck does Tommy Bolin have scurvy in this interview?..

[ABQBLUE]

Tommy Boiin was Magnificent! The "scorbutus" reply was in response to 3 musically RETARDED IGNORAMUSES. ACunningham2112, holydiver73 & MagnusLindblOOm. Rotate it MOFO'S

[dertrommler54]

Hmmmm...Lemmy not only isn't god, I think he'd crack you with his walker for that remark. He's Satan Lite...1/3 less talent, but all the volume of the great players ( like Mel Schacher, Roger Glover, Michael Anthony ) Lemmy is bad assed, but not bad enough. Puleese.....

[ABQBLUE]

Listen to this clip here! 01:11, 01:18, 01:36. Mucopurulent!

[holydiver73]

You Yanks are right, Rock & Roll is just an American thing & England hasn't really produced any bands of distinction. Oh, unless you include: Cliff & The Shadows, The Beatles, The Stone's, The Who. Cream, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, Yes, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Wishbone Ash, Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Def Leppard, Motorhead, Pink Floyd, Rainbow, Queen, Uriah Heep, Camel, Caravan, Asia, Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Shall I continue, or r u yanks properly humbled? P.S Hendrix was ours too

[tarasbooty]

You forgot T. Rex Bowie Elton and Foghat lol

[ufohighlights71]

Nice that your name is after an American Heavy Metal album.

[MotleyCruerule92]

Yer Britain contributed so much to Rock & Roll. Especialy Heavy metal and Hard rock. (NWOBHM)

[baggiewon]

the amount of things you don't know would fill the albert hall

[MagnusLindblOOm]

Or is people like you who stink it up? I just claimed that I think the best rock bands are from England. Relax dude and let people make up their own opinions about music. I have my opinion and you have yours.

[ABQBLUE]

Opinion? Relax... I was stating a FACT wanker!. You know what they say about opinins? Now, Go BORE the world with another F#9/13 Aug.

[MagnusLindblOOm]

Peace and love, brother. I wish you a great weekend

[MagnusLindblOOm]

The best rock bands are from england. Thats just the way it is.

[leadchick]

some,brother,some,,there is no best,,only different,thanks for robbing all the black american blues players tho', clapton ,page,beck,yeah that was their idea,see 'robert johnson'

[MagnusLindblOOm]

I didn´t know that Robert Johnson played in a rock band=)

[STRATCAT101]

He didn't, but Johnson paved the way for rock.Rock'n'roll didn't just appear from nowhere.

[baggiewon]

god i love that dry british humour magnut,that's just the way it's not

[ABQBLUE]

Rock n Roll (jazz,blues,country and all points in between) is American. FACT! What would Kooymans, Page, Beck, May, D Reinhardt, Gallagher or the Young brothers say? Music is not a contest. But People like you really stink it up. Cheerio!!!

[baggiewon]

that eat shit is for holydiver,like the brits did'nt steal every lick from us,blackmore bores me,clapton too,bitch

[JWirtel]

What a loss...Think about him all the time..

[holydiver73]

He wasn't enthused to be in an English band? We English weren't overly enthused to have him there. Someone so stoned that they couldn't play on tour? That to me is pretty sterile,

[baggiewon]

eat shit

[MagnusLindblOOm]

Very true, what a show off.

[sleazyweaz]

Jeez he said "Yada, yada" years before it was heard on Seinfeld..

[campfireson]

tommy was my cuzzin

[pegleyjr]

Norma Bell and Tommy woulda been a good team. She pretty much dropped out of the major leagues after Tommy's death, as far as rock music, anyway, unfortunately.

[threetonesb]

Great!

[stratdem]

a fantastic guitarist

[maghole]

altough I am not too fond of deep purple mkIV, its very interesting to hear what tommy bolin has to say here..a very great guitarist, but i dont think he was the right man for purple, but i love his solo stuff!

[pegleyjr]

But it's very cool still, that he (Bolin) blazed his way through some major bands. Come Taste The Band is a good Purple record I think. And Tommy revitalized the James Gang.

[kuklinski987]

super

[mustaba1234]

Winners don't use drugs.

[dockaiser]

never heard their music, what's it like ?

[tomitstube]

Cool, first time I've ever heard Tommy talk. Seems straight to me. I remember wearing out Teaser. Amazing the numbers of projects and music he did in just 25 years. What a talent. Cool post.

[Snackyehb]

Tommy is the bomb and I've loved him for years - been to his grave in Sioux City

[Luciddreamer007]

i hear people still make pilmagridges to his Mommas house in Texas

[BrimptonFopp]

I liked Tommy...

[fezzappa]

i saw tommy at a small club in long island ny- called my fathers place.was a great place to see a show...tommy was fucked up as usual sniffing throughout the set....asked us if we had any coke....he was kind of joking,but he kind of meant it...he died weeks after that show-....also saw him with purple. he really could play guitar,but alot of people compared him to blackmore,which wasn't fair-

[angie48073]

he collected license plates! lmao

[rockguitargod58]

Excellent

[GreatBands76]

Great Musician

[77Walker77]

Tommy Bolin, was only 24 when he passed away. It was the shamest loss, that music of his was extremely the best of all.

[fcm949]

Great historical interview.

I was at this Deep Purple concert and Tommy Bolin was great. All the band was having fun on stage and smiling especially when Coverdale slipped over and split his pants!

They played all of the Come Taste The Band album except for Coming Home.

Totally different to the Blackmore days but musically valid.

Wonder if anyone has the video interview Tommy Bolin did in his dressing gown for Donnie Sutherland's Sounds TV show in Sydney?

[gandlbass]

I was lucky enough to see Tommy with the band Zephyr around 1970-1971 in Scottsdale,AZ. He had Candy Givens who was the female front lady who could whail on the harmonica and sang like Janis joplin. Was one hell of a show!!Not many guitarist could play like that back then.

[Barsooms]

It doesn't get any more flawless than his work on Spectrum. Every note, every second, every sound. I have yet to hear another guitarist accomplish such a thing. Never as consistently flawless on an album as Bolin was on that.

[kingofthedeep]

Michael Schenkers "Force It" with UFO

[GreenBayLA]

True that. All 6 albums from that period shine, capped off with the classic live Strangers in the Night.

[kingofthedeep]

yes

[GreenBayLA]

His voice sounds a bit like John Frusciante of the Chili Peps

[Satcurator]

yes Frusciante reminds me at him a lot!!

[hibeeOz]

Come Taste = #1 underrated Purple LP of all time, sheer sex on legs

RIP Tommy

[ExtremistaRojo]

after Hendrix, Bolin was the best guitarist ever, no doubt about it

[Barsooms]

That is the exactly correct beginning order in the top ten. Who is after Bolin..? It gets tricky doesn't it. ;)

Clapton, Allman, Vaughn, Santana??? Beck, Maybe John McLaughlin is on the list?? Even though he's not a great soloist.. I don't know, hit me up

[apanokato]

Alvin Lee.

[greggcat]

When i was 15 years old, i heard Tommy Bolin playing Wild Dogs and to this day i have never heard a better guitarist. I am a guitarist myself, people say i can hold my own well. Even though Tommy physically left this world in 1976 his music continues to inspire me to grow as a guitarist. Along with all others i can never seem to catch up with to him.

I love Tommy Bolin.

Gregg Catanzaro

[anelizk8]

When I think of the slew of tragic untimely rock-n-roll deaths I find Tommy Bolin's one of the most sad. In my opinion this guy truly had it all: incredible guitar-playing talent, a sexy voice, looks, & a real charisma. The saddest aspect was he was just shy of attaining true stardom.

[ricorreze]

he was an incredible song writer. he wrote almost every tune on come taste the band.

[stevieVantanna]

correction: *strat not srat

[stevieVantanna]

Off topic...I don't care what anyone says-if you wear your srat that low your compromising a lot of technique. I guess that was the thing to do-as long as you don't have a beer gut or something.

[witchman1]

jess redmon was a runner up to the DP gig btw.

[Jurwelo]

Thank you.That was great interwiev.I like Bolins music very mucth.Great songwriter who past away mutch too early.

[Circuit7Active]

The first Zephyr album was still Tommy's best work.

[PED51]

Couldn't have been long after this he died, 1976 ?

[ottowes]

12-4-76, a litle over a year later. His longtime friend and bodyguard had recently died under mysterious circumstances (he fell or was pushed down an elevator shaft). Tommy's death is mysterious, too. RIP Tommy

[wonderfulhuman161]

Cool interview, and alot of insight what was going on at the time in Tommy's musical life. R.I.P. Tommy

[pegleyjr]

I didn't really hear Blackmore being slammed. I don't play guitar, but I'm very familiar with the work of both players and enjoy them both. Bolin was a speed demon (talking about his playing), very flashy. If his life hadn't crashed and he had stuck with Purple and his solo projects, well, who knows? Blow your cookies!! Great to hear this. Yeah, Private Eyes was somewhat somber, but god, the second half of "Post Toastee!" Private Eyes deserves the deluxe treatment!!!

[thingplate]

YA KNOW he was the shit!!!!

[barrfmen]

The interviewer is a complete MORON!!!! No one played with more emotion than Blackmore, plus he didn't DIE from drug use, HELLOW!! Bolin was a great natural talent, but NO comparison to Blackmore.

[slycordinator]

The interview is a moron for not knowing that Bolin would later die of drugs? And when did he say Ritchie didn't play with emotion? Saying Ritchie played kinda introverted isn't saying he didn't use emotion. Both are on their own level.

[cuxca]

jo walsh would have been a good replacement.excellent guitarist

[jh7260]

Sounds like a nice sensible chap....shows what drugs do.Great guitar player,ive got his solo albums ..strange choice for Purple though.

[Telegramsam71]

He comes across as an intelligent young man who loves playing music. Teaser is his best. Come Taste The Band is pretty good too. His signature guitar playing is all over the album.

Tommy could play it all, even fusion. It makes you wonder what he would have come out with if he hadn't died so young. Sadly, his last effort, Private Eyes, is decent but has a dark feel to it.