Alvin Lee - English vocalist, songwriter and guitarist, whose unique style of performance entwined blues, jazz and rock 'n' roll - has immortalized his name by an explosive speech at Woodstock in the 'Ten Years After'.
But until now legendary musician never ceases to amaze listeners the depth of his talent.
Graham '
Alvin' Lee was born on Dec. 19, 1944 in Nottingham, England.
One of the brightest impressions of post-war childhood memories of a musician, was a collection of records of his parents - a great admirer of country music, blues and jazz.
So the music he will join long before they realized what it was, and what role IT will play in his life.
When the younger Lee was 12 years old, his father asked him if he wants to find a good use and learn how to play any musical instrument.
Alvin, do not hesitate to choose the clarinet. But after a year of study changes it on the acoustic jazz guitar with a rosette in the form of the English letter 'f' (legend, . that this decision was influenced by a meeting with the then famous Big Bill Brunzi) and all subsequent year taking lessons, . where he met with the records of American bluesmen - John Lee Hooker, . Muddy Waters and others,
. For acoustics with 'efami', . by
Alvin rigged pickup, . followed by several other instruments: 'Guytone' with transparent sensors, . semi-acoustic 'Grimshaw', . 'Burns', . as well as the notorious 'gibsonovskaya' model, . bought in 1963 was for 45 pounds - 'ES335',
. As you know, 'Gibson ES335' color 'Red Cherry' defined signature sound musician
. - Reason, . on which my instrument up to now all the old labels, . - Says
Alvin Lee, . - As follows: one split head vulture, . and when I received the guitar after repair, . imagine - stickers were covered with varnish! 335-I model is still my favorite model ..,
.
'ES' stands for 'Electric Spanish'. This is the first semi-acoustic guitar, released in 1958, the. The red color it has acquired in the 60's. In 1962, inlay on the neck in the form of points was replaced by small blocks. With this tool, inlaid with dots and fitted with a vibrato system bigsby,
Alvin Lee was captured on video vudstokskom.
On the other guitar - the successor model 'ES345' -
Alvin's photograph can be seen on the cover of the album 'Space In Time'. Distinctive feature of the tool - sloping double markers on the fingerboard in the form of twin blocks. In addition, it is equipped with 6-position vari-tone switch and stereo output. Also, from time to time in the studio used 'Hofner Sennator'. Currently, the collection consists of 9 musicians guitars 335-th model. By the above, remains to add that to the directory 'Heritage' has a nominal model
Alvin Lee.
But back to our hero ... Not surprisingly, once at the Nottingham lad noticed. Once he was invited to the local composition 'Atomites', where
Alvin met with bassist Leo Lines, which in future will be his colleague at the legendary 'Ten Years After'. This was followed by a series of changes. 'Atomites', taking the vocalist Eyvana (or in Russian - Ivan) Jay, become 'Ivan Jay & The Jaymen'. Then - 'The Jaycats', after - 'The Jaybirds'. It was under the last 'sign' team wins back the so-called 'Saturday Night And Sunday Morning' - a series of concerts at a London theater, which lasts 6 weeks and allow for example 'Beatles' to go on tour in Hamburg. It was here that
Alvin Lee and undertakes execution of all vocal.
On his return home group has been acting in his native Nottingham, and in the wake of this success goes to London. However, almost giving the ends of hunger, the musicians returned back. It was only in 1966, settled once again move into the capital of foggy Albion, where they find work as a warming up of the pop group 'Ivy League', whose Road Manager - Chick Churchill - keyboards becoming 'The Jaybirds'.
In November, signed a contract with manager Chris Wright. In search of a new, . modern 'signs' nottingemtsy first act as a 'Blues Trip', . one concert in London club 'Marquee' with the 'Bonzo Dog Band' - as 'Blues Yard' and, . eventually, . stop the choice on 'Ten Years After' ( 'Ten Years Later'),
. The name is probably inspired by the novels of Dumas' Musketeer. Place on drums is Rick Lee.
Brilliant performances in the club 'Marquee' (where the group has received a residence permit), as well as the jazz festival in Windsor have the desired result - a contract with the label 'Deram'. Another firm - 'Decca' - a well-known fact that in his time proshlyapila the Beatles and then biting his elbows, turned to the 'Ten Years After', to put it mildly, the rear part of. In October, on the shelves of shops around the self-titled debut album.
'Ten years later,' become a legend of the sixties. During the period of existence - until 1974 - the band released 12 full-length album, . became the first rock group, . invited to speak at the Newport Jazz Festival, . and also gave a concert at the well-known festival of music and the arts in Woodstock,
.
After the collapse of the command
Alvin Lee began his solo career as part of projects such as '
Alvin Lee & Co.', 'The
Alvin Lee Band' and 'Ten Years Later'. Several times he collects 'Ten Years After' in the original composition. Here and now will have another reunion. And this means that we have no choice but to put on the spot fat comma ...
ALVIN LEE tells about himself 
