Category Archives: Guitars

Lick No.1: Peter Haycock, “Rollin’ Home”

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If you have not listened to The Climax Blues Band before, then you are in for a treat. Whilst they had just one song that would classify as a 'hit', "Couldn't Get It Right", they crafted a string of excellent albums, and, in the late '70s and early '80s, seemed on the verge of breaking into the big time.

Peter Haycock, who very sadly died at a young age just a few years ago, was a gifted guitarist. Apart from his brilliant playing, he will probably also be remembered for his Veleno guitars, those all-aluminium creations of John Veleno. Several of Pete's were gold-plated, which presumably is what inspired the title of their excellent 1976 album...'Gold Plated'.

Apart from "Couldn't Get It Right", the album features some excellent tunes with terrific blues guitar work, such as "Mighty Fire" and "Rollin' Home", from which I chose my 'Tasty Blues Lick' No.1. The lick comes just into the second verse, straight after Pete sings that memorable line, "...sometimes I feel like a monkey". We could call it the 'monkey lick', I suppose, but whether we do or not, it's a beauty.

Check out the instructional video I've posted on YouTube HERE or by clicking the "Tasty Blues Lick" image below, where I break it down. And if you haven't already got 'Gold Plated', treat yourself to a copy on CD or vinyl. You'll be doing yourself a big favour, and, if you buy it via one of my links, you'll be helping to support the site and the free guitar lessons 🙂 because for each sale from a link, a small commission will be generated - at no extra cost to you.  You'll find both UK and USA links to buy the album, HERE.

Enjoy the Monkey Lick and the rest of Pete Haycock's wonderful guitar playing.

‘Hideaway’, first video on the YouTube channel

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I've just uploaded the first cover video (scroll down) to my new YouTube channel. That old favourite, 'Hideaway'. I've also listed five of nine video lessons that break the tune down. I'll get the remaining four done and up as soon as I can.

This tune is packed full of great techniques for the blues and blues-rock guitarist. Eric is in total control of his guitar. His phrasing, bends and timing are immaculate. For anyone wanting to play this style of guitar, a study of this piece is essential.

It was recorded in March of 1966 in one of Decca's London studios, one of twelve tracks on the classic album, John Mayall. Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton. For this recording, Eric was playing his sunburst Les Paul Standard through a 30w Marshall combo.

That famous guitar was stolen not longer after the album was recorded, at a very early rehearsal of The Cream.  It is has never been seen since, although there have been claims in the music press that its whereabouts is known.  I have never heard anything reliable myself, but I would love for it to surface again.

There has been some debate on whether or not Eric was using a Rangemaster Treble Booster on the recording. The consensus opinion appears to be 'no', but there are a few parts on the album that do make me wonder. The distorted solo on 'All Your Love', for example.  Could that be the Rangemaster, or is it all just the Marshall combo turned up to full volume?  

Once the album was released, the die was set and the electric guitar would never be the same again. Countless players from Eddie Van Halen and Bernie Marsden to Gary Moore and Billy Gibbons, have all been quoted as saying how great an influence this album had on them. I can well remember hearing it for the first time myself, many decades ago.

Hideaway is one of the best pieces on the album, one of two great instrumentals that showcased Eric's talent, the other being 'Steppin' Out', which I will be covering and breaking down in a future video. Â