Thanks for showing my great uncle some love. He was also tragically murdered in prison. And contrary to what the pigs say he didn’t kill himself

Others, have already said; but the amounts of anger and sadness he wrenches, from his guitar parts...is absolutely incredible. It's a sad, and very angry song...Roy does it true justice!

I lived in a house years ago and found a cassette tape in a drawer that was left by the previous renter. It wasn't labeled so I had no idea who it was. I listened to it for years without knowing until one day I figured it out. Still one of the most unique and underappreciated guitarists ever.

Took a short hunt. The band members are John Harrison on bass, Byrd Foster on drums, and Malcolm Lukens on keys

What a legend. Guess I'm going down a Roy Buchanan rabbit hole for the rest of the day.

I'm sure the question has been answered multiple times, but the B3 player is my buddy Malcom Lukens, who I've been privileged to play with a bunch years ago. Yes, he is terrifyingly good.

Roy was a master at using the volume knob to get a lot of the swells and fade.

Greatest guitar master no one ever heard of. Been on my playlist since 75.

The most underrated electric guitarist ever. Jeff Beck took notice. Pretty much zero effects all finger manipulation. Could watch him for hours!

I'm in my 60's. I grew up with a '68 Telecaster and idolized Roy Buchanan! One of my biggest regrets is not seeing him live! So...tread lightly in critiqing him! You did great! Loved your review. Keep it coming. Even with my "advanced" age I'm learning guitar like crazy! Thanks to you and other online help! Michael, keep 'em coming!

First time I heard Roy Buchanan was in the late '80s, late night when I couldn't sleep and was channel surfing on cable. I hit a video of him doing "When a Guitar Plays the Blues", jumped at least six feet in the air from a sitting position and watched the rest of the video crouched on the back of my chair. Luckily, they flashed who it was and what song at the end. Morning came and I marched into my local record store with it all written down so I wouldn't forget and told them, "I want this album! If you don't have it in, order it!." I had never heard this particular song by him before today, but even having an idea what to expect I still was blown away! Thank you for reacting to this. You have made my day!

ROY BUCHANAN - the best guitarist you never heard - had more effects in his fingers than anyone who came after with a bank full of pedals.

i physically cannot listen to this particular roy buchanan song without crying my damn eyes out! even with mike stopping the video its just destructive to my soul. songs and performances as this stand to be the very reason i'm a musician and still breathing in order to type this very comment. jusy.....WOW!

according to Discogs, Bass - John Harrison; Drums - Byrd Foster*; Guitar, Vocals - Roy Buchanan; Organ - Malcolm Lukens

Roy's one of the best, his volume swell technique, was revolutionary, not to mention this being the best cover of this song...ever

Roy Buchanan was/is one of Jeff Beck's favorite guitar players. If you listen to Mr Beck's playing. You will hear "a lot" of Mr. Buchanan's influence all over the place!! Thanx for the break down. I hope you have an opportunity to feature more of Mr Buchanan's playing!

hey heart drops when he starts playing. This song is apart of my dna. he kills it

Roy Buchanan does an outstanding version of Down By The River!

Roy threw his ol tele in my lap one nite and said, hit me a lick...we traded teles for a song..😮 the action was extremely...high..soft not mushy tho..had a bounce as i recall....a treasured memory...

He said, “I put her six feet under the ground.” His version of drowning on dry land is the best too.

Roy is one of the few guitarists I know of to not have a stank face when he's shredding.

Malcolm Lukens is on keys as other commenters stated. He also played on Roy's magnum opus Live Stock album in '74.

Love seeing someone shining more light on Roy. His incarceration limited his exposure. Such a beast.

Roy was one of my first guitar heroes. Found him in 1972 with his first album. Saw him live twice. Absolutely magical with a Telecaster. Tone and rhythmic sense were exemplary.

Roy Buchanan was a badass. Nice to see you get players appreciate him.

Michael - thanks for doing a breakdown on Roy - one of my favorites and a real monster! And thanks for everything you point out about band dynamics in all the performances! Roy was really big and a regular in the DC-Baltimore area for a long time many years ago. I read that someone told Roy that Jimi was doing what was basically Roy’s arrangement of Hey Joe, so Roy took himself down to see Jimi and check it out before Roy’s show later that night. Roy was blown away but dismayed, and remarked that Jimi was using all kinds of effects to do what Roy did just with fingers, a Tele, and a cranked amp. At his show later that night, Roy added a snippet of Purple Haze to the end of his Hey Joe performance. Roy was a member of Dale Hawkins’ band (Suzy Q) and was stolen away by Dale’s brother Ronnie to play with Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks - and to help polish a young Robbie Robertson. Robbie has said that he learned pinch harmonics (or as Roy called them:”squealers”) from Roy. I’ve always loved Roy’s tone and sound and learned that Roy’s Tele had pickups manufactured by a guy named Bill Lawrence. I naturally wanted a set of those pickups, so I looked it up and called - a real mom and pop venture. Spoke to Bill Lawrence’s wife on the phone, told her what sound I wanted, and she told me that Roy’s Tele was actually owned by Bill, who had permanently “loaned” it to Roy. I bought the pickups and they came with a schematic hand drawn by Bill for how to wire them with a 5-way switch and a note to call him about how to wire it properly. Those pickups sound SOOO sweet. A note on Bill Lawrence: he worked with Leo Fender from the get-go, and then went out on his own. It’s been said that Bill was instrumental in starting the replacement pickup business. Thanks again for all you do - for your channel and for being an amazingly great person with an obvious love of music and teaching guitar.

The keyboard player’s name is Malcolm Lukens. I knew him when he later moved to San Diego area, fantastic keyboard player! We jammed together a few times. 👌👍

The magic of Roy Buchanon is unmatched ! He always marched to the beat of his own drum . Sadly missed and taken too soon , He was his own master of tone and taste !

Michael, I and a rowdy bunch were at an old theatre in Memphis, we were throwing bottles, screaming, drunk, some of the ladies were topless, you get the picture.......this guy walks out and picks up his guitar, limbers up and absolutely wears out that ax in one of the finest displays I have ever had the privilege to witness! When he was finished....................you could hear a pin drop, I never have witnessed that again in over 50 years! He said hello, my name is Roy Buchanan.

I just want to say how happy I am to have found someone who can express and appreciate the true pleasures of sounds. God bless you! And I love how you always find these gems and go over them. Rock on brother!

Roy was my original guitar hero when I was first learning electric guitar. Fly Night Bird is one of my favorite songs...starts off slow but as he gets into it, it is like he is tearing out your guts...in a good way.

I was lucky enough to see Roy twice in a small club when he was signed to Alligator Records back in the mid-80s. I've seem many of the rock guitar gods (Beck, Page, Clapton, SRV, Santana, Gatton, etc.) but he was the only guy to literally send chills down my spine. One of the favorite quotes from Roy was when someone asked him how looked so calm but played with such fire. He replied "Because I'm screaming on the inside".

You're correct, Roy's control over his tone and bends was unique. His pinky finger technique on tone/volume knobs was also seldom if ever seen used like he does. In concert, he was mesmerizing, nay, astounding! On at least one of his top to bottom runs he starts behind the bridge! One thing that impressed me was how stoic he was while he made such emotional sound.

I've always dug Roy since I found him in the '70's, when I heard this song. . Probably one my first influences on guitar, but one thing always puzzled me. How can you play with such drive and passion and intensity, and not show any of it. He looks like he'd be cold as ice in a plummeting airplane! A true enigma!!

I had a beer with Roy once. It was before his set at the Lone Star Café in NYC, upstairs. I was at a bar up there that was empty and he sat next to me to drink his beer before walking downstairs to go on stage. He didn't know we were drinking together, but I'm counting it. And, from the 'why oh why couldn't I have been there' file, Roy played with Pink Floyd in a bar in Australia when their paths crossed while on tour in 1988. Can you imagine? Roy and Gilmour playing the blues.

Do Danny Gatton next! They lived remarkably similar lives down to the bitter end. And they’re from the DMV area like you.

Saw Roy live three times at the Cleveland Agora late 70's. Amazing show and amazing band each time.

Roy really paved the road for many players, its sad he lost steam towards the end (depression, drugs, alcohol, bad relationships?) cant really say for sure, but the dude was a lightning bolt for guitar. His gospel chops were next level, the guy knew so much but only fragments are reflected in performances. In the 70s, everyone wanted Roy on their record and recognized him as the type of musicians musician that had all the cred, like Jeff Beck became. Rest in power to a great. A Danny Gatton vid would be a fitting video next

God, he was GREAT. He had fantastic control and feel

Saw Roy in a bar years ago in Geneva. He created sounds never heard by the human ear prior

I wasn't around in the 70's. As a teen in the 90's Gary Moore was my hero. I found Roy via Gary. Listen to the both of them playing "The Messiah will come" and you'll hear a beautiful straight line from one to the other. Stunning!

Love Roy. Saw him live once in the 70's. I've been listening a lot to him lately, the ACL album, and fiddling with Soul Dressing. The range of his dynamics is phenomenal.

I watch this video almost every day. His volume swells are unreal and his voicings are like a story

Thank you James for bringing forward the best ever version of the song. Absolutely legendary performance. Who doesn't know this is secretly missing something in life.

Saw him twice in Jackson Tn. He was so cool & relaxed playing his telecaster. He reminded me of a magician making those sounds.

I wish the young players who are discovering Roy would have had the chance to see him live because he really shone in small clubs RIP Roy

Saw Roy 1988 Guilford Fairgrounds, Guilford Ct. Best guitarist EVER!

When I first started playing guitar I latched on to all the known greats (late 90's), from rock (Slash), to classic-psych (Gilmour), to virtuoso (Satch, Yngwie). My particular favorite, and whom I defended as "the greatest" was Steve Vai. One night I was debating these guitar-gods with a highschool friend and her dad overheard me railing how Vai was just the best, period. "Play him some Roy Buchanan" I overheard him say into the phone. This was the song she played. I literally held the phone away from my ear, mouth agape. I'd never heard anything like it before. Still gets me.

My dad ran the mixer and played bass at times for Roy. I had the honor to introduce him TWICE at the Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh in the 70's as a young kid. My introduction, per Roy, was " And now, ladies and gentlemen, the greatest fake artist in music, Roy Buchanon:"

Had no idea who this guy was when I saw him open for Johnny Winter in 85. Absolutely amazing double bill show. He followed up with a couple of fantastic albums after that. He taught me the trick that when you play slide running out of frets on the neck doesn't matter I'm sure it's out there where he will slide all the way to the bridge. I stood there 10 feet from him and was just stunned at what was happening.

Some of the stuff Roy did on the album, "Loading Zone" was flat out mind-boggling. I saw him at the legendary Armidillo World Headquarters in Austin...late 70's...God bless his soul

Would like to see a reaction to Frank Marino , and his outstanding dvd album with the song , something comin our Way 👍

I heard him do this live at CMU gymnasium, in Pittsburgh, April '75, with the band from the "Livestock", "That's What I Am Here For" albums, Billy Price on vocals. Fantastic. And deafeningly LOUD. "The Messiah Will Come Again" and "My Baby (Says She's Gonna Leave Me)", were INTENSE. Like Hendrix, we will never see another like Buchanan.

Probably the greatest guitar ever I lost my hearing to him in Austin in 78 or 79 because it was so good I went up and stood next to a wall of speakers

My favorite song ever. 2 versions are always in my top 5 on Spotify: the hendrix studio version and this version. Ive played it almost every day on guitar for 5 years now; it was the first song I ever learned. Thanks for the video.

The all time master of swells.

Badass. There’s no other word for it. Just absolutely badass.

I saw Roy Buchanan in Dallas in the 70's. It was the first concert I ever went to where everyone stood the entire time. Not out of raucous partying, but in stunned silence at this guitar virtuoso with amazing, and unique skill.

Roy. I remember the first time I heard him play this - on an FM radio station, back in the early 70s. Bunch of us hanging around, having a good time. When this came on, the whole room stopped and got silent. Mesmerized. And yeah, I favor Buchanan over Hendrix on this. The man was soooo good, and he made it look soooo easy.

He was one of the greats who battled a lot of demons as they say, and you can feel it in his playing. I bought one of his last albums on vinyl back in the early 80s, and was blown away! A real player man.✌🏻🎸🎶

Tremendous clip. Saw Roy 2 times in the 70’s. Thought about throwing my guitar out the window. Thanks

I've listened in utter amazement of this bands tightness and a Most Amazing improvisual guitarist I happened across about 10 years ago only to find out he died years ago and just so absorbed in his style an a real Master of the Stratocaster I be ever heard as Gary Moore was another I followed w John Mayall and when Gary was in Thin Lizzy w Ray Lizzotte , RIP to all these amazing Icons! Life without music is WASTED !!! LUV THIS GUITAR INSTRUCTOR DIGGING THE TSLENTS ON STAGE FOR THIS PERFORMANCE, ONE OF MY FAVORITE UNPLUGGED STYLE WAY BEFORE ITS TIME ! SO DIG THIS STUFF !!!

He said, “I put her six feet under the ground”. Great channel, man. Love your stuff.

So good to see Roy Buchanan getting a bit more mainstream attention. The guy is a monster player, among monster players. When Jeff Beck cites Roy as his hero, that says it all.

Met Roy and the band in Cinti, nearly 50 years ago... drove them from their hotel to a gig at UC, cool dudes, great sound check and show as I remember. He sat up front, kept jivin me to light one up... take the edge off. :

Nice.... I got to see Roy play a few times in Dallas Texas back around 1984-85. He used to play in a bar called, Poor Davids. I think....! It was a great club where anyone would show up. Including Willie Nelson, Tom Waits and who knows who else. I was a contractor working in Dallas at the time and when I saw Roy the first time I didn't know much about him. He was pretty drunk the first time I saw him. But he played his ass off. I was blown away. And used to have a couple of his records. Thanks for the video on Roy. Well done. Now I am pulling out my 56 Tele and getting me some jam going on....

Hahaha mr palmisano, I’m glad you’re listening and I’m loving the ( WHAT THE??) Expression on your face.

This guy.... Roy, I mean.... he was pretty amazing. Those first volume swells were spine-chilling to hear w/o seeing his hands. Like omg, that is scary and creepy. His pitch control on those bends were great. Also, nice commentary! You clearly have good musical and guitar knowledge and the respect for Roy's ability was clearly evident in your reactions. I still stay amazed when I hear great players. They spent their lives playing, unlike today where most teens spend their lives texting. Good job, Michael.

After watching a mess of your videos, I'm blown away. You and the guitar are one. Your knowledge of the git and how it's played, as far as I'm concerned, are unsurpassed. I've watched a lot of videos. Known a lot of guitarists. You RULE, hands down, dialed in. Subscribed. Dig the reaction videos. Been plicking, plucking and pulling self taught for a year short of 50. It's time to take some lessons. Cuz I'm getting tired of Mel Bays Buffalo Girls and smoke on the water.

Thanks for this breakdown on Roy Buchanan. Three of my favorite guitarists are Albert King, SRV, and Jimi Hendrix. I hear all three when Roy plays, the dude was a beast on guitar.

I learn SO much from these videos Michael! Thanks also to Guitargate members who bring some of this stuff to our attention.

I was blessed to see Roy many times..Id have to pock my jaw off the floor so many times..one thing about Roy was he was double jointed in his fingers..I think it was in the Alligator records documentary with Mr.Albert Collins and Lonnie Mack...Roy is greatly missed.

I love how the piano/keyboard just jumps with it and keeps a good side by side helping carrying of notes and some great follow ups and leads, and the subtle bass that ramps up with the drums, they are insanely skilled in terms of feel for the music. This must have been one hell of a concert. While its not Hendrix its really Hendrix essence

I was lucky enough to see him 6 or 7 times during the 80's, he played a twin reverb "cranked"

Roy was doing pinch harmonics early on in his playing, as well as creating the wah effect with his tone knob...& u can see his incredible control & use of the volume knob. Not well known to the public, but many guitar players from the 60s thru 80s cited him as an influence.

The most incredible song played by the ultimate master of the guitar who ‘got your attention.’

Thats Malcom Lukens on keyboards, I used to hear them all the time, I'm from the Washington DC area. Mind blowing every show!

Saw Roy in Cambridge, Ma 1973...I was the only person not jumping up and down and praising Roy,,,He looked at me and knew I felt his music deeply with my slow silent clapping....a Vietnam Veteran..and only Jimi Hendrix could touch me similarly on a level inexpressable. I just happened to show Roy's version of Hey Joe earlier today....amen

Awesome reaction - such a great track, such a great musician. RIP Roy - you are truly missed!! (long time fan)

1971 PBS story Introducing Roy Buchanan the Greatest Unknown Guitarist in the world. it's on youtube

You have to do Roy Buchanan Fly Night Bird. Once you get past the ethereal intro he comes in hard with his guitar. I feel pain like he is tearing my guts out of my body.

Great how you always listen to the music in context of the band. It was this very performance that let me buy the music. I advise all your fans to do the same!

Roy was bad ass He never knew how great he really was

Glad Roy Buchannon is getting recognition! I've been a fan for 40 years.

I went through a huge Roy phase back in the late 80's. His licks are very clean , which is what stands out for me. Please consider reviewing some of Vini Reilly's music with The Durutti Column. The Missing Boy is a great live video. But a great example of how well he can play is Demo for Gathering Dust. Like your reviews, keep up the good work.

I've been blessed to see him live on two separate occasions once in the late sixties and in the mid seventies at keystone Berkley and keystone Palo alto CA, him and Danny Gatlin are both the kings of the telecaster. Roy did the greatest version of hey joe I've ever heard at the Palo alto concert and I was sitting 5 foot in front of him through the whole gig. PBS did an excellent documentary on his 1st return to gigging. His problems with living tore at his soul and sadly he surrendered to the pain and ended his own life. I cried.

Malcolm Lukens is the organist!

When you think of the Telecaster, you think Roy. I love The Iceman (Albert Collins) too. There are others that are great, too many to name. Roy was unique, he could make his Tele sound like a screaming demon all the way to as smooth as a pedal steel guitar. He was before the greats we all enjoy and doing his tricks way before them. Great reaction and analysis, Roy never got the credit he deserved.

Love how he aimed the Vibrolux at people behind the stage! Everything on 10! Badass 4 sure1

roy buchanan .....album A STREET CALLED STRAIGHT ,,,,killer album

FINALLY!! ive been hoping youd check out one of his vids for a long time!

that whisper is put her 6 feet under ground haha idk I never heard of this guy but im in love this is my kinda style! I love playing like this

Love this video! One thing to pick up on with Roy is his masterful switching between the neck and bridge pickup (no middle position on his early 50s Tele) and his use of the volume to give a distorted sound. We are in thE presence of real innovation and genius with Roy. RIP.

Been listening to Roy for decades I own the DVD this song is from. Great guitarist if you listen to Roy very loud on some songs he will hurt your ears

I’ve been waiting for a Roy video for a while. Thank you!

The last lick is Along The Watchtower. Great video man.

Saw him at Alberts hall (Brunswick house) mid 80s. Wasn't corded came out in crowd right in front of me looked right at my eyes a couple times I think he could see how much I appreciated his playing like our souls met or something I was in a trance I always considered him the best before & after this happening

Greatest guitar player ever .RIP Roy

That was freaking great.... Never heard of this guy.... I'm putting together a playlist. Fantastic. Thank you

Sad but true story. He came to Erie Pa to play at the Erie County Field House as the headline act with J. Geils being the opener in 1976. When J. Geils came on they were high energy from start to finish, the crowd was insane. After a brief intermission, Roy came out and he was very subdued and cerebral, although is guitar prowess was incredible,by his second number the crowd started to boo, and someone flung a bottle at him and just missed his head. Roy got up and said goodnight and walked off. I was never more disappointed in my life. I had looked forward to seeing him, but some jerk wad had to ruin it. There's a reason why no one has ever started a Roy Buchannan tribute band......