He's Still Got It

Added: Tue Oct 2nd 11:19am
Posted in: Entertainment

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The placed was packed. Off stage, one of the most famous guitars in the history of music began to jangle with one of rocks most recognizable tunes. The sellout crowd exploded into applause as 64-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn strolled onto stage strumming his beloved electric 12-string Rickenbacker that he plays, to this day, better than anyone on the planet. Perhaps only B.B. Kings "Lucille" is better known that McGuinn's "Rick."

The former Byrd, who lives in Orlando when he's not touring, was playing a rare local concert to help restore the Mount Dora Community Building and the place was packed with appreciative boomers. McGuinn opened with "Mr. Tambourine Man," taking the audience on a 90-minute journey that seamlessly tied together the last 80 years of American music. He was performer, tour guide and rock historian. Having someone explain how the blues, folk, jazz, rock and roll, and country music all evolved is interesting - but you can get that from a good college professor. Having a rock icon and musical genius demonstrate how it all fit's together is an entirely different experience.

McGuinn introduced nearly every song with a short story taken from the pages of his life. He showed how he used the Beatles beat to “soup up” folk standards and how he turned Bob Dylan folk tunes with limited mass appeal into rock anthems. It was show and tell unlike anything I've ever seen. McGuinn humbly revealing how he helped create folk rock and later country rock.

He told of his high school days in Chicago, studying picking and strumming techniques at the Old Town School of Folk Music. He touched on his early days with the Limeliters and the Chad Mitchell Trio. He told how the Byrds were formed and how they became one of the most creative forces in the history of modern music. He told of writing songs on a bus with Joni Mitchell and touring with Bob Dylan.

McGuinn's stage patter blended effortlessly into his playing. Surrounded by 4 guitars and a banjo, McGuinn grabbed one after another to create an extemporaneous piece of extraordinary performance art. There was no time and no reason for a single second of disappointment. The show was tight and McGuinn's tenor as sweet at 64 as it was at 24.

Byrds fans got what they came for. Everything from "Turn, Turn, Turn" to the 1966 psychedelic classic, "Eight Miles High." His extended guitar break on the latter was nothing short of stunning. When Roger said "good night" the audience said, "No way." In the old days, they lit their lighters to call for an encore. These days, they open their cell phones and the display screen creates a glow with the same message - we want more.

McGuinn returned to play "My Back Pages" and when he sang, "I was so much older then. I’m younger than that now," you knew he meant it. The years have been good to Roger McGuinn. He seemed to enjoy his time on stage as much as the audience did. His constant smile radiated warmth and sincerity. Many rock stars from the 60's never made it into their 60's. McGuinn has not only survived, he's thrived. He's the rare rock star at peace.