Legendary Guitarist Albert Lee
The guitarist that was named as one of the best, by the likes of Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend and Don Everly is none other than British born Albert Lee. And this 82 year old legendary finger-style and hybrid picking guitarist played a 90+ minute set at the Hopmonk in Novato to a packed standing room only audience last weekend.
Local favorites, Sonoma Shakers opened the show with a stunning set of music to get the crowd warmed up. Lead vocalist Carol Casey exudes a warm energetic vibe and she is surrounded with top musicians to bring the levels up before Albert Lee hit the stage!
Throughout Albert Lee's career, he has played with so many amazing musicians, both in studio and live touring gigs from a wide range of genres. including Country, Rockabilly, Rock and Blues. He has also had a successful solo career and is a noted composer and musical director. He is one of the most respected and renowned guitarists in all of music history.
In the beginning, Albert Lee started his career during the rockin 60s scene in London. After moving to the U.S. he made quite a reputation for himself as one of the fastest guitar players in the business. And in 2002 he won a Grammy for his work on, 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown' - one of his solo albums.
In the early 70s, he co-founded a British country-rock and progressive band called, Heads Hands & Feet. Still remembered today by some, as I heard a few gasps in the crowd when he mentioned this band.
Albert Lee has played with them all, Clapton, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Willie Nelson, Bill Wyman, The Crickets, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Van Halen, The Everly Bros and so many more.
Before he hit the stage at the Hopmonk, I had a chance to sit and chat with him in the green room. He is a kind, soft spoken, lovely gent from South London. First thing I asked him was who was his inspiration to make him want to get into the music biz, and without pausing he said The Everly Bros!! Lonnie Donnegan and James Burnham were also some of the first favourites in the biz. Nearly every time I ask that question, the answer most musicians give me is, "seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show".
Shortly after he was inspired by the Everly Bros, he went on to play with them when Phil and Don Everly got into a disagreement over alcohol. He then continued playing with them from time to time as an honorary Everly Brother! That seemed to be the sweet spot for Albert, as he lit up whilst telling this story of becoming an honorary Everly Brother!
I asked him if he has any special guitars he doesn't take touring with him. And he said that he has three that stay at home. One is a Gibson that Don Everly gave to him. And another is a 58 that Eric Clapton gifted him. And the third is part of a story he told me about that took place when Pete Townshend was destroying his guitars after each Who show. He said that Pete used to buy 12 or 13, 1960s SG guitars at a time. Of course, he bought so many because as we all know The Who destroyed their instruments onstage after each show. Well one time, Albert was offered one of these SGs of Petes. Of course he gladly accepted. The twist was that when Albert receieved the guitar it actually came to him in three peices! Because of course Pete destroyed it at the end of a gig. Albert then had the three peices put back together and it works and he plays that at home to this day. As a giant WHO fan myself...that was one of my favorite stories!
His signature guitars that he travels with are Music Man guitars by Ernie Ball. They have his signature on the headstock.
Albert and his lovely longtime wife, Karen, live in Southern California. Albert still tours and wows his fans. Oh, and Richard Thompson used to be his next door neighbor. When he told me that, I thought that those neighborhood jams must have been so awesome!
He continues to tour today, and always plays his signature Ernie Ball Music Man Guitar onstage. It was lovely meeting and chatting with Albert and his wife Karen. And I have a feeling we will meet up again in the not too distant future.
As always....Life is short and gets shorter everyday. Live life NOW. Please, be kind to each other. Greet each day with love in your heart. Never regret anything that made you smile. Make amends to those we may have hurt along the way. Remember that life can end at any moment....Keep learning, growing, healing and improve yourself daily. We can always get better as humans. Always, turn up the music and see art! With loads of love and gratitude,
Cheryl, at The Music Soup ❤️✌🏻🎵
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Check out and subscribe to my You Tube channel! Albert Lee videos being posted daily, and new videos are being posted all the time. Need of a photographer?...Contact me: AltermanImages@gmail.com Attention music and photography fans: If you're in or near Sonoma County, and would like to check out over 2000 square feet of my music photography exhibit. Visit the only permanent Music Photography Gallery in the North Bay...3011 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa. It's upstairs, above Dobe Cafe, right between Cycle Gear and Doobie Nights Dispensary. Artist is present every Saturday noon-3pm. ©Cheryl Alterman Photography 2026
Albert Lee Carol Casey and Sonoma Shakers Sonoma Shakers
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