Chet Atkins & George Benson- "Help Me Make It Through The Night" (Merv Griffin Show 1984) 

This has got to be one of the best guitar duets on the internet. The skill, harmony and feel is obvious - but what makes this clip so special is the rapport, respect and appreciation that these two legends have for one another. It warms the heart.

I’m a better person having seen this.

George Benson just has soul all the way through to his fingers!

Two awesome guitarists with different styles.

Never is intelligence so beautiful as when expressed through music.

Once again, this shows why music is the universal language.

George Benson's accompaniment is mesmerising. And the way he started his solo. Jesus!!!!!

George off the scale here. So so good.

40 years has been passed

Two immensely talented players with immense respect for each other's talents. It doesn't get any better than that!

Oh yeah baby it dont get any better than this. My uncle had the record they did together it is absolutely incredible every song. Chet loved to play with other great players and would for the most part let them shine. He love all styles of players because he could learn from them just like they learned from him. I saw George Benson in and interview where he said he learned more playing with Chet than he would have learn in 20 years with out the opportunity. Chet could play any style and George can as well. They both had a distinct sound but could merry any style for full favor.

Two world class gentlemen and virtuoso players. Beautiful.

They didn’t duel one another. They complimented one another. Truly gifted and humble greats.

I met George in 1992 when he had 2 concerts in Argentina; he held a guitar clinic several days after the concerts, which were even better than what he played in records. He was very very humble, with solo and picking techniques that non one on earth could ever reach. BTW I got Benson’s autograph after the clinic, I was so excited that I will never forget that day

Chet's touch is Iconic. Every guitarist wants to play like him or With him. George as well, has a touch like Wes Montgomery. Classic Duet

Always the gentleman, Chet lets George run free and play whatever. And George never misses a note. Ya gotta like it...........................

I had seen this in the past and had forgotten how good it really is.they are both just so relaxed and having a nice conversation.they don't play over each other and compliment well..

I cannot tell you how many times I have watched this clip. This is what pure magic and the love of music looks like. 💫

Benson's tone is smoother than room temp butter

I could listen to these guys for days on end!!!! People dont play like this anymore!!!!!!

The vibe I get from this was Chet saying to the world, “ladies and gentlemen, Here is George Benson, one of the greatest players you will ever hear.”

Two of the greatest most tasteful relaxed players and musicians of all time.

Yeah, that was very smooth, 2 masters in their own styles, ummmmm sounds nice

A really musical guitar duet, not just the fireworks we often get. Chet's beautiful straightforward style contrasts perfectly with George's sublime bebop/r&b licks. Martin Mull was brilliant in Sabrina..

Two masters!

Look at George, already a guitar beast, admiring Chet....

Their "call and response" is fantastic. I love both of these legends!

Incredible. The skill, the joy, the respect, and the virtuosity.

The Godfather of modern jazz guitar,

In 2019 I wish the Democrats and the Republicans could have the same harmony. Well done gentlemen.

i Love the ending with the Maj 6/9 chords....sweet..

Totally CLASSIC..Professionalism and Musicianship at its BEST.. Thank Gentlemen.

A beautiful duet! So clean, so skillfully done. The level of respect for each really shows. Love the wink Benson gives Chet at the end. Loved hearing this.

Two of the all-time GREATS...Chet and George. It doesn’t get any better than these two guys!

I'm reading Chet Atkins' autobiography now but I've always been amazed at his awesome guitar playing. He was truly a musical genius! Thanks for sharing this

I came here for Chet, but was blown away by George

Benson was otherworldly 🤯

Delightful To See Two Of My Favourite Guitarist Together. Classically Complimented One-Another.

Chet is clearly showcasing George as the guitar prodigy he is...George gets only a passing mention during the introduction, but Mr. Atkins graciously lets Mr. Benson have the ride and makes no special effort in overshadowing him. Everyone watching this (including myself) probably expected Chet to smoke this thing during a second lead ride and it never happens. A truly touching moment given the atmosphere of this period in time. I was moved by it. There is ear candy in every section of this performance. Wowz.

In friendly dueling competition, true Gentlemen would never draw blood. It's about showcasing the height of the art & the love of the instrument. Which they both seemingly understood.

My two music heroes playing together. Doesn't get better

This really is quite a remarkable performance here

I hope this is what heaven will be like.

Beautiful playing by two great artist.

Two of my all time favorites. Chet is so smooth and tasteful and means every note plays. George is a blues/jazz master with so much soul. Love the tune choice too.

Sweet. This is for connoisseurs. Chet is a gentleman, and lets George Benson's guitar breathe.

Absolutely loved this. They obviously admire and enjoy playing with each other. Chet’s understated and incredibly smooth lines allowing George to just soar …

Great to see two of my favorite players together. It was a good blend of Chet laying down the melody, and George improvising around it.

Can’t believe I didn’t find this gem until now!

Nice tasteful melodic guitar playing, love how they played the harmonies together.

great music!

I love this. Two different styles coming together. Two of the best in those styles. Appreciate it for what it is gentlemen...Excellent guitar playing. Everything is not a competition, so stop trying to make it one!

Beautiful.

Two of the Best Guitarists EVER . And both seemingly really good guys as well. Inspiring. Chet didn't put the pedal to the metal .....and let George do his thing..Beautiful stuff.

Benson is from another world all together. Chet is the granddaddy of guitar playing, because he showed people you could play it like a piano. George on the other hand, is truly one of the greatest guitar instrumentalists of all time. Most guitar players have no idea how he got that good. Many guitar players spend a lifetime trying to understand a fraction of what George knows. Humbling.

Literal perfection - what a fabulous performance. Chet's legend speaks for itself - George deserves much more recognition than he gets, really a pleasure to see these old clips, you won't see anything remotely approaching this mastery on network TV any more.

Smooth as Butter 👌

this is very calm and sweet music right here.

Hard to believe there were quite a few 'purist' country folks out there who didn't like Chet's affection for jazz.

What a sweet ride.

How the Master let the young man shine!

They are having a great conversation. 😊

I met George Benson In 2016 had a chance to sit and talk shop he is a very nice person and a Jazz Icon

THESE TWO ARE GREAT TOGETHER !

George Benson's tone is beautiful.

I wish this music never ends...

Hey 2019 - THAT is what you call musicianship. Two masters enjoying themselves. Chet Atkins is missed (along with Roy Clark and Glen Campbell).

This was a beautiful collaboration! 2 Excellent guitar players in their own right!

Two greats and fantastically versatile players!

two greats together! Doesn't get much better than this!

Stupendous. This may be the single greatest musical conversation upon which I've ever been permitted to eavesdrop. And look at their faces: Look how utterly pleased they both are to get to do this. (And all of this musical brilliance on a 4-chord Kris Kristofferson tune, imagine that.)

Supernatural guitar ability. Another privilege to see and admire. I was born into the right time. Always there Chet's hand on it somewhere making it happen so good. My I miss him. Well played indeed Mr Benson.

This put a smile on my face from start to finish

I began to learn to play guitar about six months after I first saw the Beatles on Ed's show. I was into rock and roll, but I was very cognizant of the many brilliant jazz and country guitar players and I watched them on tv whenever I could to learn from them. Chet Atkins was an extraordinarily gifted player. He was mesmerizing to watch. I went with my parents to a couple of concerts he was featured in and left amazed at what I'd just seen. RIP, Mr. Atkins. You were a one of a kind master or your instrument.

Even beside the Masters of Country, Uncle Benson excels. Very courteous and beautiful duo 👏 👏 👍

Masterclass in session.

Gracious, talented, inspirational artists.

so much respect and love

What a performance. A master class in so many ways

George is so musical

wow. My expectations were very high - but they delivered twice as much

and they make it look effortless. Amazing.

Just one word : FANTASTIC !

The incredible George Benson can turn any piece of music into a great blues. Chet, masterful and influential in his own right, is gracious as usual and enjoying the moment.

Soooooooooo great !

WOW now that put a smile on my face....neither one stepping on the other or trying to "OUTDO" the other!

This is going into my favorites for sure.

Chet's guitar skills are universal. Benson is also amazing

That was great. Thanks.

Wowza. What great playing. You could make the argument that Benson is the greatest jazz player ever (sometimes I wish he sang as often as Chet did, but that's not where the real money is!), and there is little doubt that Atkins is, all in all, the greatest country player ever. The two play very well together, even if the song is not all that exciting. Nice clip! Thanks for posting.

Benson/Atkins coupling works so well because both are masters at constructing and weaving melodies with harmonies while minimizing overplay.

Wow! Two gentleman musicians doing their thing! Beautiful.

This has to be thee beautiful conversation I've ever heard!

No matter how many times I watch this video, I always find something new by these two giants of the guitar!

A very clean to hear

two masters of their instruments !! beautifully done !! bravo

These guys can play!!

Fantastic! George & Chet, wow! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

YaaaaaaassssssssZA!! Both are great in their own right! Thanks for the memories.

Absolutely tasteful!