In Conversation With Elliot Easton (The Cars) | St. James | Blackstar 

If I said it once, I've said it 10,000 times, Easton is one of the most under-rated guitarist of all time. He is outstanding and very influential as well as being a genuinely nice person.

That first CARS album was a masterpiece in rock history.

Elliot is astounding. He has never played a solo that wasn't perfect for the song. We all obsess over speed and modes and arpeggios and this amp and these effects, but Elliott just makes us look like pretenders.

I am 57 year old Introvert/highly sensitive person. The Cars and Rush's music have been a huge help especially in my teens and twenties when I had difficultly navigating life. RIP Ben, Ric and Neil ❤

Glad he said what he did about Ben Orr. Many times the egos of musicians/artists would never allow them to acknowledge that another member was so important to the chemistry band. Elliot is clearly a very humble guy, and The Cars would not be the same band without his guitar playing.

Yes, Elliott, we are most definitely still listening! Thank you.

Elliot is just the kindest most engaging person. His solos with The Cars always served the song..not the other way around. Just a great person and a great player!

Growing up in Boston I had the opportunity to bump into Elliot a few times in my late teens/early 20’s. The Cars were my favorite band during my high school years and I loved his playing. Cut to the present and I’m playing and singing lead in a Cars “tribute” band called Panorama. About a year and a half ago I had the honor of playing with Elliot in a show on Ling Island. It was an absolute thrill and I got to spend quite a bit of time just sitting and talking with him. He was so down to earth and relatable! It’s a wonderful thing to meet one if your heroes and not be disappointed. For the show, he was in amazing form and absolutely nailed all his solos. I felt the urge to pinch myself as I stood on stage right next to him, singing Cars tunes and having him rip into his solos, sounding just like the records I’d been listening to for years and years. It wa ms truly an amazing experience and as we parted, we embraced. He kissed me on the cheek and said, “You’re a good Man!” Talk about a moment to remember! Thank you Elliot!

Elliot is one of the most musical and interesting players of the last 50 years.

Elliot is one of the all time greats. Every solo is a song within the song; melodic, sing-able and memorable. No shredding needed.

Elliot Easton and James Honeyman-Scott (RIP) from the Pretenders are one of my favorite 80's indie rock guitarists and both of them always lent an amazing air of rockabilly, cow punk aesthetic (tinged with jazz dips too) that set them apart. Easton has crafted some of the most memorable lead guitar phrasings in rock. He is one of those guitarists that other guitarist admire.

Elliot is not only a monster guitarist and amazing composer...he's also a sweetheart of a guy. Very rare in the music business.

Had to learn the “Just What I Needed”solo for my band. The individual notes themselves aren’t difficult, but the string bends he uses are what makes it challenging. There’s a lot of them and you have to hit the sweet spot on every one or it sounds crap. Elliot is a great guitarist!

Dudes killer. He also has the same haircut and outfit I had in my 6th grade school photo. Legend

Elliot Easton is a guitar master ! It is so fantastic to see a legendary pop-rock artist demonstrating and explaining his technique and style.

I watched this interview twice. I am a girl from the 80s and I have mad respect for the Cars. All of the members were exceptional. I think Elliot Easton was extremely underrated. What a great guy!

Elliot's solo on Just What I Needed is probably in my favorite guitar solo of all time.

Berklee doesn't matter, Nomenclature do not matter, it's about playing from within and if you listen to "You're all I've Got Tonight" when he solos over a one chord vamp, the ideas are there....they flow. You can sing them. Eliot, you've been my favorite forever, your solos are like little compositions.

Elliot is one of the greats!! His solos and overall playing on Just What I Needed, My Best Friend's Girl, Candy-O, Touch & Go, Shake It Up, You Might Think, Magic and many more songs are nothing short of amazing. One of my favorite players. Thank you for all the great music since 1978 Mr. Easton!!

What a monster guitar player in disguise. Elliot played some of the craziest and tasty solos in the Cars. A friend of mine is a metal player and he once mentioned Elliot in a conversation. He asked me have you really listened to the lead guitar player in the cars? I was way ahead of him. I answered so, your finally figuring out how good he was on those Cars recordings! The playing in "She used to be Mine" is over the top good with tone to match.

Elliot is awesome!! One of the best, most tasteful guitarists of all time!!

Elliot's brilliant playing ia a major factor in what made The Cars great. I could watch him play and never tire of it.

The Cars were extremely innovative and creative. Eliott is pretty amazing how he integrated the styles and influences into the Cars music. Very underrated and inspiring

Elliot is a blessing to the world.

I'm not a guitarist or musician. I just finished a marathon of videos about Frank Zappa, Steve Howe, Robert Fripp, Skunk Baxter, Adrian Belew, Elliott Randall, Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen, and other wonderful guitarists. So this was in my feed. But I didn't know this player was THIS good... Back in the day, listening to the early Cars records (often on horrific car radios and -- ulp -- 8-track), I figured much of that huge, swinging and ringing guitar sound was effects, production and studio wizardry...I never imagined he could actually play the solos as smoothly and crisply live. Apparently, I was wrong. Holy shmackerel, that guy is a great guitarist and I can't believe there are people who are this knowledgeable about music. Some people are just born to do some things; like some athletes seem to be made to do a certain thing well, like, swim or play football or baseball; this guy is one of those "born" musicians...

I hsve been playing for 59 years and Easton was a breath of inspirstion for me. He is a unique and competent guitar innovater.

I could listen to Elliot talk about his life and musical career all day long. 🎸🤘🏼👍

Elliott is such a great guitarist. Always so musical.

Elliot was my first guitar idol and is still my favorite. Always articulate, informative, and kind. He wrote the most brilliant guitar solos.

He is one of my all time favourite players. What a great vocabulary and melodic sense he has. Cheers

Elliot is very creative in his playing. The solo on Touch & Go for example is a composition in itself. Unfortunately few guitarists know who he is.

Man, I love this guy! The Cars were THE group for me back in the 80s, and the chance to hear him talk about his musical roots, his playing in the band, etc. - it’s a treasure! As somebody else here already said, his solos were so musical. I can probably sing them all, I listened to them that much. Just great stuff! Thank you Elliot!

The first song I learned on guitar was My Best Friend’s Girl as soon as that album dropped, been addicted to this band since summer of 1978.

He recorded some of the most perfect lead solo parts with impeccable alignment to song structure. I get the same feeling with Ritchie Blackmore, Neil Shon and David Gilmore.

EE seems like he’s one of the coolest cats around and one of my favorite guitar players. All his interview are gold.

One of the finest Guit-fiddle players ever. Style, clarity, inventiveness!

Man, what a class act. Elliot’s playing is great and it’s such a treat to hear him talk about guitar playing. His work with the Cars is timeless and top notch.

Even as kids we marvelled at Elliots diversely styled solos, They always stood out in a perfect way.

Elliot is a legend!!

We played only 2 cars covers: Dangerous Type and Just What I Needed. I remember those solos being so much fun to play and just listen to. Easton is an icon in rock guitar. He’s instantly recognizable! Great musician.

The most underappreciated guitarist in rock. The first contemporary guitar influence for me growing up late 70s early 80s, I learned a bit of the rockabilly from him and how to solo based on his playing. He brings it every damn time, a true artist. Eliot is The man.

This was EXACTLY how Elliot presented himself the day I met him! This is the REAL guy! Pleasant is the most accurate description that comes to mind. Truly, a gentleman, as well as an incredible musician. GREAT VIDEO.

Elliot Easton is one of the greatest guitarists in rock history. His leads are masterpieces and his rhythm guitar propels a phenomenal, high-energy band. A classy guy and a legendary guitarist.

Elliot is a class act across the board. A great musician and The Cars wouldn't have been The Cars without him.

Definitely one of the greatest. Clean,innovative, and memorable. A guitarist of the first degree.

Humble and so grounded in his gift for expressing himself through his guitar. Thank you Elliot!

I grew up listening to the cars. They were ahead of their time. I still love their music today and so does my grandkid. The guitar work was amazing.

Bless your heart Mr. Easton, you still inspire me to this day!

What a terrific guitarist. You listen to the Cars solos and they are so amazingly melodic.

The solo from Shake It Up is still one of my all time faves.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am a Massachusetts guy and I played your first album over and over and over. But the Candy-O album was the one that came out when I met my then future wife and we listened to the cassette in the car everywhere we went. Unfortunately I lost my beautiful wife a year and a half ago and when I want to back to the summer of 79 I have you on my playlist. Thanks again ❤

He's good. They played live. They could all play. He always nailed his solo riffs.

Sooo talented and always so perfectly complements the other musicians and singers - a generous, incredibly melodic player. Great to watch him play live with the Cars and other bands because he really gets into it physically as well 🔥🔥🔥

You can still see the kid in him! He’s obviously still in love with playing his machines! Absolutely one of my favorite players!

Elliot Easton is an absolute gem - he’s up there with Luke for me as one of the most inspiring players of those years. Just one of the most melodic players that always served the song

Love seeing him producing the sweet pedal Steele stuff. I've been obsessed with the technique since hearing Jimmy Page doing it on ITTOD. Elliott is just the most tasteful, engaging class act guitarists guitarist. Those who know, know.

Eliott is a humble genius. Of course people still listen. The cars broke down new age pop and rock barriers.

That first album was phenomenal with so many classic tracks and so much fantastic diversity in Elliot's playing. He truly is a highly influential master guitarist.

Fine guitarist... Always has great solos

That was massively interesting. I had no idea Elliot was so accomplished. Thanks for posting.

I always did like Elliott's guitar playing. He's such a down to earth guy. Too bad the car's are not around anymore, but they sure did leave us some good music.🚗

Love the Cars. One of those Bands that has there own sound. Some of my favourite, songs are Cars songs Wish this video was longer. Elliot is so underrated. Love the fact, that he mentioned Ben Orr.

Unbelievable how good he is!

He is such a nice guy and rocks most under rated guitarist. I've met him a few times and have always walked away so impressed!

Such an amazing guitar player. Elliot Easton doesn't get talked about nearly enough. I loved hearing those portions of his solos in isolation. The country / rockabilly sounds are so cool.

Elliott is my hero, I am still dissecting/learning his solos and rhythm guitar parts. Plus he is absolutely one of the best live compared to the recordings, In fact the band was always able to replicate their albums live which is no easy task!

Elliott thank you for the music that was an integral part of the soundtrack of my youth.

Most underrated guitarist of all time!!! Elliot Easton is a master and a genius!!! Thank you for all the great music you have given us. It is part of my being and soul.

Talk about a man who delivered the song through his tasteful playing and genuine talent. Thanks Elliott for some of the greatest rock guitar of the eighties...

What *I’ve* said all my life, is that Easton’s SOLOS are more singable & memorable than the great songs in which he PLAYED them. And there’s NO other guitarist who achieved _that_ distinction-consistently-ever. 🤟

I remember clearly when the first Cars album came out; it sounded great; was just what we needed

I knew this guy was playing country telecaster the second I heard it way back, then…

The Cars were 1980s music two years in advance.....ahead of their time, and each member was amazing at what they did. Most under-rated band of all time.

I really like Elliot Easton, I got the Cars first record when it came out, and loved every song on it. I think I was 9. I agree with how he described his musical education. the school he went to gave him the language to communicate with other people, but probably didn't do as much as his own musical language that was innate. I wish more musicians incorporated other musical styles into their playing as opposed to just being a musical fetishist. Alas

Thank God they make Left handed Guitars, we always need to hear more from Elliot.

Influenced a ton of guitarists. Myself included. So tasteful in his phrasing. Memorable solos. ❤

I remember hearing his advice when I first started playing... Listen to what you're gonna play over, (soloing) and then play what you imagined. One of the best pieces of advice and has served me well in exploring my voice.

Love his playing on “The Dangerous Type”

Elliot’s and awesome nice guy and player that always injects the perfect riff in the song!!

What an absolutely great bloke he is. 👍😎👍

😊😊 my friend you created many great memories. You rocked the house and we loved your tunes. That first album was phenomenal. Thank you Elliott 💪💪✌️😎🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

Very cool. My band rehearsed a couple of doors down from their rehearsal space in the Cambridge Music Complex. It was just after Candy-O. They were working on Panorama. Funny story. The band I was in was a top 40 cover band. We covered a few Cars songs. The security guard would spot Elliott on the security camera outside of our door playing along. They gave me some Candy-O picks but I gave them all to friends. Good times.

Cousin Oliver! 🤣 Great interview. Elliot is a severely underrated guitarist. Great rhythms and perfect solos.

And guess what Elliott? You and what you're doing is actually the main reason I love the Cars, as a guitar player I heard something in your playing that I as a guitar player myself really appreciate, basically I dug the Car's mainly because of your playing, along with all of you guys as a group and the songwriting abilities as far as knowing what is going to be ear candy or commercially what people are going to like, you and your band is part of my growing up my friend, glad to see you explaining your magical playing, thank you Elliott.

Elliot's leads aren't just solos so much as an integral parts of the songs. He's to the Cars what Ringo is to the Beatles in the sense that his contributions are deeply camouflaged into the tune.

Tremendous guitar player and very cool, down-to-Earth guy!

What a joy to listen to him share a part of his life with us, mahalo !

Elliot's ability to blend different styles into his solo writing and playing are amazing. He perfected the art of making the solo part of the song not just a riff fest...

Elliot Easton is such a great player.

What a charming guy! A very original soloist at the time that elevated already good songs to great.

amazing stories from an amazing guitarist. What I love about Elliots playing is the originality of his lead work. No one can solo like this guy.

Elliot’s playing has blown me away since their first single. He has a style which is unique, and borrows from many different genres, but is put together perfectly.

Guy is an amazing player. Thanks for all the great solos.

I appreciate Easton's contributions to music, and his overall style. I was only able to hear him live one time, that with the Credence Clearwater Revisited tour, and he was excellent.

Here's one of the best guitar players in all of rock and most people don't even know his name. He not only came up with some of the most iconic guitar riffs and progressions, he wrote and produced most of the Cars' albums.

Elliot Easton, one of the family members of The CARS, totally deserve more credit than people think just his style of the guitar. The way he would do his solo guitar on certain tracks for the band. He’s the reason why I became a CARS Fan, his style of technique of doing his solos just got me really into appreciate him as a guitarist. He deserves a lot more credit, and being a guitarist than people think. Don’t worry Elliot you got my attention I knowledge man. Keep on playing and never stop long live THE CARS

One of my favorite guitarists. Oddly I’ve only seen him with his credence cover band, which was outstanding.

Elliot Easton is such a cool guy. Loved this interview!

So cool to see and hear him. I love his stuff with the Cars. Lefty love ❤

Elliot Steinberg Easton One of the most humble men on the planet too. Elliot is always so friendly and accommodating to those interviewing and interacting with him. Most big name guitarists have a huge ego as well , you won’t find that the case with Elliot. Such a fine and well spoken gentleman who treats people with respect.