Michael Hedges' first Oklahoma High School Gig 

He is sorely missed. He belongs to the small group of visionary artists that were able to draw a historical line marking a "before" and an "after" for their instrument. As far as guitar is concerned, he belongs up there, with Hendrix and Van Halen. May his soul be blessed.

Michael burying every Instagram/TikTok guitarist before they existed

Michael was an amazing person, in heart, talent, exploration, inspiration...There are many imitators but only one Michael.

It was hard to comprehend what we were witnessing back in the late 80's / early 90's. Alternate tuning, fingerstyle pioneer. Once dubbed "the guitarist from another planet", how far ahead of his time Michael truly was. If he were only alive today to witness what a profound impact on music his style would become. Thank you for sharing this video. We miss you Michael, RIP

Michael Hedges revolutionized how to play the guitar, and nobody has quite caught up with him, since.

This is why schools still need music/band instructors.

I love how Michael introduces “Aerial Boundaries“ as minimal music at the 10:58 mark. 😂 That song (and album) completely changed the course of acoustic guitar. Michael Hedges was an amazing innovator and an endless source of musical inspiration. One of a kind.

1986 - My High school music teacher "assigned" me to see Michael Hedges live in Baltimore. In the era of the EVH-Vai noise... Michael was a ringing bell. Like others commenting, I got to see him in intimate clubs and symphony halls.

Michael Hedges was a shooting star, a comet, a cosmic visitor to our world. Just listening to his music and watching him play so innovatively was an enlightening gift...like an inspired meditation...or nirvana experiment. He was a star child.

No one ever wrung more sounds out of a D-18 than Michael! 🎶😊

I saw him with Leo Kotke in '87, amazing.

I can imagine the kids going home and telling their families they watched Michael play acoustic guitar but not really being able to explain just what they saw and heard.

Excellent. I had the great privilege of spending time with Michael a few weeks prior to his passing. I received him at the airport in Houston on his Oracle tour in October 1997. We spent time in his hotel room talking (& smokin' out) and he made me this fantastic apple/ginger juice (he traveled with a juicer). Around that time the G3 tour was coming through Houston featuring Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson & Adrian Legg as the acoustic opener. Michael told me he was offered the opening slot of that tour, but he turned it down because they would not let him headline. We also discussed Pat Martino’s album ‘All Sides Now’ which Michael was featured on. Michael told me he’d had Joe Satriani (also on that CD) and Pat Martino at his home studio for some recording sessions prior to the release of that album. In December 1997, I remember sitting in my office and the secretary walking up to my desk and handing me a fax from Michael’s agency SRO Artists. I was deeply saddened when I read the fax announcing Micheal’s passing. I immediately left work, went home, and played guitar to honor Michael and drown out my sorrow. I was incredibly moved by Michael during our brief meeting. I’m grateful for his presence then and now

These were some very fortunate students. What a gift Michael was to the world.

Incredible footage. These goofy, lucky eighties kids are witnessing one of the greatest, most innovative guitarists of his generation from three feet away.

That's the real definition of "genius" with this outstanding gentleman.

aerial boundaries always blows my mind. every time. any venue

The notes rise out and up of his guitar as if carried by angels. So cool Michael gives a mini music camp lesson to the kids on how to make the guitar respond in the hand. Michael voice speaks and reveals the brilliant mind behind his music. He understood the how the why, and where notes, chords and the spirit of creation harmonized as one. Thank you to all that made this video possible to view. Thank you Josh for begging. You brought us and the world, a moment in time! Well done!

I was so lucky to see him live once. What a genius. He is missed.

Every time I watch a video of him I am struck by the genius of his sonic vision as well as his tactile ability...Other worldly...

Michael was one of those few people that apparently had more to influence people in a positive way, then negative.

Kudos to the great Ernie Wilks, supervisor of the oklahpma high A/V unit who supplied the extension cords and mic stand. Jokes aside great video. He's playing with the same passion regardless of who his audience is.

Okay can we talk about the set list? I mean my good lord!!! Ragamuffin … Aerial Boundries?? Hot Type?!! Unbelievable

You can’t imagine Michael ever needed to learn guitar, like he woke up with this cosmic ability

Amazing…I first saw Hedges play in a restaurant bar in Alabama in front of about 12 people…blew me away and then went saw my first of many shows the next night…fan for life

I was fortunate to see Michale several times. Every show was completely different and always a musical experience. His passing was such a loss. I did love that he worked with David Crosby and Graham Nash. Their tribute song, Michael, ends with excellent guitar work by Jeff Pevar playing the closing chords of Aerial Boundaries.

Whomever posted this gets an A+

Michael's gig the night before was in NORMAN, OK ▶Michael Hedges, an Enid native and Windham Hill recording artist, will return to Oklahoma May 23,1985 for a 7:30 p.m. concert in Norman's Sooner Theater. The guitarist's musical studies have taken him from Enid to Interlochen and Baltimore's Peabody Conservatory. His rapid-fire instrumental abilities have been likened to those of Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend and Eddie Van Halen. Hedges was featured last February on the cover of Guitar Player magazine. Songs from his debut album, Breakfast in the Field and his second album, Aerial Boundaries, will be featured. 🗞5May1985, The Oklahoman

I sure miss him. I really wish we could experience the world with him still in it.

The man was a genius. So sad he is not still with us but so happy to have heard his music. RIP.Michael Hedges.

This guy is a miracle of nature … what talent

I wish I would have seen this in high school

My first time seeing this video, loved his playing since the 1970's

We played Medford in a basketball tournament in 1986. Who knew I was that close to greatness. 🙂I only found Michael's music later. I had the pleasure of seeing him twice in California.

Kudos to the A/V kids who set up the gear (o;

His tempo is so even and like clockwork that it takes the listening enjoyment to another level for me. Love the Aerial Boundaries live album.

i listen to Michael every night as he is on my go to sleep play list though i never sleep while it is playing i use it cause he gives me good dreams it resets the vibe in my head to something positive something connected to the cosmos

All the kids that got high before this were like…🤯🤯🤯

I knew about Hedges for years, and how he played with harmonics, fingertapping and percussion on the one acoustic instrument. I found out about Preston Reed, a couple years ago, who had been around in that time as well, though he is not as known. I was on board with him too, until I saw him do an interview where he tried to say what Michael did was not the same, that Michael just did some fingertapping like Eddie Van Halen. The interview is on YT still. Because Preston was trying to promote the idea he invented the fingertapping/percussion style, and sell his guitar courses. That is what made Michael a bit more special, he would never do anyone dirty like that.

Genius at work

The rare individuals who show us something truly unique, who show us a new way a new beauty, new life force are precious. Michael achieved this. An inspiration for aspiring artists.

Thanks for posting this. I didn’t think I’d see any more footage of Hedges that’s not already posted on RU-vid. Gives me hope there will be more to come. Thanks!

This man is my hero! Saw him perform here in sin city in 1993 for about 300 people indoors on community center basketball court. One of the greatest IMHO.

Wish we could see the student's faces and the looks of amazement.

Wow, nice audio/video capture of the young MH. I saw him live at UNC-Chapel Hill around the same time he was sporting that wild long frizzed out bright red hair. Aerial boundaries was out and he crushed it with the Harp-Guitar.

Amazing

This is unreal, I recently discovered Michael Hedges through Ernesto Schnack. He mentioned Michael being a huge inspiration to him. I know nothing about the hidden turnings of music, but I find this fascinating 🖖

Wow, this is without a doubt the most remarkable MH recording, period.

Got to see Michael do this too at a fair in Salem Oregon , he was the BEST at this creative talent ! I hope these kids had the time of there lives watching him play from his heart ! So sad Michael lost his life in a car ! R.I.P Michael Hedges .

His musical talents brought me through a Troubled period in my life. Helped me in many ways ; Thankyou for sharing this!!😊

This is a blessing. Thanks Professor!

Makes me so nostalgic.

We are indebted to Professor Gackstatter for getting up the nerve to ask this great artist to play for his school and for video recording it for prosperity. Just last we a friend and I were talking about Michael. I was still living in Sacramento, CA, my hoetown, and know very well how dangerous those country roads in the Napa Sonoma area are. Thanks to Professor Gackstatter’s sister for digitizing this and you Josh for sharing this. Yes, he is truly missed and left a huge void. I’ve seen another performer emulating Michaels style but there is only one Michael Hedges! ❤️

Can you imagine Michael Hedges playing at your high school music class. Unbelievable. Back in 1989, I found a Promo package with an assortment of Michael's greatest tracks at a local record store in Orlando, Fl. I still have it today. Michael was truly an amazing acoustic guitar player. He is truly missed. Thank you for sharing this classic concert.🎵👏

Thank you Gary for the back story for this rare video of Michael and for sharing your wonderful and personal experiences associated with him. Thank you Josh for sharing this piece of history with all of us who love and miss Michael. So much gratitude and appreciation to both you and Gary and of course to Cindy for converting the vhs to digital.

Poor HS kids would think this man about to annihilate the guitar the way he played it!😊. Michael is playing for All the Saints in the Arial Boundaries in the Sky!!! RIP! ❤❤

That's so sweet you got him to do this for your students Josh in his Oklahoma tour/visit. He was rare and is missed! Rarely a day goes by that I don't think about him!

I can just imagine those kids with their jaws dropped to the ground, probably never seen anything like this before... wish I had been there👍👏❤️🎵🎶🎼

Wow. Fun to imagine being a HS kid seeing and hearing Hedges like this... w/o any idea how extraordinary and transformative his talent was/would become for acoustic guitar playing.

Tragedy that he is no longer with us. This is an amazing video and I’m so glad to have been able to see it. Thank you! He is still by far the greatest technical and artistic guitarist of all time, in my opinion!

Thank you so much for sharing this rare material of an amazing guitarplayer

Thank you Josh for letting us watch this priceless video.

Such a treat to see this performance. Thank you to all who played a part in the invitation, the recording, and placing it here on youtube. Cheers so very much to all of you.

God I love these old archive vids of MH performing at random places! I really hope there are tons more to come!

This guy is fantastic, i owned a couple of his CDs , back when CDs were a "thing" I had never heard of him before, a bass player i used to jam with hooked me up and made me aware .... This is a rare little gem! Thanks for posting

Wow! He played ‘Aerial Boundaries’ for them?! They likely had no idea how insanely brilliant/complex that was at the time, but now it’s legendary.

Micheal's genius is how he held the instrument. Not easy.

Wow!! He played at my college SUNY New Paltz in the mid-80's. But I never got to see him. Think I went home that weekend. A good friend saw him who is an artist and musician he was blown away. I bought one of his albums right after I graudated college and I recall hearing he died in a car accident. He died way too young. So sad. Thanks for sharing this. Its so cool!! BtW, the album I bought has Aerial Boundries on it. I think its his best tune.

I miss him so..much...

@JoshMishell My high school music class never had anything like this. I discovered Michael right around this time and played his music constantly. I play guitar but have never attempted his songs. I would have probably tossed my guitar had i tried. Thanks for sharing this!

SO great to see this! Thanks for posting. Michael was in his prime (which was basically his whole life). :)

Thank you for sharing this with the world.

Amazing. I would have liked to hear what he was going to say about minimalist music. Michael had a huge impact on my life, thank you for sharing this treasure.

Fn love this. So much.

Thank you for this!

No words. Thank you for posting this. Michael Hedges is one my favorite players. I wished I could have seen him play live. His spirit lives on in the playing of so many acoustic players who he has influenced. His spirit influences me to continue to play and learn about music theory. Cheers Michael and thank you!

😢😢😢 Gone too soon😢😢😢

Unbelievable! I have always loved this guy. Sat 5 feet away from him in the student hall at UNR in the late 80's. He was definitely so far ahead of his time! Only the good die young applies here. RIP Michael, you are missed!

Such a special thing for you to share. Thank you.

Wow 🎉 no words …

This is an absolute gem, thanks so much for posting ....

Michael is such a great instructor. “The science of sound which is called acoustics.” The students appreciate his love for music + his ability to create such beautiful music. 1. rhythm: slap/hit-right in that half way position- not strumming- not plucked -“Ragamuffin” 2. even more percussive + involves a lot of harmonics-"Silent Anticipations" 3. minimal music: ‘Aerial Boundaries’ R✋🏻bass lines/melody+ L ✋🏻 Ostinato 4. ♥️ Michael shows the harp guitar - i just bought it yesterday 5. typist-listening to music~trying to type ‘in time’ -"Hot Type" w Carriage Return 6. always my big frustration in life that guitars couldn't “march” but i’m on a crusade now. ~ i have 2 pick-ups~i’ll have a little radio (wireless) transmitter in my pocket next time i visit ~so i can march around + choreograph music for guitar. 7. i wrote it in a semi-disco style ~1976- This is called “The Funky Avocado” 8. announce:vocal LP coming out{Watching My Life Go By -1985}

Fantastic and many, many thanks for arranging, recording and posting.

I read an interview (in Guitar Player magazine, I believe) where he described what he does as the sound of three hands playing. He just found a way to make it sound like he had an extra arm to do the mind-bending things he did. Not to mention the immense beauty and subtlety when he wanted to go there. I can't believe he's been gone so long.

He was taken away too soon! Long gone but not forgotten

Sound is awesome. Thank you

Thank you so much for sharing this. It really means a lot to hear him play again, something I have not heard or seen. Thank you Sincerely.

wow! thanks for sharing!

So cool. Thanks for posting this.

This man is amazing and I love him too much.

What a magician.....

What a wonder for anyone sitting there. Such a treasure, such a love.

Him and Leo Kotke were major musical influences on me ......long ago....when these students were still little kids......we lost one of the greats when he died😢

Thank you so much for this!!

this is so awesome Gary! your students were so lucky!

Thank you so glad I found this video

what is THIS WOW what a blessing to be able to see this! I hadn't even been born yet when this concert happened but would have given anything to be there...

Oh my God I love this! Thank you so much for all you people that have been sharing Michael's somewhat lost footage! I've noticed over the past year or so there's been so much more surfacing. Such a huge loss! I'm sure that soul is going to be around again and again! Love you Michael!

Thank you so much for sharing this!

Had the opportunity to see him in '85? on the Windam Hill Tour in Columbus Ohio with Anger/Marschal. Spellbinding. RIP