This was Eric's first big public appearance at a city-wide band contest. They won. He was 14. I was a judge along with Mike Glenn (New Daisy), Ringo Jukes (Rock City Angels), Steve Ebe (Human Radio), and Paul Ebersold (Ardent producer who got him signed and did his first album). He rolled up in leopard tights and a purple kimono, with one guitar in a plastic bag. We were all like WTF is this?! They showed us. I will never forget it. Also note Anthony Corder of Tora Tora behind the judge table.
I lived in Memphis from 1980 to 1994 and was amazed at that time of how well this kid Eric was playing at such a young age! I’m also a professional guitarist, Former rhythm guitarist of AL Green and met Eric and watch him perform at a Gospel event back in 1992 and I believe he was 18 years old. He also made me 2 cassette tapes of him just practicing in his room and I still have those cassette tapes
I'm proud to say I was the person behind this camera and I'm delighted to have captured Eric so young, not to mention his mom ! Rock on Eric, I knew back then you were gonna be a badass guitarist ! Most folks may not know it but Eric was 14 I think in this video !
Omg I’m about to cry. I see my granddad and great aunt (Eric’s mom) in this video! They’ve passed away. Eric is still doing his thing. I’m a proud cousin!
To be this good, and have such control at 14 is just incredible! Eric has always been musically mature beyond his years. Also Eugene is an amazing bassist, guitarist and vocalist.
My god time to get my Guitar out again. It’s been hard with debilitating mental health issues but Eric your such an Inspiration on and off stage . Never change brother
It is very clear that Eric was born to rock this world. Some people are just born with that amazing passion and feel for music. Eric is one of my biggest inspirations and he is one of the main reasons why I still pick up my guitar and practise.
Maaan your playing has flipped my world crazily. Eric’s songs have moved me in such a way that I can not describe, so much so that even as a broke 16 year old who has been playing guitar for 2 years, I spent all my money on a left handed guitar (I’m right handed) and proceeding to learn it upside down because of this dude, he has inspired me to a level that I can’t even describe in words. My idol man
(Sorry for my English , I am from Hong Kong )After watching I feel both excited and frustrated. I am really excited by the music that Eric play .As usual , magnificent. But I am frustrated by I can’t play as good as Eric (and he is 14 at that time) I just past my 19 birthday a month ago, but I am still feel like being lost on my guitar playing.
Being raised in Memphis I finally got to meet Eric in Knoxville,TN. during an Hendrix Experience Tour hanging out in the front lobby,This Raw Dog is bad to the Bone !
I met him in the lobby on the Hendrix tour in Cleveland. He was eating a hot dog. I have been a fan since his first album. I was beyond in shock seeing him. I waited until he finished his hot dog, and went over to talk to him and his then girlfriend Ladonna. Amazing people!
First of all, I did like and scribed. When I was about 13 and our family was living just outside Wash D.C. FM and Underground radio had just showed it's face and I was all over it. My father & I connected closely with music. He turned me on to Jazz (Ramsey Lewis) & I turned him on to Rock (Jimi Hendrix). You can imagine my shock (shat n da pants) when he comes home with Electric Ladyland because he liked All Along The Watchtower~! Enough about me. This is all about YOU and how long it takes me to get up to speed on ALL of your productions. I am feeling positive I'll be in awe just like right now. All the best my friend & God Blessed You. Please never let the devil kill it for You~!
So cool to see these old vids with Eric and Eugene. I got to see him on his 16th birthday at the old Boston Gardens. They sent the poor kid on stage with the curtail closed with a stool and an acoustic. Meanwhile, behind the curtail Peter Wolf, who was still a Boston icon at the time was warming up and being very noisy and shitting all over the kid. I was so angry I walked out of the rest of the show. It was the only time in my life that I was ashamed to be a Bostonian. Rock on Eric! You're still a genius and a prodigy bro.
My band Thrust played next.. I remember Eric's guitars were in plastic bags and his guitars seemed almost to big for him to play.. Then Eric did what Eric does and that melting everyone's face off... when he finished everyone looked at me and said,Wow!! Did you see that !! That kid was amazing!!" I was like yeah I saw that!! Thinking to myself while I was setting up my pedals, oh my god what the **** .. that was insane... Eric and I became friends that day and still are...
Hey Dave! Ben here. I was there that day standing next to you. I saw this video and as soon as it started playing I saw me with blonde hair...lol I think I was your guitar tech that day.
The Spanish Castle was a thousand seat little club here in Seattle in the early/ mid sixties. My mom and dad used to "court" one another there... The Sonics, The Kingsmen, The Ventures, and Jimi's early bands used to play there.
The next Jimi Hendrix? No. The FIRST Eric Gales! I know guitars are inanimate objects, but I can’t help but feel like they still appreciate it when someone with skill and/or true passion picks them up and plays them as they were meant to be played.
wow what a debut. I wish i was that tallented at 14! I played like an animal when i was 14!! Now i must say that Eric is one of my favourite guitar players and an influence to make some music. PLease come to Chile!! Someday!!
SWEET JESUS ERIC !!!! Always being your fan since I heard you and eugene @ arsenio's hall THANKS for this INCREDIBLE VIDEO ! If you ever come to hong kong lets jam :-) Stay blessed bro.
yup..i have not changed my mind...you are one of the best...and i don't care they are wrong... and the best means you and your family...have the tunes and you do... this is a very good vid...you do not even have to see it...the abstract sounds like a kid...wow... and they won..this is amazing...eric no longer has too i don't know... instrumentalist...yes...yes.yes...and as he matures...
All the bands are good man how do you pick just because you didn't win it don't give up everything I heard here just keep on pushing keep on pushin Cabeza borracho boys are dying off
Hey Eric. Love your music. I am friends with Branson here in Tampa. I play with the Sebastian Bach Band. If your ever in town and wanna jam, i am down. Keep rockin. Hope to hook up. JohnnyChromatic
Interesting to see that not only did he develop his insane guitar technique early on, but that he had also perfected the “guitar face” before he was even old enough to drive. This is not the kind of genius that can be taught. Either you have it or you don’t. Eric damn sure had it. Still does,too!
Both brothers are southpaws, just like me! Watching those two onstage makes me wonder what if Jimi Hendrix and Phil Lynott had jammed together (had Jimi lived, of course). One can only wonder, though:::sigh:::
