Why Joe Bonamassa is a Polarizing Figure in the Guitar Business 

I completely agree!

I couldn’t agree more

Never met him but he is really nice guy

I seriously believe he’s on the spectrum, not insulting at all, he admits he’s socially awk

Thanks for sharing your thoughts 13......Joe C.

I completely agree! Athletes, musicians etc, who are both extremely talented and humble - such a true inspiration. And nobody should be faulted for having an opinion.

Joe plays well. There are hundreds if not thousands of great blues guitarists keeping the tradition alive. Dozens just in Chicago, or Memphis, or Austin, or . . . . . . . . The blues scene has zero requirement of fame to keep it going.

Truth is: he is the bright kid at school that is so good that makes the other kids look bad. It is envy, more than anything else.

@Bill Sbac Have you ever heard of Keeping The Blues Alive foundation?

Well said, Mike. Full disclosure... I'm not necessarily a fan... but, he's probably the closest thing we have to a newer (younger) guitar hero. My band's former lead guitarist feels that JB is all that and a bag of chips-- of course he's a blues rock guy. 😎🎸

@@mgibby63mg PUUUULEEEEEAAAASEEEE! The dude has some of the most tasteful juicy licks ever played. Not to mention absolutely incredible tone. He is unbelievably talented and did it his way & on his own. Just curious, how many records have you sold?

@@mgibby63mg okay maestro, show us how to use those skills... 🥱🙄

@@mgibby63mg Ha ha you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about

@@mgibby63mg I bet you're one of those hacky "Clapton is God" guys.

Great Ambassador for Guitar, Music and Humanity. A real person, who understands more than people "get".

Great story. Joe is a great guy.

With that logic- it would end without him? At best-Odd assumption it would seem to me.

Not, the kids are alright. Tons of great guitar rock coming out in the last 2 years. And a lot of girls playing guitar now too.

Do u believe Taj Farrant can help ?

Kk Donny yeah who ever he is....👍🏻

@@thomasfarmer1730 You should do yourself a favor & look him up on RU-vid or fb. He’s an 11 yr old Australian boy & you literally won’t believe him

Thanks for watching Vayabroder. Well put:).... Best, Joe C.

And this a guy who toured with B.B. King at 11. He never forgets the opportunities he had and seems appreciative of them. Mint!

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Joe; btw, I also love The Bee Gees and The Go-Go’s....😉

Perfection is one of the most overrated attributes as regard blues and rock music. It invariably translates as bland. Joe's biggest problem

James your clueless Jupiter dude gets it you dnt!

He’s polarizing mostly because he overplays so much. About three times the amount of notes he needs to say what needs to be said but he has also made some ridiculous and hypocritical comments about pedals and gear. I personally think he’s a great guy. I love listening to him talk and teach about gear. Even if I think his playing is pretty boring repeating Eric Johnson licks.

@John Rampino, Who are you the opinion police? Are we not allowed to have opinions and express them? What is the comment section for? Do you say the same thing to those who have positive opinions of Joe’s playing? You should try to accept that people are allowed to have their own opinions and share them without getting butt hurt. I like blues guitarists who use a certain expression and economy. Musical taste is subjective. Most people know this without it having to be explained to them.

It's a quote from Joe in the interview ("I realize I am very polarizing...I get it... maybe it's the marketing..." or words to that effect). I assume he's met himself, so the answer to your question would be "yes". ;)

Thanks David... I appreciate it and I’m sure Joe B. does too... best, Joe C.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Ray..... Joe

Define «particular».

@@hugolafhugolaf He already did, it means he's a 'first class pro'

Thanks for watching 04....Joe C.

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts Roger.... sincerely, Joe C.

Thanks V...Joe C.

What specifically was said about the Bee Gees that killed their career?

Thanks for watching hilo.... Joe C.

Well those are the times we live in. When honesty is perceived as being a toxic Di....I can't even finish that word because I know the fine ladies and gents who run this channel will have to remove it otherwise they would get into trouble.

Well, aside from his personality - his compositions aren't the best. He is as great a guitarist as their is, but I always found a lot of his songs to be lacking (outside of their technical skill).

Thanks Steve.... best, Joe C.

Thanks for sharing your comments David....... Joe C.

I agree! I actually think it's cool that he can do the transformation from a geek to an actual bluesman on stage. I think he's got a great voice, and few ever comment about it. I find the transformation uncanny!

I was at the first show with BB King when Joe was 12...Agreed.

Thanks for Derek.....Joe C.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts 666... Best, Joe C.

I never knew there was a backlash.

Maybe for some, that's just too much success from hard work, not sure, but Joe's authentic passion and love of the guitar and the blues is unmistakable. That's something that no one can fake.

I have to admit, I was one of those people. I had no idea who he was and saw him with the sunglasses all dressed up (funny the two things he mentioned) and thought this guy is WAY too cocky, I'm not gonna like him. So, I youtubed a few interviews and completely changed my mind. Obviously he's an amazing guitarist.

Thanks for watching Dave...Joe C.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and watching our channel Dennis.....Joe C.

maybe the greatest of our time !

I love him the best when he is with Beth Hart. Should be playing together all the time. I have all their albums and always listen in a car.

Thanks for watching Britt.....Joe C.

Lol, A couple of years ago I ran into him in a guitar store in Nashville and he was looking at or buying (not sure) a Fender clock.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Ace....Best, Joe C.

Probably because he has his own opinions and thats not tolerated these days!

I think he is humble and takes what the few neigh sayers online have to say about him as taking it to mean a lot of people must hold those same beliefs!!!

​@@pperejma That's basically it. But if anyone is to do it, it should be him. He grew up around vintage instruments as it was his family business, so it was in his blood far before he became famous or everything got so freakin' expensive.

I never knew either. What's not to like?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Iggie….Joe C.

I got into Joe through Mountain time, spent the most money I've ever spent on a band, to watch him in Manchester, and it was money well spent. He had the cleanest sound I've ever heard in watching bands, going back to the Bickershaw fedtival in 1972, look it up kids! This didn't stop me screaming out the gig to drive the 14 miles back home in 17 minutes, impressed my gig buddy, to catch the second half of the Wayne Carrick Band, and they were both worth it, for different reasons. But the bottom line is live music rules...

Scott... thanks for sharing your comments... best, Joe C.

Well said.

Thanks for sharing your comments Andrew.... Joe C.

Thanks for watching Jeff.....Best, Joe C.

@@gabrielm.4554 I don't know. I don't read him like that at all. What I do see is a highly skilled, talented, devoted guitar player and gear geek whose love of his work is obvious. What he doesn't do at all is SEEM like a guitar hero. He seems more like an IT guy. That's not a bad thing. I always like to ask myself, "Would I like to have this guy over my house to meet my friends and family for a barbeque?" Yes is the answer.

@@gabrielm.4554 Do you have an example?

@@davidshepard3708 your jealousy is showing

Above all that, he's hardworking. He got where he is by putting the miles in, not sitting in front of a camera in his bedroom.

Thanks for watching Tim....Joe C.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Green.......Joe C.

Thank you Cikgu.......Joe C.

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum You are most welcome, kind sir. I really enjoy watching your videos because it's honest-to-goodness stuff; and that's not easy to come by nowadays. Thank you for being you :)

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts John....Joe C.

Great interview!

He could practically quit his day job and become a comedian. He's hilarious!

Thanks Too... Joe C.

Thanks for sharing your comments Chris.... Joe C.

Well stated; agree 💯%

Rib burn off 😂 you Americans

Thanks for sharing your comments 68..... Joe C.

Hi Chrissy.... Thanks for watching.... part 3 coming very soon.... Best, Joe C.

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Thanks Joe

Thanks for watching Kevin... Joe C.

Your mistaken a nice guy for a great player he’s a parrot not an original !!!!! All the praise is from people who obviously don’t know how to play guitar I know how to play he’s better than I but that doesn’t make him great.

@@Goldie_Hawn_Solo I’m sorry your so defensive about my opinion it’s just my opinion. I’ve been playing for 45 years I’m ok but not a professional musician. Joe is a professional musician and to what I see He’s a good guy . But as far as a guitar player he’s utilitarian . He’s good at playing r and b. And emulates his hero’s . He worked hard to do it . It just doesn’t move . When people come on the scene , there has to be something unique for me . Like Jr Brown or Eric Johnson . Hendrix, Cliff Gallop . And on and on . You get my drift . I wouldn’t go to a concert to watch him play . He’s a fans guitarist . Not a musicians guitarist. Like people who see the stones after 60 years of the same 3 chords .guitarist go see Zeppelin!!! IMHO. Cheers mate

@@Goldie_Hawn_Solo as for the add homonym attacks , most people would tell you I’m a very nice guy , down to earth , I know how to play with other people no ego no turning the amp up to 11. Your attack on me over Joe B sounds like he’s a family member , or a lover . Because I said nothing bad about him personally. And if your skin is that thin you would not make it 5 minutes on stage , before you would cry and leave with your tail between your legs . No problem just having some fun . When he can write a song like Kashmir or improvise a solo off the cuff for 20 minutes like Page then come back and we’ll talk goodnight

He’s not different though. He’s an imitation. Nothing wrong with that. But he’s not unique. That’s why he’s “polarizing”.

Thanks Vegas....,Joe

Thanks for watching Bill.... Joe

Thanks for watching Caroline.....Best, Joe C.

Thanks for watching 202.... Joe C.

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Love your interviews, Joe. You always do a great job.

Thanks for sharing your comments Josh.... Joe C.

Thanks for watching too Hawke... Joe c.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Walter.... Joe C.

He's humble? BS... at one point in time his website claimed he was the greatest guitarist in the world. Far from humble.

@@videotrexx You think he runs his own website! In the unlikely event that it actually said that, it’d be some overly keen pr person saying it, certainly not Joe.

@@Yosser70 so you think whomever runs the site for Bonamassa has free reign to put up whatever he wants and Bonamassa never looks at it, huh? It was on the MAIN page. And it wasn't an "unlikely event" it was AS I STATED, whether or not you believe that doesn't change FACT. FYI, I once had a first person interaction with Bonamassa's father (I live 40 miles from where he grew up, first saw him in a LOCAL BAR when he was only 12 and have seen him two times since). His father was an arrogant asshole and it's likely that's where Bonamasshole got his arrogance from.

@@videotrexx Yes that’s exactly what I mean, people like Joe have PR people to look after stuff like that, why on earth would he bother looking at it? You saw his dad when he was 12 or when Joe was 12? Difficult to understand you, all the random shouting is a bit weird, sorry.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts John... best, Joe C.

The people who knock the people who don't care for Joe's Music know even less about them than they do Joe's music.

So true. I've seen him maybe 6 times and your correct his singing has improved a lot. His guitar playing has always been top-notch to me none better.

@Bill Sbac What is a "top" song? If you're talking about the Billboard charts...that is completely meaningless when it comes to a musicians ability. The truth is that songs and artists are pre-selected and backed by investors and marketing agencies and thrown into the radio realm....which most every single radio station in the United States is owned by Clear Channel. Clear Channel takes the money and then agrees to a schedule of play all across the country. They will literally play songs repeatedly and this repetition is a very powerful tool in convincing idiots like you that don't understand anything about the industry that what you're listening to is actually "good" because it must be good because its on the radio. Popularity means absolutely nothing and doesn't make a musician good or bad. There are guitarists you've never heard of that you hear on the radio all the time. As a matter of fact there are probably 2 that you've heard specifically throughout the years hundreds of times and you...being the overly opinionated naive dumbass that you are that eats up whatever the industry tells you to eat up...were totally clueless. These two are considered two of the best guitarists on planet Earth. One being Brent Mason who has recorded on 1,200 number one songs and the other is Tom Bukovac who is an absolute monster in the industry. Explain to me if they are both on that many number one hits...why don't you know who they are? Is it because they aren't any good? The answer is no. They are among the absolute best to ever do it....it's just that you were sold a different manufactured package that you ate up and were sold the idea that it was "popular". Joe Bonamassa has skipped the Clear Channel/Record Label rip-offs and decided to create his own cohesive unit. He owns all of the touring equipment, guitars and pays his musicians himself. He also pays for all of his own marketing. Put it this way...in your mind you think that for instance a band like Nirvana comes along....they release a record like Nevermind which sells a mind-blowing 7 million copies. They're in the money, right? Because they're just so damn popular. Yeah, no. They made 20,000 dollars on that record and were couch surfing while the ripoff artists in the industry were pocketing all of the cash. Joe's current net worth sits around 22 million dollars which is 1,100 times that of what Nirvana made on the single biggest recording in the 90's. So not only is Joe a legendary guitarist...he's also infinitely smarter than you. You are the industries beloved wet dream. Stay stupid.

@@JB-su3eq Savage!

Thank you for your kind words. Best, Britt

That and Metallica with their dartboard. The whole tribalism around being a thrash fan to the exclusion of other sub-genres was/is stupid. It can all co-exist.

Words to live by. Who said it?

@@Mythicregard It's a quote from a stoic. Possible from antiquity, but I do not have the name of the author.

Thanks again for watching EL....Joe C.

Joe interviewing Joe. I want to thank papa Joe for this interview. I didn’t exactly know how to say that but the guy in the original comment helped me.. Thanks both Joe’s, but especially papa Joe👍🏻

Thanks for watching Alan......... Joe C.

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Your welcome!

Well said!

Thanks for watching John...JoeC.

Thanks for sharing your memories baler.... best, Joe C.