Guitar virtuoso Paul Gilbert was just 19 years old when he co-founded the 80s metal band Racer X in 1985. Over nearly four decades, he has established himself as a prolific and unpredictable force in music, playing with rock group Mr. Big and releasing an impressive 18 solo studio albums.
Following Mr. Big’s final show in August, Gilbert has been taking the opportunity to enjoy life a bit more. While discussing the music that has shaped his career with Classic Rock, he finds himself visiting ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo.
“I’ve probably enjoyed being a tourist more than I have at any other time of my life,” he admits. “Usually I’m spending every moment I can playing guitar, but this time I’m giving myself a kind of gift.”
Gilbert recalls that his parents had a substantial record collection long before he owned any records himself. They owned albums such as Who’s Next by The Who, Tapestry by Carole King, and a compilation of hits from The Animals. They also had numerous Beatles albums, albeit the American versions. “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Help!” were among his favorites, although he noted they were somewhat compromised due to the orchestral interludes. Years later, he was thrilled to discover he could enjoy the pure Beatles sound without the orchestral accompaniment.
When he began learning guitar, Gilbert couldn’t play very well, so he gravitated towards simpler material. The first song he learned was “25 Or 6 To 4” by Chicago. While he couldn’t play the entire piece, he had memorized a simplified version of the main riff from hearing it on the radio.
As a child, Gilbert idolized Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen, but nowadays he finds inspiration in Robin Trower. He recalls owning Bridge Of Sighs, Live!, and Victims Of The Fury during his youth. “When I listen to those three records, it’s like: ‘Why am I even playing?’ Robin’s done everything. That’s how I want to sound,” he expresses.
Following The Beatles’ breakup, Gilbert worried about the future of songwriting, and the answer came in the form of Elton John. He admired albums like Captain Fantastic, Madman Across The Water, and Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player, listening to them repeatedly. Although he acknowledges the quality of Elton John’s music, he believes The Beatles take the crown for having fewer bad songs overall, despite John’s long career having more filler.
Freddie Mercury stands out as a significant influence for Gilbert. While he only owned Queen’s News Of The World during his childhood, he regards it as an excellent record, along with Sheer Heart Attack. He would often tape live albums like Live Killers from his friends. While Queen’s catalog features a mix of great rock songs and some unusual acoustic tracks, Gilbert preferred the rock anthems.
Despite The Beatles’ evolution towards more complex and orchestral works in albums like Sgt. Pepper’s and Abbey Road, Gilbert expresses a fondness for their early music. He finds it challenging to choose between albums such as With The Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night, and Help!, as they are all remarkable.
Gilbert reflects on a Racer X album called Getting Heavier, which he feels suffered due to time constraints. “I was gonna do things like doubling the guitars, overdubs, but the calendar ran out, and we just had to go straight to mixing or miss the release date. The cool thing is that it’s a raw record – you can hear the performances clearly. I was disappointed at the time because it didn’t have the bells and whistles, but now I kinda like it,” he shares.
In terms of cover songs, Gilbert highlights Van Halen’s rendition of “You Really Got Me.” He admires the fiery performance, particularly the way Eddie Van Halen plays the opening two chords with style and control. “You think: ‘Two chords? Anyone can do that!’ And they can. But the magic of the guitarist is making those two chords sound completely different compared to other players,” he notes.
For party vibes, Gilbert suggests either “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire or “The Rubberband Man” by The Spinners, mentioning that disco is typically great for celebrations.
Gilbert expresses that a live performance by Todd Rundgren from the album Nearly Human brings him to tears. The ballad “Hawking,” inspired by Stephen Hawking, features a gospel-like quality with rich harmony vocals that resonate deeply with him.
After experiencing a hip injury, Gilbert humorously muses about his mortality. He hopes his wife will play his favorite Bach piece, “Prelude In C Major, BWV 924,” at his funeral. While she has a background in classical music, she currently enjoys jazz, making Gilbert hopeful she will fulfill this request. “I often ask her, and she’ll say no. So I’m hoping at my funeral she’s got no choice!” he jokes.
Related Topics
- Emily Roberts of The Last Dinner Party Pays Tribute to Brian May as Queen Legend Hails Band as “New British Rock Royalty”
- U2 May Bid on Rory Gallagher’s Iconic Guitar at London Auction
- Robby Krieger Swaps Gibson SG for Cardboard Telecaster in Unique Blues Performance
