Steve Stevens Is Friggin Amazing!

[GuitarIV]

Currently learning how to play Rebel Yell for the new band I got in, I can play the fingerpicked intro part, just need to practice flipping my pick between my fingers for when the riff starts. That said I checked out a few videos featuring Steve Stevens and holy shit, that dude is a great guitar player!

I always liked Billy Idol stuff because most of it is very ambient and the guitar complements the song perfectly, it sounds less like "wankery" and "showing off" and more like delicious icing on the cake.

Found this performance:



Yeah they have gotten old and Billys voice has seen better days (singing "flesh for fantasy" in the lower key rather than the original high one) but damn listen to Steve (and the whole band) doing those tasty piezo driven lines and chords. The distorted guitar also sounds amazing.

I tip my hat. Great musicians and Steve is a genius in his own right!

 

[paul-e-mann]

He is cool

 

[Petri358]

And what a gear freak. Nothing "straight forward" on his setup

 

[GuitarIV]

And what a gear freak. Nothing "straight forward" on his setup

Hell yes. Craaazy

 

[Derek S]

He's pretty incred, always knew this! Super skilled player that seems to fly under the radar.

 

[HOT TUBES 70]

Yep , me too . Always been a Steve Stevens fan !

 

[HOT TUBES 70]

 

[Jon C]

Do You want to hear the Steve Stevens that few know about ???? …… Put on a pair of phones and listen the the way this one Builds !!! Add one more Favorite Guitarist to my short list !!

 

[stringbender11]

I've always liked him too. Like was said in the OP, he was very innovative but didn't overload his solos with unneeded, over-the-top wankery. Very melodic player, too. So yeah I guess I'd have to say, he's probably one of my favorite guitarists.

 

[Angus Rhoads]

He's sooo underrated. Check out his stuff with Bozzio-Levin-Stevens and then tell me the guy doesn't have chops.

 

[Frodebro]

Stevens is a HUGE part of Idol’s success in the eighties, it’s cool to see them still working together.

 

[X2203xman]

Pretty cool when a guitar player that big,with so many people working for him knows so much about his gear.He knew his amp had el-34's.Down to earth guy there with a ton of talent.

 

[Derek S]

He's sooo underrated. Check out his stuff with Bozzio-Levin-Stevens and then tell me the guy doesn't have chops.

There's also a great video out there of him demo'ing his signature Friedman amp and he just rips it up while explaining the amp features, doing crazy fast but clean as hell alternate picking stuff (with a fairly effect free tone, which is cool because he's kinda known as a big, wild effect guy..and usually is lol), nasty bends, tasty phrasing, etc. SS is legit.

 

[Angus Rhoads]

There's also a great video out there of him demo'ing his signature Friedman amp and he just rips it up while explaining the amp features, doing crazy fast but clean as hell alternate picking stuff (with a fairly effect free tone, which is cool because he's kinda known as a big, wild effect guy..and usually is lol), nasty bends, tasty phrasing, etc. SS is legit.

His solo in Rebel Yell is one of the all-time greats. And I don't just mean the parts with the laser gun!

 

[wakjob]

His solo in Rebel Yell is one of the all-time greats. And I don't just mean the parts with the laser gun!

Ever try or hear his "Rebel Yell" pickups?

 

[axe4me]

 

[BowerR64]

I think Flesh for Fantasy is one of my favorite BIlly Idol songs

Now thats a killer idea for a pedal. I never thought the "tone" control was all that useful maybe adjust it a little but an EQ? why hasnt anyone else ever thought of that till now?

Now the "tone control" is much more useful

 

[Angus Rhoads]

Ever try or hear his "Rebel Yell" pickups?

The Bare Knuckle ones? Haven't had a chance to hear them but covers look cool!

 

[LPMarshall hack]

I kinda wish I could play like that

 

[Mitchell Pearrow]

I kinda wish I could play like that

I find the more time I put in the better I get, the problem is the time thing, but a work in progress is just that! Cheers