Glenn Schwartz!

I saw in old topics, the thread "The James Gang Rides Again!" had some talk about Glenn Schwartz -- who was the original lead guitarist for the James Gang before Joe Walsh. I know Glenn and his brother Gene a little bit, and I know about his history. He is a living guitar LEGEND here in Cleveland.

He was the original guitarist for the James Gang (formed in Cleveland around 1967-68) and they made a name for themselves opening for Cream. It was then that Glenn became friends with Clapton and the two shared licks and ideas backstage throughout the tour. Glenn got himslef noticed by his unique playing technique and his incredible on stage energy. He left the James Gang and trained his replacement Joe Walsh in 1969. He moved to L.A. and joined a group called Pacific Gas & Electric. He earned the nickname "the White Hendrix" and was considered one of the top blues/rock guitarists in the country. After recording 3 albums with PG&E, Glenn up and left the band. No one knows the full story, but Glenn had at some point become a born again Christian, and decided that he did not want to become a rock star. He then started playing guitar and "preaching" on his own all over California in small bars and pool halls.

There is a lot more to Glenn's life since then, but currently, at the age of 67, he is still amazing music fans each week here in Cleveland. He plays in a trio band with his brother Gene on bass, called the Schwartz Brothers and they perform 3 hours of blues rock every Thursday night for free at a "blue collar" bar here in Cleveland. Glenn is nothing short of phenomenal and he packs the house every week. I have been a guitarist for over 10 years and have seen a lot of performances, but Glenn puts on the best. You would think he was 21, not 67 -- the way he moves, stomps, jumps ontop of his Fender Quad reverb amp and never misses a beat. He plays with fury and precision, and its really like nothing you've ever seen. He is actually opening for the band I belong to in a couple weeks and I cant wait.

here is a link to an excellent article about him:

http://www.clevescene.com/2004-12-08/ne … e-strings/

if you want to hear his playing with Pacific Gas & Electric, I would recommend going to www.mp3fiesta.com and search the band name. Get It On and Are You Ready are his best playing. Both albums can be downloaded for like 89 cents each. (I have nothing to do with this site and am not trying to make sales for them, this is just the cheapest most effective way to get some of Glenn's stuff)

Anyone else know of him or have anything cool to add? He's told so many cool stories of playing with Hendrix, Page, how he was friends with Gregg and Duane Allman, how he thinks Joe Walsh is a much better slide player than Mick Taylor.