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He's Springsteen's guitar player.. and he's my guitar teacher... and he could be YOURS too.

By John Jagler

Bruce Springsteen brings his E Street Band back to Milwaukee Sunday night at The Bradley Center.  Being a fan of The Boss and boys, you know that I wouldn't miss it.  Yes, if I was counting the times I have seen Springsteen on my fingers, I would need to take off my socks.  But I am really jazzed about this show, mainly because it could be the last time we see the best garage band in the world.  If not ever, it certainly will be the last time in awhile.

People who have seen Springsteen in the last couple of years know that they are playing better than they ever have.  It's like Bruce has been to the fountain of youth and still rolls out an amazing show night after night.

Take a listen as I talk with E Street guitarist Nils Lofgren.  We chat about the future of the band.  About what's it's like to play for a boss who has such a huge catalog of music and is constantly changing the set list, often times in the middle of the show.  But we start with recent passion... bringing the joy of playing guitar to mopes like me.

Nils

Nils is an amazing musician who, in addition to a successful solo career has played with artists who rank at the top of my list.  Neil Young, Jerry Lee Lewis and Springsteen just to name a few. 

Now, however, he's also my guitar teacher.  Keep in mind that I have never touched a musical instrument (other than pick up the guitars my daughter leaves laying around).  I can't read music.  I can't carry a tune in a bucket and anyone who has seen me dance knows I certainly don't have any rhythm.  It's with that in mind that Nils has opened up the Nils Lofgren Guitar School on his website

Lessons, taped by Nils on a webcam often times in a hotel rooms on the road, are posted monthly.  The first are aimed at goofs like me,  people with NO musical ability. 

Within seconds I was strumming along with the guitar player's guitar player.  If I got stuck, I just backed up the video and started again.  Guitar lessons, without a big financial commitment, without having to keep to a schedule, without even getting out of my sweats.  I don't know if I will stick with it.  But if I don't, it won't be because it was hard, intimidating or inconvenient. 

At the show Sunday night, the Boss will be hard to miss.  The Big Man will demand some attention and it's certainly hard to take your eyes off of Little Steven (or Miami Steve or Sil depending on your point of view).   But I know I'll be keeping more on an eye on my guitar teacher, hoping to pick up a tip or two. Or, more accurately, looking for him to play the 2 notes I learned from this beginning video lesson:

 Anyone else going to the show?  Hit me up on Twitter and maybe we'll catch a beverage before...

  1. Riddle me this John, what on earth was wrong with my post about the Boss not having any #1 hits? Why did you remove the post? Nothing bad said about him or you. Just the facts. It was directly related to the blog. So... whats your problem?
  2. John I have nothing against the Boss, I like him. Born in the USA, released in 1984 should have been a #1 hit considering the other songs at the time. Maybe the Boss was just ahead of his time. Just trying to get a conversation going here. John you have got to lighten up and stop seeing everything as a personal attack. Maybe you should just have a blog without comments because you can't handle it. I'm still stunned how fragile you seem to be for someone in the business you are.
  3. Jeff, I have no idea what the heck you are talking about. However, I do appreciate you commenting on my blog without taking a personal shot at me. That is a nice surprise.
    As to your point.. I don't get it. I could name millions of artists that HAVE #1 hits were never heard from again and with good reason. Fans don't need you, or anyone else, to validate Springsteen.
  4. John have you seen the comments on the Units blog? Maybe you should talk to Bill and ask him how he handles them. Just like life, you have to take the good with the bad. But I'm sure that you can relate to that. I just thought of something, maybe the reason you don't have many posts on your blog is because you delete most of them. O.K., now I will be banned from posting for awhile. Who cares. I'm done with your blog and your show for good. Have a good day.
  5. My oh my, now who has thin skin? I didn't delete any of your comments. I am trying to scrub this whole exchange from my brain, however.
  6. John please don't try to tell me that you don't know what happened or that you have any control over the posts on your blog. We both know better than that. If it was controlled and edited by someone else, half of the posts on Bill's and Charlie's blogs would be gone, if for nothing else just the language alone, not to mention the personal attacks. So at least take responsibility for your own actions.
  7. Some information for anyone who posts on a blog, they have your IP address, they know what browser you are using, what your operating system is and where you are generally located and that's without doing any research at all. Kind of big brotherish don't you think?
  8. @ commenter "Jeff": As a guy who has moderated a fairly successful area blog for the past four years, can I share a secret with you? Yes, we DO have access to all of the information you refer to, assuming a person isn't posting through a proxy. But we rarely have any reason to go looking for it; the possible exception of when a commenter proves himself as big a dink as you are. Chill out, dude. Life's too short.
  9. B J R thanks so much for sharing, I have a blog too. The problem here is a matter of honesty. If TMJ has rules as to what can or cannot be posted that's fine, but be fair about it, an even playing field across the board. If John has special rules for his blog, then post them. It seems to be less than a bright idea to insult your listeners and delete their posts for no good reason and then lie about it. Thanks for calling me a dink, moron.
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