RobertCray
Theblues legendbeatStevieRayVaughantohis favouriteStratandlaughsinthefaceofcramp. Butcanhehandlethe… 10QuestionsWeAskEveryone
Whatwasyourfirstguitar andwhendidyougetit?
“ItwasaHarmonySovereignacoustic. Ihaditforaboutsixmonthsorso[in1965]. Ireallywantedanelectricguitar,butmy mumgotmeanacousticjusttoseehowit wasgonnago.Andtostopmemakinga racket?Yeah.Itradedthatguitarinforthe HarmonyelectricIgotnext.”
Thebuilding’sburning down–whatguitarwould yousave?
“Probablymy’58Strat.That’stheoldest guitarIhave,andtheonethat’sonthe coverof StrongPersuader. Iboughtitata storeinLA.Irememberlookingatitand thinkingaboutit,andthentheguysaid, ‘Well,StevieRayVaughaniscomingin hereintwominutes…’.SoIthought,‘I’d bettergetit,then’.Itcost$3,000or something–butworthit.”
Whenwasthelasttime youpractised,andwhat didyouplay?
“We’vebeenrehearsingthenewalbumto getitoutontheroad.Butsolosandthings likethat,Idon’tpractise.Iputthehoursin onstage.That’swheremypracticeis!”
What'stheworstthing that'severhappenedto youonstage?
“I’vehadmylefthandcrampupso Icouldn’tevenpeelitofftheneckofthe guitar.Whenthathappens,you’vejustgot tokeepgoinguntilthesongends,thenget somethingtodrink,becauseit’susually
“IsometimesfeelthatI’dliketobequicker.Ienjoy listeningtojazzplayersandIhaveaspirationsbut mytechnicalabilityandknowledgeisblues-based”