STEVE HOWE

(Yes)

HELLO MARY LOU Ricky Nelson, Rick Is 21 GUITARIST: JAMES BURTON

“Before he played with Elvis, James Burton was Rick Nelson’s guitarist. This song established him as a phenomenal ‘guitar-break taker.’ The backing track is tight as a duck’s ass, and you can hear James passing licks around. But when he takes the break, it’s an all-time great solo — short, nifty, dynamic, twangy... Everything you could want.”

WHAT YOU GONNA DO Chris Farlow & the Thunderbirds, Single GUITARIST: ALBERT LEE

“When I first saw Albert Lee, people had to stand me up. I was so taken with his playing. On this track, there’s hardly anything going on; it’s sort of a boogie. And then it goes off into this guitar break that’s astounding. It goes off in a whole new direction because of Albert.”

“They were a competitive Liverpool band right when the Beatles were going big, and Brian Griffiths was their guitarist. The song is fun and snappy, but when the guitar solo breaks out — oh, my God! For an early ’60s guitar moment, it was really inspiring.” SOME OTHER GUY The Big Three, Single GUITARIST: BRIAN GRIFFITHS