Touring with George Harrison didn't test Robben Ford's guitar skills in the least.
Fresh Take:
Serving as the lead guitarist in George Harrison's band was an unforgettable experience for 23-year-old, electric/acoustic guitar maestro, Robben Ford. But what he found didn't exactly meet his expectations.
In the rockin' '70s, Ford shredded his way from Charlie Musselwhite's band to fusion provocateurs, L.A. Express. His stint with the band led them to forge an alliance with the one and only Joni Mitchell. As a result, he joined Mitchell's touring band, performing at her shows, and even bumping into his future employer - Mr. Harrison himself.
In April 1974, Harrison dropped by a Mitchell show in London. Before Ford knew it, he found himself in Harrison's Friar Park mansion, recording tracks for the upcoming albums, Hari's on Tour (Express) and Simply Shady, which would be part of Harrison's Dark Horse. Harrison, undoubtedly impressed by the band's work, took them along for the ride to the stage.
However, Ford revealed that Harrison's band didn't exactly test the limits of his guitar abilities like he had imagined. "The music was very straightforward," he shares. "Non-controversially, we mostly stuck to cowboy chords, like C, D, and G," adding that "the music was by no means challenging in any way."
As the lead guitarist, Ford played alongside Harrison, forming a dynamic duo. "Guitar-wise, there was a clear division of roles," he admits. "George handled the vocals, and I was left to tear it up on the lead." On tour, they would trade solos during their nightly performance of While My Guitar Gently Weeps. However, as a fusion guitarist, Ford found Harrison's style quite different, with a focus on long notes, while he preferred to crank out more intricate licks.
While the music didn't challenge Ford, he did learn a thing or two from Harrison's gear. Harrison's preferred instruments – his famous '57 Les Paul and pre-CBS Stratocaster – left Ford's Guild Starfire IV guitar in the dust. "Truth be told, it wasn't exactly a top-tier guitar," Ford admits. "I was still learning the ropes of electric guitars back then."
The tour also gave Ford a much-needed boost to his career. With every performance, his reputation grew, turning him into a hotshot guitarist on the rise. "Being associated with such legendary artists definitely amplified my career," Ford reflects. "I wouldn't have been exposed to those opportunities had I not been working with George and Joni."
Ford's association with Harrison opened the doors to other exciting collaborations and projects in his career, including working with Steely Dan and Kiss. Regardless, Ford's time under Harrison's starry banner remains a cherished memory.
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- Robben Ford, an electric/acoustic guitar maestro, played alongside George Harrison, shredding his Fender Stratocaster and other guitars during the '70s.
- Despite his expectations, Ford found the music in Harrison's band to be straightforward, mainly using 'cowboy chords' like C, D, and G, unlike his preferred, intricate licks.
- Ford's Guild Starfire IV guitar was left in the dust compared to Harrison's preferred instruments, a '57 Les Paul and pre-CBS Stratocaster.
- Ford's association with Harrison opened several doors in his career, leading to collaborations with Steely Dan and Kiss.
- To stay updated on the latest gear reviews, tips, and news, subscribe to the guitar magazine for exclusive content and interviews with top guitarists, as well as the latest gear releases.
