Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford Teaches the “Last Child” Solo | Shred with Shifty
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- čas přidán 1. 05. 2024
- Behind Steven Tyler’s unhinged howls, Aerosmith’s twin-guitar attack with Joe Perry and Brad Whitford cemented them as one of the greatest hard-rock bands of the ’70s. “Last Child,” the street-strutting, hard-blues hit off their breakout 1976 record Rocks, is one of the greatest demonstrations of this dangerous duo’s interplay. While Perry holds down the funky rhythmic chord stabs, Whitford burns through a volcanic, first-take solo. Did any pedals help snare that screaming tone? Nope. Just a ’57 goldtop Les Paul and a 100-watt Marshall.
That combo just “makes you play real good,” Whitford says with a grin on this week’s episode. Whitford gives Shifty the background story on how Rocks came together between the band’s Massachusetts rehearsal space and the Record Plant in New York. They dig deep on Aerosmith’s influences and the guitar players that shaped Whitford’s lead style, including the shredders that knew when to pause. “Whatever you play, you’re still replicating the human voice for the most part, and you have to take a breath,” Whitford notes.
Later on, Brad’s son Graham-an established player in his own right-joins the episode to talk about raiding his dad’s guitar and amp vault, and Brad muses on a big question: Will Aerosmith’s upcoming tour be their last?
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Brads my neighbor and one the most humble, kindest cats you could meet. Hea a good dude.
I hung out with him backstage in Asheville at the Xmas Jam he was so cool and nice to me even though I was train wreck fucked up!!
You must be loaded too 💰
@@scottellis5692can a guy in Aerosmith really get in a "severe cash crunch"?😂
@@revwillyg6450 in the late 70's early 80's for sure , everyone in aerosmith was in a cash crunch lol , cocaine is a helluva drug, actually drugs are a helluva drug .
@@revwillyg6450 With the amounts of cocaine they were doing ... Yeah.
ROCKS is still one of the best rock albums of all time. Such a complete, raw, heavy, dark album. The riffs, the lyrics, the mood…I’d love to hear more modern bands pay homage to this album. 🤘🏻
Likely my favorite album of all time
Amazing cover too.
Great album one of my favorites too. Brad is a hip dude. I have the same cherry LesPaul 😊
Brad Whitford and Aerosmith just absolutely floored me the first time I ever heard their music.
I like the Gary Richrath kudos. He’s such a great player. His solos are so good.
I got to hang with Brad and Derek St. Holmes at a private NAMM party for PRS. Both of them were so cool to me. Brad patiently answered all my stupid fanboy questions. He told me that he played a '59 LP through a 100 watt Marshall. Interesting that he says here that it was a '57. No matter what guitar it was, it's an amazing solo. It was a real highlight for me to hang with Brad. He was really nice to this dopey fan boy.
Whitford/St Holmes should have been bigger. Both their albums are badass!
Man even in the interview Brad's tone is awesome. I've been using a Kemper and now the Tonex but they don't compare to a real amp because they have some much top end baked into the profiles. Brad mentioned he has been using Fractal and if that's what he was plugged into during this interview wow it sounds legit. Now that's a nice thick Les Paul sound
I got to see Whitford St Holmes in 2015 at the Token Lounge they had a meet and greet after both were very nice In fact going to see Derek on Saturday
My condolences 🙏
@@caddydr5150Detroit baby
Thanks for the kind words Brad 😎 The amp was actually a tweed Twin owned by the Record Plant. I tried many times to buy it from them but they wouldn’t sell it. steve 🎸
Hi Steve, just want to give a shout to you and Dick for many hours of pleasure pouring over classic guitar workouts like "Rock 'n' Roll Animal," "Welcome to my Nightmare," and "Goes to Hell." "Wish You Were Here" still blows my mind and "I'm Eighteen" off of "The Alice Cooper Show" is amazing.
Those tweed twins are a beast. I got to meet you and Dick at shreveport guitar show . Yall jammed together and it was amazing watching yall play off each other. 🎸
Steve hunter!!! legend!!! we are big fans at shred with shifty!!!
@@chrisshiflett5287 Thanks brother 😎🎸
You rock Steve! 🤟
Joe Perry was one of my hero's, but Brad is THE player in Aerosmith! Seems like a real down to earth guy
The key point was a lot of these guys have to go back and listen to the records to remember what they did in a moment of inspiration 40 years ago.
You're a lucky, lucky person if you got to grow up in the 70's w all that great rock!
Yep I totally agree. Born (62)and raised in Detroit Ive seen hundreds of concerts at Cobo Hall and Pine Knob Great bands and great shows 🎸💥🎸💥🎸💥
100%. Things got ugly in a hurry in the 80's and beyond. LOL
My absolute favorite Aerosmith solo , turn it up and it takes you to another place . ❤ it’s too short !
Rocks is a masterpiece. Shocking how good it was. I bought it on my 16th birthday when it came out in 1976.
There will never be another Aerosmith. Legendary 🙌🏻
Brad is a lot like Mal Young of AC/DC: the sound of the band is for the most part due to his guitar work. Not a spotlight player...but always 100% crucial to their signature sound.
THANKS Chris!
Watch Lord of the Thighs from Houston 1977 - You will realize that Brad was Aerosmith's best guitarist.
The Midnight Special video (e.g. Dream On) was another rough example. Joe Perry got better over time. Bootleg Live is raw but that is its charm; ironically, there was quite a bit of engineering to get that to an acceptable quality. Enjoyed those old rough recordings.
Was?
When I really started to become an Aerosmith fan, more than just a casual listener, I was sort of shocked to find out that a lot of the solos I loved and thought were Joe's were actually Brad's, like the one on Kings and Queens. That led me to start listening to their music a lot more closely.
Rock royalty right there! I actually remember seeing Brad walking around the Boston Autorama with a young Graham. One cool dude
Love the ROCKS album and Brad's guitar work. Good interview Shifty.
Yes--Rocks is the monster. Sick as a Dog, Home Tonight, Back in the Saddle...
Listened 2x in last 2 weeks in my truck, but going to leave it in there a bit longer...
Rocks and Toy’s inThe Attic…..
Their 2 best Records
@@Boblobblaw88right on bro
As a kid I sat in front of the speaker that had Brads guitar in it on Live Bootleg. Its how I learned to solo. Awesome interview. Awesome guy!
Brad and Graham Whitford are absolutely a delight to listen to! Thank you, Chris, for bringing this legend on "Shred with Shifty" and sharing his son with us too. Bonus! Love you and can't wait for Season Two!!!
Oh, so nice to hear from one of my most influential players. A wealth of knowledge and info for guitars, amps and music. Brad truly is one of the great ambassadors for American rock music. Thanks for the interview.
I remember working last child out 30 years ago... freaking insane groove...
I work at G&L and long ago a guy came in and was checking out some guitars in my room (finished goods) and he had a young kid with him. I thought oh this guy is checking out guitars and he brought his grandson with him how cool.
I was real busy so I kept my head down and did my work and after about 5 minutes as they were leaving I finally looked up to say bye and and got a split second glimpse of them going out the door.
I thought damn that dude looked like Brad Whitford, so when my boss came back in I asked him " who was that guy you just had in here"? and he said "oh that was Brad Whitford".
Damn! One of my favorite bands and I totally missed an opportunity to say hey man thanks for the music...oh well. I'm guessing the kid was Graham as well.
Last Child is one of my favorite Aerosmith tunes...very cool!
I have been a massive Brad fan since the late 70s!! Brad never ever gets his due respect!! Absolute killer player in every sense of the word!! His son is a great player too!!
Totally agree!
It's amazing going back and seeing just how many of those killer solos from the 70s were actually Brad
Casual fans don’t know how important Brad is to Aerosmith but us true fans absolutely do
Ever since I watched this interview, I’ve been hittin both of Whitford/St Holmes’ albums hard. Sometimes I forget what overlooked gems they are.
I enjoy the "Shred With Shifty" show so much. It's always so insightful.
Huge Aerosmith fan. One of my all time favorite bands. Huge fan of Brads playing. So many great songs. Toys in the attic is one of my favorite records
Toys in the attic… Absolutely epic. I couldn’t agree more one of the best Aerosmith songs of all time …..in my opinion.
thanks for everything, Brad. Absolutely wore the grooves off Aerosmith, Get Your Wings and Toys. Then I veered off into jazz, a move for which I will be forever regretful.
Aerosmith is the best American rock band, hands down.
I saw Aerosmith perform live in Cleveland several times in the late 70’s to mid 80’s and they were amazingly talented musicians. Even more capable than most people realize. Impressive.
Brad never left the stage of the
Jimi Hendrix Family revue concerts
here in Avila Beach, CA. 2010+/-
He played with every famous star who played Hendrix numbers that day outdoors near the Beach in the sun on the Golf Course
Steve Vai playing and singing ultra rare tunes, Billy Cox on Bass and vocals.
Got to talk to Jimi's sister who ran the tour and Family business back stage.
Brad Whitford is a guitar players guitar player. Talent OFF THE DIAL
Anything he plays. He can play anything Hendrix like he owns it.
His Marshall Les Paul tone is the
Top of the heap of any
Mongolian String Bender*
Frank Zappa's term for lead guitarists.
Awesome interview .....Brad is the greatest!!!!! Mr.Round and Round!!!!! ^^@^^
Man, I was in high school when I heard that fir the first time and part of the reason I have played guitar for forty five plus years is because of this band and more. So yeah. Great band and great interview. Thanks so much...❤
Brad is an awesome guy! I've had the pleasure of hanging out with him during the time He produced the Neighborhoods.
Great stuff Chris! My son and his girlfriend just saw you and the Foos play a 3 HOUR gig, last night in Dallas, TX. Sounds like it was an awesome show, wish I would have tagged along.
Thanks for all you’re doing thru this Shred With Shifty show, too. I get so excited when I see a new episode drop. Really fun show and I learn new stuff every week.
You’re awesome,thanks again!
I’m glad somebody else noticed how Ted went into the more flashy and certainly less musical style. His 70s stuff was golden.
So nice to see Brad interviewed and hear his thoughts on music. He seems like a really cool guy!
Brad is such a laidback and humble guy. Terrific interview Shifty!
I met Brad during the Whitford/St. Holmes era at Atlanta's Hedgens club, where the pre-contract Satellites (later the Georgia Satellites) were playing. He was hanging out and kindly bought me a Heineken.
I met Brad Whitford at a meet and greet on the Get A Grip Tour. I asked him the dumbest question. Back in the '70's Whitford had a dog named Nugent so like the hammered idiot that I was that night I asked him if he still had the dog named Nugent and he just gave me a look and said no I dont, he passed 20 years ago..........what a idiot I was.
😂 That's funny man! I hate those moments that we think back to some super stupid thing us dudes say. I have to many of those moments. Lol
Fantastic! Chris… all the right questions… guitars, amps and early days recording gear. You nailed it! Brad…I’ve been a huge fan forever! So great to see and watch this interview.
My god, I love this channel… I have so much work to do tonight, but can’t stop listening to this!!
Love the questions you ask all your guests! Your desire to learn is incredible!
Congrats on the success of this show Chris….you are a natural interviewer❤
This was another terrific conversation. Shifty really does his homework, which leads to insightful questions.
Brad gave terrific answers. Talking about Jeff Beck's space was particularly interesting.
I was a HUGE Aerosmith fan back in the late 70's, what a great band.
Awesome interview with Mr. Whitford... Early Aerosmith is a huge influence and Brad Whitford doesn't ge enough credit... an integral part of that band's sound in my book... ☕🎸
I like Last Child, but I wish they had talked about Nobody's Fault.
Absolutely bro nobody’s fault is one of the heaviest coolest Groovin rock songs by Aerosmith, one of my favorites for sure
Wow. Just found this and started listening. I hope Brad discusses 'Adam's Apple' and that sound, as well.
Great interview. Brad is a down to earth guy and an amazing player.
ROCKS is definitive 70's Rock
This is just the coolest damn show!! Love Mr Whitford and Mr Shiflet!!!👍❤️😎
Very nice. Thanks, Chris, Brad, Graham, and PG !!!
Shifty ! … I’m absolutely LUVIN these episodes man .. so good!! And I luv Aerosmith- thanks for the Brad Witford episode dude . F&@kn rock ON !! Thanks again
Good one. Nice shoutout to the Shakedown! Also a great band I have been into for several years.
I love the Shifty Show!!! And Brad Whitford?1?! Great guests, great playing, great interviews. Thank you for this!!
He is a master and we all can learn from him! Thanks mr Whitford for all the great music!
I loved Aerosmith's '70s albums but I never saw them live. I did see Bad Brad and his Whitford/St. Holmes band open for Blue Oyster Cult and Foghat in Philly in '81 or '82. I'm sure they were great, but I don't have a lot of memories of the concert. I agree with Brad about Yngwie Malmsteen, who I saw in another concert in '82 or '83. Malmsteen was and remains "too much," bless his heart. :-)
I was at that BOC/Foghat concert where Whitford/St Holmes opened at the Spectrum. Brad was rockin’ a burst and hit his wah hard. Foghat was great and BOC’s PA turned into a feedback mess on the Reaperfinale.
Yes! The Spectrum. I remember loving Foghat that night and feeling that they were much better than BOC. I think I grew to appreciate BOC more over the years.
I tend to agree, but… At all honesty, if any of the guitar players, who say that, and all he plays too fast, it’s too much… I see them… If you could play that fast, you probably would over play…and just shred neo classical… diminished… Harmonic, minor… And all sorts of riffs like that
Brad you are amazing! I always lived watching you and Joe play. You both were a huge inspiration to me!❤
☆☆ Yeah Guys.."Les Paul's". I Love it.🤟
I don't have the words to express what a treasure this is! Thank you!❤
Really enjoyed the interview!❤
Brad has a killer guitar collection. Seems like a stellar dude
Growing up in the Boston area Aerosmith was my favorite band. Brad and Joe were the inspiration for so many. Riff rock at its finest. I wish we knew exactly what amps were used on the 1st album. I've heard it was a studio owned High powered Fender Tweed with a Gubson 57 with a single p90. Anyone know if that's true or was it Marshalls?
The Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner story is well known by now but it's still amazing to hear the perspective of one of the band members themselves. Brad seems totally cool about it now, I don't think Joe has been as complementary about the experience in the past...
Joe was pissed
What a great guy. Definitely the sound track to my life.
Great interview!
Speaking of Nugent....ever hear the old Journey To The Center of Your Mind? Outstanding psych rock track.
Love this!! Awesome
The old reverb tank that we had in the studio at the wheeling Jamboree USA show for those who don't know was a live radio broadcast with 50,000 watts of broadcast power and it was a live country music radio show second only to the Opry in the country.. Any way the reverb tank was actually in the basement and it was a huge reverb tank. about 6 foot long , 5 foot high and about 12 inches deep. We sold it to some Nashville guy that wanted it for his home studio. It was a great reverb tank. It get really deep into wompatron territory. That's what we called to much verb. wompatron.
When I was 12, 13, Rocks was all I listened to for about 8 months' time. I'd already gone thru Aerosmith, Get Your Wings and Toys on The Attic. In 1977 my mom brought me to see Rick Derringer, Jeff Beck opening for Aerosmith here in Seattle at the old Kingdome.
Aerosmith was a high school hobby
Haha, 'notable salute', very eloquently & hilariously put friend.
Something tells me that it was not a boy scout or military salute, but the far more memorable single digit tribute . . .
@@user-yz3et4lq9yNo, No it was not
Excellent video....
Loved Season !! More episodes please 🙂 and more solo dates (near me!) 🙂
Oh man!
I’ve been on a total pre 1980 Aerosmith jag lately and this couldn’t come at better time. Easily top 5 Aerosmith solo and #1 on many day. The backing tracks are out of site
Brad Whitford Wrote some of the best riffs and played some of the most memorable solos. Dunno why Joe Perry gets all the limelight.
Such great words for Hunter and Wagner. Brad is a class act and along with Hunter and Wagner is one of the my main inspirations. "The Alice Cooper Show" live album is a guitar clinic.
I am the Brad in RagDolls Aerosmith Tribute and this solo is my ABSOLUTE favorite to play. It’s just so freakin tasty. Brad is such an underrated part of Aerosmith. Hey Brad I’m taking donations if you have any guitars you need to unload, they’ll play plenty of Aerosmith! We play all over the nation. Think about it…😂
Brad is a legend. Great melodic feel.
LOVE THAT SUNBURST PAUL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great solo and song!!!
I always said "I wish that I could have Aerosmith play a backyard party for my birthday. My entire life and I'm 62.
It's a shame that neither Brad nor Joe are ever mentioned in greatest guitarists of all time polls,I grew up listening to Aerosmith in the seventies,and thier debute,along with Get your wings,Toys in the attic and Rocks are some of the greatest rock albums of all time.
Surprised to hear they brought in other soloists - I loved their playing, sounds like they took as a good lesson and continued to grow.
Rocks + Last Child = FUCK YES!!!
Love Aerosmith and Brad is a great dude.
Nice comments from Brad about Audley Freed. Audley is the man! Maybe Chris could do one of these on Audley's "Peace Pipe" solo from back in the Cry of Love days.
I'm 61 years old, and just discovered Cry of Love about a month ago. As a guitar player I absolutely love Audley Freeds solos, they're amazing, as is his song writing and playing.
Their music is very very reminiscent of 'rocks' era Aerosmith. If you dig 'Rocks', you will love the band 'Cry of Love', don't miss it.
Everyone allways praises joe perry ,but I've allways loved brad Whitmore just as much
My father was at Berklee same era as Brad and can confirm "Rock" was very much frowned upon . circa 69'
Of course, Audley Freed does his homework!!!😁
Anyone know a reference of songs explaining who played which parts and solos? I assumed that solo was Perry all these years.
Just noticed the WASP sticker. Any chance of big Chris Holmes coming on the show?
When I'm struggling to play something, I stop playing and come back tomorrow. Great advice.
I learned I think from Aerosmith book that the crowd noise was recorded from the George Harrison Bangladesh concert from the tunnel.
We need SHRED WITH SHIFTY logo t-shirts!!!
last section has always sounded like Michael Schenker to me!!!
Love Brad !!!
Absolutely love BW
Find the Rocks album without vocals on CZcams, as much as I love Steven it sounds incredible
Brad W A REAL Gentleman ❤
I always thought that brad and joe were my biggest influences. It turns out hunter and wagner on get your wings and live lou reed and alice cooper are where i was getting my style. And Brad and Joe on ROCKS.
Hey Shifty….huge fan , was wondering if you are related to the Shifletts from Asheboro n.c….? If so that’s cool I was friends with Mark, and Shane. Claude Shiflets sons.
Rocks will always be my favorite Aero album. I discovered it when I was in 13 and it was my first hard rock album. Needless to say, the Beach Boys and Beatles albums were set aside. In my opinion it's their most complete album. Toys has too much filler, especially on side two. No More No More, Sick as a Dog, Last Child, and more establish Rocks as a killer. At 15, I formed a band and the first song I played for the boys was "Sick as a Dog," and they kicked me out of the band. Rock on!
1966 100 watt Marshall, Check✔ 1966 slant 4x12 cab, Check ✔