ABOUT THE CONVERSATION
Albert Lee has spent more than six decades making a career out of being somebody else’s guitar player — although “somebody else” has included Emmylou Harris, Eric Clapton, The Everly Brothers and Joe Cocker.
Recorded during a visit to Barnoldswick, this is a relaxed conversation about the records and players that shaped him, discovering the Telecaster, finding his place in country music, moving to America and a lifetime spent serving the song. Albert also reflects on sharing stages with players including Steve Morse, Steve Lukather and Eddie Van Halen — and the confidence that came from realising he could hold his own while doing something completely different.
“I love good songs. And if there’s room for the guitar, THEN even better.”
IN THIS CONVERSATION
01
Learning guitar from records
Lonnie Donegan, Little Richard, Cliff Gallup and learning solos by repeatedly dropping the needle back onto records.
02
The Telecaster that changed everything
Buying a used Tele for around £50 in 1963 and discovering the bright, wiry sound that would shape his playing.
03
Finding his own musical lane
Country music, George Jones and Buck Owens — and choosing a different path as many British guitarists gravitated towards blues.
04
Emmylou, Clapton & The Everlys
The opportunities that took Albert to America, into Emmylou Harris’s band, five years on the road with Eric Clapton and two decades with The Everly Brothers.
05
Eddie Van Halen playing country
Sharing the stage with Steve Morse, Steve Lukather and Eddie Van Halen and discovering that doing something different could be its own source of confidence.
06
Still on the road
Into his eighties, Albert talks about continuing to tour, the musicians around him and why he’s still doing it.
