Julian Tharpe Interview

[Graham Griffith]

Here’s the complement to my YouTube
“ Julian Tharpe Live at The Fuzzy Duck, Atlanta environs GA, January 1979”

The interview took place the day after the gig (link in YouTube description)

https://youtu.be/Hm69j8pCzkY?si=x2dqeFOe6korJKFg

[Larry Dering]

Interesting interview. Julian had his own style and was
A genius builder. The Fuzzy Duck recording of his playing is less than ideal because of the method used. Pretty distorted and bad quality. The interview is much better.

[Graham Griffith]

Yes, the live music recording was unfortunately overdriven as the cassette recorder had no input level controls but I thought it worthwhile as an indicator of the clubland material being played at the time.

Very glad you appreciated the interview.

[Frank Freniere]

Really enjoying this interview- thanks for posting, Graham.

Based on my one brief encounter with Mr. Tharpe, I expected a taciturn, difficult subject but he seemed quite relaxed around you - kudos!

[Graham Griffith]

Frank, glad you liked the interview. Hopefully you read the preamble in the YouTube description.
In the next day or so I should have my interview with Zane Beck up and running on my YouTube channel. Apart from being a major figure and individual stylist, Zane had a close association with Julian. As with Julian’s interview, there’ll be a tale to tell in my notes.

[Richard Alderson]

Dear Graham - A lot of the old guard here on the forum have been living and breathing steel guitar since the mid 50s, 60s and 70s. They have met or worked with the legends of steel guitar at conventions and on stage. In my own case I came later to the instrument, just since 2005, so your interview provides a rare opportunity to listen to Julian Tharpe, and to get to know him briefly, I even learned a valuable playing tip. Thanks for preserving this unique interview for the rest of us who did not get to meet him in person.

[Graham Griffith]

Hi Richard,
I came to the steel guitar in 1970 with an obsession for old National guitars. I had a Trojan, a Style O & a Style 3 tricone. I didn’t have much money back then and so the 1st two paid for the tricone which I still have.
However, it was only after getting a pedal steel in 1975 that I started learning in ernest. At that time, apart from the Hawaiian pioneers, most of the US mainland greats (bar Noel Boggs) were still living. So I’m happy to share what I preserved of that time. Hopefully I can find time to post Scotty’s 1977 International Steel Guitar Convention.
I currently run a 4 month periodic Steel & Slide Guitar Night in Sydney where I find & feature interesting local players. Each night has 3 acts - a pedal steel, lap steel & slide guitarist with their own bands. You can find YouTubes of the shows on my channel “@hoola100” (or just look up “Graham Griffith”