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Mojo's Music Academy: Videos/Interviews
Interview with Jack Sherman - May 20, 2008
Interview with Jack Sherman May 2008
When did you start playing guitar and who were your early influences?
I stated playing in 1970 in Rochester NY and the radio was a huge influence on me.
One of the first guitar riffs I tried to learn was Chicago’s song 25 or 6 to4.
By 1971 I was really getting into Grand Funk Railroad and ended up moving to San Diego got connected with local musicians and joined a Grand Funk Railroad cover band.
The radio was full of great songs from Beatles, Rolling Stones, Hendrix, Chicago to Blood Sweat and Tears. I later found myself in a Big Horn style band doing Tower of Power tunes and Chicago and we worked all the time. I learned so much playing with these bands with all those funk licks and syncopated rhythms.I turned to Santana and Mick Taylor for the melodic side of guitar playing.
Back then you could go see anyone in concert for like $4.00 from Yes to Deep Purple it was an amazing time for music.
How did you hookup with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and what did you contribute to that band?
My older sister Gail lived and San Diego and new of a couple guys that were a little different on the scene and needed a guitar player. I gave Flea a call, auditioned a couple times and got the part. Their guitarist Hillel Slovak decided to quit the band to pursuit his other band, so I helped to finish their first CD.
We were touring all over California, had a video out for song “True men don’t kill coyotes”. We did a 7 week U.S. tour in 1984 and were also developing the second album Freaky Styley. It was pretty rough touring plus Hillel decided to come back to the band and everyone was happy.
I met George Clinton who produced the Chili’s second album and as a result he asked me to record on his song Cool Joe in 1985.
What part of Bob Dylan’s career were you involved?
I was there in the 80’s when things weren’t so hot for Dylan. I played on the album Knocked Out Loaded song track They Killled Him which was written by Kris Kristofferson.
This album also had legendary songwriters Little Junior Parker and Tom Petty contributing tracks.
What artist did you learn the most from?
Drummer Sean MacDonald from the 70’s Top 40 band I was in. He really loved the tone of my guitar and sensed I need a bit of help with my groove and timing.
He really helped me with that side of playing guitar.
I had to learn a lot on my own of how to adapt to all these different situations and it’s really important to live and play in the moment.
What do you plan to present at your clinic at Mojo’s?
An informative, unique, and inspiring good time.
I plan to discuss guitar tones and groove concepts for guitar players.
We’re going to setup a drum kit and bass and take you through some different styles of music. I want lots of questions, bring your questions.
When did you start playing guitar and who were your early influences?
I stated playing in 1970 in Rochester NY and the radio was a huge influence on me.
One of the first guitar riffs I tried to learn was Chicago’s song 25 or 6 to4.
By 1971 I was really getting into Grand Funk Railroad and ended up moving to San Diego got connected with local musicians and joined a Grand Funk Railroad cover band.
The radio was full of great songs from Beatles, Rolling Stones, Hendrix, Chicago to Blood Sweat and Tears. I later found myself in a Big Horn style band doing Tower of Power tunes and Chicago and we worked all the time. I learned so much playing with these bands with all those funk licks and syncopated rhythms.I turned to Santana and Mick Taylor for the melodic side of guitar playing.
Back then you could go see anyone in concert for like $4.00 from Yes to Deep Purple it was an amazing time for music.
How did you hookup with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and what did you contribute to that band?
My older sister Gail lived and San Diego and new of a couple guys that were a little different on the scene and needed a guitar player. I gave Flea a call, auditioned a couple times and got the part. Their guitarist Hillel Slovak decided to quit the band to pursuit his other band, so I helped to finish their first CD.
We were touring all over California, had a video out for song “True men don’t kill coyotes”. We did a 7 week U.S. tour in 1984 and were also developing the second album Freaky Styley. It was pretty rough touring plus Hillel decided to come back to the band and everyone was happy.
I met George Clinton who produced the Chili’s second album and as a result he asked me to record on his song Cool Joe in 1985.
What part of Bob Dylan’s career were you involved?
I was there in the 80’s when things weren’t so hot for Dylan. I played on the album Knocked Out Loaded song track They Killled Him which was written by Kris Kristofferson.
This album also had legendary songwriters Little Junior Parker and Tom Petty contributing tracks.
What artist did you learn the most from?
Drummer Sean MacDonald from the 70’s Top 40 band I was in. He really loved the tone of my guitar and sensed I need a bit of help with my groove and timing.
He really helped me with that side of playing guitar.
I had to learn a lot on my own of how to adapt to all these different situations and it’s really important to live and play in the moment.
What do you plan to present at your clinic at Mojo’s?
An informative, unique, and inspiring good time.
I plan to discuss guitar tones and groove concepts for guitar players.
We’re going to setup a drum kit and bass and take you through some different styles of music. I want lots of questions, bring your questions.