Cracking the Code Episode 5: “Los Tres Enemigos” — Steve Vai, Albert Lee, & Eric Johnson

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Episode Description:

As the decade drew to a close, the pages of guitar magazines swelled with an eclectic palette of colors: heavy metal heroes and prog fantasists were now joined by the hometown hues of country and bluegrass. David Lee Roth built an MTV juggernaut around a music school alumnus. And an instrumental guitar solo by an underground fusion artist from Texas would eventually score a top-5 billboard hit and a Grammy. The limelight was as bright as ever, but the set design was no longer neon.

Somewhere in the distance, beyond the smoke machines and the flaming gongs, we felt the first muted tremors of change. The message was clear: adapt.

[kevinstewart]

this show is like the "cosmos" for guitar nerds... excellently done.

[guitarpierlu]

Man, you have mapped and analyzed the guitar phenomenon among the 80s
and 90s, with great technique, intelligence and sense of humor..
Hats off to those who can do this, this way!
I hate to repeat myself but.. you are a genius!!

[strat]

These are really incredible videos you are making, I appreciate it a lot.  I was playing in a band in the 70s when I first heard EJ at a club in San Marcos, and told everyone that there was an alien playing guitar.   All of us pickers in Houston used to get off of our last set and rush to hear him when he played in town, there were no recordings of him then except a solo on Christopher Cross' album, his own first album was tied up in litigation (7 Worlds).   We would just look at each other and laugh, shaking our heads, and leave humbled at the experience and knowing we had seen something that was beyond special. lol    He was on FIRE.

[JgHaverty]

Haha, when I was a kid, I was obsessed with guitar like you were (am/are of course :D)

I was grounded and it was like a friday night, so I went to bed really early. It was like 11pm, and my dad comes upstairs and says "I want you to come watch this". Sure enough, it was Eric Johnson. I had NEVER heard of him, and I was obsessed with yngwie, so I was like "oh neat, another guitarist... *yawn*" I read "Austin City Limits" on the screen, and was like "wtf is this crap?".... This goon comes out wearing what looked like a high school band uniform (jokes on me, it was his high school band uniform haha).... he started to play, and after about 30 seconds I was HOOKED. I just stared at the screen the whole concert without even blinking haha. It was a cool experience, and one of my few good memories i have of my dad as a kid.

[comic]

Thankyou for putting all this out for free. So much entertainment and information. Not surprising you were one of the few guys to decode some of Shawn Lane's work!! 

[MrJetplanemusic]

The first time I heard Steve Vai's playing was on one of those Guitar Player magazine floppy records...The Attitude Song. Blew me away!

[robbiegarnz]

I was trapped and I needed a way out...That phrase sums up my cumulative guitar playing experience over the past 3 decades! No matter how well you learn one style or one aspect of guitar playing there is another one right around the corner that is even harder to grasp and more intimidating. That is both the beauty and the folly of guitar. I love it!

[adhithyaravisankar]

Here from Ben Eller's videos..Incredible stuff...so useful!

[These_go_to_eleven_]

Really great to see that you did not limit yourself to just rock and metal
A lot of kids would snub their noses at something like albert lee saying it is not rock or heavy enough or it does not have distortion but the truth is albert lee is a amazingly sick player!

[pablo_costas]

I came to theese videos because Andy Timmons himself recomended them yesterday in a clinic at my favorite guitar shop, and I have to confess, your videos are fucking awesome ! cheers mate !

[angelophan]

That Eric Johnson DVD was very formative to my guitar playing. I'll never forget the first time I heard "Trail of Tears" my mind was blown.

[shellanfilms]

this is one of the most creative videos of the 80s guitar era ever just amazing & learning about the greatest with the unique styles & elements great job Troy!

[TheBfutgreg]

Is all the background music done by Troy himself? Those are some tasty guitar renditions of some famous tunes, one of the nicest mixes I've heard

[slapitman]

Troy, there must be literally millions of us who went through the same thing around the world!! Equal measure of lust for technique and despair at how others could play so cleanly/musically and proficiently. Your videos are really like a mirror to my years in the 80's!! I always knew there was a 'code' but the relentless hours of practise, lack of tuition that brought real results had me quit time and time again. Your shows at least show I was not alone - a very confusing yet inspiring time in my life. Damn you Yngwie, Steve and Eddie!!

[sMetalNeverDied]

Thank you Troy Grady for your incredible content. I had fallen out of love with guitar for a couple of years (biggest mistake of my life); and since 2019 I rediscovered my love for it after listening to 80's metal. Your videos are what have given me the inspiration and insight to get further with guitar than I could have ever dreamed.

[enterprisesoftwarearchitect]

Love that you put Brian Setzer on the interstate sign! What a seldom recognized hero. UNBELIEVABLE MOTION GRAPHICS!!! Was listening to "Star Licks" and accompanying tablature in the 80's/90's. Evidently many us were listening to your favorite albums as well - but with no hope of playing them. While I could play Yngwie due to brute force - watching your analysis is WOW!!  But sometimes having the tablature was no help - Night Ranger or Stevie Ray Vaughn - couldn't get them fast no matter how much I tried. Now that Troy has told us, I know why ...

[FedericoMreule]

I watched the full series when you first uploaded it, years ago...regularly I go through it every once in a while, great job!

[Rockin]

This is the best series I've watched on YouTube. I am a total guitar nerd and this ticks every box for me! Really well produced, researched and edited. Bring on the next episode!

[chrisjones]

This stuff takes me down memory lane. It mirrors my life. Granted I never got as good as Troy

[TobySpiller]

really enjoying this series, glad that I've stumbled upon it, thanks for making it :) helpful to kinda analyse my own way I've figured out these things