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John Denner Interview: The Enigma
US guitarist John Denner is a true musical phenomenon: a man born without a right hand who has nevertheless overcome adversity and mastered advanced rock techniques that would make many fully able-bodied guitarists weep with envy! Howard Stern - famed US ‘Shock Jock’ DJ and occasional film star - was so taken with John that he’s seemingly taken up the role of being almost a one man promotional organisation dedicated to spreading the message about John’s miraculous story and playing to a world wide audience.
Since his fateful appearance on the Howard Stern Show, John’s been
feted by some of the best guitarists on the planet, had support from
companies such as Music Man, and is becoming a prominent figurehead in
a number of campaigns from leading US based organisations involved with
the rehabilitation of soldiers who've lost limbs as well as working to
get changes in current policies from US Medical Insurance companies.
For clear evidence of what John is capable of look no further than this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvYA4TbdNUs 'Eruption Video'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuepuSokn9M Guitar Techniques Magazine
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to both meet and play with John at Phil ‘The Gov’nor’ Hilborne’s acclaimed Widdle Studios in deepest Essex.
Phil had called up, and warned me to bring my axe as he was in the process of working on a track he'd written for John’s forthcoming solo album. John had flown over from the States to work with Phil, as he'd been an inspiration to John over many years through Phil’s hundreds of articles and CD’s in Guitar Techniques magazine. John’s album promises to features a truly amazing array of guest artists including: Phil Hilborne, Jamie Humphries, Brett Garsed, Ivan Michaljevic, Johnny Hiland, Billy Sheehan, Gary Hoey... and of course Owen Edwards! With more set to be announced soon this will be one to look out for!
When I arrived Phil and I sat down to work on ‘Is This Thing On?’ - a pile-driving melodic riff-fest that already had some scorching solos from Phil, John and Jamie Humphries. So, with just enough time to tune up, I was thrown in at the deep end with the instructions "Here you go - C# minor..." and was laying down some of my patented fave licks and hoping I could keep up! A couple of takes and Phil nodded "Good enough for me" and it was in the can. Oh, that all sessions flowed so easily...!
When John walked in, suffering from a migraine (not, I am assured, due to being coerced into one of Phil’s famed drinking and curry sessions!) we got the low down on the enigma that is John Denner