When Joe Bonamassa first started his career at age 12, few would have believed that it would carry him this far. Though he was from the very beginning viewed as something of a prodigal son for the blues genre he would later become a master of, few indeed could have guessed how massive his success and talent would become. Bonamassa, son of a guitar player and dealer, first became noticed by the wider blues community when he was around 13 years old, due to two things: First, and most importantly; he got a gig, opening for B.B. King – something almost unbelievable, considering that Bonamossa was an unknown teenager at that time, and secondly, his opening act for King ensured that he was featured in the american TV show Real Life with Jane Pauley, which was shown all over the US at that time.
During the next couple of years he would play in the band Bloodlines, which consisted of the sons of famous and exemplary music stars. The group released a single album before parting ways, paving the way for Bonamassa’s solo career. A few years later in 2000 he released his first solo studio album and it seems that he has in now way slowed down ever since releasing 23 albums and 9 video albums since then, which comes to an average of more than two albums per year! Having partnered with his studio-producer and his very first manager to create his own label J&R Adventures, Joe Bonamassa have found his own alternative to the established music business, and as such his rise to stardom have been harder but more rewarding (at least according to himself), and his shows at the Hammersmith Apollo, the Vienna Opera House and other venues all over the world shows that he has indeed come out on top. Touring for about 9 months each year, all the while managing various trust funds and charity organisations to further musical endeavours for youth all around America plus writing and recording new material, one could easily believe it when people claim that he is the busiest of guitarists out there.
Speaking of guitars it quickly becomes apparant that Joe Bonamassa prefers one type of guitars beyond all others – Gibsons. And though the Gibson range in general seems to appeal to him, and though he in no way exclusively owns or plays Gibsons (in a recent interview he claimed to own more than 300 guitars!) there can be no doubt as to what his favorite type of guitar is after watching the rundown of his rig – The Gibson ’59 Standard.
And from the man himself:
Though most collectors would give their right arm to get to own a Gibson Les Paul ’59 Standard (or from €224859/$300906 and upwards to at least €579095/$775000) it is a testimony to Joe Bonamassa’s success that he owns no more than three of them! The famous guitars, known to be among the most expensive guitars in the whole world are not only part of a collectors passion, or a stable of iconic symbols for the blues and rock culture, they are a rarity that most guitar fanatics treasure above almost any other instrument. However to Joe Bonamassa they are even more yet; they are also instruments. Not a single of his treasured 59′ Les Pauls are left sealed away in a treasure chamber as one might expect. Instead he records and tours with them, claiming that not to use them would be the real waste, as their unique sound and the associated imagery that they carry should be shared with as many as possible.
Though many might consider this to challenge fate, Bonamassa have taken his precautions, among other things hiring an ex-secret service employe to guard his guitars. One thing is certain, as long as he handles them with care, we here at Vintage & Rare are pleased that Bonamassa is generous enough to share the wonderful sound of such great instruments with the world at large!
For more of Premier Guitar’s rig rundowns check out their youtube channel.
For more great videos, equipment walkthroughs and much more visit Musicians Friends’ youtube channel here.
For more Joe Bonamassa videos, visit his youtube channel,
and finally don’t forget to visit Vintage & Rare on your favorite social media:
