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Alvin Lee was an English musician and guitarist best known as the lead guitarist of the band Ten Years After. His virtuosic guitar playing and energetic performances earned him acclaim in the rock music scene of the 1960s and 1970s. Lee's notable performances include his famous solo at the Woodstock Festival. His influence on rock music and guitar technique is remembered through his innovative contributions and memorable performances.
"Strangely enough, through all those school years I decided at 13 or 14 I was going to be a musician and so school was just something to get out of the way, a waste of time and not to bother with it."
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"Strangely enough, through all those school years I decided at 13 or 14 I was going to be a musician and so school was just something to get out of the way, a waste of time and not to bother with it."

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"It wasn't until the movie came out that it all changed for us. Some people say it was the start of Ten Years After, but in another way, it was the beginning of the end."
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"It wasn't until the movie came out that it all changed for us. Some people say it was the start of Ten Years After, but in another way, it was the beginning of the end."

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"It was by listening to Goodman's band, that I began to notice the guitarist Charlie Christian, who was one of the first musicians to play solos in a big band set-up."
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"It was by listening to Goodman's band, that I began to notice the guitarist Charlie Christian, who was one of the first musicians to play solos in a big band set-up."

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"I think I'll continue to work as a solo artist."
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"I think I'll continue to work as a solo artist."

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"I started off playing the clarinet, after I was inspired by listening to my dad's Benny Goodman records."
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"I started off playing the clarinet, after I was inspired by listening to my dad's Benny Goodman records."

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"I think a lot of modern day guitarists start off playing like Eddie van Halen, and they don't take the time to learn the basics."
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"I think a lot of modern day guitarists start off playing like Eddie van Halen, and they don't take the time to learn the basics."

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"There is a big age gap between my sisters Janice and Irma and myself so I didn't know them that well when I was younger although they have been very supportive in later life."
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"There is a big age gap between my sisters Janice and Irma and myself so I didn't know them that well when I was younger although they have been very supportive in later life."

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"We also did something called the Texas Peace Festival, which was actually a better gig both musically, and in the way it was organised."
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"We also did something called the Texas Peace Festival, which was actually a better gig both musically, and in the way it was organised."

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"Back in those days we thought we could change the world."
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"Back in those days we thought we could change the world."

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"So if you see Ten Years After, it's not me anymore. I'm very happy with what I am doing now."
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"So if you see Ten Years After, it's not me anymore. I'm very happy with what I am doing now."

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"Anywhere you go in the world is what you make of it, not what you read in books."
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"Anywhere you go in the world is what you make of it, not what you read in books."

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"I went to see John Mayall at the Marquee, with Peter Green on guitar, and that was a particularly good gig."
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"I went to see John Mayall at the Marquee, with Peter Green on guitar, and that was a particularly good gig."

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"The chances of a reunion now are less likely. I was thinking of having a 40th anniversary of the band, but now they are really another band, so it's all a bit weird."
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"The chances of a reunion now are less likely. I was thinking of having a 40th anniversary of the band, but now they are really another band, so it's all a bit weird."

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"He saw us play a few times in fact. I did this song called I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes, and Jimi loved it. He paid me a huge compliment when he told me that he was thinking of doing something similar himself!"
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"He saw us play a few times in fact. I did this song called I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes, and Jimi loved it. He paid me a huge compliment when he told me that he was thinking of doing something similar himself!"

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"We used to play the underground clubs like the UFO, and Middle Earth, and they were great because they would have on things like a poet, string quartets, and then a rock band! It was kinda cool!"
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"We used to play the underground clubs like the UFO, and Middle Earth, and they were great because they would have on things like a poet, string quartets, and then a rock band! It was kinda cool!"

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"It will be the first time I've played live with a double bass."
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"It will be the first time I've played live with a double bass."

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"I just play to the people I can see. So it's almost like you are playing to the first few rows of the crowd. You can see the faces of the first hundred people, but then it becomes a blur as the crowds disappear over the hill."
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"I just play to the people I can see. So it's almost like you are playing to the first few rows of the crowd. You can see the faces of the first hundred people, but then it becomes a blur as the crowds disappear over the hill."

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"I just couldn't take school seriously: I had this guitar neck with four frets which I kept hidden under the desk. It had strings on it so I would practice my chord shapes under the desk and that's about all I did at school."
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"I just couldn't take school seriously: I had this guitar neck with four frets which I kept hidden under the desk. It had strings on it so I would practice my chord shapes under the desk and that's about all I did at school."

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"George Harrison was also a pleasure to work with. He was one of the most famous people I've ever known, but in spite of that fame, he was such a nice and friendly guy."
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"George Harrison was also a pleasure to work with. He was one of the most famous people I've ever known, but in spite of that fame, he was such a nice and friendly guy."

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"They have decided to tour under the name of Ten Years After which I don't think is very cool. To be honest, they have had to do that as it's the only way they can get any work."
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"They have decided to tour under the name of Ten Years After which I don't think is very cool. To be honest, they have had to do that as it's the only way they can get any work."

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