I started playing guitar about the age of 8. Guitar playing is at the core of who I am, even if don't play in a band now.
I started playing - taking lesson and begging for a guitar - because of Johnny Cash. The first LP I remember having was "Live at Folsom Prison". I would listen to it over and over.
I practiced and practiced and took lessons and after a slew of teachers I got bored and put it all up.
At age 13 I discovered Alice Cooper. The guitar came out from under the bed and I began just playing along with rock music. By the time I went to college I had become ok and a couple area bands had asked me to audition having heard me play with other one-time groups.
I was listening to Terrible Ted, Van Halen, Judas Priest. Rocking out!
One of my first college friends and subsequent roomies, Charles, was into 'eclectic' music and he turned me on to Roxy Music, Phil Manazera, Brian Eno, Talking Heads and Robert Fripp.
Long story short in 1980 Talking Heads released "Remain in Light", still one of the most awesome albums ever, light years ahead of its time.
On that album is "The Great curve". Adrian Belew is the guitarist, I had never heard of him. His guitar sound and work on the 2 solos immediately caught my attention and quickly had me more focused on tone. At that time I was utterly perplexed as to what he was doing and trying to figure it out was another part of the impact.
In 1981, Robert Fripp returned with a solo album, "Exposure". The title cut just blew me away. The Frippertronics sound captured my attention for several following years.
I just listened to this again this evening, prompting this post. I still get chills with the lady screaming at the top of her lungs layered on top of the Frippertronic sound and laconic drum beat.
That entire album, too, is amazing.
Belew went on to join King Crimson (after David Bowie stole him from the Heads) and I got to see the Discipline tour in Chicago in 1981.
Speechlessness.
Play both of these tunes LOUD for best effect.