When people talk about rock's most rockin' guitarists, the names most often mentioned are Hendrix, Richards, Page, Van Halen and Lionel Richie. But you know who's name rarely - if ever - is included in that group? A little axe-wielding Rock God who goes by the name of G.E. Smith. Maybe you've heard of him, bitch.
For something like ten years, Smith was the frontman for the Saturday Night Live Band and, on his watch, there wasn't a single commercial break that didn't begin with a few moments of shredding fret and rocking the fuck out with that big grin on his face. People say those were SNL's golden years because of future superstar cast members like Farley, Rock, Sandler and Spade - but those people don't know what the hell they're talking about. Those years were awesome because of a blonde, pony-tailed man with a Stratocaster and a cocky smile that said, "Sit back, relax, and check out THIS sweet solo!"
Today's so-called "rock bands" like Franz Ferdinand and The Strokes only THINK they know about rock and roll. But if they truly knew anything, they'd quit ripping off retro 80's rockers and take a page out of the Big Book of G.E. Motherfucking Smith, and learn how to bust out a goddamned blues solo now and then! What rockers are missing today is that Smith Swagger - oozing supreme confidence in the sickness of their rock, leaning against the back of the saxophone player while hammering out bendy guitar notes and grinning like a billionaire on ecstacy getting a blowjob.
A lot people think the problems plaguing SNL recently have to do with the dreadful writing, talentless cast, celebrity news focus or Horatio Sanz, but none of these factors are the real reason that the show is no longer watchable. The real problem is the conspicuous lack of a certain Grinning Guitar Master. Like everything else on the show right now, the current band is boring pusswad crap, and do not even deserve to play on the same stage once graced by the skilled fingers and flowing mane of the one and only G.E. Smith.
For those few moments before the commercials, when G.E. Smith was assuming his rightful place at front and center stage, he created pieces of guitar magic that will live on forever in the annals of televised rock 'n roll history. I don't know where he's at today, but I will guaran-goddamn-tee you one thing...
G.E. Smith is STILL rocking the fuck out somewhere, right now.
tellin you how I really feel Posted: 12/16/2005by: Attila Never was a fan of G.E.s smarmy, gooey, supercilious smirk. His weatherbeaten grin always seemed to say, "look at me I'm sweeet". I think he was just masking the bitterness he felt at occupying the talent-limbo between three cord guitar pop stars and truly talented and sick studio musicians (like mike stern, frank gambale, et al).
Smith is 100% pure Grade C Meatstack and I want to bash his mug in with a velvet rope stand GE is the BOMB Posted: 12/9/2005by: SoulAlone Witty article Alex! I am a long time Hall and Oates fan and GE is one of my fav guitarists. He is certainly in the league with the big boys but has never gotten his due. T-Bone Wolk, bass player for H&O and with the SNL band is another musician's musician who is way overlooked.
Thanks for letting people know about GE!
Mini Richard Kiel - "Jaws" from Bond flicks Posted: 12/2/2005by: Guido I always thought this dude had a creepy, Richard Kiel look about him ( albeit a miniaturized one ). Snap in a set of stainless steel dentures and voila - it's Jaws. I'm sure that Roger Moore always found this troubling, and probably kept him from ever enjoying SNL during this era. Kinda sad, eh ? Nice article Alex Posted: 12/2/2005by: z-man Andy is right, he's rockin' it out with his 'pony-tail' at the Cleveland Browns home games.
Fun Fact about G.E. - Did you know that he was the lead guitar player in 'Hall & Oates' during their heydays? Not only that, but GE's creepy bass playing friend from SNL, who looked liked a cross between an amish man, and that kid from "The Burbs" was also in Hall & Oates.
G.E. gets major face time in the video "Private Eyes" A Humanitarian, too... Posted: 12/2/2005by: TIMMAH I saw him a few years ago doing the Anniversary celebration for Habitat for Humanity in Indianapolis. Apparently he does a lot fo work for them. Perhaps he builds houses completely out of kickass riffs. Actually Andy Posted: 12/2/2005by: Dom Capers That's not true. jman Posted: 12/2/2005by: deuce actually, it's a telecaster not castor. but thats just in the pic. he has the largest collection of guitars of anyone so he could very well play about 30 strats at once if called upon. i said it before on blaggblogg and will say it again: "some people shred potatoes, i shred guitar strings" - yngwie malmsteen BROWNS STADIUM Posted: 12/2/2005by: Andy G.E. Smith is playing at the Browns Stadium for every home game. It's magical. Anything is better than the Browns right now. do your homework Posted: 12/2/2005by: jman it's a telecastor, not a strat I saw that Posted: 12/2/2005by: matt fucker in NYC like 10 years ago when he was on SNL. He had the finest broad on his arm. I said what the fuck is she thinking, and my friend said "well she is probably thinking she gets to go to all the SNL parties, rock shows, and has a sugar daddy." That is when I decided to pick up my guitar for to be the next GE smith, but I broke my E string and the dream died.
