Al Di Meola plays Jerry Garcia’s $11.5 million “Tiger” guitar live onstage: “It was emotional in a way I didn’t expect”
For a guitar that just sold for $11.56 million, Jerry Garcia’s legendary “Tiger” sure isn’t spending much time behind the glass.
After resurfacing onstage in March with Derek Trucks during a Tedeschi Trucks Band show at New York’s Beacon Theatre – just a day after its historic Jim Irsay auction sale – the iconic custom-built instrument has now made yet another live appearance. This time, in the hands of jazz fusion heavyweight Al Di Meola.
READ MORE: “It only felt right to return the favour”: Al Di Meola is the latest guitarist to play Greeny – so he let Kirk Hammett play his ‘71 Black Beauty in return
Last weekend (3 May), Di Meola brought “Tiger” onstage during a performance at Park West, alongside Josh Olken of Grateful Dead tribute act Terrapin Flyer.
Sharing footage of him playing the guitar on social media, Di Meola reflects on Garcia’s legacy and the surreal feeling of plugging into one of the most famous instruments in rock history.
“I never got to meet Jerry Garcia, but I later heard he mentioned me as one of his favourite guitar players,” Di Meola writes. “I couldn’t believe it, honestly.”
He continues, “When I was 15, my friends and I would skip school, take the bus into the city, and see the Grateful Dead at the Fillmore East. Some of my best memories! That era was magical!”
“Last night in Chicago, I had the chance to play Jerry’s famous ‘Tiger.’ It was emotional in a way I didn’t expect. This is a close-up from soundcheck, just getting a feel for it. And there it was… the Jerry tone.”
Di Meola also thanked Olken for “sitting in,” as well as the guitar’s new owner, Family Guitars co-founder Bobby Tseitlin.
Meanwhile, Terrapin Flyer also praised Olken for handling the pressure of performing alongside Di Meola with minimal preparation.
“Josh had very little rehearsal time,” writes the band. “Al changed the key so Josh had to transpose the song on the spot. It was a tight spot for Josh to be in performing with someone so talented and revered and he slayed it. We’re all very proud of him. Josh walks amongst giants. Mind blown.”
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The renewed spotlight on “Tiger” comes just months after the death of legendary luthier Doug Irwin, who built the instrument for Garcia in the 1970s. Earlier this year, the six-string fetched a staggering $11.56 million at the Jim Irsay collection auction, instantly becoming one of the most expensive guitars ever sold.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
