Allan Holdsworth Memorial Video Compilation

Allan Holdsworth is the Nikola Tesla of music. He was out there on an island on one and will be remembered 500 years from now. THAT is a lasting legacy.

Allan Holdsworth's solo on 'Fred' with Tony Williams is mind blowing.

Allan was/is a musical avatar and an awesome soul.. I auditioned for him twice and only lost the seat to Chad and Vinnie.. I have no complaints about it.. Having jammed with the master himself was pure joy and an extreme highlight of my life.. I flew coast to coast for both auditions and stayed in his house both times which gave me a clear insight into the daily life of a unique man.. Gentle and true he was and remains so in my heart and in the hearts of many thousands of people who 'felt' Allan Holdsworth.. Peace dear brother.

The solo on ''In The Dead Of Night '' that Allan played so long ago, is still so far ahead of most guitarists and will remain so for most guitarists.

This is absolutely beautiful.. I'm only 22 and very late to discover Allan. When I did, about a year ago, it was in line with what I was picking up from artists like Greg Howe and Frank Gambale. Their techniques blew my mind, and inspired me every time I picked up the guitar. But when I heard Allan for the first time, I actually cried a bit, and listened for 30 minutes straight without blinking. His delicate and absurd phrasing is so unlike anything ever attempted, and it's beautiful. It's not just a matter of guitar, it's the musical and melodic aspect as well. Heck, if he played a Horn, he would still be highly regarded. Every line that he plays serves a purpose, and it's not even for a purpose of melody--his playing is simply beyond melody. Yet, it's something that the ears want more of, and it will make you smarter the more you think about it. I'd say his music is a literal perception or a force that he knew how to channel

Thank God we have his musical expressions for now and for future generations of musicians too. Thanks Allan for your music.

Wow!! Steve Vai blew my mind when he said Alan didn’t play emotional, he played connected which is even deeper. It blew my mind because I “felt” exactly what he meant. I’ve never ever heard anyone like Alan.

Thank you for posting this beautiful documentary. I saw Allan on the I.O.U., Road Games and Metal Fatigue tours; then had the privilege much later of opening for him at a club in California, near the Huntington Beach pier. One of my favorite memories was a night in the early 80's, when Eddie Van Halen walked on stage and jammed with him. It was pretty much guitar heaven. Eddie and Jeff Berlin were sharing a beer as Holdsworth took off on one of his mind-bending solos. Eddie just strummed with that classic grin. Eddie was a God in the early 80's, but you didn't get a sense of it that night. Standing next to Allan, he seemed absolutely mortal. Allan was a genius. His music will live forever and this doc is a testament of just how many people loved him and how unbelievably good he was as a guitarist, and composer.

The word genius is often overused when describing ability and execution of craft, but in Allan's case it might even fall short. He was the kind of artist that inspired geniuses. He will forever be the go-to guitarist when far down the road, you stumble on the unknowing young player who believes they've heard it all.

I didn't even know who Allan was until I read the news of his passing. Ever since then, I've barely listened to anything else. Literally. As strange as it sounds, I've even had dreams where I've hung out with him and whatnot. He must have had a good heart to make such beautiful and other-worldly music. I'm not one to idolize other human beings or anything, and I don't "idolize" Allan, but his art really has had a profound impact on me. I wish I could have gotten the opportunity to tell him how much it means to me and how thankful I am that he shared his music with the world. I hear something new in his music with every day that goes by and it never ceases to mystify me. It's a gift that keeps on giving. God rest his soul.

I have tears streaming down my face at hearing Jamie Glaser's testimonial of Allan's humility, wisdom, kindness, and spirit of love. God bless you both man. You gentleman are kings amongst kings. Love, respect & unity imho is the highest form of music. Thank you Jamie. Steve Vai was tapping into the truth in terms of Allan connecting. Allan did indeed often connect with the primordial vibration and the creative spirit of the Universe! R.I.P may there be gardens of paradise on your grave brother Allan 😢 - ZM

Like the title of the second Bruford album, Allan was one of a kind. I have other musical heroes like Michael Brecker and Chick Corea, but as great as they were, you could hear their influences if you listen closely. Allan seems to have come from nowhere; you'll never hear a lick from him that even remotely reminds you of anyone else. I feel fortunate that I got to see him live a half dozen times. I never go for very long without listening one of his albums and I still shake my head in disbelief! R.I.P. Allan

I was most fortunate to have the friendship of Shawn Lane. Shawn was like a small child each time he had the opportunity to be around Allan. He was so in awe of Allan's musical ability and creativity. I can only hope that they can somehow meet up again and talk for days or even years. Thanks Shawn for introducing me to the wonderful world of Allan Holdsworth...

My life changed when I first heard Metal Fatigue at 15. Many years later I was fortunate to meet and spend a little time with Allan. He was so incredibly kind.

"If Debussy could hear Allan he would be absolutely enthralled." This is a beautiful observation. I think he's right.

Now his heritage is bring forward by Matteo Mancuso, his fan and 26 years old great guitarist, with a incredible musicality and a deep musical culture and knowledge. His right hand technique is innovative. Allan would be proud of him

I can definitely vouch for his kindness. I met him on my way back from LA going to Fukuoka and while I was boarding the plane I was separated from my two other coworkers who sat in the aisle, while I was trying to load my bags in the overhead compartment, I looked behind me, because people were waiting for me to finish, and then I saw him behind me and I completely froze, I almost threw up, and my coworkers were asking me what’s wrong and I couldn’t say anything, then he asked me if I needed help with that, because he’s so tall, he may not look at in the video, but he is, and I told him yes, please, my coworkers were befuddled why I was acting so weird and then, as I sat down, he sat next to me which blew my mind!! I kept staring at him and then I just said to him I think you’re just the best and then he realized I knew who he was, the guy was so modest, he really wanted to talk about life, family, his divorce, alimony, it was like talking to an old friend and we drank…..a lot, so I definitely took advantage of the 12 hour flight back to Fukuoka, Japan. Without a doubt the guy was just to be quite honest, a musical nerd, not bitten or obsessed with stardom, the guy just was a talented musical artist and I felt so blessed that God allowed me to sit next to this man, I was a nobody and he talked to me as if we knew each other for years. It was even more devastating on the same day he passed was also the day my own father passed, so I was gutted, deeply. I lost my best friend and my childhood idol. Rest in peace Allan, every single comment from these people is 100% true, thank you for your kindness and thank you for your great music.

A fan since 1975, one of my favourite memories is of watching him come back out for an encore in a small venue in the mid-80s and having to borrow a pick from someone in the audience. He was at the time arguably the most respected guitarist in the world.

I had the incredible good fortune to see UK (Wetton, Jobson, Alan Holdsworth, and Bill Bruford) in a tiny club in Ohio in 1978. Think I paid about $6-10. Best concert ever.

He was playing at Johnathan Swifts in Cambridge Ma in the 70s. He sat at the bar before the show next to me and a friend. We bought him a beer and we chatted. Could not have been nicer. At some point he says “ Thanks for the beer I have to go play.” And that he did !!!