“I keep in mind asking Leslie West, ‘How should I set about this tune?’ I bear in mind that as if it were the other day”: When Ricky Byrd required to tape a solo for this Joan Jett struck, he asked the Mountain legend for suggestions-

Joan Jett’s 1981 anthem I Love Rock ‘n Roll is an electrical guitar– and air guitar– timeless, and Ricky Byrd states he got some essential guidance from Leslie West before tracking its guitar solo.

The tune was initially composed by the Arrows’ Jake Hooker Alan Merrill in 1975. Jett, who supposedly saw the band carry out the track on television, brought it to the Runaways with the view of covering it. The concept was dismissed, she restored it when she went solo at the start of the 1980s.

Speaking in a brand-new interview with Guitar WorldByrd– who acted as Joan Jett’s guitar player at the time, and assisted her track the I Love Rock ‘n Roll record– states he didn’t put much idea into his solos throughout the album, seeing himself as an “on-the-fly” gamer. It brings the very best out of him.

“I sort of like that panic mode when they struck the record button,” he states, “and you go through things where you do 5 takes of a solo, and you select the very best one, or perhaps you comp it.”

That being stated, he admits to approaching I Love Rock ‘n Roll with a little bit more pre-planning. For that, blues rock legend Leslie West actioned in to assist.

“At the very start of it, I pulled for the variation she did on the demonstration with a few of the guys from the Sex Pistols, if I keep in mind properly,” he describes. “And I do keep in mind asking Leslie West, ‘How should I set about this tune?’ He stated, ‘Play a tune.’

“I keep in mind that as if it were the other day. He stated, ‘Make sure it’s a tune.’ And if you listen to Mountain’s things, it constantly had a melodic design to it. I believe my playing does that, you understand?”