Andy Fairweather Low: A Journey Through Jimi Hendrix and George Harrison’s musical Realms
Andy Fairweather Low’s life as a musician is nothing short of extraordinary. This talented guitarist and vocalist has collaborated with a plethora of iconic artists, including The Who, Roger Waters, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and Joe Satriani.
Jamming with a Legend: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Among the many illustrious names on his impressive resume, none shine brighter than that of Jimi Hendrix. Fairweather Low had the unique opportunity to jam with the legendary guitarist on two separate occasions, where they exchanged roles on guitar and bass.
Reflecting on thier second jam session, Fairweather Low humorously admits that his performance was less than stellar, attributing it to the late hour—3 a.m. Nevertheless, hendrix was impressed enough to later invite him to contribute to a reimagined version of one of his classic hits.
These memorable sessions occurred in London during the 1960s while Fairweather Low was part of the pop band Amen corner. Even though they may not be well-known in the U.S., Amen Corner, featuring guitarist Neil Jones, bassist Clive Taylor, and drummer Dennis Byron, achieved meaningful success in the U.K. with hits like their rendition of “Bend Me, Shape Me,” originally a hit for the American Breed.
A Launchpad for Future Success
The experiences with Hendrix would eventually serve as a catalyst for Fairweather Low’s career as a touring guitarist. “He had just appeared on Top of the Pops, so word was spreading,” he recalls. “Amen Corner had a residency at the Speakeasy, and one night, Jimi showed up wanting to play. He borrowed clive’s bass, flipped it upside down, and we jammed on Otis Redding’s ’I Can’t Turn You Loose.’
“The following night, he wanted to play guitar, so he took Neil’s guitar, flipped it upside down, and I took the bass. It was just Dennis, me, and Hendrix,” fairweather Low reminisces about their second musical encounter.
While these moments are etched in Fairweather Low’s memory, he remains modest about his performance. “I must admit, it was three in the morning, and I wasn’t at my best! but you have to start somewhere, right?”
From Jimi to George: A Musical Odyssey
Hendrix was sufficiently impressed to seek out Fairweather Low again in 1969 when he was in New York to re-record “Stone Free.” “I received a call saying,’jimi’s in the studio. Would you come down and do some vocals?’” Fairweather Low recalls. Alongside British vocalist Roger Chapman, they provided backing vocals for the track, which had originally been the B-side to “Hey Joe.” However, Reprise Records opted for the original version instead, a decision Fairweather Low somewhat agrees with, stating, “It’s not a good version.There’s only one version of ‘Stone Free.’”
Fortunately for fans, the track was later released, along with extended live versions that often exceeded ten minutes.
Fairweather low’s contributions to rock music didn’t stop there; he provided backing vocals on The Who’s 1978 album Who Are you and played rhythm guitar on Joe Satriani’s self-titled sixth album. His career also included a remarkable 22-year tenure with Roger Waters’ band.
Joining George Harrison’s Band: A Twist of Fate
In 1991, Fairweather Low became part of Beatles history when he joined George Harrison’s band for a tour in Japan. He later learned that he was not the first choice for the role. “during a meal in Japan, George stood up and said, ‘Andy was not the first choice. There were seven guitarists, and he was the seventh choice,’” Fairweather Low shares, noting that notable guitarists like Gary Moore and Alvin Lee were considered before him.
Their first encounter took place backstage at a Ry Cooder concert, where Harrison mistakenly believed Fairweather Low had impressive slide guitar skills. “The first song we played was ‘Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth),’” he explains. “I knew it well, but I told George, ‘I’m the rhythm player; you should handle the slide.’ I learned the solo, but there were many sleepless nights!”
Hendrix’s Final Performance and musical Legacy
In related news, rare footage of Hendrix’s final performance at the Open Air Love & Peace Festival in Germany in 1970 has surfaced, showcasing the guitarist’s defiance against a unfriendly audience: “I don’t give a fuck if you boo, provided that you boo in key, you mothers…”
Additionally, Billy Gibbons has shared his experiences of touring with Hendrix in 1968, which laid the groundwork for ZZ Top’s future success.
