Surveying a small pattern of Rick Vito’s resumé, versatility is a given. From the early ’70s, he has been tapped by John Mayall, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Dolly Parton, Maria Muldaur, Roy Orbison, and Boz Scaggs, and his ’80s work with Bob Seger is acquainted to tv viewers in every single place.

He did 4 years touring and recording with Fleetwood Mac, and in 2020 was the apparent option to sing and play guitar at Mick Fleetwood & Mates’ tribute to Mac founder Peter Inexperienced.

Vito’s tenth solo album, Cadillac Man, completely balances style and swagger, whereas demonstrating one other spectacular device – his hip songwriting.

When did you’re taking up guitar?
I used to be seven or eight. My mother had an Oahu acoustic Hawaiian guitar that she’d performed as a lady. My first good guitar was a Gibson ES-125 and a bit birchwood Alamo amp. From there, I went to a Gretsch Twist mannequin Corvette, after which I acquired a ’63 Tele.

Who had been your early influences?
I had Duane Eddy 45s and the Ventures. I attempted to be taught Chuck Berry, which was arduous till I heard Keith Richards taking part in it. A pet peeve of mine is individuals taking part in crappy variations of Chuck Berry – even Jimi Hendrix at Berkeley (Johnny B. Goode). They by no means get the rhythm proper – it’s all the time too straight-ahead, not swinging. The early Stones acquired it higher than a whole lot of bands.

From there, each blues man – from Magic Sam to Otis Rush, all of the Kings.

What prompted your transfer from Philly to Los Angeles?
In late 1970, I met Delaney & Bonnie & Mates, they usually mentioned if I wished to get into the music enterprise, I wanted to maneuver to L.A. So I did the following yr, they usually employed me to go on the street for a summer time. The primary document I performed on was One thing, Something by Todd Rundgren, and I labored with Bobby Whitlock. I networked and made a residing.

In ’75, Steve Cropper produced a John Prine album I used to be on, and in ’76 I did Roger McGuinn’s Thunderbyrd. Richard Bowden, who performed with Linda Ronstadt, created a palm pedal; I used to be attempting to learn to play nation, and it form of seemed like Clarence White’s StringBender, so it match with McGuinn. It was undoubtedly exterior my blues-rock factor, however it was enjoyable.

Peter Inexperienced is an apparent affect. How did you come to affix Fleetwood Mac?
I met Mick Fleetwood at a Billy Burnette session, and we talked about Peter, who made a giant impression on me. He performed so tasty, I believed, “There’s one thing to try for.” I didn’t need to be a shredder, I didn’t need to play too loud; I wished to play like that. He epitomized an awesome guitar persona.

Mick sat in with my band, and weeks later, Lindsey Buckingham left the band. Mick requested if I wished to be taught some songs and play with him. Afterward, he mentioned, “If you would like the gig, you’re in.” So I did that from ’87 to ’91. In 2005, he wished to place collectively a Mick Fleetwood Blues Band to do stuff from the Peter Inexperienced period. He’s a enjoyable man to play with and one in all the finest drummers.

Because of the business for Chevy vans, everyone seems to be conversant in your slide solo on “Like A Rock” by Bob Seger.
Monitoring that tune, I instructed Bob I wished to place slide on it and he mentioned, “No, I don’t hear that. I don’t actually like slide guitar.” I mentioned, “Give me one cross.” So I needed to do it with out actually understanding the tune. I performed my ’56 Les Paul TV by means of a 100-watt Dumble Overdrive Particular head that Jackson Browne had given me, and a 2×12 backside.

The primary slide I heard was in “Little Pink Rooster” with Brian Jones. Then, Jesse Ed Davis on Taj Mahal data. Round that point, I used to be stepping into each blues document I might afford; Elmore James, Earl Hooker, and Robert Nighthawk had been sturdy influences. I attempted to soak up a few of what Ry Cooder was doing, and I’ve all the time thought Mick Taylor was an awesome rock-and-roll slide participant.

Which guitars are you taking part in on Cadillac Man?
I’ve had 4 signature fashions with Reverend Guitars. On the brand new album, I’m taking part in the Soul Agent. Versatility is the important thing, so I desire a Fender-playing neck and pickups that may get a Fender and a Gibson sound. There’s a humbucker (bridge) and a P-90 (neck), and you’ll pull up on the Quantity knob to get a single-coil type of sound, although it’s nonetheless humbucking. Pull up on the Tone knob within the center place, and it’s out-of-phase. All of them have Bigsbys, which I attempt to use creatively.

Is it tougher to launch albums on this age of streaming?
I don’t even consider that. I do it for private satisfaction, as an inventive assertion. I don’t anticipate to make X quantity of {dollars}; that’s not what it’s anymore. It’s for the love of music. If something occurs with it, all the higher.

This text initially appeared in VG’s June 2024 concern. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.