Al Caiola 9/7/1920-11/9/2016
- Thread starter kakerlak
- Start date
silverfox103
Senior Member
Wasn't familiar with Al, but after Googling him, it's obvious he had a very nice and rewarding career as a guitarist etc. He also was a WWII vet. I'm glad I took the time to look him up.
Tom
Tom
Not just that... they were part of a guitar+amp set and the amp controls were on the guitar. Wacky '60s stuff.
There were 3 Caiola models; standard, custom and professional. The pros were the ones with the amp controls on the guitar.
I had a Custom in the '70s. I put large hum buckers in it and ruined it. Lots of feedback. The tops are thicker than 335s but with no solid center section.
Once the feedback started, it just wouldn't stop, even at low volume. I was bummed.
I had a Custom in the '70s. I put large hum buckers in it and ruined it. Lots of feedback. The tops are thicker than 335s but with no solid center section.
Once the feedback started, it just wouldn't stop, even at low volume. I was bummed.
I looked at that guitar earlier today. It looks close, but I don't think that is the one I owned. I don't remember what brand of pickups I used, but the guitar in the reverb ad has Seymour Duncans and I don't think he was making pickups for sale generally until a couple/three years later. I think mine had chrome covers, too.
dougdnh
Member
Al was one of the most recorded guitarists of all time, never got the recognition he deserved. He was a good friend of my dad, whowas also a NY based guitarist
dougdnh
Member
My dad was a jazz guitarist/music teacher who played the New York/New Jersey area from the late 40's thru the late 90's. He knew and jammed with many of the legends - Al Caiola, Tal Farlow,Tony Matola, Mundell Lowe, Bucky Pizzarelli. He also taught guitar to Ed Ames, Scott Chinery and Johnny Maestro I believe he bought one of his first amps off Tiny Grimes, and I have a hand written letter from Charlie Christian to my dad discussing Gibson guitars. He also knew the founder of Ampeg and John DeAngelico (he bought one of his guitars). He taught me my basic guitar skills and theory, but he wasn't a fan of rock music. My dad was pretty unassuming, and wan't impressed with celebrety or glitzy equipment. He passed away in 2007.
Thanks, so much.
Your story brings back a lot of memories of meeting a few of the New York Jazz guitar guys back in the '70s, like George Barnes, Barry Galbraith, Jim Hall, etc.
I never met Bucky, but I saw him in Manny's Music one time, days before Benny Goodman's return to Carnegie Hall in 1978. The woman at the center counter (about 20 feet into the store from the street, remember?) saw Bucky and said effusively, "Hi Bucky, ya' goin' to The Concert?" Bucky was wearing a really good suit, cut really sharp. He walked over to the counter and said something to the effect of, 'yeah, I've got my tickets!'
Man, I would have gone, too, if I could have afforded it! I was living in BrokeTown back then.
Your story brings back a lot of memories of meeting a few of the New York Jazz guitar guys back in the '70s, like George Barnes, Barry Galbraith, Jim Hall, etc.
I never met Bucky, but I saw him in Manny's Music one time, days before Benny Goodman's return to Carnegie Hall in 1978. The woman at the center counter (about 20 feet into the store from the street, remember?) saw Bucky and said effusively, "Hi Bucky, ya' goin' to The Concert?" Bucky was wearing a really good suit, cut really sharp. He walked over to the counter and said something to the effect of, 'yeah, I've got my tickets!'
Man, I would have gone, too, if I could have afforded it! I was living in BrokeTown back then.
sailingshoes72
Senior Member
That is an amazing piece of memorabilia to have. Thanks for sharing your memories of your Dad!
Bill
dougdnh
Member
Thanks for the kind feedback. Another interesting little story - my dad had some passes to a jazz guitar get together/performance at a small venue in manhatten back around '67. He couldn't make it, so he gave the passes to me and my fiancee. I was a bar band rock/blues guitarist back then with not too much interest or knowledge of jazz guitar. Well anyway many legendary guitarists were there sitting around jamming - guys like George Barnes, Jim Hall, etc. I just wish I were old enough and sophisticated enough to appreciate what was going on around me. i would sure love to see something like this now!
Bill Ashton
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Mr. Caiola's obit was just in the Boston Globe this morning.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?n=al-caiola&pid=182495674
I remember as a kid his albums, always seemed to have a big Epiphone with the long switchplate on the covers. Sounds like he might have been ill for a bit. RIP sir!
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?n=al-caiola&pid=182495674
I remember as a kid his albums, always seemed to have a big Epiphone with the long switchplate on the covers. Sounds like he might have been ill for a bit. RIP sir!
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