Wishing a Happy Birthday to John McLaughlin on his 84th birthday. I won't even attempt to add to the expert commentary others have offered on his amazing and pioneering musical career. Personally, he was my pathfinder in the music beyond the guitar rock of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and others, into the realm of Miles Davis Bitch Brew and beyond. With Mahavishu Orchestra, and his many paths of the music he explored, I was eager to travel with him. I was excited to have seen him perform several times over the years starting with an early 1970's Mahavishu Orchestra concert at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden, an early Shakti (his acoustic India music group), acoustic guitar trio dates with Paco De Lucia and Al DiMeola, and finally his US Farewell Tour in a Buffalo, NY in 2017. I sold my vinyl collection years ago, but replaced and added more of John's music on CD.
Fortunately, for all of us, John is still playing and touring. What a long great trip it's been, and continues to be. Enjoy.