My mentor!

[Telemarkman]

My most important mentor as a guitar player and musician was a guy from my hometown in the 60's/70's and 80's. He was a local rock'n'roll hero already in the late 1950's and one of the country's best Shadows players in the 60's.

He also was a guide for several American and British artists that visited Norway: The Everly Bros., Spencer Davis Group, Van Morrison and Tony Jackson (The Searchers) comes to mind.

He recorded 3 singles with his group The Flames in the mid-60's before breaking up the band.
In late 1968 we started playing together and the next year we were on national TV with one of his songs - a blues song (me on my red 1965 Tele).

During the years, our ways parted ... He started drinking a lot, had a couple of strokes and died in the 1990's.

I will always carry his memory with me though - he tought me so much about guitars and music (he was a few years older than me).

I'm so pleased to see his most popular instrumental put up on YouTube once more (it was gone for a long time).

Here he is: John "Mykjan" Fredriksen and his group The Flames from 1964! (John on the right with his homemade guitar).

[Telemarkman]

Here's John a couple years later, with his first Strat. He's also got a Beatles hairstyle.

[soulman969]

That's a nice tribute. Good memories!

[elihu]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

Here he is: John "Mykjan" Fredriksen and his group The Flames from 1964! (John on the right with his homemade guitar).

Great melodic playing...enjoyed it John. Melody is right up there with attitude for me.