Many of us know someone who can play the guitar, but not many of us know an 85-year-old guitar player who can play like Bob Wood. Bob Wood frequents local guitar shops and stops in to play amazing riffs and covers that have everyone talking. Bob Wood is a talented musician who has played with countless famous artists, but his mad guitar skills are going viral on the internet as well.
Bob Wood could have had a career in music but he chose his family instead.
Bob Wood was just 12 years old when he first played on the radio. The talented player continued to improve his skills but also started a family. He and his wife had nine children and they lived in Memphis, Tennesee.
He could have had a position as a session musician offered to him by the famous producer, Sam Phillips, which would have paid $100,000 for the first year (which is equivalent to $810,000 in 2016). But, it was 1968. Martin Luther King, Jr had just died and with the Vietnam Ware and frequent protests in his city, Bob turned it down as he felt that the area where his family lived was unsafe for his small children.
Bob’s daughter, Melanie Wood-Moody joked, “We were kids of an almost rich and famous person. That’s alright. We were happy.”
He continued on in the music industry for many years doing gigs and playing in sessions.
Bob Wood worked full-time after moving his family as a salesman selling for music equipment companies such as Altec and Ovation Guitars. He continued to play in sessions and got several gigs playing with other famous artists such as Roy Clark, Lew DeWitt, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, James Brown and even the king of all guitar players, Les Paul. Carl Perkins, Lew DeWitt, Roy Clark, and countless others. Bob’s fame continued to grow during 1970-1984 when he played for the Wheeling Jamboree.
Bob went viral at the age of 80 while playing in a guitar shop.
Bob Wood continued to play guitar over the years and won many awards for his talent. In 1976 he even presented a guitar at the Bicentennial Commission at the White House. Bob’s love for music continued to grow and he enriched the lives of many people with his playing.
But time went on and he was rediscovered and brought into the spotlight again after going viral online with a video of him playing guitar in a music store at the age of 80 years old. He caught the attention of many and was invited to play at DadFest and at the Willow Creek Community Church which held 7,000 people who gave him a standing ovation.
Bob Wood’s story is inspiring and listening to him play is enjoyable and relaxing. His playing has no doubt inspired young musicians to pick up the guitar and start playing. His effortless skills are impressive, and we hope to continue to hear and see more videos from Bob.
Check out his amazing skills below!
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Source: British Audio
Source: Tennessean
