Ernie Isley
Ernie Isley started off the Milwaukee show by playing “Stone
Free” on his Custom Shop Strat. His pedalboard included a
Dunlop Rotovibe, Voodoo Lab Proctavia, Boss BF-2 Flanger,
ProCo Rat, and a Dunlop Crybaby wah.
Of all the guitarists on the tour, Ernie Isley holds one
distinction none of the others can claim. Isley—who
first found wide exposure as the guitarist for famed
R&B/funk band the Isley Brothers—watched Saturday-morning
cartoons with Jimi. As Isley described during
his three-song set—which included “Stone Free”
and “Message to Love” with Cox, as well as “Manic
Depression”—he knew Hendrix before all the funky
outfits and guitar antics, back when Hendrix was an Isley
Brothers sideman. He recalled how he knew Hendrix
would become something remarkable.
In fact, before each song in his set, Isley waxed poetic
about Hendrix. He first remembered Hendrix getting
a white Strat, just after joining his brothers’ band, and
then he recalled seeing Hendrix after his first stint in
England, dressed, as he said, like a carnival performer
with bell-bottoms and several rings. But what really
struck us was Isley’s last story. He remembered when
Hendrix stayed at his family’s house for weeks on end
and how he’d never be without that white Strat. How
Hendrix would hunch over that Strat for endless hours,
crafting licks and chord progressions. Isley mimicked a
few of the licks on guitar while telling the story—some
were unfamiliar, others recognizable. Isley then paused,
looked up at the heavens, and said he recalled one riff
more than the other. Then he launched into one of the
most inspiring performances of the show. We won’t
ever hear “Manic Depression” without thinking
of that night.
These Fender Custom Shop Strats were
commissioned by Isley’s wife as birthday
presents. They both feature maple
(right) and flamed maple (left) tops and
roses handcarved by George Amicay. The
rosewood fretboards have several inlays,
including a hummingbird, two doves, and
the word “Zeal.” Both guitars also feature
custom single-coils and gold hardware. The
flame maple guitar was built by Art Esparza.