“I played note-for-note. Those albums are the soundtrack to people's lives. I wanted to hear them how it was supposed to be”: Damon Johnson on how he came to play with Thin Lizzy and Lynyrd Skynyrd – and his identical approach for both gigs
Johnson has been tasked with filling roles held by a string of iconic guitarists – and he's been determined to do the source material justice every time
(Image credit: Dokk Savage/CBS via Getty Images)
Damon Johnson has amassed a staggering list of credits across his career, having played electric guitar with the likes of Brother Cane, Alice Cooper and Black Star Riders, while touring with bands such as Van Halen and Aerosmith.
Johnson has also held down roles in not one, but two, classic rock outfits, and in both cases was given the monumental task of stepping in to replace a string of iconic guitar players.
Specifically, in 2011, Johnson was tapped by Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy to fill a role previously held by Gary Moore and Brian Robertson.
A decade later, he was appointed by Lynyrd Skynyrd, initially as a temporary replacement for Gary Rossington – who was recovering from emergency heart surgery at the time – and later on a permanent basis following Rossington's death.
As Johnson explains in an upcoming interview with Guitar World, both opportunities had their own distinct challenges, but his approach for the gigs remained largely the same: honor the original material as closely as possible.
“I was incredibly flattered that Scott would even ask,” Johnson says of his Thin Lizzy recruitment. “I showed up the first day beyond prepared, knowing the Gary Moore and Brian Robertson versions.
Damon Johnson with Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama†- YouTube
“After the first couple of rehearsals, Scott said, 'Buddy, you're playing your ass off, and we love it. But don't feel like you have to play those songs note-for-note. I want you to be Damon Johnson.'
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
“He said, 'I want you to bring your style to the lead guitar of Thin Lizzy,' and I didn't hesitate. I said, 'Scott, I appreciate that, but respectfully if I'm a fan of Thin Lizzy and come to see the band, I don't want to hear this new guy playing his interpretation.'”
Johnson carried this strong desire to closely honor the source material into his Lynyrd Skynyrd stint. That made things slightly easier, given the fact he received far stricter stage notes from the band’s leaders.
“When I got the phone call from Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlocke about needing someone to fill in while Gary was home recovering, they said, 'Damon, we need you to put in the time and learn these songs note-for-note.'
“I said, 'Guys, I wouldn't dream of doing it any other way.'”
Keep an eye out on GuitarWorld.com for the full interview with Damon Johnson.
Matt is a Senior Staff Writer, writing for Guitar World, Guitarist and Total Guitar. He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 16 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt records for a number of UK-based bands and songwriters as a session musician.
