Ah Via Musicom

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some cosmic vibes as we spin "Ah Via Musicom" by Eric Johnson from his iconic album of the same name! This track, the opener for the 1990 masterpiece, sets the stage with ethereal, spacey effects before diving into the fiery guitar work that defines Johnson’s sound. In a 1990 interview with Guitar Player magazine, Johnson shared that the album title, "Ah Via Musicom," translates loosely to "through the communication of music," reflecting his belief that music serves as a universal "heart-bridge gateway" to connect people. He described the album as a "festival of life," blending rock, blues, jazz, and country to create a vibrant, soulful experience. The title track itself is a short, atmospheric intro that teases the explosive energy of the album’s standout hit, "Cliffs of Dover," which follows it. Fun fact: Johnson recorded much of the album, including this track, at Austin’s Riverside Sound and Soundcastle Studios in Los Angeles, obsessing over every detail to achieve his signature crystalline tone.

Another juicy tidbit about "Ah Via Musicom" comes from Johnson’s perfectionist streak. In a classic rock interview with In the Studio with Redbeard, he admitted to pushing himself "almost over the edge" to make the guitar parts as explosive as possible. This track, though brief, showcases his meticulous approach, with its swirling, otherworldly textures setting a cinematic tone for the album. Fans on Reddit have speculated about the gear behind the song’s unique sound, with some pointing to Johnson’s use of a modified Fender Stratocaster named "Virginia," crafted from sassafras wood, which gave the album its distinctive, violin-like resonance. In a 2020 X post, Johnson celebrated the album’s 30th anniversary, reflecting on how it felt "like just yesterday" when "Cliffs of Dover" won a Grammy in 1991, a testament to the enduring love for this record among Zoo Freaks and guitar nerds alike.

Let’s rewind to how Eric Johnson got his start, because this Austin legend’s journey is as wild as a psychedelic road trip. Born on August 17, 1954, into a musically rich family, Johnson was surrounded by sound from the jump—his three sisters studied piano, and his dad was a whistling enthusiast, which is about as quirky as it gets. By age 11, Johnson picked up the guitar and never looked back, soaking up influences from heavyweights like Mike Bloomfield, Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Wes Montgomery. His early years were spent gigging with local Austin bands, including the jazz-rock outfit The Electromagnets in the 1970s, where he honed his dizzying virtuosity. Without a record deal, he still packed venues with 500 to 3,000 fans, leaving jaws on the floor and earning shout-outs in Guitar Player magazine. His 1978 debut, Seven Worlds, got tangled in contractual drama and stayed locked in the vaults, but by 1986, his album Tones put him on the map, paving the way for the platinum-selling Ah Via Musicom.

Johnson’s career is a testament to patience and passion, traits that resonate with the Zoo Crew’s free-spirited ethos. After Tones flopped commercially, he spent four years crafting Ah Via Musicom, signing with Cinema, a Capitol Records subsidiary that gave him creative freedom to make a "wild guitar record." His obsessive attention to tone—swapping pickups, tweaking amps, and chasing perfection—earned him the nickname "Tone Poet." Today, he’s still shredding, releasing new music like 2020’s EJ: Volume II and hitting the road for the 2024 G3 Tour with Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. You can keep up with his cosmic journey on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

For Zoo Freaks who want to dive deeper into the Eric Johnson rabbit hole, there’s no shortage of fan love out there. Check out the Eric Johnson Fan Club on Facebook, where devotees swap stories, gear tips, and live show memories. Another gem is the fan-run Eric Johnson Fan Site, packed with discographies, tour updates, and nerdy details about his gear. These communities keep the spirit of Ah Via Musicom alive, celebrating Johnson’s ability to make his guitar sing like it’s got a soul of its own. So, crank up the volume, let those trippy intro effects wash over you, and vibe with the Zoo Crew as we honor this guitar god’s legacy!