Mark Johnson

October 9, 2023

Thank you, Buckethead. I'm in awe.

I first discovered Buckethead when I was playing Jordan on Guitar Hero 2. I was 12 years old, living in the UK, and I'd been struggling to pass the song for weeks, deploying star power in Solo B and desperately flailing to reach the Blue Note of Freedom. It was a monster, and it took over a year for someone to 100% the song. When I saw HellAshes finally FC it on uStream, I was in awe.

Fast forward 13 years and I'd relocated to Seattle, WA for work. Now that I was on Buckethead's turf, I was eager to see him live, but due to health issues he wasn't touring and it wasn't clear if he’d ever tour again. I was a much a fan as ever, now close to FC'ing Solo B on Clone Hero, and I'd even charted a custom Lebron James track pack featuring King James, Lebron, Lebronatron, and Lebron’s Hammer.

I'd planned to see another of my idols, comedy legend Norm MacDonald, on one of his tours in NYC, but a few months before the show, he passed away from a long-standing cancer he'd kept quiet. That loss hit me, gutted that that moment had forever passed. So when I saw Buckethead announce tour dates a few months ago, I knew I wasn't going to miss this chance and bagged my ticket and a flight to SF.

I arrived 3 hours before showtime, 50 people were already outside the venue, and Buckethead t-shirts, KFC buckets, and Mike Myers face masks lined the street. When Buckethead stepped onto the stage, his presence was electrifying. He commanded the stage with his 6'6" frame and his lanky fingers danced effortless across the fretboard to the echos of Big Sur Moon. I was completely captivated. The runs in Nottingham Lace stunned me, Soothsayer rang with clarity, and Jordan threw me back to 12 year old me playing PS2. I was entranced.

Getting to see Buckethead was a bucket list item for me. But what stays with me is more than just his sensational playing. It's his dedication to his craft and the care of his fans. Where else do you see an artist giving out toys to their fans mid-show when the set's running half an hour late? It was the kindest crowd I've ever been in, no pushing, or even toes being stepped on, and that speaks to what Buckethead's character draws.

I'm so grateful I got to see him play. It still doesn't feel real. Thank you Buckethead. I'm in awe.

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About Mark Johnson

Hey, I'm Mark, and I'm passionate about sport and personal finance. If you'd like to read more of my writing, check out financewithmark.com.