If I could get to know a single, famous musician, dead or alive, it would unquestionably be Guitarist, Paul Gilbert. He plays the six-string so melodically, that his guitar solos sing themselves, without any want for accompaniment. When “Pablo Gilberto” throws out an electric concerto or sonata live onstage, the instrumental harmony of his performance resonates, like a hymnal delivered straight through one’s soul. And, lending his voice to the words of a rock song, makes him all the more inspirational, still.
If I could meet Paul Gilbert, I’d love to setup a Cliff Cultreri Benefit Show (maybe even a Racer X Reunion Gig?) with him, in joint effort to raise awareness about autoimmune diseases. It would mean a great deal to me, to work with someone whom I admire, towards a common cause, such as this, which is important to us both. Ideally, I imagine not only being able to invite select immunogenic patients to our would-be, charity event, but also surprising them with a personal autograph session and/or private guitar lesson from “Maestro Gilberto” in the flesh, as well. And, after celebrating the successful fundraiser, following a hard day on the job, it would, likewise, be a self-rewarding gem, for me to talk Japanese Pop Culture one-on-one with the virtuoso, myself, for the rest of the night.