"Classical Gas" by Mason Williams.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: This guitarist was working as head writer for "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" in 1968 when he wrote and recorded a masterful piece for guitar and orchestra. The original title was abbreviated by the publisher. It debuted on the show. Peaked at #2. Re-recorded on solo guitar in '70 and with Mannheim Steamroller in '87. Won 3 Grammys in '69. Special Citation by BMI in '98 as the top instrumental airplay tune of all time. Artist? Composition? Answer: "Classical Gas" by Mason Williams. The working title was "Classical Gasoline" but the music publicist pared it down. One of those guitar "rites of passage" from the sixties - you HAD to be able to play "Classical Gas" if you were worth anything as a guitar player. Being a purist, (not that anybody has ever accused me of being a pain in the behind or anything!) I much prefer the original version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mREi_Bb85Sk&list=RDmREi_Bb85Sk&start_radio=1

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