When I think about my favorite guitar-slingers of all time, I think of not only their ability to rock but also about the records that they’ve played on. Scotti Hill of Skid Row has been on my list ever since their killer eponymous debut album dropped over 30 years ago.
My excitement and interest was peaked even further when the bands’ follow up album, ‘Slave To The Grind’ was released in June of 1991. The album went to number one and like its predecessor it went on to be certified multi-platinum in the United States.
I had a fun-filled conversation with Scotti and he was kind enough to answer even the oddest questions from me like – ‘Beggars Day’ or ‘Get The Fuck Out’? For the record he went with ‘Get The Fuck Out’. He went even further, though and broke down each song and talked about their significance to him.
I wondered when he first picked up a guitar and what the turning point was for someone as gifted as he is, that led him to where he is at today. Scotti tells me, “I picked it up when I was thirteen and it was a pinnacle moment in my life. Probably thee most because when I started.. everything changed. My focus went from scattered to, what is life? What am I going to do? I’m a bored teenager. There is no internet, there’s no cell phones. Boredom was different back then. It went from that to a complete focus.”
Scotti continues “My sisters boyfriend played guitar. I rode my bicycle to his house one day and he was sitting in the grass. Playing. And when I saw that, it was like “ding!” That’s amazing.. You can do that?? Something about that spring day and him sitting in the grass under a tree.. it’s like a scene out of a movie. It was like, wow, a real interest developed from that. That day was the day that really made it happen. And then for my birthday that year my sister got me a months worth of guitar lessons from the local guy.”
Life changing moments for Scotti that altered the course of his life and that of many guitar hopefuls that listened to a Skid Row record and dreamed of doing what he did, one day. I can speak from personal experience that he was very influential in my journey into the music world. So thanks, Rick! (His sister’s boyfriend). And thanks, Scotti for sharing some really great stories!
You can hear my entire conversation with Scotti Hill that includes mountain biking, which has become a huge part of his life today in California, by clicking on the link to your favorite place to listen to podcasts.. He also gives a little background into the mindset going into ‘Slave To The Grind’. Get ready for a fun ride!
-Tommy Marz
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