Mystery Guitar

[CatchAsCatch]

Anyone have any idea what kind of guitar the guy on the lower right (Johnny Colla) is holding? I've always wondered but could never figure it out. It's like a tele but with a slightly more les paul jr. looking body shape.

[Little Intruder]

If it is a Les Paul, it really is bizarre looking. It's probably a custom Colla made for himself.

[Jedi McFly]

No clue.

But you can see him playing it in the Showtime special the pic is promoting. I haven't scrolled through to see if there are any good shots of it, but it is on Walkin' on a Thinline around 25 minutes in.

[CatchAsCatch]

No clue.

But you can see him playing it in the Showtime special the pic is promoting. I haven't scrolled through to see if there are any good shots of it, but it is on Walkin' on a Thinline around 25 minutes in.

Thanks. I actually have that. Loved them when I was a kid. Forgot he played that guitar in it though. I know it from the Power Of Love video. He’s playing it in that. Probably is some kind of custom thing like Little Intruder said.

Their other guitar player (Chris Hayes) was good. Pretty underrated.

[Little Intruder]

CAC, I agree that Chris Hayes was very underrated. He injected the fire into Huey's music and his solos were outstanding! Johnny Colla was also good but he was more of sax guy so there was always that.

[Simon Ribeiro]

Hope it helps:

1 - https://johnnycolla.com/home

2 - https://michaelcavacini.com/2014/07/...-colla-part-1/

[Brody VH]

Hi! I might actually know what that is because of where I'm from haha.

It looks like some variation of a St. Blues/Strings & Things Bluesmaster built in Memphis.

[Jedi McFly]

CAC, I agree that Chris Hayes was very underrated. He injected the fire into Huey's music and his solos were outstanding! Johnny Colla was also good but he was more of sax guy so there was always that.

Huey Lewis was my #1 band before I got into VH. Super different vibe, I know. But Chris and Johnny are absolutely underrated. Tasty guitar playing all over the HLN discography.

Hi! I might actually know what that is because of where I'm from haha.

It looks like some variation of a St. Blues/Strings & Things Bluesmaster built in Memphis.

Wow, you nailed it. Never heard of these. Headstock, logo and body shape match.

[CatchAsCatch]

Hi! I might actually know what that is because of where I'm from haha.

It looks like some variation of a St. Blues/Strings & Things Bluesmaster built in Memphis.

Dude... you are a genius! Do you have any idea how long I've wondered about this???? Let's just say that Back to the Future and the Power of Love video came out in 1985 when I was just a kid getting into guitars. I wouldn't say I've thought about it every day since then but I have definitely thought about it more than a normal person should over the years

Thanks! That is so cool.

[CatchAsCatch]

Huey Lewis was my #1 band before I got into VH. Super different vibe, I know. But Chris and Johnny are absolutely underrated. Tasty guitar playing all over the HLN discography.

Same! Being from the Bay Area, those guys were like the Beatles to me back then (even now a little if I'm being honest ). One of the first concerts I ever saw was them at the Oakland Coliseum. Back to the Future and their Fore album had just come out. Bonus was the 49ers were great then too and a bunch of them came out to sing with them at the show. I was just a kid and it blew my mind. They sounded so good live. Like better than the record (at least to me). There is actually a video of that show. I'm sure you've seen it on Youtube.

Funny story... my Uncle new how much I liked them and he is the one that got tickets and took me to the show. Coincidentally, he also had VHI in his record collection, which is where I first got exposed to them too! Although he never really liked them that much and always said it was an old girlfriends album lol. He also gave me my first guitar and taught me to play... Pretty great Uncle!

[CatchAsCatch]

CAC, I agree that Chris Hayes was very underrated. He injected the fire into Huey's music and his solos were outstanding! Johnny Colla was also good but he was more of sax guy so there was always that.

Yeah this is the show I was at! So cool.

I actually heard a recent interview with Chris Hayes the other day which is probably what got me thinking about the (no longer a) mystery guitar again. Pretty cool if you want to check it out:

[Little Intruder]

CAC, that is awesome you were at that concert! I remember when they first aired it on MTV back in the 80s. Excellent musicians and they rocked all the hits. I'm sure you'll never forget seeing them at their peak!

[CatchAsCatch]

CAC, that is awesome you were at that concert! I remember when they first aired it on MTV back in the 80s. Excellent musicians and they rocked all the hits. I'm sure you'll never forget seeing them at their peak!

Definitely. It was magic. I saw them a few more times later on. They were still great but it was after some of the original guys had left (including Chris Hayes) and it just wasn't quite the same. Although I did get to see them at a special small club gig in 2017. That was really cool.

[Little Intruder]

Huey Lewis was my #1 band before I got into VH. Super different vibe, I know. But Chris and Johnny are absolutely underrated. Tasty guitar playing all over the HLN discography.



Wow, you nailed it. Never heard of these. Headstock, logo and body shape match.

The Les Paul is my all-time fave guitar but I really like Telecasters too so seeing this makes me wanna try out one of these!

[Brody VH]

Dude... you are a genius! Do you have any idea how long I've wondered about this???? Let's just say that Back to the Future and the Power of Love video came out in 1985 when I was just a kid getting into guitars. I wouldn't say I've thought about it every day since then but I have definitely thought about it more than a normal person should over the years

Thanks! That is so cool.

No problem!

I wish the brand had more recognition. They have such a cool vibe