Emergency Response
On January 8, while Joe Bonamassa was enjoying dinner with a friend, he received an urgent alert about wildfires threatening his cherished Laurel Canyon neighborhood.
This area is not just his home; it also houses his prized collection of guitars, displayed in the famed Nerdville West Museum of Antiquities and Collectibles.
With little time to spare, Bonamassa and his friend quickly left their meal and took to back roads to evade police barriers, all in a race to reach Bonamassa’s home.
While he knew it would be impossible to evacuate his entire collection of over 350 guitars and 300 amplifiers, he had spent the last decade developing a plan for emergencies like this.
Relying on his Range Rover and a Chevrolet Tahoe, they managed to secure around 40 guitars and two amplifiers, transporting them to a safe storage facility in North Hollywood.
Bonamassa held onto the hope that the rest of his collection would remain unharmed, and thankfully, it did.
Lessons Learned
He emphasizes the necessity of a solid plan in times of crisis and suggests that one shouldn’t become overly attached to outcomes.
To him, his collection represents a vital part of American history, rather than just a collection of possessions.
This perspective influenced his choices regarding which instruments to save when faced with the wildfire’s threat.
Noteworthy guitars among those rescued included Tommy Bolin’s Les Paul, the first black Stratocaster ever made, and a number of iconic sunburst Les Pauls.
Bonamassa recognized that the loss of these significant items would have been devastating, given their cultural standing within the vintage guitar community.
Considering his family’s long history in Laurel Canyon, he noted the rarity of major fires in the region over the past 71 years.
Although the ordeal was frightening, it illuminated the strength and resilience of the community.
Future Plans
After the fire, Bonamassa expressed sincere gratitude to the firefighters who worked diligently to protect lives and property.
He also voiced frustration regarding those responsible for igniting the fire.
However, amid the tragedy, he maintained a sense of optimism, acknowledging his own good fortune compared to the profound losses experienced by others, particularly the 40 lives that were tragically taken.
Looking forward, Bonamassa plans to collaborate with his home insurer, Lloyd’s of London, to better safeguard his equipment.
He is working on establishing a new storage solution for his prized guitars in North Hollywood, aiming for 90% of his collection to be stored off-site.
Although space constraints mean he will need to leave most amplifiers behind, he remains open to the idea of reassessing his collection for potential sales in the future.
This ordeal has served as a critical learning experience for Bonamassa, prompting him to rethink the practicality of maintaining such a vast guitar collection in the Hollywood Hills.
As he reflects on his collection, Bonamassa has come to appreciate the importance of focusing on quality over quantity, much like how John Petrucci’s guitar technique mastery emphasizes precision and practice.
Instead of amassing more instruments, he is now considering a more curated selection that aligns with his artistic vision.
This shift not only simplifies his creative process but also allows him to better connect with each piece of equipment he chooses to keep.
On a brighter note, Bonamassa recently took the stage during the Grammy Awards’ Premiere Ceremony, a performance that lifted his spirits despite not winning the Best Contemporary Blues Album award.
He humorously reflected on the challenges of comforting friends who were downcast on his behalf.
Looking ahead, Bonamassa is eager to release more singles throughout the year as he prepares for a full-length album that will resonate with the evolving music landscape.
His unwavering passion for music and dedication to his craft continue to inspire his fans, paving a bright path for the future.