One of the most in demand blues / rock guitarists in the world is a mysterious character who goes by the name of G.E. Smith. Millions of TV viewers know his face-and the shock of unruly blond ponytail that was always falling across it-from his tenure stint of fronting the Saturday Night Live Band.
For G.E. (George Edward) Smith, a soulful guitarist, composer, singer, and bandleader, it all began in rural Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was just about born with a guitar in his hand. “I started playing around the age of four, and started getting good at seven,” he says. “Eventually, the girlfriend of one of my Uncles bought me a Martin, a real good guitar, in 1959. Then when folk the music scene came around and Bob Dylan was first performing, I got really into that.” By chance he was attending a taping of the television show ‘Hootenanny’ in Princeton, New Jersey, and saw the legendary Odetta and Josh White perform, further inciting his musicality.
On his 11th birthday, G.E.’s mother bought him his first electric guitar, a Fender Telecaster, a model that dated his birth year-1952. (“I still have that guitar, and there’s no sound that I can’t find in it.”) By then he was supporting himself as a musician, and playing in numerous situations–Pocono’s resorts, high school dances, you name it–often with musicians more than twice his age.
After accomplishing all he could in the bar-band scene as a teenager, Smith left the Pocono’s to conquer the Connecticut. He quickly established himself as a “top gun” guitarist and hooked up with the legendary Scratch band, which scorched clubs up and down the East Coast during the mid-70’s.
In late 1977, G.E. got his first break in the form of Dan Hartman, fresh off his hit “Instant Replay”. Dan hired G.E. to front his band for a “lip-synch tour” of Europe and the U.S. Upon his return to the East Coast, Smith moved to Manhattan and became the guitarist for Gilda Radner’s 1979 Broadway show “Gilda Live”. Radner and Smith became an item and shortly after married.
During that period of Smith’s life another break took place when the blue-eyed soulsters Daryl Hall and John Oates came calling. Not only was Smith hired to play lead guitar for Hall and Oates, he stayed for six years (1979-1985) constantly touring and recording with them, racking up hit after hit with songs like Private Eyes, Man Eater, Kiss on My List, and others. “It was insanely fun, “ he recalls. “We were so big that one year we decided it would be fun to perform during summer –all year round! We toured the northern hemisphere in the summer and the southern hemisphere in the during America’s winter.”
Another fortuitous event was the Live Aid and Farm Aid benefit concerts in early 85’. I ended up being the house band backing Mick Jagger, Tina Turner and whoever didn’t have a band.
G.E.’s hard work earned him a commanding position in the music industry as a first call blues/rock guitarist, sought out by major recording artists like Jagger, who, shortly after Live Aid, called Smith to work with him on his first solo album, She’s the Boss. (Smith also played on Jagger’s Primitive Cool.) During this period Smith also did a few one-off recordings and concerts with David Bowie, and Peter Wolfe, among other notables.
When Hall & Oates decided to take a long break from the music scene, Smith was chosen to be musical director for Saturday Night Live. “The way it happened was, I knew Howard Shore, the show’s original musical director, and producer Lorne Michaels, from my stint with Gilda,” says Smith. “In ’85, when Lorne returned to produce the show again, he asked me to be the musical director. And I was thrilled to take it.”
Leading the SNL band for 10 years (1985 – 1995) – it was arguably the best late-night band on television at the time – and G.E. won an Emmy. “I definitely grew a lot from playing with those world-class musicians, especially the horn section. I really had to learn to play in time and in tune. It was a great education.”
The SNL roster of guest musicians read like a Who’s Who of contemporary music: Eddie Van Halen, Keith Richards, Rickie Lee Jones, Al Green, Bryan Ferry, et al. In fact, many of the best musical (surprise) moments came when G.E. invited guitar heroes to play with the band, unannounced. Eddie Van Halen was the first, followed by an amazing roster that included David Gilmour, Lonnie Mack, Dave Edmonds, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, and others. The Buddy Guy visit eventually resulted in the GE’s 1996 Grammy-nominated Buddy Guy – Live CD, with G.E. and the SNL band. “I’ve been so lucky to get into these fantasy situations… that happened over and over on “SNL”. I got to play with everybody.
SNL also provided Smith with a songwriting opportunity when Mike Myers asked him to help write a tune. “Mike had this bit, called Wayne’s World, and he needed a theme song. Aerosmith was the musical guest that week, so Mike and I sat down and wrote a song that Aerosmith could sing and play along with.” Of course the “bit” became a hit film, the soundtrack (and song) a platinum-selling smash hit.
Even more amazing, in the midst of his SNL tenure Smith toured for almost four years with the legendary Bob Dylan. “I would fly home from various places on the globe to do the SNL show,” says G.E. “Both Bob and Lorne were very understanding about giving me the time that I needed. I would work with Bob during the week, then come home for Saturday’s show.” This setup was a true test of his stamina. “During one particularly tough period, I played a stadium concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil, flew back to New York for SNL, then flew to Rio to play several concerts with Bob, flew back that Saturday, then flew to London for a week of concerts with Bob, came back to New York, then met the band for concerts in Paris.”
During his SNL years Smith was also honored to be the musical director for special events such as the 1988 Emmy Awards, the 1993 Rhythm and Blues Foundation Awards and the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert at Madison Square Garden. The latter event was another of those “fantasy situations” that G.E. keeps getting involved in. “The rehearsals for that Dylan concert you wouldn’t believe. I was rehearsing with George Harrison in the morning, Eric Clapton in the afternoon, and Lou Reed at night. One afternoon, rehearsing the finale, I had Harrison, Tom Petty, Clapton, Neil Young, Dylan and Roger McGuinn all lined up and I’m saying, ‘OK, George you sing here, Eric you play now, Bob you come in here.’ Smith also has written with his friend and fellow musician Jimmy Buffett. Six String Music appears on Buffett’s album Fruitcakes.
Smith acted as musical director at the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame Museum Concert in Cleveland.
Following his departure from Saturday Night Live in ’95, Smith and his wife, singer/songwriter Taylor Barton created a critically acclaimed boutique label called Green Mirror Music. They are in their ninth year, releasing rootsy blues, neo-pop.
Smith released his electrifying, high octane CD, Incense Herbs, and Oils in 1998. Between live dates, he has been the musical director and bandleader honoring Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and Chuck Berry at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C. He also led bands for The Muddy Waters Tribute, and The Mark Twain Awards honoring Richard Pryor, Jonathon Winters, Carl Rainer and most recently Lorne Michaels. Smith has kept a steady presence on the national scene. Is he too busy? Smith laughs and says, “I haven’t slept since the sixties.”
Another highlight of Smith’s history was hosting an interactive show on the Electric guitar over the internet, on NPR, and a live presentation at for Smithsonian Institute.
1999-2000 brought Smith back to SNL, appearing in the 25th Anniversary show and other guest appearances. He was featured on VH1 in the history of SNL, and even hosted the New Year’s Eve bash inaugurating the new Rose Center at the Museum of Natural History, (formerly the Haydn Planetarium).
During 2004-2006, GE raised the stakes for the Cleveland Browns where he headed up home games for the team with his music, rocking the NFL with classic rock and his mantra, “Brownstown.”
2007, catapulted a new DVD, titled 50 Watt Fuse, which premiered at the Mill Valley film Festival to a standing ovation. Co-produced, written and directed by his wife singer-songwriter, Taylor Barton, it features GE in concert and in cameo with David Lindley, Michael J Fox, Mike Myers, Hall & Oates, Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell, Jimmy Buffett, Mike Myers, Hot Tuna and Dylan. It celebrated the launch of the new GE Smith signature Fender telecaster, which hit the stores in 2007.
He spent a few years working with esteemed financial guru/rocker Roger McNamee and their band, Moonalice. Electrified: The Guitar Revolution hits airways this August for the new Smithsonian network.
GE joined Roger Waters 2010 WALL LIVE toured the world three times and toured with him for seven years. In 2015, GE returned to SNL where he received an EMMY award as bandleader, for the 40th SNL anniversary special.
In 2015, GE and wife, Taylor Barton, started an exciting project called PORTRAITS, which hosts a rotating roster of acclaimed musicians and artists from all realms for a deeper look at what drives them creatively. Now in its sixth season they have hosted creative legends from Billy Squier to Ethan Hawke and from the Bacon Brothers to the Avett Brothers.
Never one to stay idle, in 2019, GE Smith had the good fortune of teaming up with soul stylist, X Factor finalist LeRoy Bell. LeRoy ( from Seattle, WA and Smith from Amagansett, NY ) sat down in the dead of winter after a cold-call from Smith’s wife, Taylor Barton, with an invitation to perform on their series PORTRAITS. Smith and Bell hit it off. After making demos which included “America” about a fallen democracy, the two were swept up and signed by BMG and thus a critically released collection hit the streets in 2020, with a searing new duo. Their collection, STONY HILL, is out available on ITUNES, AMAZON, and all major streaming services.
Smith has played with the broadest possible spectrum of artists, from Red Buttons to Allen Ginsberg, from Desmond Child to Bob Dylan and Roger Waters; all points in between. “I’ve had an incredible ride in the world of Rock N’ Roll and American music,” says Smith, looking back over his career. GE Smith is one of the most brilliant guitarists out there.
G.E. SMITH SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY
Produced by GE Smith
1981 In The World Atlantic Records WTG-1G038
1992 Get A Little Liberty Records CDP799955 2
1998 GE Smith Incense, Herbs, and Oils GM-2674
1999 Muddy Water’s Tribute- Aired on PBS, -musical director
2006 GE Smith 50 Watt Fuse CD/DVD Green Mirror
Collaborations & Soundtracks
1978 Dan Hartman Instant Replay Columbia 35641
1979 – 1985 Hall and Oates Voices RCA-3646
Private Eyes-Private Eyes RCA-44545
H2O-Kiss On my List RCA-44545
Big Bam Boom-Man Eater RCA-66937
1985 – 87 Mick Jagger She’s The Boss Atlantic-82553
Primitive Cool Atlantic-82554
1990 Tracey Chapman Crossroads-Crossroads Elektra-60888
1993 Wayne’s World (Platinum) Wayne’s World WB-26805
1995 Jimmy Buffett Fruitcakes-Six String Music MCA-11043
1996 Grammy nominee Buddy Guy & G.E. Smith Live The Real Deal Silvertone
2000 High Fidelity played original music Walt Disney Pictures
2007 The Departed music by Howard Shore
2013 The WALL LIVE, Roger Waters
2020 GE Smith & LeRoy Bell STONY HILL BMG/Green Mirror-538609302
G.E. Smith - Official Website 
Hi,
My wife and I were at the Detroit area “The Wall Live” show. Not real close to the stage (off to the side). But close to the end of the show when you guys were all out at the edge of the stage. I recognized you from your SNL days. So ere I am reading up on you. Quite an extensive career. I must have been quite the honor to be on the Water’s tour. I have seen a lot of shows in my 50 years. And I have been quoted to say that that show was the musical event of my lifetime. The isn’t even one of my favorite Floyd albums. But I am ruined, I will never see a show that will top that.
My son has been taking guitar lessons for the last couple years. Its still a little bit of a fight to get him to practice. So he’s getting a new acoustic electric guitar for Christmas. I hoping that will build his interest a little more. Any suggestions?
Rock On
Wil
Just wanted to send a note to G.E..My sister & I saw you at Bergen Pac w/Hot Tuna.I just have to say that I am honored to here you play.After reading your bio,it enhances the feeling alittle more.KEEP ROCKIN!!!
Hello GE BENNETT FROM CONTINENTAL AIRLINES IVE SEEN YOU FROM AFAR MOSCOW AND ONTO BUDAPEST AND WILL CATCH UP IN NY BEST REGARDS
Hi Goerge..don’t know if you remember me Beverly Bolcar Koberlein…I was catching up on your career in the ‘remember Strousburg group….just wanted to say hi and congrats on a very impressive career !
Man i remember seeing you play on SNL and think to myself who is this guy.
Your ability is uncompromised.After reading your bio i feel i have neglected not knowing more about
you. As a player myself in New York during the late seventies with a band called Andy Gootch out
of Millbrook New York i thought i knew about most of the great sideman from Steve Khan to
Nils Lofgren but i was wrong.Of course Jorma had just come out with Hot Tuna which was an incredible band.
i played with Larry LaFalce from Bull Angus, Black Sabbaths opening act
and Steve n Bill Petrone.Many a nights spent in clubs.
Its time to score some history and get caught up with the music you have left
for others to search out and explore.I new the face and the choice equipment but never your name.
Glad i am getting this opportunity to reconnect and listen to your incredible ability.
Remembering guys like yourself Walter Fagan, Roy Buchanan, Les Dudeck and Roy Clark
sure opens ones heart.Of course we all learn mountains of stuff from the great Jimmy Page.
There is something about the heart of a guitarists that resonates through his music.
Peace
Brett Beaudette
Corona Ca
Yo G.E. its T-bone Wolk’s cusin, Tyler, i played a few set with you at his benefit concert in NY here’s the link to the vid of led zeppelin’s rock ‘n’ roll
I met G.E. years ago at his house in New York, to give an estimate on some work for him. I knew who he was, his talent, his accomplishments. G.E. is one of those people who made it, yet still has his feet on the ground. He is a super person that gives his all to his family. Possibly a different side of him that most don’t get the opportunity to see, but those who do, have the highest regard for him. Good for you G.E. Wishing you all the sucess in the world, you’ve earned it, desere it and know how to handle it.
Ron G
Northern Michigan
Hey GE,
Had to read up on you. Been watching Bob Dylan’s 1990 birthday concert over and over and you are in EVERY shot. Finally had to find out ‘who is that guy?’. Turns out i also saw you playing The Wall in Oslo 1st april 2011. Great stuff !!
Felix.
Oslo, Norway
I met GT in the Vet hospital in East Hampton, NY with his wife Taylor and one of their cats who was not feeling to well. I remember that the cat was so uncomfortable and GT was trying to comfort his pet, then it bit him in his hand and my heart just about came out of my mouth. All that went through my head was “was OMG, his playing hand”. I was the tech for Dr Teretsky at the time. GT was a real trooper and played that night with a bandage on his hand. I know because I saw him on SNL that night. God Bless you GT and Taylor. Wish you both all the best.
man you are one of the best players I’ve ever seen wish you would get to Houston and play a little deadhead/new monsoon/new riders/david nelson band its a whole in the wall but we are die hard jam band people (just a bunch of old hippies (and I mean old) if you’ve ever heard of a chick named Carolyn Wonderland that’s where she got her start now Dylan got a cd called Alcohol and salvation and was impressed enough to want to meet her and now she is managed be Ray Benson from a sleep at the wheel check her out so try to get to H’ton some time Dianne Taylor
Toad’s Place seemed to be an endless musical trip, a smorgasbord. Oh but I was so much younger then!!
Willie – Saw you with Southside and the Poor Fools at Wolftrap in february. You were awesome – a privildge to watch you perform. I hope you can guest for Willie Nile on May 7th at Jammin Java in Vienna VA, Would be treat. Thank you
Hey G E, Just read your bio. What a great story. I saw you at at Hall & oats show in 1979 in Dallas Tx at a very small venue. You got on my table and played like a crazy man. What a great show. Years later i watched as you made your way through many different bands. Thanks for sharing your great talent.
G. E., met you a few years ago at Stephen Talkhouse. Was there with Dan Rizzie who I met when I was flying for Jimmy Buffett. I was completely blown away by your set and your signature model Tele. You were kind enough to acquire for Dan, two of them, one black and one honey blonde. I ended up with the honey blonde and it is far and away my favorite electric guitar (and I have some nice ones). I will never part with it. Thank you. Bill Howell
All of you guys are so nice. I am so glad you are reading my website. To Bill Howell, I totally remember. You had a rockin vibe and a sweet haircut. Stay that way. To DG in Vermont, I love that vet. I was so scared. You made it better, stay that way. To Brad Alexander, rock on man, rock on.
Watching the 30th anniversary Bob Dylan concert and saw this guy that I just knew I had seen before and finally found G.E. Smith by eliminating some of the other backup guys. I guess my old memory took me back to Saturday Night Live.
Charles Roberts
I would like to get your opinion on THE TWIN Stratocaster (Hint: no one is wiring the pickups properly.) Polished fret wires for smooth bends is just the beginning. I bet you $20 you’ll admit it’s the most versatile guitar you have ever tried on. But, only if you like what you hear will I ask for your advice on it. Fly into Ontario, CA on any Sunday or Monday (my days off); bring some curiosity with you!
GE is such an incredible talent. I love watching your interview where you say that you and T-Bone were “catchin it” when Keith Richards was on SNL!
You are the man yet still very humble.I cant believe the gigsntic list of people you have worked with.A first rate act. You have the vesy best logo I have ever seen.Better then Nike’s
I may be mistaken, but, didn’t you own a Pontiac Grand Am…i think it was a 74 and maybe White? When I was younger….a lot younger, I worked at a shop in Flushing NY and was told it was yours. I was always wondering if that was true or it was just said to mess with me. Always was a fan.
I just had the honor of seeing and meeting you at the Berks Guitar Fest. It was really a thrill for me to meet the man I’ve been watching and listening to for 40 years. I brought my red ’69 Tele and you commented on the color. I’d like to get Green Mirror contact info for an album I’m working on with my friend Bob Noble. You’d love his music! We all need a break some time!
Hi James, please send any inquiries through
http://taylorbarton.com/contact
Or
Green Mirror Corp.
PO Box 2263,
Amagansett, NY 11930
Watching the 30th anniversary Bob Dylan concert on dvd witch I think is one of the best live concert ever, I looked up your amazing biografie. Man o man what a amazing rollercoaster of music happenings! Big respect how you performed and directed that show and playing with all these great artists of whom unfortunately a few of them have left us far too early!
Thank you for that grat concert and all other performences!
Stay healthy and keep on rocking!!
U were so great on Saturday night Live ! U r missed. Take care
Loved you on SNL, you don’t just play the guitar, you perform the guitar. Miss you on SNL.
Happened upon the tribute to Bob Dylan at MSG on AXStv this afternoon and it’s been amazing. Your career has always impressed me every time I happened to see you performing somewhere else. You’ve had quite an impact and incredible experience. Happy to see you still playing and being appreciated for your gifts. I met you at ESU in the student union in 1970 and you’ve been had quite an exceptional life since then. I’ve enjoyed every encounter with your successes. Best wishes.
Hey G. E.! Just wanted to know if you remember a few Guys from a garage band you used to sit in with now and again in Stroudsburg…Jim Sargent (Sarge) drummer, Jim Klass (Guitar), Billy Klass (Guitar) and me Gary Van Gorden (Van G) Lead Singer. You’ve done well for yourself my Man! All to the Best to You! Gary
Of course I remember all of you guys. I learned some good motorhead skills watching Jim work on that hot car he had. Camaro? Firebird? Anyway, it was fast. I remember that…. GE
G.E. – I have been a fan since your Hall and Oates days. Still rockin somewhere, I hope.
ML Doc Gibbs, Dallas entertainer, keyboardist, singer
Great to see you play at the Talkhouse last night! A real treat.
Hey GE!
I lucked into a Tremodillo and wondered ….. inside it’s signed by Maggie Diaz 03 06. Is that his wife?
All the best
Rob
Yes Maggie was his wife. Very lucky to get one of those pedals!
Where can I buy G.E.’s music, especially the SNL cuts if available? I love the guy! He actually was on the field and playing during breaks of a Cleveland Browns game I attended many years ago. A huge fan of G.E. and SNL since its inception (1975). Having a collection of his SNL music would be very special and bring back many good memories.
You can purchase a copy of 1992’s “Get a Little” directly from GE which contains some of the SNL music. Or you can download his other two albums. Unfortunately most of the music performed on SNL was copywritten and it’s near impossible to upload videos of it because NBC/Universal has super good recognition software that flags even the edited SNL Band compilations. Which is a tragedy because I have pretty much the entire decade of GE Smith and the SNL Band commercial bumps on vhs.
Well, G.E.,
To have been such a lover of music my entire 67 years, and with the legendary Bob D. as my “Stranded on a Desert Island with Only One Artist’s Playlist”, and to have been addicted to SNL since its inception, and through those years of watching SNL having noticed that blond ax man who seemed to be
A) extremely well qualified to be on that stage, and
B) the leader, at least in fact, if not officially,
I am now forced to confess that I have been woefully ignorant of absolutely everything else stated in this bio.
But what an education!!!!!
I cannot even begin to imagine where/how you found the energy to fuel all those accomplishments, but I am so thankful you did. Your bio has provided me a musical bucket list to inspire my remaining days, which, quite frankly, had begun to look a tad bleak in this era of Trump’s cynicism and COVID19. So thank you for that!
I wish you ongoing good health and the stamina and drive to continue on your obviously supernaturally blessed path.
Thank you so much for both your accomplishments and taking the time to log them here.
And to think that I stumbled on this after hearing a Hall & Oates song a while ago! May the person who says there’s no such thing as serendipity have an experience just a fraction of what I’ve enjoyed tonight.
Stay well and God bless.