“The Beatles have experience with drugs, reassures” – Guitar Player
Al Di Meola had an unforgettable experience that changed the trajectory of his career when he was just 17 years old. After playing a groundbreaking gig with jazz pianist Barry Miles on New Year’s Eve in 1971, a tape of their performance made its way to Chick Corea. By 1974, Di Meola found himself playing alongside Corea in Return to Forever, using his iconic 1971 Gibson Les Paul Custom electric guitar to captivate audiences.
However, there was a unique aspect of that life-changing night that Di Meola never revealed to Corea. Despite his exceptional performance, he was actually in a completely different mental state due to a powerful trip he had taken earlier in the evening. Di Meola’s friend Mike Buyukas had given him a tab of acid, immersing the young guitarist into an otherworldly experience just as the new year began.
Reflecting on that night, Di Meola shared his memories with Guitar Player in 2024, recalling how Buyukas had assured him that even the Beatles had experimented with the psychedelic substance. The acid trip had a profound impact on Di Meola as he took the stage with Barry Miles, leading him on a musical journey unlike any other. Despite not remembering much of what he played during the gig, upon listening back, Di Meola was astounded by the impressive lines he had created, comparable to those that guitar virtuoso Allan Holdsworth would have admired.
Buyukas, who was seven years older than Di Meola, was more than just a friend – he served as a musical mentor and guide, exposing the young guitarist to a wide array of influential artists who would shape his innovative and genre-blending sound. This connection not only helped Di Meola develop his own unique style but also opened doors to opportunities that would eventually lead him to become a renowned fusion star.
Looking back on the unexpected turn of events that unfolded on that fateful night in 1971, it’s clear that sometimes, life-changing moments can come from the most unexpected places. For Al Di Meola, a chance encounter with a cassette tape, an acid trip, and an offhand comment from a friend set him on a path to musical greatness that continues to inspire audiences around the world.