Anika Markle It’s always hard to see musicians lose their ability over time, but Tennessee guitarist Bob Wood was one exception. At the age of 80, Bob was still playing with such skill and energy that a video of him in a Nashville music store went viral, gathering over 10 million views on YouTube!
Bob, a proud father of nine, had gone to British Audio Service to pick up some amplifiers he’d had repaired. Naturally, he picked up a guitar to test them out. What happened next? Magic. Dressed in his familiar pink and blue checkered shirt, Bob played a beautiful, Latin-inspired tune on a classic Epiphone Riviera guitar. His fingers moved across the frets with such speed and grace, it was as if time had forgotten him.
Shane, a store employee, heard the stunning music from the back and thought, “We have to film this.” And that’s how Bob’s impromptu performance became an internet sensation.
The song Bob played was “Bésame Mucho,” a timeless classic from 1932. His effortless rendition reminded us all that true talent never fades. Bob had been playing guitar since the age of six and performed his first gig by 12. While he never became a household name, his life was full of memorable stories and impressive collaborations, including time spent with legends like James Brown and the great Les Paul. Bob once joked about following Les Paul on stage, saying, “It was like trying to follow a bulldozer with a spoon!”
In addition to his playing, Bob owned a music store for a few years in the 1980s and released three albums along the way. His life was dedicated to music, and it showed in every note he played.
Bob passed away peacefully at 88, just days before Halloween in 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He leaves behind a legacy of music, family, and that unforgettable video, showing the world that age is just a number when it comes to passion and talent. What a remarkable man, and what a remarkable life!