Wild Thing

Wild Thing

Mike Pachelli breaks down the classic rock song, “Wild Thing,” by The Troggs. It was recorded in 1966, and was a number 1 smash hit. The Troggs were managed by Larry Page, who also managed The Kinks. They had a similar sound like The Kinks, but were more simplistic.

That simplicity has influenced countless garage and punk rock bands. Wild Thing was recorded in one complete take at Olympia Studios in London. It’s an easy song to play, with just three chords and one riff. Jimi Hendrix played “Wild Thing” at the Montery Pop Festival in 1967, which was the same festival he famously burned his guitar.

“Wild Thing” has a permanent place in rock history as having nearly singlehandedly creating its own genre, and having influenced one of the greatest rock guitarists we’ve ever known. Those facts alone make mastering the original “Wild Thing” a good idea.

Mike plays a Gibson Custom ES-335 Block Inlay in the lesson.

Mike Pachelli started playing guitar as a youngster in his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. His earliest influence was Wes Montgomery who Mike says, "first opened my ears to the possibilities on guitar." Pachelli studied classical guitar at YSU and then moved to New York City to study bebop with guitar luminaries Joe Pass and Pat Martino. Mike's guitar style is an amalgamation of blues, jazz, rock, and neo-classical. He has a wealth of musical experience gained thru years of night clubs, concert halls, and recording studios. He's performed all over the U.S. and Europe with some of the most eclectic jazz, blues, pop and rock musicians including Brother Jack McDuff, Albert King, Les & Larry Elgart, Michael Sembello, Crystal Gayle, Barbara Mandrell, Jeanne Mas, Phil Keaggy, Frank Stallone (to name a few) and has done classical symphony concerts touring with Ferrante and Teicher.