When Jon Langseth picked up his first guitar at the age of 13, his foremost wish was to learn to play Plush" by the Stone Temple Pilots. Once he began taking lessons, however, it became apparent that this child prodigy was destined for greater goals. He moved with his parents from their hometown of Fargo, North Dakota to Minneapolis so he could be closer to a music scene, changed his name to Jonny Lang and took to midwestern stages as Kid Jonny Lang with his band, the Big Bang.
In 1997 Lang recorded and released his solo debut, Lie To Me," a barnburner of a record alive with Lang's wizened, fiery vocals and guitar licks so awesome they inspired friendly competition from mainstays like Jimmy Thackery, who said, he plays so good I want to break his fingers." The record includes versions of classic tunes like Ike Turner's Matchbox" and Sonny Boy Williamson's Good Morning Little Schoolgirl."
Since then, Lang has shared the stage with blues heroes like Buddy Guy and B.B. King. He opened for Aerosmith on their recent American tour, and by the time he treats San Francisco to a solo show at the Fillmore on February 3, he'll have warmed up crowds for the Rolling Stones in Hawaii and Oregon.
Lang -- who just celebrated his 17th birthday on January 29 -- is blessed not only with a gift on the guitar, but homegrown good looks which put him in the precarious position of walking the line between teen heartthrob and esteemed bluesman. His heart, however, resides with the latter. Of his chosen path, Lang explains, People just like [the blues]. It's one of those things that no matter how many people don't like it, it'll never die."
Q: When did you first know that you wanted to play guitar?
A:I think when I was 13. I went up to see this band play. A blues band. I was really inspired by their guitar player. And he kind of gave me lessons, and pretty much told me that I had to play blues or he wasn't going to teach me how to play.
Q: What was it like that first time you picked up a guitar?
A:The first time? (laughs) Uh, interesting. You know what? I don't even remember the very first time I picked up a guitar. When I started taking lessons, it was pretty awkward, because you've got to get used to this, like, thing that has to become like your other arm. I don't know, it was weird at first. I almost threw it down a couple of times 'cause it's kind of frustrating and your fingers start hurting.
Q:What made you decide to stick with it?
A:I don't know, I just love to play. It's addicting.
Q:People like to make a big deal about how young you are. Does that ever bother you?
A:Just when they're talking about my age like, Oh, he hasn't paid his dues, he can't play that music," you know. But other than that, no, it doesn't bother me too much.
Q:What about when they compare you to Hanson?
A:(Laughs) I don't think anybody has ever compared me to Hanson. I think maybe I remind 'em of Hanson because I have blond hair. No, that doesn't bother me. I like those guys. They can sing their butts off.
Q:Do you think it's unique that you know what you want to do at such a young age?
A:No, I really don't. But I guess actually doing it is another thing. I don't think it's rare, because I know a lot of people my age who have goals and dreams -- everybody does. And are very brilliant people. And they just don't ever get the chance because their parents won't support what they're doing.
Q:How do your parents feel about your success?
A:I don't know, it just always has progressed naturally. It just seems like it's the way it's supposed to be. They were always really excited and supportive.
Q:Do you still spend time with them?
A:Oh, yeah. Well, not on the road. Actually, my mom's out for a little while. I never get to see her, so...
Q:Is it kind of a drag having your mom out on the road with you?
A:Oh, not at all. I wish I could have my mom out with me more often. You just find out how lonely you get. Everybody thinks you're running amok out here. Partying. But that's not what I'm out here to do. I'm here to play music.
Q:When you perform there's this incredible passion that comes through in the music -- where does that come from?
A:All I know is, I love to sing, and I've always loved to sing ever since I can remember. I don't really know if -- well, I know that there's a place where it comes from, but I don't know, in a word, what that is.
Q:What will you be doing in the coming year?
A:Touring, pretty much. Till March. And then I'm going to get some time off.
Q:Are you thinking about the next album yet?
A:Oh, yeah. April we'll be doing the new album. I have no idea what's going to be on it yet. We're going to get together about two weeks before the album and start recording.
Q:Are you going to do more covers?
A:No, more originals. Definitely. I think it'll have kind of the same vibe. Nothing too drastically different from Lie to Me."
Q:I also heard something about you having a small part in the new Blues Brothers movie. Is that true?
A:Yeah, yeah. I'm a janitor and I sing a song with Wilson Pickett and Eddie Floyd. It was a blast. I got to meet Dan Aykroyd and John Goodman, sing with all those guys. I got to meet Wilson Pickett. It was a great time.
Q:I haven't seen you in the trailers.
A:Really? I guess I'm in one, but they shouldn't have me in there. It's just a little part.
This article was originally published in the San Francisco Chronicle.