Today, we focus on one of the most unique, visually striking, and criminally underrated guitar heroes of the 1970s British rock scene: the incredible Zal Cleminson. As the legendary lead guitarist for the brilliantly theatrical rock outfit, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (SAHB), Cleminson was a true original, a player known for his iconic “Pierrot” mime makeup, his aggressive and wildly inventive guitar playing, and a ferocious, razor-sharp tone that was all his own.
The sound of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band was a wild, eclectic, and brilliant fusion of glam, hard rock, vaudeville theatrics, and proto-punk energy, all held together by the charismatic, menacing presence of frontman Alex Harvey. In this mad circus, Zal Cleminson was the sonic and visual co-conspirator. His aggressive, biting guitar was the perfect, violent foil to Harvey’s street-tough poet persona, while his silent, menacing mime character became a key and unforgettable part of their incredible stage show. He was a true theatrical guitarist in the same groundbreaking vein as David Bowie’s right-hand man, Mick Ronson, proving that a lead guitarist could be a compelling character in the rock and roll drama. His playing was pure, visceral energy, full of angular riffs, unexpected note choices, and a raw, almost violent attack that was a world away from the blues-based rock of the era.
The guitar sound of Zal Cleminson was the sound of pure, unfiltered aggression—a jagged and electrifying counterpoint to the smoother, warmer tones of his contemporaries. He was a master of a raw, trebly, and incredibly powerful tone that could slice through any mix like a razor blade. His genius was not in smooth, lyrical lines but in a percussive, almost violent attack that was all about power and attitude. His technique was built on vicious, driving down-picked riffs and a fast, nervous, and incredibly wide vibrato that gave his notes a frantic, unsettling quality. He was an icon of the Gibson SG, an instrument whose thin body, aggressive humbuckers, and “devil horn” look were the perfect match for his sound and his menacing stage persona. His legendary tone was famously achieved by plugging his SG into a unique fuzz pedal—a rare Selmer Buzz Tone—and running that into a loud, clean Hiwatt amplifier. This combination created his signature razor-sharp, trebly, and almost “hornet-in-a-jar” distorted sound that was instantly recognizable.
To understand the unique and powerful genius of Zal Cleminson’s guitar work, diving into the classic SAHB catalogue is an absolute must.
The Faith Healer
This is the band’s epic, atmospheric, and incredibly heavy signature song. To approach playing it, the key is to replicate the iconic intro sound, which is a flanger or phaser pedal used to create a dramatic, swirling, sweeping effect that builds incredible tension. The main riff itself is a simple, monolithic D-C-G power chord progression. The real challenge is in the performance: the riff should be played with a raw, almost violent attack on the strings, letting the simple, powerful chords build to an explosive and cathartic climax.
The Last of the Teenage Idols
A driving, swaggering glam-rock anthem, this track is a perfect showcase of the band’s raw power and Zal’s brilliant riff-craft. This song is a fantastic lesson in playing a powerful, syncopated rock riff. The approach is to use aggressive downstrokes and tight palm-muting on the lower strings to give the riff a percussive, driving feel that locks in with the drums. The solo is all about pure attitude; use wide, aggressive vibrato and bend the strings with force and conviction.
Vambo
This frantic, proto-punk rocker introduces the band’s fictional comic book-style superhero, Vambo. The song is pure, raw, high-octane energy from start to finish. To play it, the key is to get into a headspace of relentless forward motion. The main riff is fast and requires a tight, consistent picking hand to maintain the speed and aggression for the entire song. Don’t worry about being perfectly clean; the raw, slightly chaotic energy is the entire point. The solo is a short, sharp burst of noise and aggression.
Further Watching: A Live Explosion
For fans who want to witness the incredible and theatrical energy of the band in their prime, a fantastic resource to search for is the full-length concert film often titled “The Sensational Alex Harvey Band: In Performance | Full Music Documentary | Stream Music and More”. This film captures the band’s explosive live show, providing a front-row seat to their unique blend of rock, theatre, and pure, unadulterated energy. It’s the perfect way to see Zal’s menacing stage presence and hear his ferocious guitar work in the context it was meant for: live and loud.
In the end, Zal Cleminson’s legacy playing guitar. Which is a legacy of the great unsung heroes of 70s rock. Zal was a true innovator who proved that a lead guitarist could be a compelling theatrical character, not just a static musician. Cleminson’s ferocious playing, unique tone, and iconic image were a profound influence on the punk and alternative rock scenes that followed, creating a benchmark for creativity, individuality, and pure attitude in rock and roll that remains incredibly powerful to this day.
Cover Photo Credit “Sensational!” by tim ellis is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
