Legendary Guitarist Phil Keaggy Brings His Musical Voice to 'Reagan' Movie Re-Release

Photo image courtesy Sean Hagwell | PhilKeaggy.com
Few guitarists have left as distinctive a mark on both contemporary Christian music and the broader world of instrumental guitar as Phil Keaggy. With more than 55 albums to his name, countless collaborations, seven Dove Awards and two Grammy nominations, Keaggy’s influence spans generations and genres.

Now, Keaggy brings his unmistakable guitar voice to the big screen with his instrumental reinterpretation of the Guns n’ Roses classic “Sweet Child of Mine” for the re-release of the 2024 movie Reagan, starring Dennis Quiad, in select theaters this weekend.

I recently sat down with the 75-year-old Keaggy to discuss the creative process behind his arrangement, the challenge of putting a fresh musical perspective on such an iconic song, and what it was like contributing his artistry to the film.

You’re involved in the Reagan movie in that you play the guitar riff to the Guns N’ Roses song, “Sweet Child of Mine”. First off, why not Slash play this? And second, how did you get the “gig” so to speak?

Well, Mark Joseph, who directed the movie, we've been friends for a number of years now. I endorsed one of his books that he wrote about rock and roll and religion. But I thought it was a really interesting perspective. And I told him I thought it was really good, and well written. I know that he's had his heart and hands in movies, so he did contact me and say, “Hey, I just want you to play the riff to that particular song.” So, I downloaded the song, and I got the riff down really well. I got the tone really good, and I put some drums and bass to it, and a second guitar to it, and he said, “I just need a minute and 20 seconds.” I said, okay, not knowing that it was going to be on a soundtrack release. I just thought it was a small snippet in the movie, and I said, fine, thank you, I'm into it. So I did it, and I sent it to him, and some months later, he contacted me again and said, “Could you add 25 more seconds to it?

So, I added 25 more seconds. And since the soundtrack came out, I added another 25 seconds to round it out to a nice two minutes, just for my own listening pleasure, because it goes by too fast, you know. It feels really good, though. I quite enjoy it.

With that said, what do you think makes a guitar performance emotionally compelling? Is it technique, tone, phrasing or something that can’t really be taught?

I think he (Mark Joseph) wanted me to play it as exact as possible. And so that exact hook of that guitar riff is what made that song, in my opinion. That's the grabber. That hook is like the beginning of “And I Love Her” by the Beatles. In just four notes you know exactly what it is. Paul McCartney himself says, that song wouldn't be what it is without George Harrison’s contribution to that intro.

The beginning of so many hit songs were a guitar riff. For example, “Crossroads” by Cream. And there's so many. And I think the place where my piece was put in the movie was very significant, when the Berlin Wall fell.

Here's a music geek question from me to you. What make and model guitar did you play on the “Sweet Child of Mine” piece for the Reagan movie?

I played my Gibson Les Paul. Since Slash plays a Les Paul on the original recording, I figured I should play the guitar that he played. So, that opening riff is done on the Les Paul, but the licks are done on my old faithful 1986 Zion guitar, built by Kenny Marshall. It's got a Les Paul style and sound to it, but it can also sound like a Fender Stratocaster or a Telecaster. It's a very diverse guitar, and it's the one I probably play electric-wise on 80% of my recordings. It's just a beautiful guitar and has a beautiful sound.

Phil, you're not just any guitar player. You're legendary. You've been doing this for a long time. Your first solo album came out in 1973, and you have been widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists ever since. Why do you think your music continues to resonate with people decades later?

Because there are very small channels by which my music gets to people, but when it gets to them, I think they connect with something in there. And I believe, just like a good friend of mine, Mark Maxwell says, who just wrote a book called Art Equals Love. He communicates how we were created by God to be creators, too. God is the greatest architect and artist. And if we're plugged into Him, I think we're an extension of His creativity. There's a lot of people who have the gift from God.

I met a guy at the premiere of this great movie I saw recently, Daniel and the Fiery Furnace, who is the audio engineer for the soundtrack of the movie itself. I met him and his dad at the premiere. And his dad told me that back around 1971, I was playing at a club in Kent, Ohio, and he was a guitar player, too. And I go, that's fantastic. Who inspired you? Who gave you the gift? And he said, “My father.” I said, well, you're partially right. It's your Heavenly Father that gave you the gift. And it touched him. God touched him. And he said, “Not long after that (hearing Keaggy perform), he gave his heart to God.” This is like 55 years later that I met this man who shared that story with me. He's raised his kids to walk with the Lord, and I'm really blessed by how we can never underestimate how God moves by His Holy Spirit in the lives of other people. It's like He orchestrates and sets up events that are all to be to our betterment, and our joy, and His glory.

When you listen back to recordings you made decades ago, do you hear the same musician you were then, or do you hear someone you hardly recognize?

I completely recognize him. Especially since What a Day and the first Glass Harp albums. I can hear my heart, my signature, and my style. It's what I did before I was a believer that I say, who is that? There was a transformation that took place inside my artistic heart and in my musicianship. Whenever I put the Les Paul (guitar) on, for instance, it's easy for me to play those lines from the early 1970s. Glass Harp and What a Day. Also Love Broke Through.

I do hear it myself over the decades, and I recognize that it's me. Now that I'm older, I'm 75, and I have some arthritis. Plus, I had trigger finger surgery on my thumb a couple years ago, but I'm still playing the guitar. It's hard these days to play a full concert because I get fatigued in my hand. It's just like an athlete who could run the 400 meters but just doesn't have the speed and the strength anymore.

The Dove Awards are coming up in a few weeks, and last year, I went to the event and asked a bunch of the current artists of the day this question: How does your faith influence your music? And how does music influence your faith? So, Phil Keaggy, I ask you that same question. What do you think?

My faith is who I am. My faith is my being. It is such an integral part of me. A day doesn't go by without my leaning on God and wanting to be near Him and do the right thing. I follow him as best I can, and my music just kind of comes out of that. And the thing is, my music can be playful. You can be a spirit-filled believer and play soccer. Paul the Apostle says, “Whatever you do, do as unto the Lord.” And so, I think, since I've been born again, I would say I'm a born-again guitarist, and that doesn't mean all my notes are right, or perfect, or appeal to everyone. But it's where my heart is and I hope that helps clarify where I’m at.

After people have had a chance to hear your music in the Reagan movie, what would you like audiences to take away from that experience? What is your greatest hope for the film?

Well, because that's not my music in the Reagan film, I'm just copying a really fine painting, basically. But I would hope that they would take notice of my name and go to my Bandcamp website and listen to the music that I've created for themselves, which is a whole lot more exploratory and diverse. I don't just play that style of guitar. I love all kinds of genres, and I've participated and collaborated with many other musicians who bring that out in me, and I bring things out in them. But I do hope that my music speaks to the heart, brings calmness to the soul, and then gets you up in the morning.

For more information on the re-release of Reagan in select theaters:

WATCH PHIL KEAGGY PERFORM SHADES OF GREEN: