Remember When Joe Bonamassa Hit a Bouncer Over the Head With His Guitar During a Concert?

Words of wisdom: Don’t piss off a man with a heavy guitar. A bouncer at a Joe Bonamassa concert back in 2016 learned that the hard way.

The “Love Ain’t A Love Song” hitmaker once got involved with a bouncer and a fan at one of his concerts in Oklahoma. Bonamassa was apparently proud of it, too, considering he posted about the debacle to his Instagram page shortly after. 

Back in December of 2016, Joe Bonamassa posted a photo to his Instagram. The photo showed him holding his 1951 Fender guitar by the body, reaching into the audience with the instrument to hit an unidentified person over the head with the guitar’s neck. A number of attendees can be seen cheering and laughing, despite the (albeit mild) act of violence in front of them. So, what happened?

Why Joe Bonamassa Gave a Bouncer a Good Bonk Over the Head With His Rare Guitar

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The concert in question took place at the Brady Theater in Tulsa, Oklahoma. According to Bonamassa via the above-mentioned Instagram post, a bouncer at the theater was harassing one of the attendees of the show.

“And to the bouncer who harassed one of our fans up front…” Bonamassa wrote. “That is why you can now tell your family and friends what a 51 Fender No-caster to the head feels like. Don’t ever put [your] hands on my fans again. Consider that a love tap reminder.”

The blues guitarist was apparently not too worried about potentially damaging his rare (and gorgeous) 1951 Fender No-caster guitar. He freely wielded it to give the bouncer a proper bonk on the head.

The comments on the Instagram post were somewhat positive, all things considered.

“Right on Joe… but next time use a 59 Les Paul, he will never forget the weight behind a Gibson,” joked one fan.

“Parents raised you right!” said another.

That being said, some of the comments from those who attended weren’t happy. Some claimed that the fan who was being harassed was drunk and disorderly in the crowd.

I’m not sure where the truth lies. But I’m inclined to side with Bonamassa on this one, considering all the visibly cheering people in the crowd. Sometimes, bouncers just don’t know how to act. Though, neither do fans who have a little bit too much to drink ahead of concerts.

Photo by Adam Kennedy, Courtesy Prospect PR

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