Every guest on this podcast is a legend in their own way, and Al Di Meola is undeniably a living legend. Mention "Friday Night in San Francisco" to any guitarist, and you'll likely spark memories, anecdotes, and a deep sense of admiration. For my conversation with Al, I had planned to gently ask about the heart attack he suffered on stage in Romania last year. However, after simply asking, "Al, how are you?" he shared the entire story in vivid detail. Throughout this candid interview, Al surprised me multiple times. He revealed that rejection was a significant motivator early in his career. He was once kicked out of a band, only to see the group reassembled a week later. He channeled that pain into laser focus and determination. I'm always fascinated by how exceptional guitarists like Al achieve such hyperfocus and push their boundaries. As a bonus at the end of the episode, you'll hear a few questions from Harry Valentino, the guitarist of High Fade. Harry previously shared that Al Di Meola is his favorite guitarist. Thank you, Harry, and thank you, Al, for this inspiring conversation!