Eddie Angel’s long, strange, joyful trip to the Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame

From early Capital Region gigs to masked guitar instrumentals and worldwide acclaim, Angel’s career defied convention

Eddie Angel’s induction into the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame at Universal Preservation Hall honors a career that began modestly in Rensselaer, and grew into an international legacy built on persistence, individuality, and an unwavering love of music.

Growing up in the Capital Region, Angel was shaped by the area’s working-class spirit and its deep, if often understated, musical roots. Like many musicians from the region, his early years were defined by curiosity, persistence, and the willingness to take music seriously long before it promised anything in return.

“I grew up in Rensselaer, and I started playing guitar when I was about 12 or 13. I had my first band at that time,” Angel recalls. Like countless musicians of his generation, the spark came early. “When I heard The Beatles, that’s all I wanted to do — play guitar and be in a rock n’ roll band.” Music was always present. “There were always records in the house, so it was rock and roll music. That’s what I heard growing up.”

The Capital Region was Angel’s proving ground. As a member of the Star-Spangled Washboard Band, he gained his first real taste of life as a working musician. “That was my first experience doing a lot of touring. We toured all over the East Coast and Midwest, and that put me on my path.” The experience didn’t just sharpen his skills, it confirmed the journey he was on and where he would go. “I have always loved music. I just had a real desire to do it.”

In 1986, Angel made the pivotal move to Nashville, a leap that would define the rest of his career. From there, his journey took a decisive turn with the formation of Los Straitjackets in the early 90s. Timing, instinct, and perseverance collided. “In 1994, when we got the band together again, “Pulp Fiction” came out and suddenly guitar instrumentals were the new thing. We caught the wave.” What followed was a remarkable 17 albums, relentless touring, and a global audience. “We put a record out right around that time, started touring, and never looked back.”

Los Straitjackets’ masked, instrumental approach stood apart in a serious industry, and Angel leaned into that difference. “I always had a knack for doing something kind of silly and goofy… most guitar players are too serious to do that.” That sense of fun became a signature, helping the band carve out a sound and identity that proved both enduring and influential.

Angel’s success took him far beyond the Capital Region, to stages around the world and into pop culture history. “I get to play everything from a dive in Schenectady to the Palladium in London,” he said. His career includes 11 appearances on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” extensive international touring across Europe, Japan, Russia, Mexico, and Australia, and music placements in films, television shows, and commercials.

Since 2014, Angel has also toured and recorded with Nick Lowe, an experience that connects his present to his earliest inspirations. “One of the best shows I ever saw was Elvis Costello in 1979, so touring with him later was huge for me.” He added, “I’m really proud to be part of Nick Lowe’s resume, because growing up he was one of my favorite guys.”

Despite accolades that include a Grammy nomination, induction into the Capital Area Music Association Hall of Fame, and recognition in his high school hall of fame, Angel remains grounded in perspective. “It’s an improbable way to make a living, playing music, and I realize now how improbable it was.” For him, longevity comes down to never giving up. “The only thing I did differently was perseverance.”

That perseverance never severed his ties to home. Angel continues to perform locally with Capital Region rocker Johnny Rabb, and his pride in where he came from remains evident. “It makes me very happy to be recognized, and it makes me feel like people haven’t forgotten me.”

Looking back, Angel doesn’t frame his career in terms of grand strategy or destiny. “There’s no path — you have to make your own path,” he says. “I just didn’t know what else to do. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”

From Rensselaer to the world’s great stages, Eddie Angel’s story is one of authenticity, resilience, and joy in the craft. His induction into the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame is not only a celebration of his success, but a recognition of a hometown musician who carried the spirit of the Capital Region with him, everywhere he played.

The inductee ceremony 7 p.m. Monday, March 23 is open to the public and includes musical performances, a social hour, videos on the musical career of each inductee and acceptance speeches. Tickets are on sale now through the Box Office at Proctors in-person, via phone at (518) 346-6204 from 12-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday or online by visiting atuph.org.

Universal Preservation Hall and Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame are a part of Proctors Collaborative. For more information on the Hall of Fame visit theeddiesawards.com.