19-year-old guitarist Silas Luke Jones has received a standing ovation from the America’s Got Talent judges for his arresting cover of “Misirlou.”
Appearing on the Tuesday night (July 29) episode, Jones appeared as a somewhat shy performer from Homer, Alaska before he showed the judges just what he was made of.
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Armed with an acoustic guitar and an extensive pedalboard, Jones had the audience on his side from the opening notes of “Misirlou,” giving a small preview of what was to come by use of an EBow.
Traditionally known as a Mediterranean folk song, the best-known version of “Misirlou” comes from Dick Dale, whose 1962 surf-rock recording became a minor hit upon its release, and was later utilized in the opening credits to Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 film, Pulp Fiction. Dale’s recording was later heavily incorporated in the Black Eyed Peas’ 2006 single, “Pump It.”
Jones, however, left the surf-rock stylings behind and instead delivered a solo rendition that relied heavily on open tunings and percussive techniques – winning the crowd over in the process and receiving high praise and a standing ovation from the judges.
“You became a rock star in front of our eyes,” noted Sofia Vergara, before Howie Mandel suggested Jones was “like an Alaskan techno [Jimi] Hendrix.”
“If I turned away and I listened to what you were doing, I would’ve thought that was like five or six people on stage,” offered Mel B. “You’re one of a kind. You really are.”
“You’re a very nice guy. Very humble, and then you just turn into that,” continued Simon Cowell. “Actually, the guitar is not an easy instrument to do that with.
“What you did with that was extraordinary. You have a really real special talent here.”
Jones ultimately walked away from his performance with four positive responses from the judges, and a promise that viewers haven’t yet seen the last of him.
America’s Got Talent airs on NBC at 8 p.m. Tuesdays and streams on Peacock the next day.
View Silas Luke Jones’ performance of “Misirlou” below.
