10-year-old guitar prodigy gets 5,000,000 hits
The 10-year-old uploaded a solo guitar performance dedicated to his hero last month, and the clip has now been viewed over five million times worldwide.
It has even earnt the youngster sponsorship offers and a personal message from Rita King Washington, daughter of his musical hero who died on May 14 aged 89.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdToby, who lives in Oxfordshire, joined Crackley Hall School in Kenilworth last year and said he performed the instrumental version of King’s ‘The Thrill Is Gone’ as a get-well tribute to his favourite guitarist.
The clip went viral after being shared by musician, Joe Bonamassa and has since been viewed millions of times around the world.
Speaking about his love for music, Toby said: “You can’t keep me away from my guitar. I have a ukulele and a pair of drumsticks in the car so when I’m picked up from school I can start practising. I just love it.”
Toby’s love for the instrument was first born when he was given a ukulele by his granny as a toddler.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMusic mad Toby played it so much that the strings wore out and he moved up to the electric guitar helped by his father, Terry’s love of Jimi Hendrix and blues maestro Gary Moore.
Toby is no stranger to fame after wowing the nation earlier this year when he appeared on BBC radio to show off his skills.
Toby Lee strummed out a piece by rock band, AC/DC as part of the on the ‘Kids Fanfare’ session on the Chris Evans’ Breakfast Show.
With an audience of over nine million, the Crackley Hall maestro was described by Evans as “a natural”, pulling in huge online support.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAn earlier video of the rock-mad youngster was shared by a Seattle radio station and secured 500,000 views in just 72 hours.
Toby said at the time: “I just love playing. Music is where I want to be to follow in the footsteps of the all-time greats.”