Guitar Greats Richard Thompson & Tommy Emmanuel Share Carnegie Hall Stage

Renowned guitarists Tommy Emmanuel and Richard Thompson co-headlined New York City’s historic Carnegie Hall on Thursday. Emmanuel and Thompson came together for a trio of songs to close out the former’s set.

Tommy Emmanuel and Richard Thompson hail from Australia and England respectively. Both are esteemed guitarists who, while they are admirers of each other’s work, had never collaborated before.

“Pound for pound, I think Tommy is the most accomplished acoustic steel-strung guitarist on the planet,” Thompson told Rock & Blues Muse.

“I’m looking forward to sharing the bill with Richard Thompson at Carnegie Hall!” Emmanuel said in the same interview. “I am a big fan, his music and humor are so different to mine, I think we will get some sparks happening!”

Sparks did indeed happen when Thompson emerged toward the end of Emmanuel’s set, beginning with a cover of Merle Haggard‘s “Workin’ Man Blues.” The collab and concert came to a close with Emmanuel and Thompson delivering a gorgeous guitar take on John Lennon‘s “Imagine” with some help from the audience.

Watch Tommy Emmanuel and Richard Thompson’s team-up below: