At 64 years old, Kenny Petrie took the stage for his audition on Britain’s Got Talent. He started off slowly, opening a guitar case with care. But what followed took everyone by surprise. As soon as he began playing the classic riff from Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way,” judge David Walliams couldn’t contain his excitement, hailing Petrie as a rock sensation.
Petrie, a company director from Scotland, didn’t just stop at riffs. He unleashed an impressive display of guitar prowess, shredding through solos with ease. With a wild wah solo and lightning-fast finger tapping reminiscent of Eddie Van Halen, Petrie had the crowd on their feet, cheering for more.
His infectious enthusiasm spread throughout the room, with even Simon Cowell unable to resist a grin of pure delight. Petrie’s performance was a masterclass in rock guitar, leaving the audience buzzing with excitement.
As the crowd applauded Petrie’s audition, Cowell couldn’t help but ask what everyone was thinking, dryly noting, “Well, we weren’t expecting that.” Walliams chimed in, expressing his surprise, “That was fantastic. It was unexpected as you seem such a mild-mannered guy. I mean sorry I didn’t think ‘oh, here comes a rock god.’”
Adding to the praise, Cowell remarked, “We love being surprised. When the guitar came out I thought this isn’t going to go well, and you were actually brilliant.” Walliams then enthusiastically gave a “rocking yes,” with Cowell, Holden, and Dixon swiftly following suit, giving Petrie a unanimous approval for his audition.
This reminiscent of a similar surprise earlier in the year when John Wines, also known as Old Grey Guitarist online, wowed America’s Got Talent with a similar unexpected performance.
Petrie’s audition on Britain’s Got Talent made waves online, attracting a whopping 5.6 million viewers eager to witness his guitar mastery. Commenters flooded the platform with praise, applauding Petrie’s electrifying performance. One fan wrote, “Kenny is truly inspiring! I couldn’t stay seated throughout his performance. What a legend!” Another remarked, “The joy Kenny exudes while playing is infectious. It’s evident he’s having a blast.”
Petrie’s proficiency on the guitar comes as no surprise, given his regular gigs with his band, as evidenced by their presence on YouTube. Originally from Scotland, Petrie relocated to England at the age of 35. However, his love affair with the guitar predates his move. Inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Petrie picked up the guitar in 1969, sparking a lifelong passion.
His band, Mr Spankey and the Hipthrusters, is a five-piece ensemble known for their energetic performances. While Petrie occasionally adopts the stage name The Reverend Kenny Petrie, it appears to be more of a playful moniker rather than an indication of his profession.