Cliff Goodwin, Doherty class of ’71 is not just known for his athleticism and long hair, he is a well-known guitarist who took his dreams as a kid and turned it into a long and luscious career.
Born in Worcester, Massachusetts on August 4, 1953, Goodwin first started playing guitar when he was ten years old. To say he was raised on music is an understatement. He was mildly influenced by The Beatles, who took the world by storm in 1964. Goodwin went to elementary school at Lee Street School, in what is now a big brick building owned by WPI. Speaking in my interview he recalls, “[One of my] Earliest memories when I was in sixth grade at Lee Street School, they had me bring my guitar in to show the class. I don’t remember playing, but I remember trying.” Joking on how he began guitar, after a year of lessons on fundamentals from his guitar teacher, Goodwin parted ways with them wanting to step into the new world of rock ‘n’ roll.
He started to play professionally back in the 60s, in what Goodwin describes as a “pioneering time.” Rock was a new thing, it was an out of the box category for music that wasn’t all the way established yet, but Goodwin didn’t let that stop him. His first band was the Exit Left. Goodwin continued to play in bands such as The End, Appleton’s Journal, Albatross, and the American Standard Band. He also went on to play in the Joe Cocker Band with Joe Cocker, a 2025 inductee in the Rock Hall of Fame. Goodwin states, “Joe Cocker’s manager was one of the original promoters of one of the first major music festivals, Woodstock. We were lucky enough to be heard and hired by Joe.” Playing for the first time on stage Goodwin highlights that he was scared but doesn’t fail to mention that “if you’re not afraid, you’re not living.”
To what can be described as a magical musical journey, Goodwin’s career consisted of touring the world numerous times, making hit records, recording in major studios, playing Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and the Sydney Opera House. Cliff really explains that, “I’ve done everything I never could have dreamed of doing,” continuing with, “these are pretty lofty dreams for a kid from Institute Road.”
And this is not all. If you’re wondering, for what will be sixty-two years in August, Goodwin is still playing guitar. He illustrates that he’s always played and, “I’ve been playing for so long that it’s valid to say it’s in my DNA.”
Looking at who Cliff is as a talented individual and also as a famous guitarist, his earliest roots were planted in Doherty Memorial High School. Back then, Doherty was grades ten, eleven, and twelve. And Forest Grove, the middle school he went to, had grades seven, eight, and nine. Goodwin attended Doherty for those three years and while being enrolled as a student, he did track. He says he did high and long jumps and he liked track a substantial amount. He also enjoyed basketball but he recounts that the coach didn’t like the fact that he had long hair. He expresses that things were not as liberal as they are today because it was around half a century ago. This is just another way that Cliff broke out of the box society put a person in.
We were lucky to have Cliff Goodwin back in Doherty, if only for just one day. On May 8, 2025 Goodwin spoke to students and toured the school. One statement that Goodwin kept on reiterating in the Q&A was passion. Summarized in a few short sentences he says simply, “One point I want to make to you guys is if, and it doesn’t just have to be music but if you find your fashion and you are calling, you may never work a day in your life… It might be work, it’ll be a labor of love.” He suggests that even if the job or calling takes your energy and time, you will benefit because your spirit will be fulfilled.
Goodwin knows when he shared those words that many might think “but how?” Well, he continues by saying, “What’s been here for half an hour, it’s almost like an incredible wish list of stuff that’s available to you guys.” So, as implied by Goodwin, high school is a time to find who you want to be. Especially in the new Doherty with countless opportunities available. Even if it might be a cliché, Goodwin is definitely a walking example of doing what you love.
In the final moments of his talk with students at Doherty, Goodwin shares some advice for starting guitar. He a hundred percent thinks there should be full immersion. He says you should “crack the surface and dig a little deeper,” and that, “One thing leads to another.” Just look at him! An alum from Doherty, breaking barriers in music and shredding on a guitar. What a wonderful thing to think about. We’re thankful to have Cliff Goodwin re-visit Doherty due to the years since he’s been following his own passion, he should know that he always has a place at Doherty. Major gratitude as well to Goodwin for allowing an interview with him and I, and sincere thanks for the encouragement of all the follow-up questions and clarifications.
Cliff has said that The Beatles took the country and even the world by storm. Well, looking back on all Cliff has accomplished in his lifetime, it’s valid to say he has given everything he’s got and this is paving the way for other genres to come to life with other artists in store for us. Oh and don’t forget, like Cliff Goodwin said, if you have a passion, follow it.
