in Artists, Guitarists “The first thing I said to Jordan Rudess was, ’You’ve got a pretty sick guitar player in your band. What are you asking me for?’” How Spiro Dussias became shred’s next great hope – and ended up giving Dream Theater guitar lessons
in Artists, Guitarists “I was wrestling with whether I was going to keep doing music… and then I got the call from Robert Plant and Alison Krauss”: JD McPherson nearly abandoned his surf noir opus. But playing Zeppelin with Plant and Marc Ribot gave him a shot in the arm
in Artists, Bassists “I rediscovered the glorious bottom-end of the Fender… I feel far more fluid playing the Jazz Bass than I ever did on the Rickenbacker”: Geddy Lee went on a tonal quest and broke all the bass rules to make Rush sound huge
in Artists, Guitarists “I only used the back pickup. Ozzy hates the sound of the front pickup. He calls it the ‘cow tone’”: Bursting with ideas but deferential to Ozzy Osbourne, a young Zakk Wylde had interesting guitar instructions upon joining the legendary frontman’s band
in Artists, Bassists “When I got into Miles Davis’ band, playing like my idols – Jaco, Stanley and Larry Graham – wasn’t going to work. I had to dig and find something else”: How Marcus Miller found his voice – and became one of the most-imitated bassists in the biz
in Artists, Bassists “Cliff always wanted to play more than he should have, but we didn’t try to control him – we couldn’t”: How Cliff Burton’s bass masterpiece earned its place in the pantheon of great rock solos
in Artists, Guitarists “Tina Turner signed it with a flick knife after he recorded for her in London. Then they all went out to dinner”: What the auction of Jeff Beck’s best-loved electrics tells us about the late guitar icon
in Artists, Concert, Gigs & Tours “This is on a level of Live Aid, mid-’80s”: John Mayer and Dave Matthews to perform as a duo for the first time at L.A. FireAid benefit concert, alongside Red Hot Chili Peppers, Joni Mitchell and Green Day
in Artists, Guitarists “I don’t think I want to go on tour anymore. I hate to say that”: Sammy Hagar reveals his touring days are over
in Artists, Guitarists “It was very simplistic compared to my later compositions”: It may have been inspired by the Kinks, but Al Di Meola’s Race with Devil on Spanish Highway is one of the great virtuoso displays in guitar history. Watch the maestro play it with Steve Vai
in Artists, Electric Guitars, Guitars NAMM 2025: “A cornucopia of metal guitar specs” – ESP unveils LTD signature models for Slipknot’s Mick Thomson, Whitechapel’s Alex Wade, Rammstein’s Richard Kruspe and more in epic launch
in Artists, Bassists “The goal was to shake up B.B. King’s music and make it chart-friendly”: B.B. King had his breakthrough blues guitar moment with The Thrill Is Gone – but it was Jerry Jemmott’s bass that made it groove
