Jeff Beck is my favourite rock guitarist of all time. He squeezed more beauty out of six strings than anyone else I can think of.
Category: guitar heroes
Word-for-word with Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers: the complete interview, July 10, 1992
I've interviewed hundreds of musicians over the years, but Dickey Betts stands out as one of my fave rock legends to chat with.
Word-for-word with Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers: the complete interview, July 18, 1991
I've interviewed Dickey Betts four times. He's one of the most thoughtful and interesting guitarists I've had the pleasure of chatting with.
Word-for-word with Warren Haynes of the Allman Brothers: the complete interview, October 20, 1994
This is my first Warren Haynes interview, which I did when the Allman Brothers were touring behind the Where It All Begins album.
Gary Moore’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton It was a tough call picking "The Loner" over "Parisienne Walkways" for the #1 spot, but "The Loner" is just a little bit more Moore. 20. "Wishing Well" (Corridors of Power, 1982) 19. "Ball and Chain" (Scars, 2002) 18. "Cold Day in Hell" (After Hours, 1992) 17. "Empty Rooms" (Victims of the … Continue reading Gary Moore’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Virtual screening of The Humbler–Danny Gatton helps support the family of “the world’s greatest unknown guitarist”
If you're a diehard follower of Danny Gatton--or just a big fan of amazing guitar playing--then there's a virtual screening going on right now that you should be aware of.
Back Door Slam’s Davy Knowles says that Rory Gallagher is his absolute idol
"It's funny, 'cause I heard somewhere that [Rory Gallagher] sold 40 million records, but still he doesn't get the recognition. He's like a player's player, I suppose."
Al Pitrelli says that Megadeth is back to making aggressive, snotty, purist heavy metal again
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 6, 2001 By Steve Newton Two Christmases ago, guitarist Al Pitrelli received a wicked gift he wasn't expecting. It started with a seasonal dingle from a long-time friend, Megadeth drummer Jimmy DeGrasso. "It was our basic 'Merry Christmas' phone call," Pitrelli relates from his New York City home, "followed by, 'So, … Continue reading Al Pitrelli says that Megadeth is back to making aggressive, snotty, purist heavy metal again
Irish guitar great Joe Hodgson recalls seeing Gary Moore at Donnington 40 years ago today
By Steve Newton Just got a message from Irish guitarist Joe Hodgson--who's amazing fretboard skills I've written about before--noting that it was 40 years ago today that he first witnessed his idol Gary Moore in concert. On August 18, 1984, Hodgson attended the Monsters of Rock Festival at Castle Donnington in England. The concert was … Continue reading Irish guitar great Joe Hodgson recalls seeing Gary Moore at Donnington 40 years ago today
That time Nicolette Larson told me that her mystery lead-guitar player was Eddie Van Halen
By Steve Newton Today (July 17, 2024) would have been American pop vocalist Nicolette Larson's 72nd birthday. She was best known for "Lotta Love", the catchy, Neil Young-penned #1 single she recorded on her 1978 debut album, Nicolette. Sadly, the beautifully gap-toothed singer with the astonishingly long hair passed away on December 16, 1997, as … Continue reading That time Nicolette Larson told me that her mystery lead-guitar player was Eddie Van Halen
Guitar legend Michael Schenker to release My Years With UFO on green vinyl this fall
By Steve Newton I still remember buying the new UFO album, Phenomenon, as a high-schooler back in 1974. Man, I couldn't believe the array of great songs on that LP, and especially the mindboggling guitarwork by a teenager named Michael Schenker. His extended solo on "Rock Bottom" was the wildest guitar freakout I'd heard since … Continue reading Guitar legend Michael Schenker to release My Years With UFO on green vinyl this fall
10 minutes on the phone with Steve Morse in 1991
By Steve Newton I did my first interview with Steve Morse in May of 1991, just after he'd released his fourth post-Dixie Dregs album, Southern Steel. That was just three years before he'd join Deep Purple, the band he'd remain with for 28 years. Steve Morse is an astounding guitarist, obviously, but also came off … Continue reading 10 minutes on the phone with Steve Morse in 1991
That time Steve Morse told me about his recent gig with Eddie Van Halen and Albert Lee at NAMM
By Steve Newton Back in May of 1991 I did my first interview with Steve Morse, who called me up from his home in the hills of Northern California. That was just after he’d released his fourth post-Dixie Dregs album, Southern Steel, and three years before he joined Deep Purple. Near the start of the interview … Continue reading That time Steve Morse told me about his recent gig with Eddie Van Halen and Albert Lee at NAMM