Dolly Parton died of cancer, her representatives say
A spokesperson said the country music icon was admitted to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville last Friday
Guitarists
Billy Gibbons called Norman’s Rare Guitars looking for a young musician he'd seen online in the shop’s videos
Norman Harris says giving back is important. Through the store's hugely popular videos, he's helped emerging players find audiences — and in some cases launch careers, including Marcus King’s
Did John Lennon and Paul McCartney last meet in 1978 over a pizza in New York City?
Radio and TV personality Elliot Mintz says he saw the two former Beatles together two years after their last known encounter
Dolly Parton reveals the health issues she’s been battling
The “9 to 5” songwriter says she neglected her own health while caring for her late husband and is now focused on getting herself “back up to snuff”
Gear
How Grady Martin, Nancy Sinatra and Ann-Margret helped fuzz become every guitarist's favorite effect
Between the effect's creation and its development as a guitar pedal, interest was kept alive by a trio of fuzz-loving musicians
Best overdrive pedals 2026: saturate your guitar tone
Push your sound to break-up with the best OD pedals from Boss, TC Electronic, JHS, Ibanez and more
Fender sues Thomann in latest escalation of its Stratocaster copyright crackdown
The guitar giant says its countersuit is the “expected next step” after Thomann sued over cease-and-desist letters sent to Harley Benton, PRS, Yamaha and other makers of Stratocaster-style guitars.
Guitar Center just slashed up to 25% off high-velocity shred machines, iconic guitar amps, and legendary guitar pedals in this epic sale
The latest sale over at Guitar Center delivers seriously good deals for guitar players
Guitars
Alvin Lee’s daughter tells how Gibson accidentally preserved his Woodstock guitar forever
After sending his legendary “Big Red” ES-335 in for a neck repair, the Ten Years After guitarist got back a very different instrument
Best classical guitars 2026: my pick of the finest nylon-string acoustics
From small-scale acoustics for your first steps to stage-ready electro-classicals, here's what to look for
We review the Taylor Ben Harper Gold Label 512e Special Edition grand concert
With its short scale, compact body and warm, articulate voice, Taylor’s Ben Harper signature is an acoustic that rewards everything from delicate fingerpicking to bluesy bends
Guitar Center and Sweetwater bring your dream guitar closer than ever with massive savings on Fender, Jackson, EVH, and Gretsch - and that includes $200 off the Fender American Pro II Telecaster
From Fender classics, EVH signature models, and metal-ready Jacksons, you'll find healthy discounts on a range of Fender-owned brands at multiple retailers
Joe Bonamassa and Martin announce two new Bonamassa signature acoustics
Inspired by his treasured 1937 Martin 00-18 shade-top, the models include a handcrafted Nazareth-built model and a more accessible version produced at Martin's Navojoa, Mexico facility
We review Taylor’s Next Generation 514ce Builder’s Edition
Taylor’s iconic 514ce gets a modern makeover, combining classic warmth and character with Next Generation innovations designed for exceptional playability, tone and stage performance
How Marty Stuart bought Clarence White’s legendary B-Bender Telecaster for just $1,450
A visit to Clarence White’s widow led to one of vintage guitar’s greatest bargains — and placed one of the most influential Telecasters ever built in Stuart’s hands.
Makers
Behind the Beatles’ Abbey Road cover with Paul McCartney and its designer: “I thought, I’ve got to do this and get it out on Wednesday?”
As Sam Mendes re-creates the iconic image for his new Beatles films, we revisit how the original cover photo became an icon
Roger Daltrey says the Who invented metal before Black Sabbath
The singer says the Who's pioneering use of volume, feedback and Marshall amps laid the foundations for metal years before Black Sabbath arrived.
Fender serves a cease-and-desist to PRS, but does this latest target meet Fender’s copyist criteria?
PRS confirms it received a cease-and-desist letter over the Silver Sky — John Mayer’s massively successful signature model. But does this latest target meet Fender’s copyist criteria?
Studio legend Glyn Johns on Paul McCartney's shocking request to work on what became the Beatles' final album
The album’s roots live on as 'Let It Be,' but Johns says the rest of the band didn’t get McCartney’s “really interesting” idea
From Taylor Swift to Phoebe Bridgers and Wilco's Jeff Tweedy — how indie rockers came to adopt a guitar bridge born from parts in Home Depot's toilet aisle
Rubber-bridge guitars have changed the sound of acoustic guitar over the past 10 years. And it's all down to one man's invention
Recording engineer Glyn Johns on why he never used click tracks when working with the Stones, Beatles, and Led Zeppelin
He’s recorded and mixed seminal records by some of rock’s biggest artists, and click tracks were always left out in the cold
Lessons
“Here’s how to make your guitar sing…” Larry McCray Blues Masterclass
Learn these 13 examples that span across gospel inspired moans and bends, the Chicago shuffle and Larry Carlton's super arpeggio approach to soloing
Joe Bonamassa explains his trick for finding the guitars you’ll want to keep forever
The blues guitar star has amassed more than 600 guitars, from rare Les Pauls and Strats to a $400,000 Flying V. But he says the secret to finding a keeper is asking yourself one simple question
$99 for full access to Guitar Tricks online lessons is an absolute steal with this Summer Black Friday deal – especially if you’re a beginner
Save a huge $861 off this mega bundle and take your playing to new heights this year
Music
See Jimi Hendrix in newly unearthed Woodstock video footage shot from the stage
A 22-year-old drama student named Albert Goodman snuck onstage to film the guitar legend from just 15 feet away
The Beatles’ new UMG partnership recalls their greatest business mistake: Behind the blunder that cost them millions
Sixty years after manager Brian Epstein signed away 90 percent of the band’s merchandising rights, Apple Corps and Universal Music Group are joining forces to manage the Fab Four’s empire.
John Fogerty on the Creedence Clearwater Revival single that predicted their downfall — and ultimately became their biggest hit
Released in 1971, the tune has become the most streamed track in the group’s hit-heavy catalog
The Randy Bachman connection behind Bob Seger’s breakthrough hit, “Night Moves”
Too busy with BTO to produce the record himself, Bachman made a key introduction— rock history did the rest
Brian May and John Deacon reveal what really happened when Queen met David Bowie for “Under Pressure”
Inside the cocaine-fueled Montreux session where Bowie took control — and left Queen questioning the song's future
“Oh my god, I love ABBA.” How a secret obsession with Sweden’s pop royalty derailed Ritchie Blackmore and Rainbow
From a fireside confession in a French château to a secret Stockholm meeting — did Blackmore actually record a solo track with Agnetha Fältskog?
Brian May proves “We actually don’t need AI” with appallingly bad Meta attempt at Queen album cover
In related news, Spotify says non-human music will be badged and not fed to personal recommendations
