Art Thompson
Art Thompson is senior editor of Guitar Player magazine and he has authored stories with numerous guitar greats, including B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Billy Gibbons, Steve Miller, Prince, Reeves Gabrels, Joe Perry, Robben Ford, Brian Setzer, Sonny Landreth, Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson, Robin Trower,
Scotty Moore, James Burton, Merle Haggard, Roy Nichols, Jimmie Vaughan and many others.
He has interviewed gear innovators such as Paul Reed Smith, Randall Smith, Mark Sampson and Gary Kramer, and he wrote the 1998 GP cover story/review of 150 vintage stomp boxes – an article that helped spark renewed interest in pedals from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. He also wrote the first book on the subject, Stompbox.
As a guitarist, he has shared stages with Gregg Allman, Stray Cats, Joe Ely, Dick Dale, Robben Ford, Lonnie Brooks, Kansas, Marshall Tucker, Foghat, Little Charlie and the Nitecats, Kenny Vaughan and Clarence Clemons, and he maintains a busy performing schedule with three stylistically diverse groups, all of which provide ample opportunity to test-drive new guitars, amps and effects, many of which are featured in the pages of GP.
Latest articles by Art Thompson
Watch Kirk Fletcher Demonstrate His Favorite Blues Shuffles and Gospel Licks
By Rod Brakes, Jude Gold, Art Thompson published
Video Take away some knowhow from one of the greatest blues guitarists around.
How to EBow Like a Pro
By Rod Brakes, Christopher Scapelliti, Art Thompson published
Video Watch guitarists Phil Keaggy and Big Country’s Stuart Adamson demonstrate their mastery of this oft-misunderstood guitar gadget.
“I Have a Problem. I’ve Got to Make My Guitar Louder”: Les Paul on His Eureka Moment
By Art Thompson published
Video Learn the truth about Les’s fledgling idea in this Musicians Hall of Fame interview and discover how his tenacity and vision became Gibson’s greatest success story.
“We Started to Make Our Act Aggressive”: Watch Pete Townshend Attack his Marshall in Footage from ‘Lost’ 1966 Interview
By Art Thompson, Rod Brakes published
Video Here’s why the Who's axe wielder was a guitar amp innovator.
Listen to Jazz Innovator Charlie Christian Bringing Electric Guitar to the Forefront of Music
By Art Thompson published
Video This 1941 “Solo Flight” cut with the Benny Goodman Orchestra demonstrates the groundbreaking guitarist at the top of his game.