Christopher Scapelliti
Christopher Scapelliti is editor-in-chief of GuitarPlayer.com and the former editor of Guitar Player, the world’s longest-running guitar magazine, founded in 1967. In his extensive career, he has authored in-depth interviews with such guitarists as Pete Townshend, Slash, Billy Corgan, Jack White, Elvis Costello and Todd Rundgren, and audio professionals including Beatles engineers Geoff Emerick and Ken Scott. He is the co-author of Guitar Aficionado: The Collections: The Most Famous, Rare, and Valuable Guitars in the World, a founding editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine, and a former editor with Guitar World, Guitar for the Practicing Musician and Maximum Guitar. Apart from guitars, he maintains a collection of more than 30 vintage analog synthesizers.
Latest articles by Christopher Scapelliti

Here’s Why Bill Frisell and Elvis Costello’s ‘Deep Dead Blue’ Collaboration Is Essential Listening for Every Guitarist
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Featuring just two instruments – voice and guitar – this incredible live album shows jazz maestro Bill Frisell has no rival when it comes to stylistic fluidity

“I Didn’t Have to Worry About Trying to Prove Myself”: John Frusciante Retraces His Path to Musical Excellence on Fellow Red Hot Chili Pepper Flea’s ‘This Little Light’ Podcast
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Hosted by Flea, this fascinating podcast episode reveals how John Frusciante “really found his voice as a musician”

One of the Most Reviled Albums in the Rolling Stones’ Catalog, Is It Time We Took Another Listen to ‘Their Satanic Majesties Request’?
By Christopher Scapelliti published
This 1967 psychedelic departure could be the Stones’ most underrated album

Watch Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Spine-Tingling “I Am the Moon” Red Rocks Performance
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video With tone, technique and passion in abundance, Derek Trucks’ slide guitar solo is breathtaking to behold

John Frusciante Called This Album “Beautiful” While John Petrucci Played It “Over and Over and Over”: Here’s Why Yes’s ‘Close to the Edge’ Remains a Prog Rock Masterpiece
By Christopher Scapelliti published
“It’s astounding. Even I can see that,” said Steve Howe

Watch the Remastered 4K Version of David Bowie’s Monumental “Ziggy Stardust” Hammersmith Odeon Performance
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video This newly upgraded film celebrating the concert’s 50th anniversary captures guitarist Mick Ronson’s anthemic riff-mastery at its finest in the heyday of glam rock

Watch Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson’s Knockout “Going Down” Performance
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video This incredible clip featuring the classic G3 lineup is a lesson in electric guitar virtuosity

“You Wanna Get It Right, Let’s Get It Right!” Watch Chuck Berry Schooling Keith Richards in This Tense Scene
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video The Father of Rock and Roll pulls no punches in this memorable moment from ‘Hail! Hail! Rock ’n’ Roll’

Rediscover Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ With Our Insightful Listening Guide
By Christopher Scapelliti published
‘Guitar Player’ editor-in-chief Christopher Scapelliti takes us on a track-by-track tour of the landmark album on its 50th anniversary

Half a Century of Killer Guitar Tone and Now More Popular Than the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones on Spotify, Queen Are Still Delivering their Unique Kind of Magic
By Christopher Scapelliti last updated
50 years on from the release of Queen’s self-titled debut album, Brian May remains an inspiration to guitarists of all ages

How the Smiths and R.E.M. Gave Rickenbacker Guitars Renewed Appeal in the Early ‘80s
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Johnny Marr and Peter Buck’s standout tones heralded the arrival of alternative rock

Steve Howe Reveals the Awesome Guitars Used on Yes’s Expansive New Album, ‘Mirror to the Sky’
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video The prog rock guitar doyen gives the low-down on some of his most prized instruments

The Incredible Story of How a Guitar Magazine Helped Find John Lennon’s Long-Lost Gibson J-160E
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Missing since 1963, this iconic Beatles guitar was found over half a century later and sold at auction for $2.4 million

Watch Ritchie Blackmore Savagely Obliterate His Fender Stratocaster
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video The infamous guitarist’s methodical menace is on full show in this classic ‘70s clip

Watch George Harrison and Bob Dylan's “If Not for You” Acoustic Rehearsal at the Legendary Concert for Bangladesh
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video The warmth and friendship shared by the iconic songsters is evident in this intimate rendition

Watch Stray Cats Reignite ‘50s Rock and Roll at the 1981 Montreux Jazz Festival With Their Classic Hit “Stray Cat Strut”
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video Brian Setzer reinvigorated the art of virtuoso rock and roll guitar playing and raised the bar for every guitarist who dug a plectrum into rock and roll’s classic catalog

Watch the Essential ‘Love Letters: Samantha Fish Live from New Orleans’ Documentary Concert Special
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video This unmissable film offers an intimate look into the life and career of one of today’s most vital blues artists

Watch the Claypool Lennon Delirium’s Cosmic “Blood and Rockets” Performance
By Christopher Scapelliti published
VIDEO This outstanding live studio rendition showcases a unique meeting of musical minds

Erica Synths Zen Delay Virtual Review
By Christopher Scapelliti published
This plug-in brings its unique characteristics to the digital realm, with valuable additions for recording

“It Has the Best Guitar Tone Stevie Ever Got on Record”: Watch Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Showstopping “Love Struck Baby” Music Video
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video Relive the magic of this MTV staple as we approach the 40th anniversary of ‘Texas Flood’

Watch AC/DC’s Stunning ‘Back in Black’ Tour Footage
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video This unmissable concert film captures the band’s raw energy at a pivotal moment in rock and roll history

Watch Eric Clapton’s Epic “Layla” Live Aid Performance
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video Slowhand gives his “Blackie” Fender Stratocaster one of its final outings in this landmark rendition of the Derek and the Dominos classic

Watch Noel Gallagher’s Breathtaking “The World Keep On Turning” Peter Green Tribute Performance
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Video The Oasis guitarist gives a stellar rendition of the British blues hero’s 1968 acoustic number

“For the First Time in a While, I’m Very Excited About Electric Guitar Again”: The Edge Talks Rekindling His Passion for Tone
By Joe Bosso, Christopher Scapelliti published
Don’t miss our June issue celebrating U2’s latest album, ‘Songs of Surrender,’ and the 40th anniversary of their milestone 'War' LP
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