Elizabeth Swann
Elizabeth Swann is a devoted follower of prog-folk and has reported on the scene from far-flung places around the globe for Prog, Wired and Popular Mechanics She treasures her collection of rare live Bert Jansch and John Renbourn reel-to-reel recordings and souvenir teaspoons collected from her travels through the Appalachians. When she’s not leaning over her Stella 12-string acoustic, she’s probably bent over her workbench with a soldering iron, modding some cheap synthesizer or effect pedal she pulled from a skip. Her favorite hobbies are making herbal wine and delivering sharp comebacks to men who ask if she’s the same Elizabeth Swann from Pirates of the Caribbean. (She is not.)
Latest articles by Elizabeth Swann

Joe Bonamassa compares Ozzy Osbourne to the godfather of British blues
By Elizabeth Swann published
The bluesman says Ozzy choice of guitarists shaped heavy metal’s sound and evolution

Keith Richards’ and Elton John’s long-running feud began with one disastrous Rolling Stones gig
By Elizabeth Swann published
Elton had been invited onstage to play one song .He stayed for another 10, earning Richards ire for decades to come

“Should anybody be interested…” Noel Gallagher shares photo of his pedalboard for the Oasis reunion tour. These are the rare ones
By Elizabeth Swann published
The guitarist also posted a pic of his backline, which includes Marshall and Hiwatt amps

George Kooymans, guitarist behind the hit "Radar Love," has died
By Elizabeth Swann published
Kooymans passed away on July 23 from complications associated with ALS. He was 77

Paul McCartney on how John Lennon saved him in a moment of doubt — and why the former Beatles bassist keeps going
By Elizabeth Swann published
McCartney said Lennon's words show the value of partnership, and how having someone in your corner can help you see the brilliance you missed

Ray Davies on the origins of the Kinks' “You Really Got Me” — and what guitarists get wrong about serving the song
By Elizabeth Swann published
Davies said the track began life as a jazz tune until his brother got a hold of it

Robert Plant covers classic blues and modern indie on his upcoming album with his new band. Hear a preview from ‘Saving Grace’
By Elizabeth Swann published
Plant calls the album — which will be released September 26 and accompanied by a tour — “a songbook of the lost and found”

Robert Smith explains the simple hack that makes the Cure songs so appealing to the ear
By Elizabeth Swann published
The Cure guitarist continues to inspire new players, as evidenced by his performance with Olivia Rodrigo at Glastonbury 2025

Richie Sambora is recovering from a “gruesome” injury that required surgery to the former Bon Jovi guitarist's hand
By Elizabeth Swann published
Sambora, who turned 66 on July 11, celebrated his birthday by releasing a new song, "I Was Born to Rock"

Greta Van Fleet’s Jake Kiszka says some of the riffs his brother rejected are getting a new life with his band Mirador
By Elizabeth Swann published
Kiszka formed Mirador in 2024 with Chris Turpin of Ida Mae and reportedly plans to have the group's debut album out this fall

“I was five years old and I was obsessed with Slash.” 10-year-old shredder Bay Melnick Virgolino blows away America’s Got Talent judges and audience with spot-on cover of Lenny Kravitz's “Are You Gonna Go My Way”
By Elizabeth Swann published
The young guitarist has serious chops — and has numerous performances under his belt

Jeff Beck told Stevie Ray Vaughan he reminded him of Jimi Hendrix. Here’s why
By Elizabeth Swann published
The two Stratocaster supremos sat down to talk shop in 1989 near the end of their celebrated Fire Meets the Fury tour

Liam and Noel Gallagher bring Oasis back with a blast of their greatest hits — and not a punch thrown between them
By Elizabeth Swann published
The Britpop act gave the crowd of 60,000 fans a trip down memory lane with their first show in 16 years

Sophie Lloyd names five life-changing solos — and the one she saw as her ultimate challenge
By Elizabeth Swann published
The YouTube sensation and Machine Gun Kelly guitarist picks tunes by Pink Floyd, Guns N’ Roses and more

Liam Gallagher responds to Green Day fan being kicked offstage for playing "Wonderwall" — and it’s wonderful
By Elizabeth Swann last updated
Turns out Liam and Noel Gallagher have suggested more bands should cover Oasis songs

Tony Iommi’s tech threw out the one-of-a-kind treble booster behind Black Sabbath’s classic guitar tone
By Elizabeth Swann published
An essential element of his guitar tone, the pedal disappeared in 1979 during a refresh of his rig

He put his father’s ashes in the neck of his Fender Telecaster guitar
By Elizabeth Swann published
The guitarist found a fitting way to honor his father, who would travel far afield to see his son perform with his metal bands

Dave Davies on the speaker-slashing skills that turned on Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck
By Elizabeth Swann published
The guitarist blamed boring guitar sounds and his own love of imperfection for his actions, saying, "That sound was born out of total frustration"

Molly Tuttle on what makes all the difference when it comes to choosing a guitar pick
By Elizabeth Swann published
Now 21 years into her career, she reveals a surprising choice when it comes to the plectrum that works best for her style of bluegrass flatpicking

For Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler, Black Sabbath’s final show stirs fear and uncertainty
By Elizabeth Swann published
Iommi shared his concerns ahead of Black Sabbath's 'Back to the Beginning' concert, and insists the July 5 show is the group's last stand

“Not since the Renaissance.” Gene Simmons on the group he calls the best in over 200 years
By Elizabeth Swann published
The Kiss bassist looks beyond the band’s success with a keen eye on their creativity and songwriting

Here’s what ‘Back to the Future’ got wrong about Marty McFly’s Chuck Berry–inspired guitar show
By Elizabeth Swann published
The film made a crucial error in its iconic dance scene, where Fox's McFly performs "Johnny B. Goode" on a now-famous Gibson ES-345

Nancy Wilson responds after police arrest suspect in Heart's gear theft — but there’s still no sign of the missing guitar and mandolin
By Elizabeth Swann published
Police arrested New Jersey resident Garfield Bennett on Wednesday after seeing him attempt to sell the stolen Telecaster and Gibson mandolin in Atlantic City
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