
Joe Bosso
Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar World, Guitar Player, MusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.
Latest articles by Joe Bosso

Rick Derringer has died. Read our exclusive 2024 interview where he recalled inspiring Eddie Van Halen and performing with Johnny Winter
By Joe Bosso last updated
Derringer — whose work touched the careers of Johnny and Edgar Winter, Steely Dan, Neil Giraldo and "Weird Al" Yankovic — passed away May 26

Tracii Guns on L.A. Guns' long run — and why Slash was the right choice for GN’R
By Joe Bosso published
The guitarist — who's currently on the road for the group's latest album, 'Leopard Skin' — says he has no regrets about leaving Guns N' Roses

Goose guitarist Rick Mitarotonda reveals his Sonny Rollins, "never say die" approach to marathon guitar solos
By Joe Bosso published
The group's laidback style has led some to call their music "yacht rock." But Mitarotonda reveals the hard work behind their easygoing grooves

Norman Greenbaum tells how a Telecaster with a built-in fuzz helped him create a psychedelic hit about Jesus that even John Lennon liked
By Joe Bosso published
The song has been heard in commercials, TV shows, movies — and, yes, at funerals too, including the send-off for gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson

Steve Vai and Joe Satriani tell how a 50-year-old riff inspired the creation of the SatchVai Band
By Joe Bosso published
In a fun- and laugh-filled chat, the two guitar star pals discuss how they formed their new band — and why it took so long

Steely Dan/Doobie Brothers vet Jeff "Skunk" Baxter on how the Ventures revolutionized guitar rock
By Joe Bosso published
The virtuoso explains how his diverse musical interests shaped his guitar playing

He’s played with Bowie and the Cure, but Reeves Gabrels says things don’t always go right, even for pros
By Joe Bosso published
"That’s what makes live shows so extraordinary," the guitarist says. "You’re always on the high wire”

Joe Perry on Jeff Beck, the Yardbirds and "The 10 Records That Changed My Life"
By Joe Bosso last updated
The guitarist says he picked a pair of albums from his own catalog for one very good reason: "Making those albums made all the difference in my career"

Mike Stern's top five guitar tips include one simple fix to help you develop your personal guitar style
By Joe Bosso published
The jazz guitar icon, who recently released the album Echoes and Other Songs, tells us music can be the cure for dark times

Pete Thorn shares the tip that convinced Joe Satriani he was the right guitarist for the SatchVai Band
By Joe Bosso published
The L.A. session ace told us the five rules he thinks every player should follow for a successful career

For Pete Thorn, making stars’ dreams come true is the secret to success
By Joe Bosso published
As the veteran sideman to countless artists, Thorn says, “You have to be Clark Kent most of the time, but onstage you get to be Superman for short periods”

Tom Morello on building the perfect shredder — his 13-year-old son, Roman
By Joe Bosso published
The father-and-son combo have been performing onstage together. Says Dad, "Now he’s just another guy in the band who I can count on."

How Jeff “Skunk” Baxter ruled the 1970s session scene with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers
By Joe Bosso published
The guitar ace brought his Burns Bison and a six-pack of beer when he cut one of his most legendary tracks

11-year-old shredder blows away the competition with medley of AC/DC, Van Halen and Queen songs
By Joe Bosso published
The young guitarist has been playing since he was seven and learned with the help of his grandfather

Mike Campbell shares the struggles and joys of his years as Tom Petty’s guitar partner
By Joe Bosso published
'Heartbreaker' comes out March 18 from Hachette Book Group

He was demonstrating four-track recording when he wrote a 3 million-selling hit song
By Joe Bosso published
Hooters guitarist Eric Bazilian imagined “One of Us” as a song for the Crash Test Dummies. Instead it became Joan Osborne's 1995 triple-Platinum breakthrough

Mike Campbell says it's the original Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers sound, and the guitar he can't live without
By Joe Bosso published
Campbell played the Fender Broadcaster on "American Girl" but retired it from the road when a shipping incident convinced him touring life was too risky for the rare guitar

Nita Strauss recalls her worst gig of all time — and the good that came from it
By Joe Bosso last updated
The guitarist also told us how her first show with Alice Cooper was nothing but a dream

Robby Krieger reveals how breaking the rules resulted in the Doors' breakthrough hit, "Light My Fire"
By Joe Bosso published
The guitarist says his chart-topping song came about because Jim Morrison said "We need more originals"

Joe Bonamassa says he's played over 3,500 shows. This was his worst
By Joe Bosso last updated
"I think I got a Diet Coke out of it," the guitarist says. "And that was it."

Oz Noy explains the one thing every guitar player needs to unlock fretboard knowledge
By Joe Bosso published
The guitarist also tells why it's important to tune your guitar by ear, along with five other top tips

How Andy Summers used chord fragments and an Echoplex to change the sound of rock guitar
By Michael Molenda, Joe Bosso published
The former Police guitarist told us how the group's evolution in the midst of punk led him to his breakthrough achievement as a singular guitar stylist

Bumblefoot says his top guitar tips will help you break out of ruts and engage with the music
By Joe Bosso published
The shred virtuoso also talks about working with Steve Vai and Brian May for his new album, 'Bumblefoot....Returns!'
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