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

Hector Tellez Jr.

Peter Buck and Krist Novoselic Pick Their Gigs Carefully, but Hector Tellez Jr. Got Both Rock and Roll Hall of Famers

By Joe Bosso published

The Cuban blues hound reveals how the R.E.M. and Nirvana legends helped record his dynamite debut album, ‘The Great Unknown’

U2 'War' album artwork

“’Sunday Bloody Sunday’ Was an Absolutely Pivotal Song for Us”: Three Albums Into Their Career, U2 Found Their Triumphant Sound and Activist Voice on ‘War’

By Joe Bosso published

Forty years on, The Edge and producer Steve Lillywhite discuss the album on which the group built its legacy

U2 'Songs of Surrender' album artwork

“There Were No Rules With This Project”: The Edge Reveals the Secrets Behind U2’s New Album, 'Songs of Surrender' – a Whopping Collection of “Reimagined” Songs From Their Back Catalog

By Joe Bosso published

When it came to remaking 40 classic U2 tracks, The Edge was guided by his heart and one grand idea: “to make intimacy the new version of punk rock”

"Captain" Kirk Douglas with his Gibson Signature SG in Ebony

“Captain” Kirk Douglas’s Top Five Tips for Guitarists

By Joe Bosso published

These habits have helped the Gibson signature artist to stay on course with the Roots and his 'Tonight Show' gig

The Guess Who circa 1970. (from left) Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings, Jim Kale and Garry Peterson

“On Paper, the Song Shouldn’t Have Worked at All”: How Randy Bachman Wrote His Favorite Guess Who Track, “Undun”

By Joe Bosso published

The guitarist reveals the influence of Lenny Breau, Bob Dylan and the Zombies in the 1969 hit

Guitar Player issue 734 featuring The Edge

“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

Måneskin onstage. (from left) Victoria De Angelis, Ethan Torchio, Damiano David and Thomas Raggi.

“Saviors of Rock ‘n’ Roll” Måneskin Are Introducing American Ears to Their Infectious Brand of Glam-Rock Revivalism

By Joe Bosso published

“We’re young, but as musicians we understand what the Beatles did,” says bassist Victoria De Angelis

Rick Mitarotonda performs at Mohegan Sun in Connnecticut with his PRS Hollowbody II.

“Finding the Right Lineup Is the Single Most Important Thing in a Band”: Goose Guitarists Rick Mitarotonda and Peter Anspach Talk Band Chemistry as They Evolve From Underground Darlings to Major Venue Headliners

By Joe Bosso published

On ‘Dripfield,’ the jam-band breakouts let their muse lead them outside their comfort zone

Malina Moye

"I Play Rock, I Play Soul, I Play Funk – That’s the Malina Moye Sound”: With ‘Dirty,’ the Strat-Wielding Lefty Leaves an Indelible Record of Her Singular Style

By Joe Bosso published

“People always tell you to pick a lane as an artist, but I was never comfortable with that,” says the pioneering guitarist

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Steve Howe, guitarist of the classic rock band Yes, performs onstage as a special guest during the band's 50th Anniversary tour at Ford Theatre on June 19, 2018 in Hollywood, California.

“Never Give up on Your Dream”: Steve Howe’s Top Five Tips for Guitarists

By Joe Bosso published

These are the habits that have made Steve Howe a stylistic and technical virtuoso

Crosby, Stills & Nash convene circa 1970.

“It’s an Apocalyptic Vision of the World Crumbling Into Pieces”: David Crosby Reveals How “Wooden Ships” Came to Be

By Joe Bosso published

In his last ‘Guitar Player’ interview in November 2022, the late songsmith explained how he, Stephen Stills and Paul Kantner wrote this visionary classic

Keith Richards (right) and American musician Waddy Wachtel of the X-pensive Winos perform on stage during their 'Main Offender' tour, early 1993.

“I’ve Been Privileged to Play on so Many Great and Important Records”: Session Veteran Waddy Wachtel Reveals His Top Six Career-Defining Tracks

By Joe Bosso published

From Linda Ronstadt, Warren Zevon and Stevie Nicks to Steve Perry, Keith Richards and the Rolling Stones, here are the six of the best from the “rock and roll specialist”

Brian Setzer

“Rockabilly Is so Near and Dear to My Heart”: Brian Setzer Reveals the Legendary Artists and Guitar Gear That Helped Define His Signature Sound

By Joe Bosso published

“I’ve always done what I’ve wanted, and it’s worked out,” says the Stray Cats frontman

Mark Morton (right) and Willie Adler pictured in 2009.

“I’m a Blues Guitarist in a Metal Band”: Blues-Rock Aficionado Mark Morton and Hardcore Metalhead Willie Adler Talk Lamb of God’s Unlikely Guitar Pairing

By Joe Bosso published

Despite their “deep-seated rivalry,” the axmen peacefully co-exist with some “friendly competition”

Joe Satriani performs onstage during the Experience Hendrix concert at City National Grove of Anaheim on October 09, 2019 in Anaheim, California.

“Bigger Isn’t Always Better. And Longer Isn’t Either”: Joe Satriani Explains Why Shorter Cables Can Improve Your Sound

By Joe Bosso published

Satch takes the lead and reveals some more guitar tone wisdom

Zach Myers of Shinedown performs on stage during the Hellfest Open Air Festival on June 17, 2022 in Clisson, France.

“I Realized Maybe I Don’t Need These Big Amps After All”: Shinedown Guitarist Zach Myers Recalls His Guitar Amp Revelations

By Joe Bosso published

The PRS signature artist explains why bigger doesn’t always mean better

Joe Satriani performs the American national anthem on his signature Ibanez JS20 guitar with the Silver Surfer graphic from his "Surfing With the Alien" album on it before a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 49ers defeated the Raiders 37-34 in overtime.

“Having a Guitar That Really Inspires You Cannot Be Overstated”: Joe Satriani Reveals the Most Important Element of Tone

By Joe Bosso published

Satch dishes out some tips on what to look out for when purchasing a guitar or amp

Jared James Nichols

“With the Best Record I’ve Ever Made, I’m Filled With Nothing but Gratitude”: Jared James Nichols Is Mighty Stoked About His New, Self-Titled Album

By Joe Bosso published

After a freak accident sidelined his career, the hard-charging blues-rock guitarist and singer recovers with an LP that shows him at the top of his game

Nita Strauss performs with Alice Coopers on stage at Resorts World Arena on May 30, 2022 in Birmingham, England.

Nita Strauss’s Top Six Tips for Guitarists

By Joe Bosso published

While her career continues to skyrocket, the shred merchant keeps down to earth with these practical habits

Inhaler's Josh Jenkinson (left) and Elijah Hewson

“It’s Lighter on Guitars, but They Have More Impact”: Inhaler’s Elijah Hewson and Josh Jenkinson Make a Singular Sound on New Album, ‘Cuts & Bruises’

By Joe Bosso published

The chart-topping Irish stars reveal how they made their guitar lines shine more brightly

Performing at the Dick Wagner Remember the Child Memorial Concert at the Fillmore Detroit, January 10, 2015

"I Still Really Like Playing the Guitar. After All of These Years, It’s Still My Favorite Thing": Marshall Crenshaw Takes a Spin Through His Decades-Long Career

By Joe Bosso published

He’s one of pop music’s most versatile guitarists. Just don’t call him “underrated”

David Crosby attends Premiere Of Sony Pictures Classic's "David Crosby: Remember My Name" at Linwood Dunn Theater on July 18, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

“You Drop a Song on CSN and Y, and You’re Gonna See Stuff Happen”: David Crosby Talks Five Career-Defining Tracks in This Previously Unseen Interview

By Joe Bosso published

In one of his final interviews with ‘GP’ late last year, the acoustic legend reflected on a life in music

Jeff "Skunk" Baxter

Jeff “Skunk” Baxter’s Top Six Tips for Guitarists

By Joe Bosso published

The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan guitar veteran dishes out some solid advice

Eddie 9V

“I Love the Blues, but I Don’t Want to Be Just a Blues Cat”: Eddie 9V Talks Electrifying New Album, ‘Capricorn’

By Joe Bosso published

The blues-soul firebrand conjures up the ghosts of Macon’s fabled Capricorn Studios on his latest release

Warren DeMartini of Ratt performs in concert on March 31, 1984 at the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, California.

“Be Careful What You Wish for”: Warren DeMartini Tells the Tale of Ratt’s 1984 Breakthrough Hit, “Round and Round”

By Joe Bosso published

The guitarist reveals how he spun a riff into the pop-metal smash that propelled his band to dizzying heights of stardom

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