Latest articles by Joe Bosso
Gary Clark Jr. never asked to be a guitar savior
Though he sometimes considers his own solos to be “gross,” the often-pigeonholed player took inspiration from the original G3 trio – alongside a potent cocktail of hip-hop, jazz, soul, R&B, and funk – on his stellar new album, JPEG Raw
“I was 17 years old and found it in this local paper. It said, ‘Gretsch guitar, 100 bucks.’ I called the guy up and asked, ‘Is it like Eddie Cochran’s?’ He was like, ‘Who?’”: How Brian Setzer forged his trademark twanging tone
The rockabilly legend attributes landing on his guitar and amp of choice at a young age mainly to “destiny”
“There’s a riff that represents my twisted idea of how Aerosmith might sound in 5/4”: How Guthrie Govan channeled his inner Steve Reich, and Steve Cropper, on the Aristocrats' humorous, musically dazzling new album, Duck
Re-teaming with his fellow virtuosos for another roller coaster ride of an album, Govan was unafraid to explore yet more musical avenues and instruments, but in the end, it all always came back to his signature Charvel
“When I went to my first meeting with Elton, I immediately hit him with ideas. Elton saw my willingness to put myself out there”: Elton John guitarist Davey Johnstone reveals how learning the sitar benefited his guitar playing, and how (not) to get a gig
After five decades and thousands of gigs with superstar Elton John, Davey Johnstone has plenty of valuable advice to help you reach the top of your game
“The Black Hole Sun arpeggios were unusual for me – like the right side of a piano, or fairies dancing on a pin... I thought, ‘This is not me’”: Kim Thayil on how Soundgarden persevered through personal and musical frustrations to create Superunknown
Soundgarden's lead guitarist goes deep into the creation of the band's most enduring and successful album – the effects (or lack thereof) of commercial success, the difficulty of nailing down Black Hole Sun, and the fun of creating “insane chaos psychedelia” solos
“Listen to AC/DC and tell me Malcolm Young didn’t drive that band. Same with the Sex Pistols and Steve Jones. Those guys are tone merchants. That’s the club I wanted to be in”: Billy Morrison on kicking heroin, and becoming Steve Stevens' six-string foil
From the Cult to Billy Idol to a new star-studded solo album featuring the likes of Steve Vai, John 5, and Ozzy Osbourne, Morrison’s rise to rhythm guitar stardom shows the power of a good right hand – and a whole lotta personality
"We started jamming and he stopped playing and looked at me and, serious as can be, he said, ‘Slow the f*** down!’ He meant it": Leslie West's invaluable advice for Jared James Nichols
Blues rocker Jared James Nichols learnt from the very best. Passing on those invaluable tips, here's his five ways to bring out your own best
“I don’t see myself as having a particular sound. I’m more of a music creator, and guitars are my tools. I just try to be prepared for any job”: The career of Lyle Workman, sideman, session guy and soundtrack composer in five songs
Sideman, session player and film music composer, Lyle Workman more than lives up to his surname, but still doesn’t mind “being the smallest cog in the wheel”. Discover the five deeps cuts he considers his best
“Make the worst-sounding chord you can imagine…” Alter Bridge supremo Mark Tremonti’s top five tips for guitarists
Whether it’s practicing while standing, taking time to master a new technique or embracing open tunings, these are the rules Mark Tremonti uses to stay at the top of his game
“When you’re young and struggling, you overplay to get noticed. I’ve shredded my way to success. Maybe now is a good time to just go, 'Is this serving the song?'” Joe Bonamassa has reached the next level
Twice Grammy-nominated Joe Bonamassa celebrates two decades of musical independence with his latest album and talks us though some of his amazing guitars
“The worst thing you can do is beat yourself up when you make a mistake…” John Petrucci’s top five tips for guitarists
Whether avoiding over-rehearsing, working out before a gig or stating off the sauce while on tour, these are the tips John Petrucci uses to stay at the top of his game
"This is what separates the pros from the Joes…" Gary Hoey's top five tips for guitarists (and a bonus tip from Steve Morse)
Whether teaching, supporting or playing solo, here are the drills that Gary Hoey uses to stay at the top of his game
"Your solos are terrible!" How Todd Rundgren's harsh advice helped The Pursuit of Happiness’ She's So Young become a power-pop smash
Moe Berg looks back to the birth of The Pursuit of Happiness’ 1988 hit song
“I couldn’t even touch a guitar string because the pain was so bad… I had to re-establish the connection between my brain and my fingertips.” The Blasters' Dave Alvin on the highspots and the horrors of his career in five songs
As he returns to the road after a fight with cancer, Dave Alvin reflects on the tracks that defined his time with The Blasters
"Everybody was going crazy about Yngwie Malmsteen. Joe Satriani told me, ‘Don’t get too into him...'" Alex Skolnick's Top Five Tips to becoming a better guitarist
Testament's Alex Skolnick on why you should be honest with yourself, never listen to negativity and focus on creating your own identity as a guitar player
“I Write Very Emotional Music, and Most of the Time It’s Pretty Angry”: Nita Strauss Drops Her Unapologetically Shred Sophomore Album, ‘The Call of the Void’
The reigning queen of shred metal riffs on stress, solos and the importance of heeding Yngwie
“I Want to Be an Inspiration to Young Girls”: Blues Phenom Ally Venable Steps up to the Big Leagues With New Album, ‘Real Gone’
“If I can be a role model to girls and get them to pick up the guitar, then I’ll feel like I made a real impact,” says the Les Paul-toting Texan
“If You Think You’re Going to Get Better by Watching 30-Second Instagram Clips of Guitarists Playing as Fast as They Can, Think Again”: Eddie 9V Shares the Advice That Made Him Blues-Rock’s New Guitar Star
From breathing to talking, fast-rising blues powerhouse Brooke Mason reveals five nuggets of wisdom
“Wow… Bob Ezrin Just Told Me I Don’t Know How to Play Rock Guitar”: Nita Strauss Recalls How the Straight-Talking Producer Inspired the Hard Work Needed to Earn a Gig With Alice Cooper
“I need to figure out what he means – a ‘rock guitar player,’” said the reigning queen of shred metal (before taking her first guitar lesson!)
“I’m Not Looking to Overplay to Boost My Ego; I Want Innocence and Discovery”: Scott Holiday Reveals the Surprising Inspirations and Killer Guitar Gear Behind Rival Sons’ Latest Album, ‘Darkfighter’
Back in the spotlight following a four-year absence, Rival Sons’ surrealistic, Zep-flavored mini-epic ‘Darkfighter’ will be followed up in October by ‘Lightbringer’
“There’s Nothing Better Than Writing a Cool Riff. But These Songs Were Crying out for Something Different”: Grace Potter Talks Charismatic New Album, ‘Mother Road’
The maestro reveals what she learned from playing on nylon strings – and why a Flying V is still the best rock and roll guitar
“Led Zeppelin? Not Something We Grew up Listening to”: Jake Kiszka Talks Hot Gear, Vintage Tone, and What Everyone Gets Wrong About His 1970s Hard-Rock Renaissance
“To be considered a guitar hero for my generation is a lifetime achievement,” says the Greta Van Fleet guitarist
“The Reality Is, the Most Expensive Guitar in the World Isn’t Going to Improve Your Playing”: Nili Brosh’s Top Tips for Guitarists
The versatile virtuoso has performed with the likes of Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert and Jennifer Batten, and has some choice bits of wisdom to share with players
“We Played the Song on ‘Ed Sullivan,’ and the Next Day It Hit Number One”: Tommy James Reveals the Magic Combination Behind the Shondells’ Timeless Psychedelic Hit “Crimson and Clover”
Later covered by Joan Jett, Cher and Prince, the pop icon’s 1968 smash was recorded using a Fender Jazzmaster through an Ampeg Gemini amp
