Joe Gore

Writer, guitarist

Joe Gore is a guitarist and writer and a former editor for Guitar Player magazine. He has played on albums by Tom Waits, PJ Harvey, Les Claypool, Mark Eitzel, Tracey Chapman, Courtney Love, Eels and more. His book, The Subversive Guitarist is out now and has been acclaimed by Vernon Reid, Gretchen Menn and Dweezil Zappa, among others. For more information, visit his website.

Latest articles by Joe Gore

Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughan photographed in 1989 for their joint Fire Meets the Fury tour
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

Guitarists
Jennifer Batten poses with a Washburn guitar (left); Eddie Van Halen performs at the Jacksonville Coliseum, Jacksonville, Florida, January 18, 1984.
“Eddie asked me to show the solo to him, because he’d forgotten it”: Jennifer Batten recalls re-teaching EVH his 'Beat It' solo

By Jackson Maxwell Published

“Not the most relaxed situation for me,” the former Michael Jackson guitarist told GP in a 1989 interview

Guitarists
Jennifer Batten poses with a Washburn guitar (left); Eddie Van Halen performs at the Jacksonville Coliseum, Jacksonville, Florida, January 18, 1984.
“Eddie asked me to show the solo to him, because he’d forgotten it”: Jennifer Batten recalls re-teaching EVH his 'Beat It' solo

By Jackson Maxwell Published

“Not the most relaxed situation for me,” the former Michael Jackson guitarist told GP in a 1989 interview

Guitarists
David Bowie performs in London on February 16, 1999
David Bowie: "I've only ever showed one person how to play Rebel Rebel properly. I was downstairs in a hotel and there was some guy playing guitar – dreadful metal stuff. He started playing Rebel Rebel. I went stomping upstairs, and it was John McEnroe”

By Joe Gore Published

In this extensive 1997 GP interview, Bowie and guitarist Reeves Gabrels talk Parker Flys, seeing the guitar neck as a "landscape," taking riff inspiration from Jimmy Page, and that time Bowie showed a tennis legend how to play one of his most famous riffs...

Guitarists
Johnny Marr performing on stage with the Smiths
“People like Yngwie Malmsteen should be forgotten as soon as possible. It’s got very little to do with music...” A classic and very frank interview with Johnny Marr

By Joe Gore Published

At the start of the 90s, Guitar Player sat down with Johnny Marr to talk about The Smiths, his influences, and his attitude to guitar playing and so-called guitar heroes…

Guitarists
Jeff Beck
“I Shouldn’t Have Done ‘Blow by Blow’”: Jeff Beck Reveals His Regrets in This Hilarious Interview

By Rod Brakes, Joe Gore, Matt Resnicoff Published

Discover why the legendary guitarist thought his platinum-selling LP was “just mistakes on record”

Guitarists
Stevie Ray Vaughan performing at the Oakland Coliseum Arena on December 3, 1989
“I’ve Got a Hole in My Finger”: Stevie Ray Vaughan on the Trials and Tribulations of Heavy Strings

By Rod Brakes, Joe Gore, Matt Resnicoff Published

Video Read this revealing GP interview and watch guitar tech ninja René Martinez in action

Video
Guitar Player February 1990
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jeff Beck Talk Shop in This Classic GP Interview

By Rod Brakes, Joe Gore, Matt Resnicoff Published

Read this fascinating extract and watch unmissable clips as the Strat legends usher in a new decade

Guitarists
John Frusciante, 1991
“Use It Like a Paintbrush, Not a Machine”: John Frusciante On the Art of Guitar Playing

By Rod Brakes, Joe Gore Published

This classic Red Hot Chili Peppers interview from the GP vault captures the Magik in the minds of Flea and Frusciante as they reflect upon their 1991 masterpiece.

Guitarists
Daniel Lanois, Astoria Hotel, Brussels, Belgium, 29th March 1993.
“Energy and Ideas Override Technology”: Bob Dylan, Neil Young and U2 Producer Daniel Lanois Says You Don't Need Big Money to Make Big Music

By Joe Gore Published

The 6-string wizard dishes out some priceless advice on recording guitars in this interview from the GP archive.

Live Studio
Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid perform Parkpop festival, The Hague, Netherlands, 25 June 1989.
“Is the Music an Expression of Your State of Being, Or is it Something You're Just Taking On?” Vernon Reid Talks Jazz, Theory and the Spirit of the Blues

By Joe Gore Published

The Living Colour guitarist gets real in this interview from the GP archives.

Guitarists