Latest articles by Joe Matera
The “accidental” 1976 smash hit created by a virtuoso rock group and the most recorded guitarist in history
Louie Shelton and the founding members of Toto didn’t think the song had “a chance in hell” of succeeding. A DJ proved them wrong
The guitarist behind the 1960s pop hitmakers who sold more records than the Beatles and Rolling Stones combined
Louie Shelton played on the original recordings for the Monkees, establishing the sound that would help them become one of America's biggest pop groups
Randy Bachman on the obscure jazz guitar genius whose influence runs through the music of the Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Bachman met Lenny Breau when they were teens in Winnipeg and continues to honor the late guitarist's legacy with a deep archive of unreleased gems
Randy Bachman on the rehearsal mistake that led him to became the the guitarist for Canada's biggest American hitmakers
As Bachman and Guess Who frontman Burton Cummings prepare to return to the road next year, the guitarist recalls how it all began
Bob Dylan couldn’t understand one crucial thing about guitars and film making
‘Hearts of Fire’ was Dylan’s third foray into theatrical films and featured him playing a musician very much like himself
He spoke the one name you shouldn’t say to Kinks guitarist Ray Davies. What happened next was...
Steve Bolton on playing guitar for Davies, David Bowie — and the time Dr. John threw voodoo at Keith Richards
Frank Infante — Blondie’s “secret weapon” — on Robert Fripp’s contributions to their breakthrough album and playing with Joan Jett and Iggy Pop
From bassist to lead guitarist, Frank Infante delivered what the group needed through its smash heyday
As Rush prepare for their 2026 tour, Alex Lifeson recalls the group’s most complex song — and the bizarre dreams that inspired their music
The guitarist said his weekly jams with bassist Geddy Lee helped him “fall in love with the idea of playing again”
“It sounds like 50 Marshall stacks!” Pete Townshend’s guitar secrets revealed by the Who’s substitute guitarist
Steve Bolton said the Who guitarist taught him the power of using just one guitar for some of his most bombastic tracks
Pete Townshend’s substitute guitarist reveals the highs and lows of his time in the Who
Atomic Rooster guitarist Steve “Boltz” Bolton was hired to play on the group’s star-studded 1989 tour — if he could survive the rehearsals
How Snapple and a 1968 news story on Steve Miller led to an urban myth about head-banging insects and heavy metal
A suspicious report about rock music's effect on termites took on new life at the turn of the 21st century. Our reporter dug in
Peter Frampton says Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley used his guitars on Kiss’s smash 1975 live album
The his rock acts were coincidentally working on their breakthrough live albums at Electric Lady Studios in New York City
Peter Frampton on Humble Pie’s out-of-the-blue hit tune
Forged onstage during soundcheck, the song would become a standout track from the band’s epic live album, ‘Rockin’ the Fillmore’
Mick Ralphs, founding guitarist with Mott the Hoople and Bad Company, has died at age 81
Ian Hunter tells how Ralphs' stolen guitar inspired one of Mott's biggest all-time hits — "All the Way From Memphis"
How Grady Martin, Nancy Sinatra and Ann-Margret helped the fuzz pedal become every guitarist's favorite effect
Between the effect's creation and its development as a guitar pedal, interest was kept alive by a trio of fuzz-loving musicians
How Jay Graydon nailed the impossible guitar solo in Steely Dan's “Peg"
The session ace was the last of several big names — including Robben Ford, Rick Derringer and Larry Carlton — who attempted the song's deceptively difficult solo
Eric Schenkman on the bizarre mishap that gave his guitar its signature sound on the Spin Doctors' new album
The guitarist says he was surprised to learn Zappa has intentionally made a similar modification to his guitars
Phil Manzanera on the tone, tuning and technique of his teenage friend David Gilmour
David Gilmour's friend, Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera, shares his insights on the Floyd legend's tone
Ian Anderson explains how an old Dave Brubeck jazz tune inspired him to write Jethro Tull’s biggest hit
Tull’s leader thought using the 5/4 rhythm from Brubeck’s “Take Five” would be commercial suicide, but listeners proved him wrong
Christopher Cross covering for a sick Ritchie Blackmore on Deep Purple's first U.S. show
The man behind "Ride Like the Wind" gets support for his tale from Eric Johnson, whose band opened for Deep Purple that night
His ex called up to complain about her marriage. The result was his first hit song
Fuel’s “Shimmer” launched the post-grunge act to fame. Carl Bell says it wouldn’t have happened without that fateful phone call
With more than 5,000 recordings to his name, he may be the most-heard guitar virtuoso you've never heard of
Janne Schaffer built a career in his native Sweden and America that saw the guitarist perform with the biggest stars in pop and jazz
Les Dudek on “Ramblin' Man,” “Jessica” and Dickey Betts' plans when Duane Allman died
The guitarist also recalls how an argument between Betts and Gregg Allman derailed the “Jessica” sessions
