Latest articles by Phil Weller
The last music Steve Cropper heard before he died was his own new album
The Stax guitar icon gave his blessing to ‘Watching the Tide’ hours before his passing, leaving behind one last statement from the soul-music pioneer.
“I was like, ‘Ed, you better stop smoking.’” Valerie Bertinelli recalls the night she met Eddie Van Halen — and the “tragic, scary” years that followed
The actress says their whirlwind romance quickly collided with addiction, fame and the habits that ultimately damaged the guitarist’s health
“Obviously, I thought I wasn’t drinking enough.” Joe Walsh on his secret to a long career and a better life
After years of excess, the Eagles guitarist explains how asking for help helped him stay alive — and keep making music.
Paul McCartney says the Beatles are haunting his new album
The former Beatles star says memories of John Lennon and George Harrison helped shape ‘The Boys of Dungeon Lane’
“That's a form of abuse.” Sting says he won’t leave his $245 million fortune to his kids
The former Police frontman says trust funds can become “albatrosses” that undermine a child’s drive to work
“It would lift me up so I could work that night.” Eric Clapton says Jeff Beck pulled him out of a late-career slump
Clapton says he was struggling during a 2020s tour — until nightly YouTube clips of Beck’s performances changed his mindset
“There was a box of cocaine on every shelf.” Robben Ford on his wild sessions with George Harrison
The guitarist says joining Harrison’s 1974 band after playing with Joni Mitchell exposed him to chaotic studio nights during the ill-fated ‘Dark Horse’ era.
“It’s sacrosanct.” St. Vincent says Larry Carlton’s Steely Dan guitar solo should be played note-for-note
The guitarist argues that some recordings are so definitive they shouldn’t be reinterpreted — even by the players performing them.
Billy Strings details the “dumb ass mistake” that has forced four show postponements
The bluegrass virtuoso says the accident happened moments after leaving the stage at Charlottesville’s John Paul Jones Arena.
Violet Grohl may be the daughter of a Foo Fighter, but she has another star to thank for her guitar-playing craft
She may be the daughter of a Foo Fighter, but Violet Grohl has another star to thank for her guitar-playing craft. Her new album comes out in May
How Larry Carlton got the ES-335 behind countless hits
As the session ace’s career took off, he needed an upgrade, and the guitar has been by his side ever since
Ritchie Blackmore on his backstage encounters with Eddie Van Halen
The former Deep Purple guitarist says Van Halen was a “humble” player who “always used to underestimate himself”
How Joe Walsh brought friendly competition — and a little hotel-room chaos — to the Eagles
His arrival marked the formation of the band's most sucessful line-up, but his offstage antics got them barred from some of their favorite hotels
Nuno Bettencourt says he’s just discovered a generational talent
The Extreme man has shared a series of his videos on Instagram, which he says have “stopped me in my tracks”
Earl Slick on his first gig with David Bowie, filling Mick Ronson’s shoes — and why making ‘Station to Station’ was “every man for himself”
The guitarist is set to honor the 10th anniversary of Bowie’s passing this November, leading him to reflect on his first tenure in the band
Steve Lukather tears up remembering how his dad gave up a new car to buy him his first good guitar
The future Toto guitarist got the instrument he’d dreamed of thanks to his father’s major sacrifice
Ritchie Blackmore explains how Jeff Beck “cheated” — and set the tone for a generation of players to follow
The former Deep Purple man hasn’t always had kind words to say about his peers, but this legend was on another level in his book
The mystery fuzz pedal that Jake E. Lee got from Paul Gilbert
The unbranded pedal is strange and unpredictable, and Lee likes it that way
Billy Corgan makes a rallying cry against A.I., comparing its use to doing a “deal with the devil”
The Smashing Pumpkins guitarist has issues a warning about what AI could mean for working musicians
Geddy Lee recalls his funniest Alex Lifeson story
The band are readying their first tour in over a decade, but Lifeson is unlikely to make this mistake again
Joe Bonamassa calls on LA locals to help session player Mason Stoops retrieve his stolen gear
Three of his most cherished guitars are among those stolen from the Highland Park neighborhood, and JoBo is using his following to help track the loot down
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley on their avatar show, new songs, and being bigger than Mickey Mouse
The band have teased more details about their $200m avatar extravaganza, and said when they expect it to launch
Why Joe Perry sees Aerosmith’s debut album as an important learning curve for the Bad Boys from Boston
It wasn’t a huge commercial success, but it helped the band find answers to burning questions
