
Phil Weller
A freelance writer with a penchant for music that gets weird, Phil is a regular contributor to Prog, Guitar World, and Total Guitar magazines and is especially keen on shining a light on unknown artists. Outside of the journalism realm, you can find him writing angular riffs in progressive metal band, Prognosis, in which he slings an 8-string Strandberg Boden Original, churning that low string through a variety of tunings. He's also a published author and is currently penning his debut novel which chucks fantasy, mythology and humanity into a great big melting pot.
Latest articles by Phil Weller

Mark Knopfler on the guitar he is “never without” — and the rock legend who gave it to him
By Phil Weller published
He may have sold off 123 of his guitars last year, but this once “sweat-pitted” axe was too good to part with

Joe Bonamassa on the playing advice he got from Leslie West 30 years ago — and how it's elevated his live performances
By Phil Weller published
It turns out the late guitarist gave similar advice to another blues-rocker who made it one of his essential tips for other players

Scott Gorham on Gary Moore's third and final run that left Thin Lizzy rudderless in the middle of a tour
By Phil Weller published
Gorham says he was "thrilled" by Moore's decision to join, but the honeymoon was brief. The divorce was abrupt — and final

“I don't think Jimi Hendrix was a guitarist. Eric Clapton is excessively tedious.” Robert Fripp on his 1960s contemporaries — and the one guitarist he thought was fun
By Phil Weller published
With news that a new King Crimson album is in the works, Fripp's past comments highlight the left-field ideas that make him an original

Wet Leg are post-punk's hottest ticket right now. Here's why
By Phil Weller published
With a standout performance at Glastonbury and a three hot singles from their new album, the group is rising fast on both sides of the Atlantic

Jakko Jakszyk confirms he's working on a new King Crimson album with Robert Fripp
By Phil Weller published
The record will be the first King Crimson album in 22 years, but there is no timeline for its release

Zakk Wylde on Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page and the five greatest riffs in rock history
By Phil Weller published
His picks are cornerstones of rock guitar, and he doesn’t believe anyone should ignore their genius

Jake E. Lee shares his craziest Ozzy Osbourne story and reflects on the guitar genius of Tony Iommi
By Phil Weller published
After being shot multiple times last year, the guitarist battled adversity to help Black Sabbath bow out in style at Back to the Beginning

Mark Knopfler says it's “awkward” to be called a guitar god and tells who deserves the title
By Phil Weller published
He says he’s “gotten away with murder” across his career and points to the true unsung heroes of the guitar scene

Zakk Wylde has an idea for how Black Sabbath can carry on after Back to the Beginning
By Phil Weller published
Ozzy's battle with Parkinson’s has reduced his role for Sabbath’s final show, but Wylde hopes it can be the dawn of a new era, not the end of an old one

Pete Townshend on the Oasis song that made him weep
By Phil Weller published
Oasis are kicking their reunion into gear, and Townshend is among those delighted to see them playing live again

The owners didn't know what they had, but this 1960 Les Paul is now one of Joe Bonamassa's favorites
By Phil Weller published
Bought for £50 in 1967, modified and left unplayed, the Royal Albert Les Paul was acquired for the princely sum of $190,0000

Andy Summers on why Eric Clapton bored him and how his love of jazz fueled the Police
By Phil Weller published
"It’s too simple to play because it’s based on a five-note scale, and I had come way past that," the guitarist says

Buddy Guy on his unconventional means of discovering the joys of feedback
By Phil Weller published
The guitarist said the absence of stages in Chicago's juke joints brought musicians and audiences together, resulting in a lesson in the joys of feedback

Eddie Van Halen shot down a film soundtrack near the end of his life, saying he hadn't been playing much
By Phil Weller published
The news confirms Sammy Hagar's comments that the guitarist had lost interest in the instrument

“I know there's gotta be at least another Aerosmith gig.” Joe Perry says the Boston rockers aren’t finished yet
By Phil Weller published
The guiatrist says discussions about a return happen every week... but the situation is complex

Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson says Eric Clapton and Cream are the birthplace of prog rock
By Phil Weller published
He notes that Jethro Tull shed their folk and blues beginnings in favor of more experimental music after Clapton paved the way

Paul McCartney names his three favorite albums
By Phil Weller published
The trio of albums, released across four years, has left an indelible mark on the Beatle

Graham Nash says this is his most selfless song for Crosby, Stills & Nash
By Phil Weller published
What the guitarist saw upon returning to his home country moved him to write the song David Crosby says is most indicative of his character

“They sent me two 5150 amps. They sounded great for about 10 seconds, then they were fried!” Uli John Roth on his amp-destroying Sky guitar
By Phil Weller published
Featuring quadruple-coil active pickups and 38 frets, the guitar is unlike any other, and not all amps were ready for its power

Joe Bonamassa explains the one feature and simple hack that make the Strat the Swiss Army knife of guitars
By Phil Weller published
The blues maestro offers details on settings that can help players cop their dream tones from the guitar

Joe Bonamassa visits the store where Rory Gallagher bought his legendary Strat and buys a sunburst of his own
By Phil Weller published
The guitarist is in Rory Gallagher’s hometown ahead of three tribute shows next month

Bruce Springsteen says his best-selling album didn’t match his creative vision
By Phil Weller published
The record's chart-smashing success hasn’t changed his outlook on it four decades later
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