
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

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

Mark Knopfler on the guitar solo he calls even better than Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing"
By Phil Weller published
He says the track, penned for a British comedy film, puts the emphasis on the most important thing every guitar solo needs

Tony Iommi and Ozzy Osbourne insist Black Sabbath is over, but Geezer Butler refuses to rule out more shows
By Phil Weller published
The bassist has come to expect the unexpected, even joking that they could even reunite after they’ve all died

Iron Maiden's Adrian Smith on the 'Number of the Beast' Ibanez Destroyer he got for free — and still uses to this day
By Phil Weller published
Gifted to him while on tour in Japan in the early ‘80s, the guitar has survived a series of scares and is still used on the classic track it was used to record

Robby Krieger on the Doors’ "stupid" decision to carry on without Jim Morrison
By Phil Weller last updated
Contractual obligations forced the three remaining band members to release three more albums before calling it a day

Carol Kaye dismisses Rock Hall induction as it goes against what she stands for
By Phil Weller published
In a now-deleted Facebook post, she outlined her reasons for boycotting the ceremony later this year

Scott Gorham on how John Sykes' heavy metal thunder gave Thin Lizzy one last chance
By Phil Weller published
Gorham played with some serious guitar talents in Thin Lizzy, but Sykes brought a “fiery” edge like no other

Rudy Sarzo on Randy Rhoads’ relentless drive and unique approach to Ozzy Osbourne’s Black Sabbath songs
By Phil Weller published
Rhoads was “too creative” to play songs exactly as they were recorded, his friend says

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley fought against a Kiss makeover. But it gave them their biggest hit
By Phil Weller published
Producer Bob Ezrin pushed the group into uncharted waters and came out a winner with "Beth"

Tony Iommi says Led Zeppelin's John Bonham meant to compliment Black Sabbath's Ronnie James Dio. It didn't go well
By Phil Weller published
The Sabbath guitarist found himself at the center of a dispute after the drummer's comments were taken the wrong way

Jason Isbell on the one thing young players should do when buying their first guitars
By Phil Weller published
The serial Grammy winner and vintage gear enthusiast says this one small trick will help players become better players more quickly

Paul Stanley on the Kiss record that captured the group in all its glory and became his all-time favorite
By Phil Weller published
Their previous albums weren’t capturing the Kiss spirit, he says. This one was different

Alex Lifeson on his first guitar, tonal curiosity, and a gear lesson from Jack White
By Phil Weller published
The prog legend wants to be surprised by what leftfield gear choices can bring to a song

“That would be very challenging.” Jake E. Lee says he may be unable to play his biggest hit with Ozzy at Back to the Beginning
By Phil Weller published
The guitarist is set for one last hurrah with his former boss and bandmate, but they may have to pivot to plan B

How Ben Harper got a rare Dumble belonging to the Beach Boys from a yard sale
By Phil Weller published
The chance find might be the most miraculous Dumble discovery yet

How a modded Fender Mustang changed Zakk Wylde’s sound for the better
By Phil Weller published
Before he was Ozzy’s right-hand man he was a guitar teacher, and when a student came in with the unassuming Fender, what he knew about tone was flipped on its head

Jimmy Page on how playing with the Black Crowes redefined the Led Zeppelin live experience
By Phil Weller published
The guitarist has reunited with the Robinson brothers for a special short film remembering their explosive album 'Live at the Greek'
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