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

Wolfgang Van Halen shreds the rivalry between EVH and Randy Rhoads with a ripping version of "Crazy Train"
By Phil Weller published
Wolfgang honored the late guitar hero at Osbourne's latest Rock Hall induction ceremony

Joe Bonamassa and Joe Perry name the best guitar gear of the year. Their choices surprised us
By Phil Weller published
Of all the new gear introduced this year, these two offbeat items got a nod from the guitarslingers

The Jesus Lizard’s Duane Denison tried to sell Steve Howe a rare jazz guitar when he was a teenager
By Phil Weller published
The punk guitarist explains his early love for prog-rock players like Robert Fripp, Jan Akkerman and Howe

Tony Iommi on his last-minute gig as Jethro Tull's new guitar player
By Phil Weller published
He may have only played two shows with the band, but the experience helped him push Black Sabbath to new heights

Joe Bonamassa reveals the world's most expensive three-channel amp
By Phil Weller published
With three Dumbles, two Marshalls, a rare Mesa/Boogie rotary speaker and an original Klon Centaur, it's a no-expense-spared setup

Jimmy Page on the guitarists he admires and the word he hates when it comes to describing them
By Phil Weller published
His picks included big names and under-the-radar six-stringers he feels deserve more recognition

Matteo Mancuso highlights the one thing social media guitarists get wrong
By Phil Weller published
The young virtuoso has leapt ahead of his peers by making musicality, rather than "wow" factor, his prime focus

John Lennon’s 1971 secret letter to Eric Clapton asking him to start a “ballsy” new rock band is headed for auction
By Phil Weller published
Lennon's letter, now headed to auction, was in part an attempt to help Clapton out of his heroin addiction

David Gilmour says he can't shred so he chose to be tuneful. It made all the difference in creating his signature style
By Phil Weller published
Following on from recent comments by Noel Gallagher, the prog legend discusses why playing fast shouldn't be every guitarist's ultimate goal

U.S. Customs seize $18 million worth of fake guitars with the help of Gibson
By Phil Weller published
The 3,000-strong collection of counterfeits comes after a major operation worked to “identify and intercept” Gibson counterfeits

Robert Fripp's tunings and rhythms resulted in songs his band couldn't safely perform live
By Phil Weller published
Jakko Jakszyk says Fripp's intricate songs could became “a complete car crash” if anyone slipped up

Noel Gallagher’s son called him out because he can’t shred. His response was priceless
By Phil Weller published
Speaking to Gibson TV, the Oasis guitarslinger reflected on the instrument's changes and how young players have — and haven't — benefitted from them

Elvis Costello identifies what AI is really all about. And it isn't music
By Phil Weller published
While the Beatles used the technology to complete their last single, Brian May and Sting are among those who are worried about the potential for harm

Judas Priest’s debut was recorded on a shoestring budget in the dead of night. 50 years later, it’s finally been revived
By Phil Weller published
The guitarist says the new version helps the band reclaim the baby they'd left on the doorstep in ‘74

Slash recalls how a jam with Jeff Beck nearly ended his idol's career
By Phil Weller published
After waiting years to play with his hero, Slash's cranked Marshall amps nearly deafened him

Paul Reed Smith explains why it doesn’t matter where guitars are made
By Phil Weller published
Calling Carlos Santana and Jimmy Herring up as witnesses, the luthier continues his electric guitar myth-busting streak

Richie Sambora recalls the disastrous show that turned him into a pro
By Phil Weller published
The crowd quickly turned on the young guitarist, but he and the band learned a tough lesson about survival

Jim Suhler talks about sneaking backstage to meet Stevie Ray Vaughan and the career-shaping advice he gave him
By Phil Weller published
The George Thorogood guitarist has played with Joe Bonamassa and Billy Gibbons, but meeting SRV was a career highlight

Eric Clapton reveals the guitarist that inspired him to quit the Bluesbreakers and form Cream
By Phil Weller published
Buddy Guy's 1965 show at the Marquee Club made Slowhand realize he needed to escape John Mayall's shackles

“I might have done better in the Bluesbreakers." Jeff Beck said he turned down John Mayall
By Phil Weller published
The coveted role was offered to him on a plate, but Beck was looking for a different kind of musical identity

Scott Gorham tells how an offhand moment led to his favorite Thin Lizzy song, released 50 years ago
By Phil Weller published
Gorham and Phil Lynott's partnership would grow into one of the most influential in rock music, and it started during a break in rehearsals

Peter Green recalled talking his way into Eric Clapton’s Bluesbreakers shoes. That's when his struggles began
By Phil Weller published
The guitarist never liked comparisons to the man he replaced

Jim DeCola talks about modding Randy Rhaods’ polka-dot V backstage minutes before it was played live and the legacy it created
By Phil Weller published
He was so busy working on the guitar that he missed the support band. But he finished in time to witness an iconic rock moment
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