Richard Bienstock

Richard Bienstock

Rich is the co-author of the best-selling Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. He is also a recording and performing musician, and a former editor of Guitar World magazine and executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine. He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name.

Latest articles by Richard Bienstock

Steve Howe (left) and Rick Wakeman recording Yes' 'Fragile' LP at Advision Studios in London, August 20, 1971

A Look Back at Steve Howe's Gibson ES-175

By Richard Bienstock published

Although he used a number of different guitars throughout the 1970s, the ES-175 remained Howe's main studio guitar and his personal favorite.

Jimmy Page plays his Gibson EDS-1275 at a benefit for Ronnie Lane's charity, ARMS, in 1983

A Look Back at Jimmy Page's Gibson EDS-1275

By Richard Bienstock published

The genesis of one of the Led Zeppelin legend's most iconic guitars.

Ritchie Blackmore

The Unstoppable Rise of Ritchie Blackmore and the Making of 'Deep Purple in Rock'

By Richard Bienstock published

How the maniacal mind and guitar mastery of the Man in Black created a hard-rock masterpiece.

Kim Thayil

Kim Thayil: My Career in Six Songs

By Richard Bienstock published

The former Soundgarden lead guitarist shares some deep cuts and reflects on a career chasing beautifully heavy sounds.

Vox has introduced new Bobcat Series guitars

Vox’s Bobcat Series Roars Back with Bigsby Vibratos, New Finishes

By Richard Bienstock published

Upgraded semi-hollow models now offered in stunning Sapphire Blue and Jet Black.

NAMM Believe in Music week

Register today, and for free, for NAMM’s Believe in Music Week online extravaganza

By Richard Bienstock published

The global virtual event begins January 18

Stephen Malkmus

Stephen Malkmus Names 5 of the Most Important Albums from His Career

By Richard Bienstock published

Of course 'Slanted and Enchanted' makes the cut, but what else from the former Pavement man's discography joins it?

Steve Lukather has released a new solo album, 'I Found the Sun Again'

Steve Lukather Talks His New Solo Album, Reforming Toto and Going Viral at Age 63

By Richard Bienstock published

“I'm not trying to be the biggest, best at anything anymore,” Luke says, “I just want to have a good time and have a few laughs.”

Stephen Malkmus

Stephen Malkmus on Stepping Away from the Electric for Muted Psych-Rock and Acoustic Guitar Adventure

By Richard Bienstock published

The trailblazer who changed indie-rock for good with Pavement is finding fertile ground in unplugged tones.

The Pretenders

Chrissie Hynde Gets the Band Back Together and Takes No Prisoners as the Pretenders Return with "Hate for Sale"

By Richard Bienstock published

Chrissie Hynde and James Walbourne on writing, youth culture, and capturing the Pretenders' rock 'n' roll energy on record.

Carlos Santana's wild, psychedelic Strat

The Story of Carlos Santana's Psychedelic "Strat"

By Richard Bienstock published

This hallucinogenic, “magical realist” guitar perfectly matches Santana's musical aesthetic and spiritual vision.

Bethany Cosentino on How Best Coast Confront Darkness With Power Chords, Melodies and Bittersweet Pop Hooks

By Richard Bienstock published

Best Coast take their SoCal brand of sunny pop-punk to new heights on 'Always Tomorrow.'

Adam Darksi on Gretsch Guitars, Johnny Cash and Rounding Up an All-Star Metal Posse to Ride the High Country

By Richard Bienstock published

Adam Darski returns with his goth-country side project, Me and That Man. And this time he’s brought his gang.

A Track-By-Track Breakdown of 'Led Zeppelin III' - 50 Years Later

By Richard Bienstock published

In 1970, Jimmy Page augmented Zeppelin's electric riffing with acoustic guitars and folk melodies and extended rock's reach.

How Joe Satriani Freed Up His Creativity on an Album of Quicksilver Guitar Genius

By Richard Bienstock published

On 'Shapeshifting,' Joe Satriani emulates his guitar heroes, reimagines his career and follows his bliss to a musical metamorphosis

Slash Reveals the Method Behind His Riff-Writing Madness

By Richard Bienstock published

The top-hatted one himself discusses the new gear he’s been using onstage, and what’s on the horizon for the Conspirators and Guns N’ Roses.

Don Felder Flies High Again with Slash, Peter Frampton, Joe Satriani and Richie Sambora

By Richard Bienstock published

On 'American Rock n Roll,' Don Felder rocks out with an all-star cast of guitar heroes.

Aerosmith's Joe Perry and Brad Whitford Discuss Gear and the Band's Future

By Richard Bienstock published

Aerosmith's longtime guitarists give GP insight into their future, and an exclusive look inside their Sin City residency.

Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan, James Iha and Jeff Schroeder Detail the Band's Rejuvinated Triple-Guitar Approach

By Richard Bienstock published

Corgan and co plug back in and crank it up on 'Shiny And Oh So Bright Vol 1.'

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