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Byrd’s founder Roger McGuinn on the origins of John Lennon’s trippiest track
By Andrew Daly last updated
The guitarist reveals the deep friendship between the Byrds and the Beatles at the dawn of the 1960s’ psychedelic era

Lita Ford weighs in on what's more important — your guitar or your amp
By Christopher Scapelliti published
The six-stringer is the latest to answer the question, adding her insights to those of Yvette Young and Doug Aldrich

In a rare interview, Barry Goudreau talks creating Boston’s smash debut and his ongoing rift with Tom Scholz
By Andrew Daly published
Boston's cofounding guitarist was sidelined on record by Scholz's desire to go it alone. "But we had tremendous success," he says, "more than we could ever hope for."

Les Paul invented modern recording. Now his studio is back up and running. Can recordings from the vault be far behind?
By Martin McQuade published
The Les Paul Recording Studio plans to release enhanced versions of the innovator's hit recordings and offer educational opportunities

How a guitar-playing bodybuilder with no musical experience helped Alice Cooper resurrect his career in the shred-metal '80s
By Andrew Daly published
Cooper was trying to find relevance in the MTV era. He found what he needed in 24-year-old Kane Roberts

Andy Summers on the Police song Sting refused to perform on — and how he had the last laugh
By Christopher Scapelliti published
The instrumental guitar track from 1980's 'Zenyatta Mondatta' went on to win a Grammy award for the group, defying all expectations

"The real surprise is why more guitarists don’t know about them today.” This 1965 KAPA Minstrel is a vintage gem
By Terry Carleton published
Made with bodies fashioned in the U.S., KAPA brand guitars employed necks, electronics and hardware from a range of overseas vendors, including Vox and Höfner

The Beatles song with three guitarists, three bassists, McCartney on drums — and a lyric that made enemies
By Phil Weller published
Inspired by Chuck Berry, aided by the Beach Boys, Back In The USSR annoyed people on both sides of the political spectrum

Ian Anderson explains how an old Dave Brubeck jazz tune inspired him to write Jethro Tull’s biggest hit
By Joe Matera last updated
Tull’s leader thought using the 5/4 rhythm from Brubeck’s “Take Five” would be commercial suicide, but listeners proved him wrong

Mark Knopfler on his difficult collaboration with his childhood hero, Bob Dylan
By Christopher Scapelliti published
The guitarist was at his peak with Dire Straits when Dylan hired him to produce 'Infidels,' the celebrated album that marked the born-again Christian's return to secular music
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