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June 2025

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32 articles

June 24
- Mick Ralphs, founding guitarist with Mott the Hoople and Bad Company, has died at age 81. Ian Hunter tells how Ralphs' stolen guitar inspired one of Mott's biggest all-time hits — "All the Way From Memphis"
June 21
- “Every time I think or say it’s over, things like this show come along.” Tony Iommi and Ozzy Osbourne insist Black Sabbath is over, but Geezer Butler refuses to rule out more shows
June 20
- "I couldn't believe it. Someone actually gave me a guitar!” Iron Maiden's Adrian Smith on the 'Number of the Beast' Ibanez Destroyer he got for free — and still uses to this day
June 19
- "I was never a ‘Wrecker’ at all…. that’s a terrible insulting name.” Beach Boys bassist Carol Kaye dismisses Rock Hall induction as it goes against what she stands for
- "I really wanted to say, ‘See, there’s nobody out there, so we gotta walk away from this.’ But I couldn’t." Scott Gorham on how John Sykes' heavy metal thunder gave Thin Lizzy one last chance
- “Randy would take what was already recorded and push it to new levels of intensity.” Rudy Sarzo on Randy Rhoads’ relentless drive and unique approach to Ozzy Osbourne’s Black Sabbath songs
June 18
- “You’re everything that scares the girls of America.” Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley fought against a Kiss makeover. But it gave them their biggest hit
June 17
- “Ronnie heard that, and he didn't really like it.” Tony Iommi says Led Zeppelin's John Bonham meant to compliment Black Sabbath's Ronnie James Dio. It didn't go well
- “That is so huge. It makes all the difference in the world.” Jason Isbell on the one thing young players should do when buying their first guitars
June 16
- “He was one of those guys — a slimeball in a satin jacket.” Nancy Wilson on “Barracuda,” the 1977 Heart hit she blasts Donald Trump for using in his military parade
- “He decided he didn't want to be the lead guitar player anymore.” Pete Townshend on Roger Daltrey’s career-changing move that made the Who guitarist an axe-wielding icon
June 15
- “It’s feel-good music, it’s undeniable Doobies, and some of the greatest songwriting ever.” The Doobie Brothers, Beach Boys’ Mike Love, George Clinton and more inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
June 13
- “We wanted an album that immersed you in the experience.” Paul Stanley on the Kiss record that captured the group in all its glory and became his all-time favorite
- “It’s like a Jack White sensibility: ‘I’ll take this crappy guitar and see what happens.’” Alex Lifeson says he still uses his first guitar, a $57 Japanese knock-off
- “With my wrist, the arthritis and everything, 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
- “He got it home and realized what he had pretty quickly.” How Ben Harper got a rare Dumble belonging to the Beach Boys from a yard sale
June 12
- “He said, You've gotta put a battery in your guitar.’ I was like, ‘A battery?’” How a modded Fender Mustang changed Zakk Wylde’s sound for the better
- “It was like had I died and gone to heaven. It was a really emotional moment.” Jimmy Page on how playing with the Black Crowes redefined the Led Zeppelin live experience
June 11
- "It’s good to be a little bit of a street gutter rat and get out there and jam with people.” Lita Ford on the one thing young guitarists should be doing... and what they shouldn't
June 10
- “Before or after I crapped my pants?” Zakk Wylde tells how he felt after scoring his gig with Ozzy — and why he beat the competition
- "That’s the guitar you want.” Joe Bonamassa on the one thing you should look for when buying
- Win tickets to Little Feat and Pure Prairie League at Guitar Player Presents in Napa, California
June 6
- "The further devaluation of music.” Major record labels are working out deals with AI firms. Where does that leave musicians and songwriters?
- “I’m going, ‘Cello? Dude, I’m ready to write a song with you on cello!’” Sammy Hagar says Eddie Van Halen was preoccupied with the classical instrument when he died
- “When the song ended, the rain stopped. It was like a religious experience, and it changed me.” Mike McCready on Stevie Ray Vaughan, acid and the night that made him fall in love with guitar again
- “And it has all been done for a quick and easy buck." Klon sues Behringer's parent company for "blatant counterfeit" of its iconic overdrive pedal
June 5
- “I loved his playing, I loved his presence.” Martin Barre on the guitarist that put the fire into his “Locomotive Breath” solo
- "For most guitarists, the idea of spending this kind of money on a pick is pretty bonkers.” How a $35 guitar pick made fans out of John Mayer and Billy Strings
June 4
- “I’ve never been very confident as a player.” Alex Lifeson reveals he had doubts about his guitar playing throughout his career with Rush
June 3
- “Since we don’t have a time machine, this is our best chance to solve a decades-long mystery.” Gibson launches hunt for the 'Back to the Future' guitar that inspired John Mayer and Coldplay's Chris Martin
- “Not just Wayne's sound but his attitude, and the grit and rawness of the MC5.” Tom Morello tests the new MXR Jail Guitar Doors overdrive designed with the late MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer
- "This is so f***ed up. 2025 is a scary time, my friends." Joe Bonamassa shares AI-generated deepfake video of himself created to deceive the guitar player's fans