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LEFT: Dave Davies performs with the Kinks, September 7, 1974. RIGHT: 1977: British rock group The Kinks (Ray Davies, Dave Davies, Pete Quaife), performing live on stage

Ray Davies on the origins of the Kinks' “You Really Got Me” — and what guitarists get wrong about serving the song

By Elizabeth Swann published

Davies said the track began life as a jazz tune until his brother got a hold of it

Guitarists
Tom Morello performs at Danforth Music Hall on July 15, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.

Tom Morello on why he won't shut up and play his guitar

By Joe Bosso last updated

Fresh from his role as music director for Black Sabbath's farewell, the guitarist and activist releases his anti-ICE protest song, “Pretend You Remember Me”

Guitarists
Vocalist and guitarist Robert Smith of English rock group The Cure performing live on stage during British Summer Time festival at Hyde Park in London on July 7, 2018.

Robert Smith explains the simple hack that makes the Cure songs so appealing to the ear

By Elizabeth Swann published

The Cure guitarist continues to inspire new players, as evidenced by his performance with Olivia Rodrigo at Glastonbury 2025

Guitarists
(L-R) Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi of the band Bon Jovi in concert at The Spectrum 10/12/1985 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

He played all the guitars on Jon Bon Jovi’s first hit but got passed over for Richie Sambora

By Christopher Scapelliti published

Part of every rock band’s success is down to the chemistry of its players. Tim Pierce says "I don’t think I had the image" to be Bon Jovi's guitarist

Guitarists
Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughan photographed in 1989 for their joint Fire Meets the Fury tour

Jeff Beck told Stevie Ray Vaughan he reminded him of Jimi Hendrix. Here’s why 

By Elizabeth Swann published

The two Stratocaster supremos sat down to talk shop in 1989 near the end of their celebrated Fire Meets the Fury tour

Guitarists
Mark Knopfler performing live onstage, playing Schecter-Suhr Strat guitar, wearing headband, circa 2000

Mark Knopfler on the moment he discovered the virtues of fingerpicking — and the pedal that’s essential to his guitar rig

By Christopher Scapelliti published

The guitarist elaborated on his discovery, saying, “Playing with your fingers has something to do with immediacy and soul”

Guitarists
Photo of Ozzy OSBOURNE and Zakk WYLDE; Ozzy Osbourne and Zakk Wylde - posed, studio

Zakk Wylde cracks us up with tales of Ozzy as he reveals the stories behind his greatest tracks

By Mark McStea published

As Ozzy prepares for his last concert on July 5, Zakk delivers the inside scoop on key songs from his solo catalog

Music
Sophie Lloyd performs on stage at the O2 Brixton Academy on April 17, 2025 in London, England.

Sophie Lloyd names five life-changing solos — and the one she saw as her ultimate challenge  

By Elizabeth Swann published

The YouTube sensation and Machine Gun Kelly guitarist picks tunes by Pink Floyd, Guns N’ Roses and more

Guitarists
LEfT: Randy Bachman and (cropped out) Fred Turner of Bachman & Turner perform on stage at High Voltage Festival in Victoria Park on July 25, 2010 in London, UK.; RIGHT: Neil Young poses for a portrait circa 1988 in Los Angeles, California

Randy Bachman on sharing guitars and amps with Neil Young as rock and roll upstarts

By Joe Bosso published

They grew up as friends and helped each other learn guitar — but they never played together until they became famous

Guitarists
Ray Davies (left) and his brother Dave Davies, of The Kinks, at a soundcheck before a session for the BBC at the Playhouse Theatre, London, 7th September 1964.

Dave Davies on the speaker-slashing skills that turned on Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck

By Elizabeth Swann published

The guitarist blamed boring guitar sounds and his own love of imperfection for his actions, saying, "That sound was born out of total frustration"

Guitarists
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