How I Wrote... “Any Idiot Can Play It… I Just Happen to Play It Better Than Anybody”: Leslie West Explains Why "Mississippi Queen" Is a Stone-Cold Classic Remembering the guitar legend on the anniversary of his passing with this insightful interview about how he made Mountain's 1970 breakthrough hit Lita Ford: "I Don’t Know Why Power Ballads Have Such a Bad Rap, I Think They’re Badass. And ‘Close My Eyes Forever’ is as Badass as it Gets" The glam metal guitar icon reveals how a few games of pool (and a shared bottle of wine) with Ozzy Osbourne played a role in the writing of their smash hit duet. "It’s the Basis for Everything I Do Because it Tells the Truth": How Joan Jett Combined Punk Toughness and Ear-Candy Pop Smarts on “Bad Reputation” The rock icon reveals how a stint touring with the Ramones inspired one of her most enduring hits. Grid List Latest How I Wrote... How Steve Vai Wrote "For the Love of God" By Joe Bosso published 6 June 22 The virtuoso's first "real visceral, long-playing guitar" piece came during a 10-day fast, changing his life in the process. Punk Guitar Legend Dr. Know Revisits the Profound Legacy of Bad Brains By Tom Beaujour last updated 27 January 22 The pioneering guitarist tells his story of the Washington D.C. band that redefined punk. How Matthew Sweet Wrote “Evangeline” By Joe Bosso published 12 November 21 With a virtuoso solo from Richard Lloyd, Sweet's breakout hit is a six-string tour de force. How Buck Dharma Wrote Blue Öyster Cult's “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” By Joe Bosso published 19 July 21 The classic rock perennial roared to life on '70s radio, telling a tale of love after death. How Yngwie Malmsteen Wrote “Far Beyond the Sun“ By Mark McStea published 4 June 21 Shredding Beethoven through 50-watt Marshall heads, the Swedish guitar god invented neoclassical metal. How Billy Gibbons Wrote ZZ Top's “La Grange“ By Joe Bosso published 7 May 21 How a warm-up jam became ZZ Top’s breakthrough hit. How Eric Johnson Wrote “Cliffs of Dover“ By Joe Bosso published 26 March 21 Johnson's 1990 signature guitar instrumental was “a gift from the universe.“ Tommy Shaw: How I Wrote Styx's “Blue Collar Man“ By Joe Bosso published 23 February 21 Tommy Shaw reveals the jolly green inspiration behind Styx’s 1978 hit. How Traffic's Dave Mason Wrote “Feelin' Alright?“ By Joe Bosso published 25 January 21 Dave Mason shares good memories of a song about feeling bad. Steve Stevens: How I Wrote "Rebel Yell" By Joe Bosso published 22 December 20 Stevens tells how partying with the Rolling Stones led to Billy Idol’s breakthrough hit. 12 Get The Pick Newsletter All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox! Name: Your Email Address : Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors Thank you for signing up to GuitarPlayer. You will receive a verification email shortly. There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again. MOST READ1Fender’s ’48 Dual Professional Combo Lives Again in a Near-Original Reissue, Courtesy of Mr. Joe Bonamassa2Hear These Fine Vintage Martins in Action on Collector and Bluegrass Ambassador Gary Brewer’s Latest Cut, ‘House of Axes’3Bluegrass Master Gary Brewer of the Kentucky Ramblers Shares Some Guitar Pick Wisdom4Featuring Unhinged Electric Guitar Work and a Contradictory Shredding Non-Solo, Here Why You Need to Listen to Julian Priester Pepo Mtoto’s ‘Love, Love’5Acoustic Control Gamma Effects Pedals Review
How Steve Vai Wrote "For the Love of God" By Joe Bosso published 6 June 22 The virtuoso's first "real visceral, long-playing guitar" piece came during a 10-day fast, changing his life in the process.
Punk Guitar Legend Dr. Know Revisits the Profound Legacy of Bad Brains By Tom Beaujour last updated 27 January 22 The pioneering guitarist tells his story of the Washington D.C. band that redefined punk.
How Matthew Sweet Wrote “Evangeline” By Joe Bosso published 12 November 21 With a virtuoso solo from Richard Lloyd, Sweet's breakout hit is a six-string tour de force.
How Buck Dharma Wrote Blue Öyster Cult's “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” By Joe Bosso published 19 July 21 The classic rock perennial roared to life on '70s radio, telling a tale of love after death.
How Yngwie Malmsteen Wrote “Far Beyond the Sun“ By Mark McStea published 4 June 21 Shredding Beethoven through 50-watt Marshall heads, the Swedish guitar god invented neoclassical metal.
How Billy Gibbons Wrote ZZ Top's “La Grange“ By Joe Bosso published 7 May 21 How a warm-up jam became ZZ Top’s breakthrough hit.
How Eric Johnson Wrote “Cliffs of Dover“ By Joe Bosso published 26 March 21 Johnson's 1990 signature guitar instrumental was “a gift from the universe.“
Tommy Shaw: How I Wrote Styx's “Blue Collar Man“ By Joe Bosso published 23 February 21 Tommy Shaw reveals the jolly green inspiration behind Styx’s 1978 hit.
How Traffic's Dave Mason Wrote “Feelin' Alright?“ By Joe Bosso published 25 January 21 Dave Mason shares good memories of a song about feeling bad.
Steve Stevens: How I Wrote "Rebel Yell" By Joe Bosso published 22 December 20 Stevens tells how partying with the Rolling Stones led to Billy Idol’s breakthrough hit.
