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LEFT: British rock and roll band Nero And The Gladiators performing in a Paris street, 8th July 1961. They are in the city for a music hall production. RIGHT: Deep Purple Ritchie Blackmore live at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, May 1985.
Did this novelty act inspire the greatest guitar riff of all time?

By Phil Weller Last updated

Blackmore didn’t feel as connected to the blues as his peers. For him, this band made all the difference

Guitarists
George Harrison of English rock and pop group The Beatles plays his 1963 Rickenbacker 360/12 guitar on stage during rehearsals for the ABC Television music television show 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' Summer Spin at Teddington Studios in London on 11th July 1964.
George Harrison on the guitarist who changed the guitar landscape — and why he wasn't a fan of what followed

By Phil Weller Published

A resolute fan of 1950s rock and roll, he never got along with hard rock — despite his love for the guitarist who paved the way for it

Guitarists
Bonnie Raitt performs on stage, New York, 1977.
Bonnie Raitt on the evolution of her playing style in 1977

By Patricia Brody Published

In May 1977, Bonnie Raitt became Guitar Player's first female cover star. "I hate to be called a blues singer or a folkie," she said. "This is a new kind of music – it's a hybrid!"

Guitarists
Joe Perry, with a BC Rich Mockingbird guitar, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer of Aerosmith backstage at Madison Square Garden in New York City on May 10, 1976.
Joe Perry on 'Toys in the Attic' and the riffs that saved Aerosmith from oblivion

By Phil Weller Published

After two under-performing albums that had seen their well of songs run dry, Aerosmith found inspiration from unlikely places and turned their fortunes around

Guitarists
Eric Clapton, 1966
“Put the Microphone Over There On the Other Side of the Room Because I’m Going to Play Loud”: How Eric Clapton Took Volume to 11

By Dave Hunter Last updated

Armed with a Marshall and a Les Paul, Slowhand pushed the envelope of guitar tone in 1966.

Live Studio
Steve Stevens performs onstage during the second annual Above Ground concert benefiting MusiCares at The Fonda Theatre on September 16, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
Steve Stevens Recommends Listening to These Five Guitar Solos

By Guitar Player Staff Published

The Billy Idol guitarist names his top five lesser-known favorites.

Guitarists
Rory Gallagher
Watch Rory Gallagher Define Classic Blues Rock Stratocaster Tone

By Rod Brakes Last updated

Video This stunning performance at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 shows the Irishman at his rawest.

Video
Rivers Cuomo
Rivers Cuomo on the Biological Need to Shred, Heavy Metal, and Why Singing Your Solos First Makes For Good Phrasing

By Richard Bienstock Published

Rivers Cuomo lets the shred-obsessed kid inside him break free on 'Van Weezer,' a record that's half Blue Album, half '80s metal.

Music
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Erja Lyytinen on Influences, Conservatory Schooling and Digging Deeper Into Blues History

By Sue Foley Published

Finnish blues-rock phenom Erja Lyytinen walks us through her journey with the guitar, from music school to the stage.

Guitarists
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