Latest Updates

Mike Campbell on writing The Boys of Summer with Don Henley – after Tom Petty passed on it
By Phil Weller published
Campbell made an all-important change to the song before handing it over to Henley

These are the gear releases that have caught my eye this week – and the essential launches you might have missed
By Matt Owen published
New drops from JHS Pedals, Fender, Victory, and more that need to be on your radar this week

Watch two funk-rock guitar gods unite for the ultimate acid guitar jam
By Jonathan Horsley published
Woodstock '69 finally had some competition as the ultimate acid guitar jam when Rockpalast 1985 united two funk-rock guitar gods under a trippy groove

Steely Dan’s Denny Dias says his iconic Do It Again electric sitar solo was recorded on a lousy rental model
By Phil Weller published
The former Steely Dan guitarist was required to borrow a Danelectro/Coral electric sitar for the job – but he was less than impressed

Sinners composer Ludwig Göransson used vintage Dobros to write the movie’s music – and he scoured the globe to find them
By Phil Weller published
Sinners – which stars Michael B. Jordan and Buddy Guy – boasts a compelling score that pays tribute to the blues, with a little help from three hard-to-find guitars...

Pete Townshend looks back at life on the road as The Who announce farewell US tour
By Phil Weller published
The legendary band will bid farewell in a country where Townshend has always appreciated the “incredible” crowds

Kurt Cobain's 1989 Takamine expected to fetch up to $500,000 at auction
By Janelle Borg published
This year's Music Icons sale – organized by Julien's Auctions – includes over 700 collectible items from some of the world's biggest guitar stars

Bob Weir joins Joe Satriani and Sammy Hagar for Best of All Worlds guest spot
By Phil Weller published
The Grateful Dead legend joined the band for a free-flowing take on a Montrose hit

NAMM CEO John Mlynczak on the impact of Trump’s tariffs in the guitar industry
By Janelle Borg last updated
This week, representatives from some of the States' biggest guitar brands have come together in D.C. for the first time in 17 years to continue advocating for the musical instrument market

Kim Thayil gives an update on whether unreleased band material featuring Chris Cornell will see the light of day
By Janelle Borg published
The recordings were previously the subject of a protracted legal battl between the remaining band members and Cornell's widow, Vicky Cornell

Eddie Vedder uses one of Jack White's signature guitars to play a Pearl Jam deep cut
By Phil Weller published
The White Stripes icon has been on a guitar-gifting spree – and the latest recipient has put the electric/acoustic hybrid to good use

Richard ZK on the coffee shop rendezvous in East Germany that got him his first Fender
By Phil Weller published
The Rammstein riffer wanted a Strat to imitate his hero, Jimi Hendrix – but getting hold of one took some serious work

Why Vince Gill turned down Fender's offer to make a signature recreation of his coveted 1953 Telecaster
By Phil Weller published
Gill wasn’t convinced about the concept of a signature version of his iconic Blackguard, but Fender insisted on making a prototype – which was later lost in a flood

Stone Temple Pilots’ Dean DeLeo announces One More Satellite – a new collaborative project that stars a host of special guests
By Matt Owen published
Drummers Eric Kretz and Brian Tichy, as well as UK vocalist Pete Shoulder, were brought onboard for the record, which will arrive this summer.

Barry Goudreau opens up on his bitter parting with Tom Scholz
By Phil Weller published
A CBS promotional campaign for Goudreau's 1980 solo album caused an irreparable rift with his Boston bandmate

Slash dons a Gibson SG as Guns N’ Roses pay tribute to John Sykes with rampant cover of a Thin Lizzy classic
By Phil Weller published
The Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake guitarist passed away in December last year

Suzanne Vega on the time Prince sent her a handwritten letter to praise one of her most iconic tracks
By Janelle Borg published
Luka, one of Vega's most enduring songs, was an unlikely mainstream hit back in 1987, despite the fact that it deals with a very sensitive topic

Yngwie Malmsteen claims Eddie Van Halen felt “threatened” by him
By Phil Weller published
Malmsteen looks back on the few times he almost crossed paths with the late electric guitar legend