Damian Fanelli
Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor, and his non-Pulitzer-Prize-winning stories have appeared in Guitar Aficionado, Vintage Guitar, Total Guitar and countless other publications. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton and Ty Tabor chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums (one of which appears in the 2015 Disney film 'Tomorrowland' starring George Clooney and Britt Robertson). He's now in two NYC-area bands and plays Teles with four-way switches, B-benders and snazzy aftermarket pickups.
Latest articles by Damian Fanelli

The Strat turns 70 and the return of the cooler-than-ever Creed – only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
Featuring new interviews with Ritchie Blackmore, Brian May, Buddy Guy, Alex Lifeson, Adrian Belew, Tom Morello, Yngwie Malmsteen and Mick Mars and a review of the new PRS Mark Tremonti MT 100 amp

August 2024 Guitar World lesson videos
By Damian Fanelli published
The one where Joe Bonamassa pays tribute to a lesser-known genius of the Les Paul!

10 times the Beatles and the Rolling Stones collaborated together
By Damian Fanelli published
The Beatles vs. the Rolling Stones? Not so much. Here’s our guide to 10 friendly – and occasionally excellent – collaborations between two legendary bands

Slayer's Kerry King and the 30 greatest New Jersey guitarists of all time – only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
Plus! St. Vincent, Cedric Burnside, Keith Scott, Phil Demmel, the Gun Club, Martin Miller, reviews of seven pedals, the Who and Jackson Browne transcribed and more

July 2024 Guitar World lesson videos
By Damian Fanelli published
The one where Joe Bonamassa shows off his '58 Gibson Les Paul Special and David Grissom makes his GW debut!

April 2024 Guitar World editors' picks
By Michael Astley-Brown published
From fast-rising indie rock acts and heavy playing pioneers to Beyoncé and beyond – here are our standout guitar tracks from the past 30 days

Joe Satriani & Steve Vai – America's hottest new instrumental duo! Only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
Plus! Judas Priest, Black Crowes, Matteo Mancuso, Dillinger Escape Plan, Robby Krieger, Carlos Cavazo, 10 Beatles/Stones collaborations, Lerxst Chi head & cabinet reviewed and more!

June 2024 Guitar World lesson videos
By Damian Fanelli published
The one where Joe Bonamassa (vintage Flying V in hand) schools you on the brilliance of Albert King!

Van Halen, Metallica, SRV, Iron Maiden, Rush, Dio, Yngwie, Vai and the greatest guitar albums of 1984 – only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
Featuring new interviews with Ace Frehley, Alex Lifeson, Adrian Smith, Adrian Belew, Earl Slick, Mike Ness, Steve Vai, Vicki Peterson, Vivian Campbell, Yngwie Malmsteen and more

May 2024 Guitar World lesson videos
By Damian Fanelli published
The one where Joe Bonamassa discusses his early (and undying) fascination with Jeff Beck!

Mick Mars: “I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Mötley Crüe. I don't regret anything we've ever done – good, bad or ugly” – only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
Plus! Eddie Kramer, Marco Pirroni, Stone Mecca, Adrian Belew, Yard Act, DragonForce, history of the MXR Phase 90, Drop Nineteens, Blondie's Frank Infante, the Darkness and more!

April 2024 Guitar World lesson videos
By Damian Fanelli published
The one where Joe Bonamassa shows you how to play like an East Coast blues legend!

Green Day, Ace Frehley and George Harrison's last Beatles guitar – only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
Plus! Code Orange, Johnny Marr, Chelsea Wolfe, Eddie Martinez, Marty Friedman, Adam Jones and the sad tale of Ted Nugent's original Gibson Byrdland

March 2024 Guitar World lesson videos
By Damian Fanelli published
The one where Joe Bonamassa grabs a Strat and shows you how to play I Want to Shout About It!

A new in-depth look at Eric Clapton in the '60s, '70s and '80s – only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
Featuring brand-new Slowhand-centric interviews with Steve Lukather, Eddie Kramer, Albert Lee, Phil Palmer, Chuck Kirkpatrick, Danny Flowers, Albhy Galuten, Joe Bonamassa and more

Game-changers, taste-makers and trend-setters: here are 2023's guitarists of the year
By Guitar World Staff published
We tip our hats to the players that made 2023 such a defining year in guitar history – and whose achievements we'll be talking about in years to come

February 2024 Guitar World lesson videos
By Damian Fanelli published
Featuring Joe Bonamassa and his 1962/63 Gibson Les Paul/SG with Bigsby!

Wolfgang Van Halen, the year's best gear and 2023's guitarists of the year – only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
Plus! The year's biggest and wildest guitar news, a transcription of Jeff Beck's final masterpiece, Dethklok, Buzzcocks, Paul Stanley's son and more!

January 2024 Guitar World lesson videos
By Damian Fanelli published
Featuring Joe Bonamassa and his 1969 Fender Strat

“There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear. It’s quite emotional. And we all play on it – it’s a genuine Beatles recording”: The final Beatles song, Now and Then, has been released at last – but is it any good?
By Jackson Maxwell published
Built from a John Lennon demo, Now and Then features newly recorded contributions from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, with additional guitar work from the late George Harrison

Why Jimi Hendrix matters now more than ever – only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
Plus! The Rolling Stones, the amazing Mr. Jimmy, Baroness, Trevor Rabin, Steve Lukather, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Mateus Asato, the Velvet Underground's John Cale & more

Holiday 2023 Guitar World lesson videos
By Damian Fanelli published
Featuring Joe Bonamassa and his 1964 Gibson Firebird, plus an exclusive new Jimi Hendrix lesson by Andy Aledort

Joe Perry and Brad Whitford dissect Aerosmith's wild 50-year ride – only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
GW and Warren Haynes choose the late Robbie Robertson's essential tracks, plus K.K. Downing, the Mars Volta, the Hives, King Gizzard and more

December 2023 Guitar World lesson videos
By Damian Fanelli published
Featuring Joe Bonamassa's new video dedicated to the 1958 Gibson Flying V he calls "Famous Amos"!

The total '90s immersion experience you didn't know you needed – only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
Featuring fresh input from Kim Thayil, Dave Mustaine, Vernon Reid, Marc Ford, Marty Friedman, K.K. Downing, Andy Bell, Steve Stevens, Art Alexakis and more, more, more!
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