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
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Watch Led Zeppelin Play One of Their First Concerts in 1969
By Damian Fanelli published
In the U.S., Led Zeppelin’s self-titled debut album was only three months old—and it wouldn't be released in the U.K. for another two weeks.
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Kirk Hammett and Michael Schenker Jam Behind the Scenes on 'That Metal Show'
By Damian Fanelli published
Metallica's lead axeman jams with one of his idols.
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Submit Your Questions for Children of Bodom Guitarist Alexi Laiho!
By Damian Fanelli published
Round up your best and brightest questions and send them our way, people.
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Jimmy Page's Five Best Guitar Moments with The Yardbirds
By Damian Fanelli published
Jimmy Page's best guitar work with his former band.
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David Gilmour and David Bowie Perform "Comfortably Numb" in 2006
By Damian Fanelli published
Three legends of rock join forces.
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Top 10 Essential Vintage Rockabilly Guitar Solos
By Damian Fanelli published
10 killer vintage rockabilly songs that every rock fan—let alone every guitarist—should know and/or learn how to play.
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The Album Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham Recorded Before 'Led Zeppelin'
By Damian Fanelli published
The album Led Zeppelin recorded before Led Zeppelin existed.
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10 Ways to Start a Blues Guitar Solo
By Damian Fanelli published
10 paths to follow when it's your turn to solo at the weekly blues jam.
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Watch Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Charlie Daniels Play "Call Me the Breeze"
By Damian Fanelli published
A Southern-flavored jam for the ages.
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What Classic Song Brings Together Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Lemmy Kilmister?
By Damian Fanelli published
A rare Osbourne/Killmister/Vai tune.
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Submit Your Questions for Rammstein and Emigrate Guitarist Richard Kruspe!
By Damian Fanelli published
Round up your best and brightest questions and send them our way, people.
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Hear Eric Clapton and Duane Allman's Isolated Guitar Tracks from "Layla"
By Damian Fanelli published
Examine up-close the six-string mastery of of rock's most enduring songs.
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Roy Clark Mesmerizes on 'The Odd Couple'
By Damian Fanelli published
A legendary appearance on a classic TV sitcom.
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Joe Satriani: What I Came Up with When I Wanted to Take Tapping to a New Level
By Damian Fanelli published
Satch discusses how he set about taking tapping to the next level on 'Surfing with the Alien.'
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Ritchie Blackmore Shows Off His Favorite Guitars
By Damian Fanelli published
Ritchie Blackmore exhibits his collection, and discusses the arduous process of scalloping his fretboards.
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Submit Your Questions for Steve Hackett!
By Damian Fanelli published
Round up your best and brightest questions and send them our way, people.
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Yngwie Malmsteen Lesson: Cracking the Code, Season 2, Episode 1
By Damian Fanelli published
Discover the power of Yngwie Malmsteen's fascinating and genre-defining asymmetrical approach to picking.
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That Time Chuck Berry Punched Keith Richards in the Face
By Damian Fanelli published
Chuck Berry took issue with the backstage actions of one of his most famous disciples...
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Chuck Berry and John Lennon Rock 'The Mike Douglas Show' in 1972
By Damian Fanelli published
Chuck Berry and one of his more famous disciples play a frenzied set.
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Roger McGuinn Talks Byrds, Rickenbackers, New Album and Touring with Chris Hillman
By Damian Fanelli published
He co-founded Sixties pop-rock titans the Byrds, inspired a Beatles song and helped invent country rock. But what Guitar World readers really want to know is…
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Lewis De Jong of Alien Weaponry: What's on My Playlist
By Damian Fanelli published
What has Lewis De Jong of Alien Weaponry been listening to lately? Find out here!
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TK Smith: The Quickest Way to "Pick Up" Undeniably Vintage Tone
By Damian Fanelli published
TK Smith pickups could very well help make your 2018 guitar sound like a sizzling 1958 jazz/rockabilly/blues machine.
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John Petrucci: One of My Biggest Guitar Heroes Told Me to "Turn It Down"
By Damian Fanelli published
John Petrucci recounts an interesting moment with one of his six-string idols.
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