Paul Elliott

Paul Elliott

Content Editor at Total Guitar and freelance writer for Classic Rock since 2005, Paul Elliott has worked for leading music titles since 1985, including Sounds, Kerrang!, MOJO and Q. He is the author of several books including the first biography of Guns N’ Roses and autobiography of bodyguard-to-the-stars Danny Francis, and has written liner notes for classic album reissues by artists such as Def Leppard, Thin Lizzy and Kiss. He lives in Bath, UK – of which David Coverdale recently said, “How very Roman of you!”

Latest articles by Paul Elliott

Albert Collins, John Lee Hooker, Eric Gales

12 blues guitar albums that chart the genre – and the instrument’s – evolution

By Ellie Rogers published

From Son House to Eric Gales, John Lee Hooker to Albert Collins, these classics highlight how blues guitar has changed over the years – its stories, tones and techniques all passed down and reinvented

Music Releases
Pink Floyd's David Gilmour and Roger Waters perform on stage at "Live 8 London" in Hyde Park on July 2, 2005 in London, England.

Was David Gilmour’s Comfortably Numb solo really a first take? Total Guitar sets the record straight

By Paul Elliott published

In light of Roger Waters’ recent comments regarding Pink Floyd producer Bob Ezrin, the UK guitar magazine has clarified the situation

Guitarists
James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett onstage in Japan, 1986

How Metallica changed metal with their groundbreaking 1986 classic Master of Puppets

By Paul Elliott published

With testimony from James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and producer Fleming Rasmussen, we unpack the story behind the definitive Metallica album

Bands
Dan Hawkins and Abba

The Darkness's Dan Hawkins on his love for ABBA

By Paul Elliott published

How the Swedish pop icons rocked like Thin Lizzy and why their riffs are underrated

Guitars
Eddie Van Halen and Mick Jones

Mick Jones looks back at producing Van Halen's landmark 5150: "It was a pretty intense experience – but we achieved something very special"

By Paul Elliott published

The album's co-producer and Foreigner guitarist on the genius of Eddie Van Halen and a crazy, funky recording session

Bands
Angus Young of AC/DC

Angus Young on life in one of the world's biggest rock bands: an in-depth interview with the AC/DC icon

By Paul Elliott published

"It’s a little bit late for us to do ballads. Rock is what we do best"

Artists
(L-R) Brian Johnson, Malcolm Young, Angus Young and Cliff Williams of AC/DC

The inside story of AC/DC's Back In Black, the biggest-selling rock album of all time

By Paul Elliott published

It was the record that resurrected a band in mourning. From tragedy to triumph, this is the story of AC/DC’s greatest victory...

Artists