Guitar World's Top 15 Books of 2011

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One could probably call 2011 "The Year of Rock and Roll Biopic."

Tony Iommi, Ace Frehley, Dave Mustaine, Duff McKagan, Brad Paisley and Red Hot Chili Peppers all put their words to paper to tell the definite version of their stories, while biographers continued to chronicle greats like Stevie Ray Vaughan and George Harrison.

Due to sheer volume, it was tough to cut this list down, but rest-assured, the 15 books on this list contain enough knowledge to make you king of Rock and Roll Jeopardy.

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Josh Hart
Josh Hart

Josh Hart is a former web producer and staff writer for Guitar World and Guitar Aficionado magazines (2010–2012). He has since pursued writing fiction under various pseudonyms while exploring the technical underpinnings of journalism, now serving as a senior software engineer for The Seattle Times.

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Theory for Rock & Pop Musicians, Volumes 1 & 2

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Steve Vai Wire & Wood book

“He scoured the globe to find these guitars. I had given many away or sold them through the years, but he tracked them down”: A 1,000-page book showcasing Steve Vai’s iconic guitars has been announced – and it will be joined by a super-limited Ibanez JEM
Vicki Peterson

“Walk Like an Egyptian was so silly. But solid players have asked, ‘What are you playing at the end?’”: Vicki Peterson sees herself as “a bit of a hack player,” but she still made guitar-pop history with the Bangles – and guested with Tom Petty
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Vicki Peterson
“Walk Like an Egyptian was so silly. But solid players have asked, ‘What are you playing at the end?’”: Vicki Peterson sees herself as “a bit of a hack player,” but she still made guitar-pop history with the Bangles – and guested with Tom Petty
Eric Clapton performs onstage in London in 1989
“The concept of the guitar duel at the end was just appalling”: Crossroads is an essential piece of '80s guitar lore, but not every guitar legend was a fan of the film
Billy Rankin
“Zal is really nobody’s guitar hero. Fans say he’s the most underrated player ever; many guitarists rate him amongst the best... but I’ve never heard anyone call him their ‘guitar hero’”: Billy Rankin on lessons learned from the legendary Zal Cleminson
Yoyoyoshie of Otoboke Beaver performs on the Park Stage during day four of Glastonbury Festival 2024.
“I’m extremely honored. It reminded me that it’s important to stick to my own playing style”: Her fans include Dave Grohl, Jack White and Eddie Vedder, and she’s the face of Fender’s Hello Kitty campaign. Why Yoyoyoshie is Japan’s next great guitar hero
Joe Satriani wears futuristic wraparound shades and a leather jacket as he plays a solo on his Chrome Boy Ibanez signature guitar. His new 3rd Power Dragon amps are in the background.
“The three of us plugged into my Marshall, passing the cord around. The one thing Eric said to me was, ‘Wow, there is so much gain!’” Joe Satriani on reuniting with Eric Johnson and Steve Vai and the devil in the detail of Eddie Van Halen's playing
Plini performs at The Fillmore on January 30, 2020 in San Francisco, California.
“I like that their appearance intrigues non-guitar players and bothers old-fashioned people”: Despite early love from Eddie Van Halen and Allan Holdsworth, headless guitars became a punchline – yet in 2025, they’re more popular than ever. We found out why
The Chameleons perform live
“Once Dave got his Roland Space Echo, it changed the vibe… that, and a lot of marijuana”: They inspired everyone from Oasis to the Smashing Pumpkins. Now English post-punk luminaries the Chameleons are back for more
Andy Fairweather Low is suited and booted as he plays an archtop live during a 2022 UK festival appearance.
“When I worked with Eric Clapton, I thought I was getting fired every tour”: Andy Fairweather Low on his first gig, a beloved dumpster guitar find and the mistake he made with Roger Waters that he can never forget
Silktone guitar amp on carpet
“I got a long text message praising the amp and talking about tone. I’m like, ‘Holy crap… I think this is Joe Perry!’” Why Silktone’s tube amp range is rapidly gathering big-name fans
Mark Tremonti performs in Birmingham with his solo project, he is show from below on a stage lit up in orange and red and plays his PRS signature guitar.
“If I brought that to Alter Bridge, they’d look at me funny… I don’t know if they like speed metal as much as I do”: Mark Tremonti on finding an outlet for his metal cravings and why nothing beats PRS and Dumble amps