Originally published in Guitar World, February 2011
The Maroon 5 guitarist discusses his current playlist.
“YYZ”—Rush
“My older brother played me this when I was 10, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I knew then that I wanted to play the guitar.”
“Kid Charlemagne”—Steely Dan
“I went through a period in high school where I only listened to instrumental music. Steely Dan was a good transition out of that period because there is so much going on in these songs. Larry Carlton’s solo is perfect!”
“Maggot Brain”—Parliament
“Eddie Hazel’s solo just keeps on going and blowing your mind. Best listened to in the dark lying on the floor.”
“Blues for Los Angeles”—Bill Frisell
“Frisell creates these little worlds with his compositions, and this is a really creepy world. I recommend listening to this while driving through downtown Los Angeles.”
“Freak Out”—Chic
“This is probably our favorite funk riff of all time, usually the first thing Adam [Levine] and I will play when picking up a new guitar. Nile Rodgers’ style has been a primary influence in the guitar parts of Maroon 5.”
“Jim Morrison was carried out because he was shouting abuse. Jimi Hendrix was there. We were all getting drunk”: Ritchie Blackmore recalls the first time he saw two-hand tapping – at a wild show in 1968
“I was playing with the Scorpions, and I broke a string and had a solo coming up. My brother and I swapped guitars really quickly”: Michael Schenker talks Vs, his early flirtations with offsets, and how he joined one of hard rock's biggest juggernauts
