Legendary Motown guitarist Marv Tarplin passed away this past Friday at the age of 70.
Tarplin was best known for his work as the guitarist for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. He began his career in the late '50s, backing an all-girl pop group called the Primettes, who would eventually change their name and become the Supremes.
Aside from this work with Smokey Robinson, with whom he continued to record until his retirement in 2008, Tarplin notably worked with Marvin Gaye, playing on hits like "Ain't That Peculiar" and "I'll Be Doggone."
“I only used the back pickup. Ozzy hates the sound of the front pickup. He calls it the ‘cow tone’”: Bursting with ideas but deferential to Ozzy Osbourne, a young Zakk Wylde had interesting guitar instructions upon joining the legendary frontman's band
“It was very simplistic compared to my later compositions”: It may have been inspired by the Kinks, but Al Di Meola's Race with Devil on Spanish Highway is one of the great virtuoso displays in guitar history. Watch the maestro play it with Steve Vai
