Guitar Talk
Deep dives into the players who shaped electric guitar history.
Guitar Talk is The Guitar Plugged's home for news, opinion, and conversation about the world of guitar. Industry moves, hot debates, player profiles, and the stories behind the music — this is where we talk about everything the guitar world is buzzing about.
Ritchie Blackmore Plans to Rejoin Deep Purple Onstage Tonight — 33 Years After Walking Away
Thirty-three years after his final departure, Ritchie Blackmore says he plans to step onto a Deep Purple stage again — for one song, one night, and perhaps one final glimpse of a guitar chemistry that helped invent hard rock.
Mark Knopfler at 77: Why Playing the Right Notes Still Won't Make You Sound Like Him
Mark Knopfler turns 77 today, and his playing remains one of the hardest things in rock to imitate. Not because the notes are difficult — because almost none of what makes it sound like him is written down.
Eddie Van Halen: The Man Who Took the Electric Guitar Apart — and Rebuilt What It Could Be
From an immigrant kid learning piano by ear in Pasadena to the homemade guitar that changed an industry, the impossible sound of "Eruption," 5150, the Brown Sound and a legacy that still defines electric guitar: this is the complete story of Edward Van Halen.
Joe Bonamassa Says Guitar Culture’s “Armchair Quarterbacks” Are Killing the Fun — and Points to Nick Jonas as a Warning
The blues-rock heavyweight says online guitar culture has become obsessed with judging players, ranking performances and tearing musicians apart over mistakes. For Bonamassa, the infamous backlash against Nick Jonas shows just how ugly it can get.
Neal Schon: The Guitarist Who Made Arena Rock Sing
From Santana prodigy to the melodic engine behind Journey, Neal Schon built a guitar vocabulary where blues, fusion, fire and unforgettable melody could all exist in the same solo.
The Riffs They Almost Threw Away: 10 Classic Guitar Parts That Nearly Never Made the Record
A placeholder for a horn section. A warm-up exercise treated as a joke. A microphone left in the wrong place. Ten of the most recognisable guitar parts in rock arrived by accident, argument or last-minute panic.
Do Guitarists Ever Get Tired of Playing Their Biggest Hits?
Some players have performed the same 24 bars more than three thousand times. Boredom is the obvious assumption — and, according to the guitarists who actually do it for a living, mostly the wrong one.
Frank Zappa Was a Much Better Guitarist Than Most People Realize
Strip away the satire, the sprawling discography and the sheer weirdness, and you're left with one of rock's most individual lead guitarists. A guitarist's look at Zappa's phrasing, rhythmic displacement, tone and the solos that prove it.
The Anatomy of a Perfect Guitar Solo: Why the Greatest Solos Never Get Old
Millions of guitarists can play more notes than David Gilmour plays in the opening phrases of Comfortably Numb. Almost none of them could have written it. A working guitarist's breakdown of melody, phrasing, tension, dynamics and tone — and how to use all of it when you write your own solo.
Marcus King: The Blues Prodigy Carrying Southern Guitar Into a New Generation
Vocal bends, elite vibrato and a semi-hollow tone the size of a room. A guitarist's deep dive into Marcus King's technique, phrasing vocabulary, gear and why he may be the most complete young blues musician working today.
John 5 at 56: How a Telecaster Obsessive Became Rock's Ultimate Guitar Hired Gun
John 5 turns 56 today — and the real story isn't the résumé. It's how a country-schooled Telecaster obsessive became rock's most adaptable hired gun while still sounding unmistakably like himself.
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram: The Modern Blues Guitar Hero Reviving a Legendary Tradition
At 27, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram has a No. 1 blues debut, a Grammy and a phrasing vocabulary that reminds every guitarist tone starts in the hands, not the pedalboard.
Slash Says Guns N' Roses Are Moving Toward a New Album — But the Bigger Story Is That the Reunion Survived
Slash says the next Guns N' Roses record will be "all new original stuff." No title, no date, no track list — but after a decade of a reunion most fans assumed would collapse inside a year, that sentence carries real weight.
Tony Iommi Announces From the Dark — His First Solo Album in 21 Years
Tony Iommi has confirmed From the Dark, his first solo album in 21 years, arriving October 23 via BMG with Jørn Lande on vocals, Brian May guesting, and lead single 'World Alone' out now. Why a new Iommi record still matters to guitar players.
Rush Returns to Madison Square Garden as Geddy Lee Turns 73 — And Alex Lifeson Still Sounds Massive
Rush is back at Madison Square Garden, Geddy Lee has just turned 73, and Alex Lifeson is still making a three-piece band sound like an orchestra. A guitarist's look at why Lifeson remains one of rock's most quietly radical players.
Bruce Springsteen Joins Bon Jovi On Stage at Madison Square Garden — A New Jersey Rock Moment for the Ages
Bruce Springsteen's surprise appearance during Bon Jovi's Madison Square Garden show was more than a guest spot — it was a full-circle New Jersey rock moment featuring Jon Bon Jovi, Phil X, and the enduring shadow of Richie Sambora.
From YouTube Sensation to Touring Guitarist: What Laura Cox Learned After the Views Came First
Laura Cox became one of YouTube's most-watched female guitarists years before most people knew her name. What happened after the views came first tells a bigger story about internet fame, live performance, and the real cost of building a modern guitar career.
Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock: The Performance That Redefined Electric Guitar Forever
On the morning of August 18, 1969, Jimi Hendrix walked onto the Woodstock stage and delivered one of the most influential guitar performances ever witnessed — a set that turned the Stratocaster into a new instrument and the American anthem into a statement heard around the world.
Sammy Hagar Extends an Olive Branch to David Lee Roth — Could Van Halen Fans Finally See the Unthinkable?
For decades, Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth kept one of rock's most famous feuds alive. Now, after Roth canceled most of his remaining 2026 tour dates, Hagar has done something almost no one expected: publicly wished him well and invited him onstage at the Best of All Worlds Las Vegas residency.
Mick Jagger Turns 83: Looking Back at the Extraordinary Guitar Career of Keith Richards
Mick Jagger celebrates his 83rd birthday on July 26, 2026 — and no reflection on his legacy is complete without the guitarist standing to his right for more than six decades. This is Keith Richards' extraordinary guitar career, told through the riffs, the five-string Telecasters and the open G tuning that helped build The Rolling Stones.
Fender Refreshes the Player II Series with Bold New Color Options
Fender has refreshed the popular Player II lineup with bold new finishes that give its best-selling guitars and basses an exciting new look while keeping the same modern playability players love.
After 40 Years, King Diamond's Guitar Partnership Is Over — And Gus G. Is Stepping Into the Fire
Andy LaRocque has left King Diamond after nearly 40 years. Gus G. — the Firewind founder and former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist — is stepping in to compose, record and tour, opening a genuinely new chapter for one of metal's most important bands.
Yngwie Malmsteen: The Guitar Virtuoso Who Turned Classical Music Into Shred History
From Stockholm to Rising Force, Yngwie Malmsteen fused Bach and Paganini with a scalloped Strat and a wall of Marshalls — permanently rewriting the vocabulary of shred guitar.
Buddy Guy: The Last Great Blues Giant Still Teaching the World How to Play with Feeling
At 90, Buddy Guy is still the loudest, most fearless voice in electric blues — the guitarist who taught Clapton, Hendrix, SRV, Jeff Beck and John Mayer that feeling always beats flash.
Billie Joe Armstrong's New Epiphone Les Paul Junior Proves Simplicity Still Rules Punk Rock
One pickup, one volume, one tone — and one of the most recognizable rhythm guitars in modern rock. Epiphone's new $649 Billie Joe Armstrong signature Les Paul Junior is a reminder that punk was never about gear.
The Disappearing Guitar Rig: Are We Witnessing the Death of the Guitar Amp?
Guitar tone has never been more powerful, portable or convincing. So why do so many players still refuse to let the amplifier die?
Al Di Meola at 72: How One Guitarist Redefined Speed Without Sacrificing Musicality
Al Di Meola turns 72 on July 22, 2026. Reducing his career to 'plays fast' misses everything that actually matters — the phrasing, the Latin and Mediterranean feel, and a half-century of pushing what a guitar can be.
Eric Gales: The Left-Handed Guitar Powerhouse Who Turned the Blues Inside Out
From a Memphis prodigy signed at 16 to one of the most electrifying blues guitarists alive, Eric Gales plays a right-handed guitar flipped upside down — and turns the entire blues vocabulary inside out in the process.
Zakk Wylde: The Last Great Guitar Hero Standing
From New Jersey kid to Ozzy's guitarist, Black Label Society frontman, and Pantera torchbearer — how Zakk Wylde became one of modern rock's last true guitar heroes.
Plini: The Guitarist Who Quietly Redefined Modern Instrumental Guitar
For a decade, Plini has been one of the few modern players making technical music feel emotional again — writing songs first, and letting the guitar be the voice.
Gibson's Leadership Shakeup: What It Means for the Brand and Its Future
Gibson has announced a major leadership transition. Here's what it means for the iconic guitar brand, its future, and guitar players everywhere.
The Ultimate Guide to Kirk Hammett: Gear, Solos, Tone & Metallica Legacy
Explore the ultimate guide to Kirk Hammett, covering his history with Metallica, signature gear, iconic solos, playing style, influences, and the techniques that made him one of heavy metal's most recognizable guitarists.
The Ultimate Guide to David Gilmour: The Guitarist Who Made Every Note Matter
Discover the ultimate guide to David Gilmour — his iconic tone, the Black Strat, his gear, the Comfortably Numb solo, his Pink Floyd years, and the techniques that made him one of the greatest guitarists in history.
History of the Riff: Why Whole Lotta Love Changed Rock Forever
More than 50 years after it first blasted out of speakers, the opening riff to Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love remains one of the most recognizable pieces of guitar music ever recorded. Here's why it changed rock forever.
Steve Vai: The Alien Genius Who Turned the Guitar Into an Entirely New Instrument
From Frank Zappa's boot camp to Passion and Warfare, the Ibanez JEM, and the PIA era — how Steve Vai reinvented what six strings can do.
The Ultimate Guide to Stevie Ray Vaughan: The Guitarist Who Brought the Blues Back to Life
Biography, gear, technique, tone secrets, top songs, and beginner tips for chasing the sound of the man who dragged the blues back into the spotlight.
Billy Gibbons: The Bearded Blues Wizard Who Made Tone More Important Than Speed
As the driving force behind ZZ Top, Billy Gibbons proved that you don't need a thousand notes to create something unforgettable. Sometimes one perfectly placed note says everything.
Tony Iommi: The Man Who Lost His Fingertips and Invented Heavy Metal
How one factory accident changed guitar history forever. The incredible true story of the Black Sabbath legend who turned tragedy into the birth of an entire genre.
The Ultimate Guide to Eddie Van Halen: The Guitarist Who Changed Everything
The innovator. The showman. The genius. A complete guide to the life, legacy, tone, and gear of the guitarist who permanently rewrote the rules of rock.
Keith Richards Is Still Chasing the Next Great Riff — And the Rolling Stones Aren't Finished Yet
Six decades in, Keith Richards is still writing riffs that matter. With the Rolling Stones' upcoming album Foreign Tongues, he proves that great guitar playing is about feel, groove, and curiosity — not chasing trends.
Keith Richards Isn't Ready to Close the Door on the Rolling Stones Live—But Touring May Never Look the Same
Keith Richards has raised the possibility of Rolling Stones residency-style shows as traditional touring becomes more demanding. With Foreign Tongues topping the UK chart, the Stones may not be finished with the stage yet.
Andy Timmons: The Guitar Hero Your Favorite Guitar Hero Loves
Andy Timmons is the player's player — a master of melody, phrasing, and tone whose instrumental guitar work has earned the respect of legends. Here's why every guitar fan needs to know his name.
SatchVai Band: The Story of Guitar's Greatest Teacher and His Most Famous Student
Discover the incredible story behind the SatchVai Band, how Joe Satriani taught Steve Vai, the legendary guitarists who studied under Satch, and the remaining 2026 Surfing With The Hydra tour dates.
Why Randy Rhoads Still Sounds Ahead of His Time
More than four decades after his passing, Randy Rhoads still sounds futuristic. Classical discipline, cinematic phrasing, and raw emotion — here's why his playing keeps finding new generations of guitarists.
Why Nuno Bettencourt Might Be the Most Complete Rock Guitarist Alive
Shred precision, funk groove, pop songwriting instincts, and stadium-sized stage presence — Nuno Bettencourt quietly checks every box. Here's why a new generation is finally putting him in the all-time conversation.
Why Gary Moore Was One of the Most Emotional Guitarists Ever
From Thin Lizzy to 'Still Got the Blues,' Gary Moore made a single bent note feel more human than most players manage in an entire solo — here's why his Les Paul tone, vibrato, and phrasing still set the bar for emotional blues-rock guitar.
Why Steve Lukather is One of the Most Underrated Guitarists Ever
Steve Lukather played on Thriller, anchored Toto, and quietly became the guitarist other elite guitarists look up to — here's why the 'Toto guitarist' deserves a much bigger seat at the all-time greats table.
How Joe Satriani Became One of Guitar's Greatest Teachers and Players
From mentoring Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett, and Alex Skolnick to releasing Surfing with the Alien, Joe Satriani built a legacy on inspiring generations while proving instrumental guitar music could reach a massive audience.
Why Warren DeMartini Doesn't Get Enough Credit
Ratt's lead guitarist sat right between flash and feel — and in a decade obsessed with shred, that quiet mastery is exactly why Warren DeMartini still gets overlooked.
Why John Mayer Is Actually a Better Guitarist Than You Think
There's a strange thing that happens when a guitarist becomes too popular: people start assuming they must be overrated. Few players trigger that reaction more than John Mayer—and almost none of it holds up once you actually listen.
Eddie Van Halen, the Brown Sound, and the Day Guitar Changed Forever
Before Eddie Van Halen, electric guitar had rules. After him, it had a new vocabulary—a warm, snarling tone that breathed like a living thing, and a two-handed technique that turned the fretboard into a piano. This is the story of the Brown Sound and the moment guitar split into a before and after.
Long Live the Guitar Solo: 80s Guitar Gods vs. the Modern Revolution of Henson and Abasi
There’s a quiet debate happening in guitar culture right now—the emotional firepower of the 80s guitar gods versus the precision and architecture of modern innovators like Tim Henson and Tosin Abasi. Neither side is wrong. And the tension between them is shaping the future of the instrument.
The Perfect Rock Formula: Why Malcolm and Angus Young Are Pure Genius
Some of the most powerful music in rock history wasn’t built on speed or complexity—it was built on discipline, chemistry, and knowing exactly what not to play. That’s the genius of Malcolm and Angus Young.
From Pawn Shops to Legend: How Stevie Ray Vaughan Rewired the Blues and Saved Guitar Music
His rise wasn’t clean, fast, or easy. It was messy, loud, and built on pure obsession—and that's exactly why Stevie Ray Vaughan’s story still hits so hard today.
Why David Gilmour's “Comfortably Numb” Solo May Be the Greatest Guitar Solo of All Time
It doesn't try to win a race. It doesn't rely on speed or flash. It just makes you feel something so specific and so overwhelming it almost feels personal—and that's why it may be the greatest guitar solo ever recorded.
Decoding David Gilmour's Comfortably Numb Solo Tone
Big Muff into Hiwatt, a whisper of rotary, and a neck-pickup croon. Here’s how Gilmour forged the 1980 Comfortably Numb solo tone—and how you can actually get there today.
Alex Lifeson, Rush's Return, and the Impossible Task of Replacing Neil Peart
Rush is back. Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee return to the stage with drummer Anika Nilles — not to replace Neil Peart, but to celebrate everything they built together.
Our Take On Matteo Mancuso
Every once in a while a guitarist comes along that makes even seasoned players stop and ask, "How is he doing that?" Matteo Mancuso is one of those players.
History of the Riff: Layla – The Story Behind One of Rock's Greatest Guitar Hooks
The story behind Layla — Eric Clapton's heartbreak, Duane Allman's slide, and the riff that became one of rock's greatest guitar hooks.
Joe Walsh: The Guitar Hero Who Made Rock More Fun
Discover the story, gear, guitar style, and influence of Joe Walsh—from The James Gang and the Eagles to his legendary solo career.
History of the Riff: Purple Haze
The story behind Jimi Hendrix's legendary Purple Haze riff — where it came from, how it was recorded, and why it changed rock guitar forever.
History of the Riff: How "Sunshine of Your Love" Changed Rock Guitar Forever
The story behind Cream's legendary "Sunshine of Your Love" riff — how Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton, and Ginger Baker created one of rock's most influential guitar moments.
Mark Knopfler and the History of "Money for Nothing": The Riff That Defined an Era
How Mark Knopfler chased Billy Gibbons, discovered a happy accident with a Les Paul and a strange microphone setup on Montserrat, and created one of the most recognizable guitar riffs ever recorded.
History of the Riff: "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" — Keith Richards Finds the Groove and Never Lets Go
Open G, five strings and zero warning. How Keith Richards kicked the door off Sticky Fingers — and how an accidental jam turned the track into one of the Stones' great guitar showcases.
The History of the Riff: How Jimmy Page Built the Monumental Guitar Part Behind Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir"
Inside DADGAD tuning, John Bonham's rhythmic illusion, and the orchestral scale that made "Kashmir" one of the most ambitious pieces of music Led Zeppelin ever recorded.
History of the Riff: How Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold" Created One of Rock's Most Hypnotic Guitar Grooves
A slow-burning, blues-drenched blueprint for how confidence, space and tone can outlast speed. Inside the story, gear and enduring influence of Ted Nugent's most iconic riff.
Happy 79th Birthday, Brian May: Celebrating the Guitar Hero Who Gave Queen Its Voice
From the homemade Red Special to "Bohemian Rhapsody," Live Aid and some of the most recognizable guitar tones ever recorded, we celebrate the extraordinary career of Queen legend Brian May.
Happy Birthday, Carlos Santana: Celebrating the Guitarist Who Made Six Strings Sing
From the fire of Woodstock to the worldwide phenomenon of Supernatural, we celebrate the extraordinary career, unmistakable sound and lasting influence of Carlos Santana on his 79th birthday.
History of the Riff: "Surfing with the Alien" – Joe Satriani's Instrumental Masterpiece
How Joe Satriani's 1987 instrumental classic proved that guitar-driven music could go mainstream — and inspired a generation of players in the process.
Paul Gilbert: The Guitar Virtuoso Who Made Shred Fun Again
From Racer X to Mr. Big and beyond, Paul Gilbert combined terrifying technique with genuine musicality, humor, and teaching passion. Here's why he remains one of the most important guitarists of his generation.
Wolfgang Van Halen: Carrying the Legacy While Forging His Own Path
Explore Wolfgang Van Halen's journey from Van Halen bassist to Mammoth WVH frontman and how Eddie Van Halen's influence shaped his playing and songwriting.
Jake E. Lee: The Guitar Hero Who Had the Impossible Job of Replacing Randy Rhoads
Jake E. Lee faced one of rock's toughest jobs—replacing Randy Rhoads. Here's how he forged his own legacy with Ozzy Osbourne through unforgettable riffs, iconic solos, and two classic albums.
Joe Bonamassa: The Last Great Blues Guitar Hero?
From opening for B.B. King at age twelve to becoming one of the biggest names in modern blues, Joe Bonamassa has spent his career keeping the blues alive for a new generation of guitar players.
Guthrie Govan: The Guitarist Other Guitarists Study
Discover why Guthrie Govan is considered one of the greatest living guitarists, from The Aristocrats and Asia to his legendary solo album and signature Charvel.
History of the Riff: The Haunting Opening Lick of Nazareth's "Love Hurts"
Manny Charlton's opening slide on "Love Hurts" is one of classic rock's most emotional guitar moments — a masterclass in restraint, phrasing, and the power of a single note.
How Slash Accidentally Wrote One of Rock's Greatest Riffs: The Story Behind "Sweet Child O' Mine"
What began as a joke warm-up exercise in a cramped Sunset Boulevard house turned into one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock history.
The Story Behind the Opening Riff of "Crazy Train"
Few guitar riffs are as instantly recognizable as the opening of "Crazy Train." Here's how Randy Rhoads built one of heavy metal's greatest invitations to play guitar.
Satchel and the Story of Steel Panther: How Russell Parrish Became Glam Metal's Ultimate Survivor
Behind the leopard-print spandex and outrageous stage banter is an elite shredder who kept the spirit of '80s guitar alive when everyone else moved on.
The Story Behind the Riff: How Focus Created the Controlled Chaos of "Hocus Pocus"
Yodeling, flute solos, and one of the most exhilarating guitar riffs ever recorded. Here's how Jan Akkerman and Focus turned progressive rock into a controlled riot.
The Endless Horizon of Guitar: Why Pat Metheny Is One of Music's True Visionaries
For nearly five decades, Pat Metheny has redefined what a guitar can say. Inside the melodies, the tone, the gear, and the essential albums of jazz guitar's most singular voice.
The Guitar I Never Thought I'd Own: After 20 Years of Playing, I Finally Bought a Les Paul Standard
Editor Patrick Lawlor reflects on why a lifelong super Strat player unexpectedly fell in love with Gibson's iconic single-cut.
Tony MacAlpine: The Virtuoso Who Deserved a Bigger Stage
Ask a room full of pro guitarists to name the greatest players ever and Tony MacAlpine's name shows up fast. So why didn't the world at large catch up? An in-depth look at one of shred guitar's most quietly influential figures.
Terry Kath: The Guitar Genius History Almost Forgot
Chicago sold tens of millions of records, and yet the guitarist behind it all rarely shows up in greatest-of-all-time conversations. A closer look at Terry Kath — the player Jimi Hendrix reportedly called one of his favorites.
Johnny Winter: The Albino Bluesman Who Played Guitar Like His Life Depended on It
Johnny Winter played the blues with frightening speed, raw aggression and unmistakable Texas fire. We explore his guitar style, legendary Gibson Firebird, slide playing, tone and lasting influence.
Rik Emmett Never Thought Triumph Would Tour Again—Then the Guitar Heroes Came Back
After decades away from a full-scale tour, Triumph returned to the stage in 2026. For Rik Emmett, it meant confronting the passing of time, adapting to a different kind of band—and discovering that the music still had some unfinished business.
History of the Riff: ZZ Top’s “La Grange” — The Texas Boogie Riff That Refused to Sit Still
There are riffs that impress you with complexity — and then there are riffs that make complexity irrelevant. Inside ZZ Top’s “La Grange” and the Texas boogie that guitarists still can’t get to sit just right.
Wayne Charvel: The Man Who Helped Reinvent the Electric Guitar
Before the high-performance electric guitar became a product category, players and builders were quietly inventing it in Southern California repair shops. Wayne Charvel was standing at the center of that shift.
Remembering Ozzy Osbourne: The Guitarists Who Helped Define the Prince of Darkness
One year on from Ozzy Osbourne's death, we remember the Prince of Darkness through the guitarists who stood beside him — from Tony Iommi and Randy Rhoads to Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde, Gus G and the collaborators in between.
The Jimi Hendrix the Audience Never Saw: Why New Firsthand Accounts Still Matter
Every time a member of Jimi Hendrix's road crew or inner circle sits down and starts talking, we learn something new about the greatest electric guitarist of the twentieth century. Here's why that still matters.