Template:Portal:Guitarists/Featured Article
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== Jimi Hendrix == | == Jimi Hendrix == | ||
Revision as of 15:26, 2 May 2010
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix was given the name Johnny Allen Hendrix by his mother, which his father later changed to James Marshall Hendrix to honour his dead brother. Jimi's childhood was unstable, since his mother was an alcoholic, and he grew up partly with his grandmother in Canada. She was very close to Jimi and tought him to be proud of his Afro-American ancestry. He had two younger brothers (Leon & Joseph) and two sisters, but his mother left the family when Jimi was about eight years old, and he grew up being a shy and quiet boy. He was attending something so unusal - at that time - as a ethnically mixed school, and he had good grades except for an F in music 1959(!). He was deeply into blues and R&B music and listened a lot to B.B. King and Muddy Waters, whose records his father owned. More...
Brian May
Born on the 19th July 1947, Brian Harold May is probably best known for his part in the Rock band Queen. He is also a qualified Astrophysicist. Famous for using his own hand-built guitar, ‘’’The Red Special’’’, he has been responsible for writing many Hit Records including:- "Tie Your Mother Down", "We Will Rock You", "Who Wants to Live Forever" and "Hammer to Fall". Although he lives in Surrey, England he is the current Chancellor of Liverpool John Moore’s University, taking over from Cherie Blair in 2007 and he was officially installed in 2008. In 2005 he was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his ‘Services to the Music Industry.’ In Rolling Stone magazine’s list of ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’ May was ranked 39th. More...
B.B. King
B.B. King is a legendary American Bluesman, gifted guitarist, composer and singer.
King has taken part in more than 60 albums, with different artists or on his own. He has won 14 Grammys and received dozens of awards and honors over the years, and he still performs several nights a week. He belongs to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, and stands in the 3rd position of Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".Riley Ben King, known as B.B. King, was born the 16th of September of 1925 in Itta Bena, Mississippi. His father abandoned the family and his mother died when King was just 9 years old, so he spent the rest of his childhood living with his grandmother in Kilmichael, attending... More...
Angus Young
Angus Young was born on March 31, 1955 of William and Margaret Young in Glasgow, Scotland. He was one of nine children. He and all his siblings were brought up in Syndey, Australia. Angus started playing guitar when he was five years old. A local child had one and Angus would play it during visits. He got his own guitar by taking a banjo his family had lying around and restringing it like a guitar.
Angus did not get into guitar playing seriously until his family moved from Scotland to Australia in 1963. He had been playing on an old Höfner guitar he inherited from his brother Malcolm, until he bought a Gibson SG, after seeing it in a friend's catalogue. More...
James Hetfield
James Alan Hetfield was born in Downey, CA (a suburb of Los Angeles) on August 3, 1963, to Christian Science parents, a religion he would dismiss later on. During high school he started to play drums but quickly changed to the guitar His main influence was Aerosmith, and he has said that they were the reason why he wanted to play guitar. Other bands such as Black Sabbath, The Beatles, Queen, Led Zeppelin and Thin Lizzy also had a major influence on him.Together with Drummer Lars Ulrich he formed the future biggest Metalband of the World METALLICA as a contrary to the dominating glam Metal movement. Ulrich turned Hetfield on to the sounds of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement (Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Diamond Head, Venom, Saxon, Angel Witch, etc). In the early days, Hetfield did not have an interest in being a lead vocalist, that is... More...
Frank Marino
He was born Francesco Antonio Marino on November 20, 1954 in Montreal, Canada. Half Italian and half Arab, Frank is one of five children. He grew up in the time of peace and hippie movement, therefore he only spent seven years in school. It was during those days that his experimentation with LSD would lead him to what was later to become the definition of his life.
The name Mahogany Rush, was a description of a certain sensation that he was having on the trip. More...
Steve Lukather
Steve Lukather was born Steven Lee Lukather on October 21, 1957 in San Fernando Valley, California. He started out playing keyboards and drums and then learned himself how to play guitar at the age of seven when his father bought him a Kay acoustic guitar and a copy of The beatles album Meet the Beatles. This is one of the reasons that Steve was influenced by George Harrison. In seventh grade, Steve formed a power trio with friend and classmate guitarist/bassist Ron Sarian. Kevin MacKenzy and Ron’s brother Donny Sarian switched off on drums. In this band, Steve made his first studio recording in 1970 when he was twelve. It was a single with two songs on it, Grass, written by Ron and Leave It written by Steve Lukather himself. More...
Allan Holdsworth
Allan Holdsworth, born August 6, 1946 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, is son of a skilled amateur musician, that in early ages was taught music theory and began to play the saxophone, but switched to guitar at age 17, probably due to the lack of work for saxophone-players at that time. He states Django Rheinhardt and Wes Montgomery as his first role models, but the biggest impact on him was actually horn players like John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley. He stated in an interview that when John Coltrane died, he locked himself into the bathroom and cried for hours. Influences also included Charlie Christian, Joe Pass and Eric Clapton. Rumours had always told that Alan was a violin-player, cause of his violin-like sound on the guitar, but that's not actually true, even though Allan bought a violin from a pawn-shop and practiced it for some years. More...
Joe Bonamassa
Joe Bonamassa is a widely regarded American , blues rock guitarist. He has been described by Guitarist Magazine as “the new king of the blues” . He has described his influences as the great British blues rock players like Eric Clapton, Paul Kosoff, Jeff Beck, Rory Galagher and Peter Green. He has played alongside many of the greats including Clapton and B.B. King. He recently played a concert at The Royal Albert Hall in London which sold out very quickly and which was very well received. At various times during the concert he was joined on stage by guest musicians including Eric Clapton and Paul Jones (blues harmonica player ex of The Manfred Mann Group). Joe described the night as one of the best of his life and a recording of the show is available on DVD. More...
Slash
Saul Hudson, or as most people call him, the legendary Slash, was born July 23, 1965, in West Hampstead, London, England. He was born to Tony and Ola Hudson, and has a younger brother, Albion Hudson. Most people know him as the former lead guitarist of the famous band Guns N' Roses, and is now currently shredding with Velvet Revolver. He is heralded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. (...) Saul Hudson was born on July 23, 1965 in West Hampstead, London, England. His African-American mother, Ola Hudson, worked as a costume designer for David Bowie among many other actors and musicians, and his British father, Anthony Hudson, was an artist who created album covers for musicians such as Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. His mother, Ola Hudson, died on June 5, 2009, from lung cancer. More...
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is born on the 24th of may in 1941 in Minnesota with the name Robert Allen Zimmerman. He is an american Folk- and Rock-musician, painter and also a poet. He plays the guitar, the piano, the harmonica and sings. He is said to be one of the most important musician of the 20th century. He began in the 1950s with Folk-music and turned in the mid-1960s to Rockmusic. Besides his music, the lyrics he wrote a very special; as they were influcend by the Folkmusician Woody Guthrie in his early times, they were influenced later on by symbolist poets like Charles Daudelaire, Arthur Rimbaud and Dylan Thomas. But since the end of the 70s the bible became an growing influcene on his writings. His oeuvre has – as his real life has – changed very often and there are many bursts in his works, that the audience did not like all times but have all times been a new source of inspiration for him – an handi n hand for the whole modern music. More...
Jennifer Batten
The 80’s was the time of the male dominated ‘Shred’ genre of Guitar Playing, but with one notable exception……… The fleet-fingered and digitally dexterous Jennifer!!!
Jennifer was born in Upstate New York. She got her first Guitar at age 8, having been inspired by her sister who already owned one. Other big influences from around that time were The Beatles and The Monkees. At age 9 her Family relocated and she found herself in San Diego, California.
In 1979 Jennifer enrolled at the Guitar Institute of Technology. It was here that she met and became good friends with another aspiring student Steve Lynch (later of Autograph) and it was through him that her interest in the newly practiced form of ‘Two Handed Tapping’ was acquired. More...
Zakk Wylde
Born on the 01.14.1967 in Bayonne, New Jersey as Jeffery Philip Wielandt, Zakk Wylde has become a great influence in the Music world. He started playing guitar at the year of 8 but lost interest and picked the guitar up again at the age of 14 after trying out his friends Les Paul with a Big Muff Distortion Pedal. First he covered Black Sabbath and ZZ Top songs with his band Stone Henge, at High school he joined several other bands, including Zyris. While he was with Zyris he changed his name to Zachary Wyland. Without any hope of success he applied to the post of the replacement of Jake E. Lee in Ozzy Osbourne's band More...
Jaco Pastorius
Jaco Pastorius (born John Francis Pastorius III) was one of the most influential electric bass players in all times. He inspired a whole generation of bass players with his unique sound and an extremely good technique. He is most known for his work with fusion pioneers Weather Report and his own band Word of Mouth. He was killed in a bar fight 1987, and is an all-time legend amongst all serious bass-players. He was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania on December 1, 1951, but the family moved to Fort Lauerdale, Florida when he was about 7 years old. He died September 21, 1987 after the injurys in the bar fight. More...
Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly was one of the early pioneers of rock and roll, along with Chuck Berry he helped shape the future of modern music, paving the way for The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones and all that followed. Whereas Elvis had a great voice and stage presence, he was mot a great instrumentalist or songwriter. Holly was among the first to concern himself with all aspects of his music, including recording. He was a prolific songwriter and though equipment was primitive at the time his guitar playing was innovative and along with Chuck Berry he can be credited with making the guitar the most important instrument in all genres of modern music. More...
Steve Stevens
Born in Brooklyn, New York on May 5th, 1959, Steve Stevens is a Songwriter and Guitarist. His real name is Steven Schneider. As a Guitarist he is more well known for his position in playing alongside such people as Billy Idol, Michael Jackson and Motley Crue's Vince Neil. Although he has also performed in his own, critically acclaimed, solo projects, notably Flamenco-a-go-go and The Atomic Playboys and also collaborations such as:- Bozzio Levin Stevens, a.k.a. Black Light Syndrome. He is still sought after and held in high regard as a Session Guitarist. More...
Pat Metheny
Pat Metheny is one of the leading voices in the field of contemporary jazz, and had also made a great success in the fusion genre, written music for film scores and collaborated with most of the great jazz musicians of our time. He is regarded as creme a'la creme amongst musicians, and has a distinguished sound and an unique composition style. He has been awarded 17 Grammys in different genres during the years (10 for PMG) , and is still touring between 120-240 day's a year. More...
Glenn Hughes
I'm proud to announce we have a new wiki:er, Staffy! Here's on of his articles:
Glenn Hughes (bass/vocals) was born 21 august 1951 in Cannock, Staffordshire, England. He is most known as a member of the legendary hard rock band Deep Purple between 1973-75, but has made several solo albums as well as beeing the lead singer of Black Sabbath between 1985-86. Glenn is possibly more known for his vocal abilities rather than his bass playing and is, as stated on his homepage, considered a "singer's singer" amongs other players. More...
John "Sco" Scofield
John "Sco" Scofield is stated as one of the "Big Three", now living jazz guitar players. Along with Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell he has pioneered the sound of modern jazz since the seventies, influented by soul, blues and fusion. Considering himself as a post-modern be-bop player, he states that Joe Henderson is one of his role models. His sound as well as phrasing and bluesy influences, makes him an unmistakeable voice in the art of jazz. After his work with Miles Davis he won the Down Beat 's International Critics Poll in 1986, both matters leading to international fame and recognizion as one of the top players around. John is married to... More...
John Williams
John Williams is a classical guitarist of note and should not be confused with the other John Williams who composes music for countless movies. John is probably best known for his version of Cavatina played on classical guitar which was a massive hit and was used as the theme song to the film The Deer Hunter starring Robert De Niro and for his work with the rock/classical fusion band Sky. More...
Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck is an innovative English rock/blues/fusion guitarist, who has released 24 albums on his own or in the different bands he has taken part in. He has won four Grammy Awards, is ranked 14th on Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time" list, and belongs to the "Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame" due to his career along with "The Yardbirds" . [...] Geoffrey Arnold Beck, known as Jeff Beck, was born on 24th June 1944 in Wallington, England. He grew up listening to the radio and hearing his mother play piano, and he tried to build his own guitars until he bought his first real electric guitar. After leaving school he went through several jobs like decorator and car painter before starting to work as a session musician. More...
Ace Frehley
Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley, born April 27, 1951,is an American guitarist best known as an original member and lead guitarist for the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of 'Spaceman' when the band adopted costumes and theatrics. Frehley played with the group from its inception in 1973 until his departure in 1982. After leaving Kiss, Frehley embarked on a moderately successful solo career, which was put on hold when he rejoined Kiss in 1996 for a highly successful reunion tour. His second tenure with Kiss lasted until 2002, when he left at the conclusion... More...
Les Paul
**Rest in Peace**
Lester William Polfus (born on June 9,1915 in Waukesha, Wisconsin),better known as Les Paul is an American guitarist. He is known to be one of the most important figures in the development of modern electric guitars and recording techniques. Les Paul is also known as a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar, Multitrack Recording, and various reverb effects. Most people mistake him with his biggest invention: The Gibson Les Paul solidbody guitar. More...
Adrian Vandenberg
Born in Netherlands, on January 31st 1954. He started playing guitar at the age of 17 and is best known for his time with the legendary band Whitesnake fronted by ex-Deep Purple singer David Coverdale. His style is versatile and can shred with the best, yet also he`s melodic, playing with great feel and expression. [...]Once joining Whitesnake he helped to complete the 1987 album, after a successful World Tour he co-wrote all of the music for Whitesnakes "Slip of the Tongue" album, unfortunatly Vandenburg was never to play... More...
Michael Angelo Batio
Michael began his recording career with a group called Holland and their first album called Little Monsters was met with moderate success. He is the Most famous for his solo records such as No Bounderies Batio is also known for the fact that he taught Tom Morello while attending college. He also supposedly gave lessons to guitarist Mark Tremonti. Michael Angelo Batio is an incredible guitarist and is well know for using guitars with two necks and sometimes even four necks. I dont think I could ever do that myself... He often uses a custom dean guitar. More...
Steve Vai
Steven "Steve" Siro Vai, born June 6 1960, is a famous guitarist and composer. He is famed for his incredible technique and extremely fast shredding. In 1974 Steve took guitar lessons from fellow guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani. He attended the Berklee College of Music and toured with Frank Zappa. Steve Vai often tours with Joe Satriani, his former guitar teacher, on the G3 tour. Vai has performed on the tour from 1996-1997 and 2000-2006. More...
Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson is a guitarist and songwriter born August 17, 1954 in Austin Texas, USA. Although best known for his solo work, Eric Johnson is also associated with other projects and appearing on many other records such as "Distant Star" by Steve Morse and "The Washing Away of Wrong" by John5. Eric Johnson has been widely appraised for his guitar skills by many guitar magazines including Guitar World and Total Guitar as well as other well known guitar players such as Joe Satriani, Allan Hodsworth, Steve Morse, B.B King and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Eric Johnson has also appeared on the G3 tour with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. More...
Paul Gilbert
Carbondale, Illinois, that's the name of Paul Gilbert´s hometown and there is where he was born (6th november 1966). Paul first picked up a guitar at the age of 5, even though it only was a toy guitar it surely started his interest for music. His main influences back then were bands such as The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. Another huge influence he had was his blues-playing uncle, Jimi Kidd.
Today Paul is not only one of the fastest metal guitar players out there but also considered to be among the most technical ones. More...
Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton "Slow Hand" is a famous English guitarist, singer and composer. He excels in blues, and was ranked nº4 in Rolling Stone's "100 Guitarists of all time". He has released or taken part in over 50 different albums, either on his own or in the different formations he has taken part in his large career. He also belongs to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame three times: for Cream, The Yardbirds and his solo albums. He is nº53 in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". On top of that, he also belongs to the Order of the British Empire (CBE). Eric Clapton was born in Ripley, England, in 1945. His father abandoned his mother and he never got to meet him. Later on, his mother left him to be raised by his grandparents. He started playing guitar at the age of 13, he was self-taught... More...
Bradley Nowell
Music was an important part of Nowell's upbringing. Nowell's mother, Nancy Nowell-Watilo, had perfect pitch, which Bradley himself inherited, and Brad's father, Jim Nowell, was fond of Jimmy Buffett and often played guitar during family gatherings. On holidays, Brad often played guitar and sang with his father and uncles for hours. Brad was often able to play a song on the guitar after hearing it only once. Bradley grew up with the stigma of attention deficit disorder and the associated (incorrect) assumption that he wasn’t very clever. Coupled with his parents’ divorce made for a difficult childhood. More...
Vivian Campbell
Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland 1962 on August 25th full name : Vivian Partick Campbell Biggest influence , Gary Moore, Vivian`s style in early years reflects that of Garys in many ways, lightening speed with pinpoint accuracy. Joined his first band in 1978 at the age of 16, "Sweet Savage" , he was to tour as a support act with Thin Lizzy and Motorhead, whilst on tour he had attracted some attention from bass player Jimmy Bain who was forming a band with rock legend singer Ronnie James Dio & drummer Vinnie Appice. Dio required a power metal guitarist, and Vivian at the age of 19 was asked to audition. More...
Kirk Hammet
He was born in San Francisco to a Filipino mother and an Irish Merchant Marine father. As a child and teenager, he showed great interest in his older brother Rick's extensive collection of guitars and hard rock records, including material by Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Status Quo, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and UFO. One of his biggest influences was Jimi Hendrix. He took up the guitar for the first time at the age of fifteen.Hammett's musical interests eventually drew him into the fledgling thrash metal genre. In 1982, he formed the group Exodus with vocalist Paul Baloff, guitarist Gary Holt, bassist Geoff Andrews, and drummer Tom Hunting. More...
