Category: Guitar World Interviews

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitar World: Kansas Guitarist Richard Williams Discusses Bands 40th Anniversary

Kansas 2013Forty years is a monumental amount of time for any band to be together, but for Kansas guitarist Richard Williams, the milestone event seems almost normal.

In addition to being an integral part of the success of Kansas — a band with record sales in excess of 15 million — Williams’ legacy includes being one of only two members of the band (drummer Phil Ehart being the other) to play on every Kansas album.

Even after four decades, Kansas shows no signs of slowing down. They plan to release a documentary in 2014 and continue to perform as many as 80 shows per year.

I recently spoke to Williams about the band’s milestone anniversary, their hits and his time working with guitarist Steve Morse.

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GUITAR WORLD: What can you attribute to the longevity of Kansas?

I think one of the key elements was being fortunate to have songs that have stood the test of time, like “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind.” We have a catalog of songs that have become the fabric of American life for a lot of people. They’re solidified in history.

Read the rest of my interview with Richard Williams by Clicking Here!

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitar World: Dave Stewart Discusses New Solo Album “Lucky Numbers” and Eurythmics

Lucky NumbersLucky Numbers, guitarist Dave Stewart’s third solo album in as many years, is a well-crafted collection of songs adorned with key elements of blues, country and rock.

Recorded on a boat in the South Pacific with a core group of seasoned Nashville musicians, Lucky Numbers offers a window into the mind of a true modern-day storyteller.

Songs like “Every Single Night,” the album’s first single and music video, delve deep into the circuslike success Stewart achieved with singer Annie Lennox in Eurythmics. Tracks like “Satellite,” “Drugs Taught Me a Lesson” and “How to Ruin a Romance” provide an interesting perspective into Stewart’s personal pain.

I recently spoke with Stewart about the new album, his guitar work and some memorable moments he’s shared with Lennox.

GUITAR WORLD: What was the recording process like for Lucky Numbers?

In the past, I had recorded with players from Nashville at this great studio called Blackbird. This time, I decided to get them a bit shocked and like a fish out of water. So I pulled them out of Nashville and flew them to the South Pacific, where we went on a trip around Polynesia on a boat and recorded the whole album. We would literally all just be standing there in a circle looking at each other while we were recording. It was a very live experience.

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You can read the rest of my Guitar World interview with
Dave Stewart by Clicking Here.

Album Reviews, Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitar World: Lita Ford Discusses Her New Live Album, Gear and More

LitaLiveFollowing the success of her true comeback album, 2012’s Living Like a Runaway, Lita Ford took to the stage at LA’s Canyon Club to record a live performance as a gift to her fans.

The result is The Bitch is Back…Live, the new album from the reigning queen of hard rock and heavy metal.

In addition to live material from her latest studio release, The Bitch is Back also digs deep into Ford’s catalog, showcasing songs from Out for Blood, Dancin’ on the Edge and 1988’s monster album, Lita.

Ford is hard at work on her biography [set for release in 2014] as well as becoming an advocate for Parental Alienation Awareness. I recently spoke with her about the live album, her current setup and an encounter she once had with Led Zeppelin.

GUITAR WORLD: What made you decide to do this live album?

It was kind of spur of the moment. After we did the tour with Def Leppard and Poison [in 2012], I really wanted to give something back. So we jumped into this club in LA, mic’d up the room and recorded it. It’s really a gift to the fans. Everything came together like magic and I’m very happy with it.

Lita Ford (Photo: Kitty Rossander)
Lita Ford (Photo: Kitty Rossander)

Check out the rest of my Guitar World interview with Lita Ford by Clicking Here.

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Sammy Hagar Discusses New Album, ‘Sammy Hagar & Friends,’ and His Four Decades of Rock

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There’s only one way to celebrate 40 years of rock, and that’s with your friends.

Sammy Hagar’s new album, Sammy Hagar & Friends, is a collection of songs that pay tribute to the Red Rocker’s musical success.

With contributions from Joe Satriani, Neal Schon, Nancy Wilson and Michael Anthony (among others), Hagar not only looks back on his solo career, but also his time with Montrose, Van Halen and current bands the Waboritas and Chickenfoot. The new album also gives fans a taste of what the future might hold for Hagar.

I recently spoke with Hagar about the new album and got his thoughts on Van Halen, Chickenfoot and some of his best memories from four decades in rock.

GUITAR WORLD: What sparked this new album project?

John Carter [Hagar’s manager who died in 2011] had a dream of getting me to do a “four decades of rock” record and tour. The idea was to do something from the Montrose, early Sammy, Van Halen and Geffen years and write a new song from each of those eras. Write a Montrose-type song, a “cars” song from the Red Rocker era, a Van Halen/Chickenfoot-esque-type song and a lifestyle song.

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Read the rest of my Guitar World Interview with Sammy Hagar by Clicking Here!

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitar World: Michael Sweet Discusses New Stryper Album, “No More Hell To Pay”

StryperCrossStryper guitarist and vocalist Michael Sweet can hardly contain his enthusiasm when discussing the band’s upcoming album, No More Hell to Pay — and rightly so.

Not only has Sweet’s songwriting and guitar prowess matured over the years, but Stryper has truly never sounded better.

Whether it’s the opening lines of “Revelation,” the tasty guitar work in “Saved By Love” or the apropos cover of Arthur Reid Reynolds’ “Jesus Is Just Alright,” No More Hell to Pay rivals the band’s 1986 monster, To Hell With The Devil, and might actually be the band’s best album to date.

I recently spoke with Sweet about No More Hell To Pay and got updates on T&N, his autobiography and another new project he’s working on. Incidentally, No More Hell To Pay will be released November 5 in North America.

Read my complete Guitar World interview with Michael Sweet by Clicking Here!

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Perpetual Burn: Jason Becker Discusses ‘Not Dead Yet’ Documentary, His Life and Music

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Jason Becker is not your typical guitar hero. His ability to inspire goes well beyond the fretboard.

From his time spent composing with fellow Shrapnel alum Marty Friedman to his being chosen as Steve Vai’s replacement in David Lee Roth’s band in 1989, Becker was a star on the rise.

Guitar World even chose Becker’s 1988 instrumental masterpiece, “Perpetual Burn,” to kick off its first transcription challenge, where readers submitted videos of themselves performing the challenging song and Becker himself choosing a winner.

Shortly after hooking up with Roth, Becker was given the grim diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and given only three to five years to live. Although the disease would eventually take away his ability to play guitar, walk and even speak, Becker’s spirit and determination has enabled him to continue living and composing amazing music.

The 2012 documentary, Not Dead Yet tells the incredible story of Becker, a guitar legend who refuses to give up on his dream of being a musician, despite the most incredible odds. It’s a story of dreams, love and the strength of the human spirit.

I had the opportunity to interview Jason via email and asked him about the film and his music. In this interview, Becker offers advice on how to play — and how to live.

Please take the time to read the interview by Clicking Here.

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To find out more about Jason’s amazing documentary visit: http://www.jasonbeckermovie.com/

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitar World: Motor City Madman Ted Nugent Talks New CD/DVD, ‘Ultralive Ballisticrock’

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Regardless of what you think about his politics, there’s no denying the fact that Ted Nugent has solidified his place in rock history.

In addition to his successful solo career and his stints with the Amboy Dukes and Damn Yankees, the Motor City Madman has performed well more than 6,000 shows and contributed some of the most memorable guitar licks the rock world has ever heard.

Nugent’s new live CD/DVD, Ultralive Ballisticrock (set to be released October 22), isn’t just a souvenir of a kick-ass rock concert. It’s an experience — a spiritual revival, sermon, history class and rally for America rolled into one.

Nugent and his band, including Derek St. Holmes (guitar/vocals), Greg Smith (bass) and Mick Brown (drums), were filmed and recorded by seven cameras in 5.1 audio mix during Nugent’s 2011 I Still Believe Tour.

I recently spoke to Nugent about the new CD/DVD. We also talk his most famous guitar licks and more.

gw_logoRead the rest of my new interview with Ted Nugent by Clicking Here!

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Guitarist Tommy Kessler Talks New Blondie Album, Networking and ‘Rock of Ages’
Debbie Harry & Tommy Kessler (Photo: Emma Blackband)
Debbie Harry & Tommy Kessler (Photo: Emma Blackband)

Guitarist Tommy Kessler is living proof that hard work pays off.

Not only does his work ethic allow Kessler to travel the world as part of Blondie, but there’s also the matter of his other “day job.” To date, Kessler (along with Night Ranger guitarist Joel Hoekstra) has performed considerably more than 1,000 shows as part of the Broadway musical Rock of Ages.

My recent discussion with Kessler included an update on the next Blondie album and info about his stints with Broadway’s Rock of Ages and Blue Man Group. Kessler also explained why networking is so important for professional guitarists.

GUITAR WORLD: What’s happening with the next Blondie album?

It’s called Ghosts of Download, and it will be released in November. The album is very electronic. Chris [Stein, guitarist] is influenced a lot by South American music, so a lot of the songs have that theme going on. The first single, “A Rose By Any Name,” has already been released. The artwork for the album is especially cool and there’s also something else on the album that fans will like (especially those who like to read everything and go on the Internet). There’s a little Easter egg on there that they’ll enjoy.

gw_logoRead the rest of my Guitar World interview with Tommy Kessler by Clicking Here!

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

In It To Win It: Saliva’s Wayne Swinny Talks New Singer, Album

SalivaInItToWinItAfter the departure of longtime vocalist Josey Scott, Saliva’s Wayne Swinny (guitar), Dave Novotny (bass) and Paul Crosby (drums) weren’t sure if they’d be able to find a suitable replacement.

Thankfully, after a month of deliberating, the search for a new frontman led them to singer Bobby Amaru, whose arrival kicked off a new chapter for the band, one that Swinny equates with hitting the lottery.

Saliva fans will get their first taste of Amaru’s vocals on the band’s eighth studio album, In It To Win It, which will be released September 3 via Rum Bum Records. Produced by Bobby Huff (Halestorm, Drowning Pool, Papa Roach), the album not only forges the band into new territory, but also stays true to the classic Saliva sound.

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I spoke with Swinny about In It To Win It, his gear and the best advice he’s ever been given as a guitarist. Check out the interview by Clicking Here!

Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

Foreigner Bassist Jeff Pilson Talks New Starship Album, T&N and Dokken
Me and Jeff Pilson
Me and Foreigner bassist Jeff Pilson

Jeff Pilson is a busy man. In addition to his regular role as Foreigner’s bassist, he’s also been dividing his time with a host of other projects.

He’s working with other former Dokken members George Lynch and Mick Brown on the next T&N album, and he’s just finished producing the upcoming Kill Devil Hill album and Loveless Fascination, the first new Starship album featuring Mickey Thomas in almost 25 years.

Below, we discuss all the projects mentioned above and a whole lot more.

GUITAR WORLD: How did you get involved with Mickey Thomas’ new Starship project?

It started off from a songwriting angle. I was working with another producer on a project, and he ended up hearing a bunch of my songs. He also was working with Mickey Thomas at the time and said, “What would you think if I worked these songs with Mickey Thomas, who’s planning on doing another Starship record?” I loved Mickey and already had the songs available, so I said, “Sure, why not?” He started working with Mickey on the album, but things just didn’t work out. That’s when I got involved as the producer as well.

Hear the new Starship track “It’s Not The Same As Love” here

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Read the rest of my interview with Jeff Pilson by Clicking Here