Review – Guitar in the ’80s Tablature Book from Hal Leonard

By: William Clark

guitar in the 80sRepresenting an impressive collection of artists and anthems from throughout this same decade is the newly released, Guitar in the ’80s, tablature book from Hal Leonard.

This textbook-sized release proudly features 37 iconic guitar-driven tracks which any rock listener would be familiar with and any guitarist would appreciate.

The 1980s are widely considered to be one of the pivotal decades for the expansion of the hard rock and heavy metal genres. During this celebrated era of rock, we witnessed the rise of many acclaimed guitarists who left their marks on the industry through a conclave of chord progressions and accelerating solos.

Such names as C.C. Deville, Mick Mars, Randy Rhoads, Ritchie Sambora, Slash and Vito Bratta triumphantly burst out onto the scene with their own respective bands, whereas established virtuosos including Eddie Van Halen only contined to pave their influence into the archives of rock history.

The casual listener may not instantly recognize every artist, however any classic rock fan knows the bands they’re associated with. Bands like Poison, Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne, Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses, White Lion, and (of course!) Van Halen controlled the airwaves with an unforgiving iron grip, but you didn’t hear anyone with developed brain cells and an ear for exceptional guitar work complaining.

Ranging from take-no-prisoners heavy metal to radio-friendly rock, this compilation doesn’t isolate just one specific classification beneath the genre, instead it compiles choice selections from a variety of different catalogs.

First, you have the definitive stadium power ballads such as Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” and Whitesnake’s “Still of the Night,” which are driven by complementary licks and engaging solos.

A broad selection of songs straight off the Sunset Strip also appear throughout the release, including Motley Crue’s “Dr. Feelgood,” Quiet Riot’s “Cum on Feel the Noize,” Skid Row’s “18 and Life,” and “Panama” from Van Halen, with additions from Extreme, Great White, Night Ranger and Winger coming in as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-NshzYK9y0

Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” and U2’s “Pride (In the Name of Love)” were two monumental hits during the ’80s, and are transcribed here with note-for-note accuracy. In addition to pieces from icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, we also find a handful of songs from within the southern rock territory, such as ZZ Top’s “Legs” and “Gimmie All Your Lovin’,” as well as Georgia Satellites’ “Keep Your Hands to Yourself.”

“Holy Diver” by Dio, Iron Maiden’s “Aces High,” Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train,” and “Wake Up Dead” from Megadeth quickly found their way onto countless mix tapes and ultimately found their way onto infinite rotation on the classic rock airwaves, and here represent the era’s somewhat close-minded stance on heavy metal.

In short, the Guitar in the 80s tablature book from Hal Leonard is a warmly recommended release for any rock guitarist, whether you’re a professional musician, a hidden-at-home prodigy or a member of an aspiring tribute band.

Click HERE to Purchase the “Guitar in the 80s” Tablature Book from Hal Leonard

  • Format: Songbook
  • Original Release Date: January 1, 2014
  • Label: Hal Leonard

Tracks:

1) Iron Maiden – Aces High

2) Joe Satriani – Always with Me, Always with You

3) Steve Vai – The Attitude Song

4) The Jeff Healy Band – Confidence Man

5) Ozzy Osbourne – Crazy Train

6) Quiet Riot – Cum on Feel the Noize

7) Motley Crue – Dr. Feelgood

8) Journey – Don’t Stop Believin

9) Night Ranger – Don’t Tell Me You Love Me

10) Skid Row – 18 and Life

11) ZZ Top – Gimme All Your Lovin’

12) Pat Benatar – Hit Me with Your Best Shot

13) Dio – Holy Diver

14) Georgia Satellites – Keep Your Hands to Yourself

15) ZZ Top – Legs

16) Judas Priest – Living After Midnight

17) Bon Jovi – Livin’ on a Prayer

18) Tesla – Modern Day Cowboy

19) Dire Straits – Money For Nothing

20) Poison – Nothin’ but a Good Time

21) Van Halen – Panama

22) Def Leppard – Photograph

23) Extreme – Play with Me

24) Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble – Pride and Joy

25) U2 – Pride (In the Name of Love)

26) Great White – Rock Me

27) Scorpions – Rock You Like a Hurricane

28) Winger – Seventeen

29) Robert Cray – Smoking Gun

30) Whitesnake – Still of the Night

31) King’s X – Summerland

32) Autograph – Turn Up the Radio

33) Dokken – Unchain the Night

34) Megadeth – Wake Up Dead

35) Guns N’ Roses – Welcome to the Jungle

36) White Lion – When the Children Cry

37) Billy Idol – White Wedding

 

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