In May 2003, I was honored to interview Lynyrd Skynyrd’s legendary Gary Rossington. At the time, Gary was celebrating Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 30th Anniversary which included the release at the time of a new Lynyrd Skynyrd Boxed Set, ® Epiphone Guitars Official 30th Anniversary Lynyrd Skynyrd Les Paul Standard Gold Top
Michael Monroe is back with a new CD; Blackout States – a triumphant return to form since the release of Horns and Halos in 2013 and one of my all-time favorite CDs, Sensory Overdrive in 2011.
Joel Hoekstra, guitarist for Night Ranger and Whitesnake, has released a tremendous solo CD entitled Joel Hoekstra’s 13 Dying to Live on October 16th via Frontiers Music SRL.
Mick Jones, lead guitarist for Foreigner, has been rocking the world with his brand of melodic rock since the band’s self titled album in 1977.
The Yardbirds are back in action and gearing up for a Fall tour of the U.S., that will kick off on Friday, October 30 in Norfolk, Connecticut.
One of the hardest working musicians on the planet has to be guitar virtuoso John 5. He is out touring with Rob Zombie for the month of October and in November he embarks on a string of West Coast solo instrumental dates. John’s also releasing a Greatest Hits CD/DVD of fan favorite songs, and if that wasn’t enough, he is working on a new instrumental studio CD.
Like A Storm is blazing a trail across the US with their distinctive brand of hard driving metal. Brothers Chris Brooks [lead vocals, guitar, didgeridoo, keys/programming], Matt Brooks [vocals, lead guitar, keys/programming], and Kent Brooks [bass, vocals, keys/programming] wrote and recorded their second CD, Awaken the Fire, amidst touring with such acts as Alter Bridge, Shinedown & Creed.
Fifty years since they formed, the Scorpions are still going strong. Lounging in retirement isn’t really in the cards. And, for the record, their 2010 Farwell Tour announcement was a bit premature due to the resurgence of interest from a younger audience and the success of their 2010 CD, Sting in the Tail.
Guitarist Billy Morrison has a solid history playing rock/punk music including working with The Cult, Camp Freddy and more recently, Billy Idol and Royal Machines.
The Brotherhood of the Guitar found Jacob Deraps up in Canada and discovered a phenomenal young guitarist who could channel Eddie Van Halen and more on his axe. Clean, articulate sonics and an ease of playing that was as nonchalant as flipping a burger, yet as crafty and serious as a full force gale.
