http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/celebrity_player_news celebrity, celebrities, celebrity player, celebrity players en-us news@modernguitars.com 2008-04-23T17:10:46-06:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/004361.html by Steven Rosen. The year is 1983. Six albums ago (including the one yet to be released), Van Halen, the group, released its first record - Van Halen. It was dramatic, intense and bold. Within the 11 tracks was a feeling of "This is an important statement." It was. The energy, passion and technique of guitarist Edward Van Halen set the band apart from hordes of others, and now with the Pasadena-raised quartet about to release its sixth record, it is obvious that Edward stands as the main catalyst of the electric guitar's ascendancy in the '80s. Still staggering from the effects of the US Festival (1983), Van Halen sits in his home nestled in the Hollywood Hills feeling bitter about the performance. Ultimately, the show will be viewed as one of the grandest rock 'n' roll fests in history, but in the following conversation guitarist Van Halen clears the cobwebs, sheds real light on the concert, and describes the work thus far on the band’s upcoming album. This one will be called 1984... 4361@http://www.modernguitars.com/ Feature Stories 2008-04-23T17:10:46-06:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/004097.html by Steven Rosen. The weekend had all the earmarks of a lost one. Sleepless nights spent wondering if the next day would produce the promised sitting with guitarist and composer Jimmy Page. There were words of illusory wisdom containing hope but having little to do with reality: “It looks like it’s going to happen tomorrow,” as espoused by Firm manager Phil Carson. But after a delay of two days (a mere trifle really when one considers I waited five days to see him when I interviewed Page in 1977), the meeting took place. Jimmy looked tired but spry. He smiled, exchanged greetings and looked at a photo he and I had taken during our first encounter nearly ten years ago. Remembering that tête-à-tête, his body seemed to relax. Phil Carson had explained Page’s usual aversion to interviews as a reaction to past “hatchet jobs.” As I sat down to talk with Jimmy, I realized that I must have passed some kind of security check. Jimmy’s personal guitar technician, Tim Marten, was always close by. His presence was welcome and a stabilizing influence... 4097@http://www.modernguitars.com/ Feature Stories 2007-12-21T11:37:04-06:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/004053.html by Rick Landers. Louisiana-born Kenny Wayne Shepherd grew up on the blues. From the age of seven he had a guitar in his hands and kept at it until five years later he was on stage with Jump Street Five blues group guitarist Bryan Lee. At 17, Kenny produced his first album, Ledbetter Heights, that sat at the Number 1 spot on Billboard’s chart for five months earning a Gold Certification. The album tracks were both hot and soulful, reflecting a love of rock ‘n’ roll and his deep appreciation for Chicago,Texas and Delta blues. Blazing onto the charts during the 1990s, Kenny was considered a young prodigy with some talk of his filling the boots of the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan. Shepherd would soon enough earn four No. 1 blues album spots and a series of blues-rock hit singles. He gathered up a couple of Billboard Music Awards and later was recognized for his contributions to music in 1998 and 2001 by the Gibson Guitar Corporation when he was presented the prestigious Orville H. Gibson Guitar Award for Best Blues Guitarist... 4053@http://www.modernguitars.com/ Feature Stories 2007-12-07T07:04:58-06:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/004052.html A new Bruce Springsteen book, For You, a collection of stories, tales and fan experiences from around the world, is now available in a limitd edition run of 2,000. Over two years in preparation and containing hundreds of stories and anecdotes written by Spring-steen's legion of admirers, as well as over 400 photographs, most of them never previously published, For You serves as a unique volume for and by the dedicated Springsteen fan. According to the book's editor, Lawrence Kirsch, “Being a life-long Springsteen fan myself, I recognized there was a pent-up desire for fans to come together and share. Something magical happens at a Springsteen concert. Each concert is like a huge family reunion, even though in all reality you actually know very few of the people there. Complete strangers connect with an immediacy that is tangible.” More » 4052@http://www.modernguitars.com/ News Archive 2007-12-07T05:21:00-06:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/004045.html From the review by Rich Murray: Like many Western musicians, the Indian rhythmic system known as Konokol has always been a bit of a mystery to me. I've heard the seemingly complex rhythmic-pattern language on many recordings, but as interesting as it sounds, the sometimes rapid-fire vocalizations (Takita, Taka Dimi, etc.) have always befuddled me. With the new instructional DVD The Gateway To Rhythm (Mediastarz Monaco; distributed in the U.S. by Abstract Logix), jazz guitar legend John McLaughlin and Konokol master S. Ganesh Vinayakram (who was a percussionist in McLaughlin's Remember Shakti band) not only explain and demonstrate the Konokol system in a way that's easy to understand, they illustrate how learning Konokol will give you a deeper understanding of rhythm in general. McLaughlin has advocated Konokol as a system for learning rhythm without drums for over 30 years. 4045@http://www.modernguitars.com/ News Archive 2007-12-03T12:16:33-06:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003756.html 2007 represents a milestone in the life and career of the commander in chief of the Black Label Society family: He turned 40 in January, his association with Ozzy Osbourne began 20 years ago, and Zakk Wylde recently discovered the secret of life. Yes, he shares it. If you're looking for an in-depth Zakk Wylde gearhead interview, this isn't it. If you're offended by raw language, click elsewhere. If you want to hear Zakk comment on reports of his sex change operation, his graphic recipe for freedom, a new Zakk Wylde Gibson guitar (photo) and the craziest thing he's seen Ozzy do, read on. Interview » 3756@http://www.modernguitars.com/ News Archive 2007-09-20T19:38:29-06:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003741.html In honor of the 1 millionth play of "Crossfire," Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble’s first No. 1 hit, recording rights organization BMI presented the songwriters with a special award at an Austin City Limits Festival kick-off party at Lambert’s, an Austin restaurant, on September 13, 2007. BMI has sponsored a stage devoted to up-and-coming singer/songwriters since the beginning of the 6-year-old festival. BMI representative Jody Williams, who presented the awards, said 1 million radio plays equals constant spins for about eight years straight. BMI collects royalty fees for a licensed song's radio airplay and use in other public venues, and distributes payments to its composers. More » 3741@http://www.modernguitars.com/ News Archive 2007-09-18T02:38:59-06:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003650.html Recent Grammy award winner Peter Frampton pulled out the stops on August 26, 2007, at the Loudoun Summer Music Fest at the Belmont Country Club in Ashburn, Virginia, but don’t let the country club part of this gig have you thinking that this was some stuffed-shirt event - not even close. It was a community mini-festival with folks showing up from the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia to listen to some superbly crafted guitar licks coupled with professional showmanship. Nearly 2,000 fans showed up with their blankets and folding chairs and kids in tow, allowing Frampton to take them back to the ‘70s and fast forward them to where his music stands today. More » 3650@http://www.modernguitars.com/ News Archive 2007-08-31T06:27:51-06:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003588.html Though he claims the nickname Caveman is the result of a physical resemblance, odds are the moniker has much to do with the fact that Kevin "Caveman" Shirley spends quality time in dimly lit recording studios producing, engineering, or mixing the likes of Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Dream Theater, and, since 2006, Joe Bonamassa. On August 20, 2007, Premier Artists (US) and Provogue Records (Europe) will release Bonamassa's seventh solo studio album, Sloe Gin, for which Shirley served as both producer and mixer. While the actual role of record producer is often nebulous and, especially in the case of a seasoned recording artist, logistic or simply titular, Joe Bonamassa is quick to point out that Shirley's contributions to Sloe Gin are concrete, serious, and artistic. "It's unbelievable," Joe says in a pre-release one-sheet, "he takes my vision, augments it, and brings it further than I ever would have thought to." Interview » 3588@http://www.modernguitars.com/ News Archive 2007-08-14T07:52:02-06:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003581.html Sloe Gin, the seventh studio album from singer, songwriter, and guitar-ace Joe Bonamassa, is slated for release on August 20, 2007. Like 2006's You & Me, Bonamassa's best selling album to-date, Sloe Gin is the result of a close association between Joe and producer Kevin Shirley whose credits include Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Rush, Joe Satriani, Black Crowes and Dream Theater. While the 11 tracks of Sloe Gin provide electric-blues-rock guitar fans ample portions of Bonamassa's signature sound and style, the new album is not essentially a guitar playing showcase. Instead, Sloe Gin highlights Bonamassa's maturing vocal ability with a shift in emphasis toward verbal storytelling and a unique blending of influences. Interview » 3581@http://www.modernguitars.com/ News Archive 2007-08-09T09:26:31-06:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003573.html Fans at Saturday's edition of the 2007 Dunkin' Donuts Newport Folk Festival were treated to a full two-hour set of classic Southern roots rock by the Allman Brothers Band featuring guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, with founding member Gregg Allman on keyboards. The three-day festival (August 3-5) took place in Newport, Rhode Island, at two venues...More info and photos » 3573@http://www.modernguitars.com/ News Archive 2007-08-06T10:50:15-06:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003565.html From the review by Tom Watson: Sloe Gin, the seventh solo studio album from Joe Bonamassa, is scheduled for release by Premier Artists Records (US) and Provogue Records (Europe) on August 20, 2007. This would have been everybody's Summer of 2007 CD had it been on shelves in early June. On the other hand, Sloe Gin isn't a summer album. It has the makings of a year-round classic that could set a new standard for recorded blues, rock, blues-rock and a few other genres not always associated with "Joe Bonamassa the blues artist". Within the first 20 seconds of the opening track, "Ball Peen Hammer", it's clear we're in the presence of something special. Read review » 3565@http://www.modernguitars.com/ News Archive 2007-08-04T09:58:50-06:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003557.html Press release Source: ABC Public Relations Scorpions, Germany’s most successful international music export, are poised to “sting” once again and are planning a frontal attack on the musical artery of rock fans all over the globe with their new album,... 3557@http://www.modernguitars.com/ Press Release Archive 2007-08-01T08:49:04-06:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003553.html Saturday, July 28, 2007, Chicago's Toyota Park -- the day and place for the second edition of Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival. It was an incredible nexus of old-school electric guitar titans and younger upstarts performing for the benefit of Eric Clapton's Crossroads Centre in Antigua, a rehabilitation facility for the chemically dependent. From noon to 11 p.m., this Toyota rocked 'n' rolled more than little Herbie ever could. The weather was nearly perfect (if you don't mind a little sunburn), a cool breeze wafting through the sold-out, multi-generational multitude. [Review includes a large number of concert photos] Read » 3553@http://www.modernguitars.com/ News Archive 2007-07-31T19:59:36-06:00 http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003548.html by Staff. Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Articles on Modern Guitars Review: Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Concert (includes extensive photo gallery) Eric Clapton and Guitar Friends Raise Money for Crossroads Centre (includes five concert photos) Aaron Loesch Ready for... 3548@http://www.modernguitars.com/ Celebrity Player News 2007-07-30T11:28:42-06:00