Only a few short years ago so many publications (NY Times, LA Times, Washington Post, Rolling Stone, etc) were telling us all that “Guitar was Dead” or dying. Since then we have seen a resurgence of sales of guitars and basses skyrocket and guitar based music once again taking the forefront in music.
This week alone we’ve seen Nita Strauss leave the Alice Cooper band after 8 years and join Demi Lovato, Zakk Wylde team up with Charlie Benante and the surviving members of Pantera for a “reunion/tribute tour, Jeff Beck drops his latest a collaboration with Johnny Depp of all people, Joe Satriani announces the return of G4 and Fender announces that there will be much more affordable models of their Acoustisonic line coming soon.
Nita Strauss- Now hear me out, I think this is one of the most important things to happen to the guitar in a long time and Nita has (whether she realizes it our not) positioned herself to be the impetus to bring the guitar and guitar based music to a demographic that normally could care less. She’s in the unique position to inspire so many more people to pick up the instrument that might not have ever thought to do so before. So, for those who say the guitar was dead or dying, this is exactly the type of thing the instrument needs and quite frankly deserves regardless whether you like Demi Lovato’s music or not.
Zakk Wylde- when there was a rumor flying around that the surviving members of Pantera were talking about doing something, my very first thought went to Zakk. Quite frankly, in my opinion there is no guitarist alive other than Zakk who could do the job and bring that music to life. The relationship Dime and Zakk had was a type of telepathy/understanding that is rare and unique. To be honest I was only a fan of the Vulgar record but something of this magnitude I will have to see this tour as I have no doubt it will be historical.
Jeff Beck- Releases “18” his collaboration with Johnny Depp (neighbor, friend and now band mate?) So anyone who thinks this is weird doesn’t know or understand Jeff. This is what he does. What he’s always done. Almost his entire career has been left turns like this. After all, this is the guy who brought us, Frankie’s House, The Flash record, Loud Hailer, as well as seminal offerings like Blow by Blow, Wired and Truth. He’s always been all over the map and and 18 is no different. Is this my favorite JB offering? Not really, but am I happy I have it? Yes. Tracks like Midnight Walker and Caroline No do the job to salve my soul and my JB fix. Would I like more? Sure. Would I have preferred he didn’t cover the old Motown track Ooo Baby Baby? Absolutely. But hardcore Beck fans know what to expect. This is it. The tour should be interesting….
Joe Satriani- Joe is bringing back his G4 Experience guitar workshop with help from a host of six-string heroes including Peter Frampton, Steve Lukather, John 5 Alex Skolnick, Eric Gales, Nili Brosch, Ned Evett and more.
The four-day event will take place from Jan. 3-7 at Las Vegas’ Hilton Lake Vegas Resort. Participants will get to enjoy “four days and nights of total guitar nonstop workshops, concerts, jamming and more,” according to the G4 website, where registration is now open.
THRILL SEEKERS, PLAYERS, STUDENTS AND TRAVELERS OF ALL AGES, SKILL LEVEL, AND INTERESTS ARE WELCOME!
Fender- CEO Andy Mooney announced that fender is now in the planning stages to produce the popular Acoustisonic line out of Southeast Asia and we could potentially see a price point between $500-$800. Not bad considering the MIM version starts at $1050.
So, is the guitar dead? Or dying? Nah. It just had the best week in recent memory… More to come.
