Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani is an American multiple nominated Grammy Award multi-instrumentalist, best known as an instrumental rock guitarist. Early in his career, Satriani worked as a guitar instructor, and some of his former students have achieved fame with their own amazing guitar skills including Kirk hammet and Steve Vai.

Satriani has been a driving force behind many musicians throughout his career and is a founder of the ever-changing touring trio, G3, as well as performing in temporary positions with other bands.

Joe's most famous albums include 1987's 'Surfing With The Alien', 1989's 'Flying in a Blue Dream' and in 1992, Satriani released 'The Extremist', his most critically acclaimed and commercially successful album to date. Radio stations across the country were quick to pick up on 'Summer Song', 'Cryin' and 'Friends'.

In late 1993, Satriani joined Deep Purple as a temporary replacement for departed guitarist Ritchie Blackmore during the band's Japanese tour. The concerts were such a success that Satriani was asked to join the band permanently but he declined, having just signed a multi-album solo deal with Sony.

In 1998 Satriani recorded and released 'Crystal Planet', which went back to a sound more reminiscent of his late '80s work. Planet was quickly followed up with Engines of Creation.

Interestingly, on December 4, 2008 Satriani filed a copyright infringement suit against Coldplay, claiming the Coldplay song 'Viva la Vida' includes "substantial original portions" of the Satriani song "If I Could Fly" from his 2004 album. The case is still ongoing at present.

Joe Satriani posing with his signature Ibanez

Satriani is widely regarded as a highly technical rock guitarist and is often deservedly referred to as a virtuoso. He has mastered many modern guitar techniques including Legato, two-handed tapping and arpeggio tapping, volume swells, harmonics, and extreme whammy bar effects.

Satriani has endorsed Ibanez's JS Series guitars, and Peavey's JSX amplifier. Both lines were designed specifically as signature products for Satriani and the range includes the budget JS100 through to the high end signature JS1000, and JS1200 models.

Joe Satriani at House of Blues (filmed by Tony Newman)

Joe Satriani LIVE Colombia Bogota August 2008

Joe Satriani Press Conference - Bogota, August 2008. Despite being interviewed in spanish there are some really great insights into Joe's playing and background here.

Photo of Paul Gilbert

This years Guitar Workshop Plus features an impressive lineup. They have announced three sessions at two locations for its 2009 summer schedule.

So far, some of this year's incredible guest artists will include rock legend Paul Gilbert (solo, Mr. Big, Racer X), blues great Duke Robillard (solo, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Roomful of Blues), bass master Stuart Hamm (Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, solo), Hall of Fame inductee Rik Emmett (Triumph, solo), multi-stylist Andy Timmons, rock virtuoso Greg Howe, acoustic guru Don Ross, drummer Mark Kelso, and guitar designer Robert Godin.

The talent on offer at these workshop sessions means they are sure to be a sellout so we'd say act fast to secure tickets.

Photo of Duke Robillard

Details of the three sessions are included below.

• Toronto (Session 1) — July 19-24, 2009
• Toronto (Session 2) — July 26-31, 2009
• Vancouver Session — August 9-14, 2009

Check out the official website at www.guitarworkshopplus.com for more information.

The shows are as follows:

• 25 Feb – House of Blues, San Diego
• 28 Feb – House of Blues, LA
• 02 Mar – House of Blues, Anaheim

Just make sure you get your tickets soon as they are sure to sell out in record time.

Jeff Beck with his original Les Paul Oxblood

Rock guitar legend Jeff Beck has been working with the Gibson custom shop to create the limited edition Jeff Beck Les Paul 'Oxblood' model.

The guitar is for serious collectors only as it retails for around £3,999. The first 50 of these historic guitars have been put through an rigorous ageing and wear process by the guitar guru;s at the Gibson Custom shop so it matches the look and feel of Beck’s original instrument.

Apparently the Gibson engineers, with their usual attention to detail, thoroughly inspected Jeff’s guitar and worked closely with him over months to create an accurate reproduction. Gibson will also produce another 100 guitars featuring Gibson's V.O.S. finish, bringing the total run to just 150 rare instruments.

Of course each guitar comes with a specially produced Gibson Custom case with Jeff Beck’s signature silkscreened on the top, a custom care kit and a certificate of authenticity.

Jeff Beck's Oxblood Les Paul attained legendary status when it was played and then featured on the cover of Beck’s groundbreaking jazz-rock album 'Blow By Blow'.

"The Les Paul has a big powerful sound that no other guitar has. It just sounds rich."

Jeff Beck

Phil Collen

Phil Collen joined Def Leppard in 1981 from the London music scene when he was asked to replace Pete Willis as lead guitarist of Def Leppard.His playing ability to play guitar impressed producer Mutt Lange and the rest of the band after he performed a guitar solo for the hit song  "Photograph" during the band's Pyromania sessions.

He quickly bonded with fellow guitarist Steve Clark, with whom he created Def Leppard's trademark dual-guitar sound.  Phil and Steve were even known as "The Terror Twins" during this particular successful part of the band's history. After Clark's tragic death in 1991, Collen was faced with the burden and responsibility of the Adrenalize recordings.  Sadly the album wasn't well received and it wasn't really until 2002's X that the band returned to some sort of form. Collen's now forms a powerful guitar partnership with Vivian Campbell, the ex Dio and Whitesnake guitarist and the band are well worth seeing live for the incredibly tight and melodic guitar playing on display.

Most recently, Phil organized a band of his own called Man-Raze, which included former Girl bandmate, Simon Laffy, and the drummer from the Sex Pistols, Paul Cook. Their 2008 release "Surreal"was received great reception.

Phil Collen Videos

Behind the scenes with Phil Collen

Phil Collen Demonstrates his Jackson PC1 Signature Model

Phil Collen Singing Miss You In A Heartbeat!

Richie Kotzen lesson featuring some great chordal work

Richie Kotzen "Feed my head" SOLO

Richie Kotzen demonstrating a funk jam

Richie Kotzen

Richie Kotzen has been heralded as "one of the best guitar players on the planet and whilst his guitar skills are superb he part of a rare breed of guitarists that actually has a voice to match. His creative song writing skills are honed to perfection and it was no surprice when he was chosen as the opening act for the Legendary Rolling Stones during their "Bigger Bang" tour of Japan.

After recording three albums for Shrapnel Records, Kotzen moved to Los Angeles and just out of his teens he joined the multi platinum glam metal band POISON. The Native Tongue was a big success and his song Stand, reached #4 on MTV’s Most Wanted and was in the Top 20 in BILLBOARD MAGAZINE.

Kotzen went on to join the hugely popular rock band MR. BIG, who are known for their #1 hit song To Be With You. In 1999, they played the Osaka Dome in Japan with AEROSMITH for the coveted Millennium Count Down. Kotzen wrote 2 studio records with MR. BIG and had his first #1 single in Japan with a song called Shine.

Richie continues to make killer solo records and tours around the world with superstar status in several countries, playing stadiums, festivals, and clubs. He has played with other well known musicians like Gene Simmons from KISS, and Keanu Reeves band DOGSTAR where he has made cameo performances on stage, including Television performances with the band on Jay Leno and Regis and Kelly. Richie is always included in books, magazines, and websites as one of the top guitarist’s in the world!

Kotzen is one of the few artists to be honored by Fender Guitar with not one, but two signature model guitars of which the Kotzen Telecaster guitar has repeatedly been the #1 selling signature model guitar for Fender Japan.

Website: www.richiekotzen.com

Richie Kotzen Guitar Lessons

Guitar World Lick of The Week Series

Richie Kotzen Videos

"Remember" Live in Brazil

Wave of Emotion (LIVE)

Scared of You (LIVE)