Vernon Reid news and features

Vernon Reid of Living Colour in a photo studio in Chicago, Illinois December 21,1989.

“Prince liked the band. He would come see us. He would mysteriously appear and disappear, which always made me mad – ‘Damn it!’” How Vernon Reid’s expressionist shredding juiced Living Colour and won fans in Prince and the Rolling Stones

By Matt Wake published 3 November 23

From Vivid to Time’s Up to Stain, Vernon Reid’s radical solos and effects experimentalism set Living Colour apart from every other guitar band in the grunge era

Guitarist Vernon Reid of the rock band Living Colour performs at The Fillmore on August 14, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan.

“A song like Eruption is about the guitar itself, but Machine Gun is about the nation at a specific point in time. Jimi Hendrix plugged into that at an unprecedented level”: Vernon Reid names 10 guitarists who shaped his sound

By Andrew Daly published 6 October 23

The Living Colour guitar icon explains what made George Harrison a guitar revolutionary, how John McLaughlin influenced Cult of Personality, and the underrated player who “should absolutely be included within the pantheon of rock music and guitar”

“This situation is unacceptable”: Vernon Reid has launched a campaign to give under-appreciated guitar geniuses more recognition – and it’s working wonders

By Matt Owen published 27 September 23

Five influential players have been highlighted by the Living Colour guitarist – and now their online profiles have exploded

Vernon Reid of Living Colour performs on stage at The Mill on July 17, 2019 in Birmingham, England.

Forget broken guitars – what the TSA did to Vernon Reid’s pedalboard is something else

By Michael Astley-Brown published 19 June 23

The Living Colour legend had his rig torn apart ahead of a recent flight, and touring guitarists can’t believe the state it’s in

Vernon Reid announces he’s joined forces with Laney Amps and talks through his playing past and present

By Matt Parker published 21 October 22

The pairing's official announcement video is sliced up with sequences of Reid’s blistering and inimitable lead work

Steve Vai (left) and Vernon Reid perform onstage

Hear Steve Vai and Vernon Reid trade volcanic, high-wire shred licks in new studio remake of Living Colour's Cult of Personality

By Jackson Maxwell last updated 19 September 22

The re-recorded version of Living Colour's biggest hit follows the band's high-profile jam with Vai at the recent 2022 Rock In Rio festival

Best of the '80s: Warren DeMartini, Steve Stevens, Lita Ford and more on their favorite things from the decade of excess

Warren DeMartini, Steve Stevens, Lita Ford and an all-star panel share their guitar highlights of the ‘80s

By GuitarWorld Staff last updated 23 August 22

Some of the biggest names in guitar look back on the era of big solos and even bigger hair to share their favorite riffs, shredders and, yes, haircuts of the decade

Grammy Awards criticized over "15-second" Eddie Van Halen tribute

By Matt Owen published 15 March 21

Gary Cherone, Vernon Reid and Eddie Trunk voice their disappointment at the Recording Academy’s understated tribute to the guitar great

Watch Tom Morello and an all-star cast of guitarists invite you to his Guitar Revolution camp

By Sponsored published 17 September 19

Morello - along with Nuno Bettencourt, John 5, Wayne Kramer, Vernon Reid, Bibi McGill and Billy Howerdel - discuss the can't-miss guitar experience

Living Colour's Vernon Reid Shows How to Play "Cult of Personality" and More

By Guitar World Staff published 19 June 19

In this classic GW lesson, learn Living Colour's "Cult of Personality" from Vernon Reid.

High Tech: 10 Players Embracing Guitar Technology to its Fullest

By Tom Gilbert published 14 June 19

GW highlights guitarists who have embraced gear to its fullest, innovating new sounds and styles in the process.

Living Colour Announce North American Tour

By Jackson Maxwell published 5 October 17

Living Colour have announced Shade In The U.S.A, a 21-date U.S. tour in support of their new studio album, Shade.

Watch Living Colour Tear Up 'Late Night with Seth Meyers'

By Jackson Maxwell published 12 September 17

Monday night, September 11, Living Colour gave viewers of Late Night with Seth Meyers a taste of their new album, Shade, with a ferocious performance of "Come On," which you can watch here.

Stream Wednesday’s Interview with Living Colour Right Here

By Guitar World Staff published 16 August 17

BackStory Events, Guitar World, Eventide and PRS Guitars invite you to join us for the live stream of our exclusive interview with Living Colour.

PRS Guitars Introduces S2 Vernon Reid Signature Vela

By Guitar World Staff published 8 August 17

PRS Guitars has announced a new limited-edition model in the S2 series of U.S.-made electric guitars: The S2 VR Vela.

Vernon Reid Talks New Living Colour Album, 'Shade'

By Gregory Adams published 4 August 17

ESP’s New Cult ’86 Is a Tribute to Vernon Reid’s Original Living Colour Guitar

By Guitar World Staff published 3 January 17

ESP Guitars has announced the LTD Cult ’86, a tribute to the guitar that helped put Vernon and Living Colour on the map.

Living Colour's Vernon Reid Demos Boss GP-10 Guitar Processor — Video

By Guitar World Staff published 5 December 14

Vernon Reid: Upcoming Living Colour Album Inspired by the Blues

By Corbin Reiff published 25 June 14

Vernon Reid, Alex Skolnick and Earl Slick Help Launch D'Addario NYXL Electric Guitar Strings — Video

By Damian Fanelli published 8 May 14