Clay Marshall

Clay Marshall

When he isn’t working his day job at a music merchandise company or riding rollercoasters with his son, Clay likes trying to convince people to let him write about rock ’n’ roll. He’s interviewed Gene and Paul for Billboard, Lars and Kirk for Metal Hammer and Slash for the L.A. Times, and for a Classic Rock feature in 2016, he even spent four days in a band with Tracii Guns. His first GW clip was a retrospective on Criss Oliva of Savatage, a band whose earMUSIC catalog reissues feature liner notes he authored. He considers himself a Les Paul guy.

Latest articles by Clay Marshall

Tom Hamilton, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith perform onstage during California, Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends at the Hollywood Bowl on October 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California
On the ground at Aerosmith’s celebratory final night of California, Dream On

By Clay Marshall Published

Everything we saw at the last night of Aerosmith & Friends’ California, Dream On – from Guns N’ Roses’ emotional tribute, to Heart cameos, Tom Morello’s guitar message and a victorious Black Crowes set… and then there’s the headliner

Concert, Gigs & Tours
Chris Caffery on stage
Chris Caffery on the return of Savatage, and his guitar partnership with the late Criss Oliva

By Clay Marshall Published

Ahead of the release of a new classic lineup era live album, he looks back on working with the queen of rock and the king of polka, and admits to pride over a unique Trans-Siberian Orchestra stat

Guitarists
Dethklok and Brendon Small
Dethklok’s Brendon Small started struggling to play, so he took a lesson with a metal virtuoso

By Clay Marshall Published

Ahead of touring with Amon Amarth, Small reveals the positive side of having a dozen guitars stolen, the “perpetual motion” of his band’s shows, the best guests on Metalocalypse, and his quest for the perfect concert

Guitarists
Brendon Small (left) and Joe Satriani and Steve Vai perform onstage
When Joe Satriani volunteered to help Dethklok mastermind Brendon Small with his home recording

By Clay Marshall Published

Small's appearance in the new SatchVai music video isn't his first collaboration with the two virtuosos. They cropped up on his cult animated TV series, Metalocalypse, and have since become mentors

Guitarists
Alex Skolnick and Criss Oliva
Alex Skolnick on Criss Oliva's favorite guitar, “the Gargoyle” – the ESP Superstrat he likens to Billy Gibbons’ Pearly Gates Les Paul Standard

By Clay Marshall Published

Skolnick got up close and personal with this one-of-one Mirage when he stepped up to replace the late Oliva in Savatage. Like the ZZ Top man's Burst, it has a tone that's all its own

Electric Guitars
Alex Skolnick in Savatage
When Alex Skolnick quit Testament and was recruited to replace the late Criss Oliva in Tampa metallers Savatage

By Clay Marshall Published

In 1994, following the death of the brilliant Criss Oliva, reeling Tampa metallers Savatage enlisted then-ex-Testament man Alex Skolnick. The experience left a lasting impression on both

Guitarists
Musicians Johnny Lee Middleton (L) and Criss Oliva (R) (1963-1993) of Savatage pose for a portrait on August 8, 1991 in New York City, New York.
“The emotion of Clapton, the feel of Joe Perry, and the dexterity of Eddie Van Halen”: Criss Oliva was one of heavy music’s most electrifying guitar players – and then a drunk driver took his life

By Clay Marshall Published

We look at the career, technique and melodic approach of one of electric guitar’s largely forgotten masters: Savatage's Criss Oliva

Guitarists
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra are the biggest live rock draw in the US - here's how they did it

By Clay Marshall Published

Guitarists Al Pitrelli and Chris Caffery talk the band's history, all things guitar and the busiest touring schedule you've ever seen

Guitarists
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Steve Morse Discusses His Reunion—and Upcoming Tour—with Dixie Dregs

By Clay Marshall Published

Concert, Gigs & Tours