Articles by Damian Fanelli, Editor-in-Chief, Guitar World

Guitar World

Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor, and his non-Pulitzer-Prize-winning stories have appeared in Guitar Aficionado, Vintage Guitar, Total Guitar and countless other publications. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton and Ty Tabor chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas (opens in new tab), was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron (opens in new tab), a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums (opens in new tab) (one of which appears in the 2015 Disney film 'Tomorrowland' starring George Clooney and Britt Robertson). He's now in two NYC-area bands and plays Teles with four-way switches, B-benders and snazzy aftermarket pickups.

Articles by: Damian Fanelli

The 50 greatest moments in electric guitar history – only in the new Guitar World

By Damian Fanelli published 26 January 23

Plus! The truth about gear acquisition syndrome, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Mercyful Fate, Arch Enemy, the Kinks and more

Jeff Beck's 12 best studio guest appearances

By Damian Fanelli published 12 January 23

From studio sessions with Stevie Wonder all the way to a surprising reggae run-out with Toots & The Maytals, here are some of Beck's best collaborative credits

Beatles tone blowout, Arch Enemy and Marcus King – only in the new Guitar World

By Damian Fanelli published 27 December 22

Plus! Wings guitarist Denny Laine revisits Red Rose Speedway and Band on the Run, our headless guitar roundup, a new lesson by Joe Bonamassa and more

February 2023 Guitar World lesson videos

By Damian Fanelli published 20 December 22

Wolfgang Van Halen, Nita Strauss and the absolute best of 2022 – only in the new Guitar World

By Damian Fanelli published 30 November 22

Plus! The year's biggest guitar news, best new gear, our picks for guitarist of the year, the future of EVH Gear, Orianthi, Jason Richardson and much more!

George Harrison performs at the Prince's Trust on June 5, 1987 at Wembley Arena in London

George Harrison's 15 greatest guitar moments after The Beatles

By Damian Fanelli published 29 November 22

Following the breakup of the Beatles, Harrison invented an entirely new, distinctive, and often-imitated guitar persona for himself. Revisit the finest of those post-Beatles six-string moments

Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) performs onstage at the Monterey Pop Festival on June 18, 1967 in Monterey, California.

The 10 best covers of Jimi Hendrix songs

By Josh Hart published 24 November 22

A good Hendrix cover is a rarity, so we've taken it upon ourselves to compile the 10 greatest takes on Hendrix classics

Måneskin – plus SRV, Dimebag and the 30 greatest Texas guitarists of all time – only in the new Guitar World

By Damian Fanelli published 3 November 22

Plus! John Petrucci goes solo, GA-20's massive blues, Dead Cross, a new Dimebag lesson, Steve Miller and more

Holiday 2022 Guitar World lesson videos

By Damian Fanelli published 26 October 22

The Gibson ES-345 Marty McFly played in Back to the Future was actually from the future

By Damian Fanelli published 21 October 22

In the 1985 blockbuster, Marty McFly travels back in the time to 1955 to shred faces at a high school dance – but the Gibson ES-345 wasn't introduced until 1958...

Steve Vai and Polyphia team up for the guitar collaboration (and interview!) of the year – only in the new Guitar World

By Damian Fanelli published 4 October 22

Plus! When Jimi Hendrix met Mr. Spock, the life and times of Johnny Thunders, Bob Weir, Josh Klinghoffer, a new Joe Bonamassa lesson and more

Stevie Ray Vaughan performs onstage in 1989

Stevie Ray Vaughan's 10 greatest guitar moments

By Damian Fanelli published 3 October 22

Dig deep into SRV's six-string artistry with our compilation of his finest performances

Don Felder performs at the Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle Victory Barbeque Celebration Party at Hearst Ranch on September 7, 2013 in San Simeon, California

Don Felder: "The Eagles never played three Les Pauls. It just turns into a big train wreck"

By Damian Fanelli published 21 September 22

In this 2013 GW interview, the former Eagles man reveals the gear behind his tone on Hotel California and One of These Nights, and how a lesson from Duane Allman transformed his playing

The metal issue! Slipknot, Lamb of God, Machine Head and more – only in the new Guitar World

By Damian Fanelli published 9 September 22

This issue also stars Meshuggah, Korn, Robin Trower, the Black Keys, home recording gear and the life and times of the MXR Dyna Comp!

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

Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine: the ultimate interview – only in the new Guitar World

By Damian Fanelli published 10 August 22

Also in this issue: 60 wild years of Ernie Ball, Bowie's Ziggy Stardust turns 50, Mike Campbell, Eric Johnson, Korn and more

The hottest new guitarists in the world right now (as chosen by you) – only in the new Guitar World

By Damian Fanelli published 14 July 22

Plus! The night Richie Faulkner almost died, Exodus' Gary Holt proves there's life after Slayer, Kirk Hammett's solo debut and more

Willie Dixon with his upright bass and a Fender guitar in the backyard of Muddy Waters' house in Westmont, Illinois on June 21, 1981

11 essential Willie Dixon covers

By Damian Fanelli published 1 July 22

These covers – by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck, the Rolling Stones, Buddy Guy, Cream, and more – show the influence of this hugely important figure in blues and rock history

Watch and listen to John Entwistle's isolated bass on The Who's Won't Get Fooled Again

By Damian Fanelli last updated 29 June 22

The Who's John Entwistle died 20 years ago. Listen to this thunderous example of his talent…

Randy Rhoads’ greatest guitar solos

By Nick Bowcott published 24 June 22

We asked you and a string of guitar superstars such as Zakk Wylde, Kirk Hammett and Dave Mustaine to pick Randy's finest lead guitar moments, and the results are in...

28 players name their favorite John Frusciante guitar moments

By Guitar World Staff published 21 June 22

Steve Vai, Nita Strauss, Samantha Fish, Cory Wong and more weigh in on the RCHP guitarist's six-string highlights, from RHCP stadium-shakers to his solo instrumentals

The ultimate '80s tribute, starring White Lion's Vito Bratta, Scorpions, Def Leppard and more – only in the new Guitar World

By Damian Fanelli published 14 June 22

Plus! The best '80s solos, riffs, albums and movies as chosen by Steve Stevens, Vernon Reid, Lita Ford, Steve Lukather, Reb Beach, Warren DeMartini, Adam Jones and more, more, more!

Randy Rhoads: the ultimate 40th anniversary tribute – only in the new Guitar World

By Damian Fanelli published 18 May 22

Also in this issue: Ghost, the amazing history of Ibanez guitars, Joe Bonamassa's rut-busters, Fender's Meteora HH reviewed and more

Man playing Fender Telecaster electric guitar

Vote for the hottest guitarist in the world right now

By Damian Fanelli last updated 22 April 22

Get out there and vote, people!

The ultimate John Frusciante interview and an exclusive Alex Lifeson double feature – only in the new Guitar World

By Damian Fanelli published 20 April 22

Also in this issue: Body Count's Ice-T and Ernie C, Big Thief, Big Wreck, an exclusive Joe Bonamassa lesson and more

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