Damian Fanelli
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, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums (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.
Latest articles by Damian Fanelli

The Gibson ES-345 Marty McFly played in Back to the Future was actually from the future
By Damian Fanelli published
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
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's 10 greatest guitar moments
By Damian Fanelli published
Dig deep into SRV's six-string artistry with our compilation of his finest performances

Don Felder: "The Eagles never played three Les Pauls. It just turns into a big train wreck"
By Damian Fanelli published
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
This issue also stars Meshuggah, Korn, Robin Trower, the Black Keys, home recording gear and the life and times of the MXR Dyna Comp!

15 of the best songs played with a capo
By Damian Fanelli last updated
Must-hear tracks that make use of this essential guitar accessory

Warren DeMartini, Steve Stevens, Lita Ford and an all-star panel share their guitar highlights of the ‘80s
By GuitarWorld Staff last updated
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
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
Plus! The night Richie Faulkner almost died, Exodus' Gary Holt proves there's life after Slayer, Kirk Hammett's solo debut and more

Eric Clapton, George Harrison and the Beatles: a guide to nearly 50 years' worth of studio collaborations
By Damian Fanelli last updated
17 highlights from five decades’ worth of Clapton/Fab Four studio collaborations – besides While My Guitar Gently Weeps

The guitar gear behind the Beatles' Let It Be sessions
By Damian Fanelli last updated
The instruments beloved of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison

11 essential Willie Dixon covers
By Damian Fanelli published
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
The Who's John Entwistle died 21 years ago. Listen to this thunderous example of his talent…

Randy Rhoads’ greatest guitar solos
By Nick Bowcott published
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
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
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
Also in this issue: Ghost, the amazing history of Ibanez guitars, Joe Bonamassa's rut-busters, Fender's Meteora HH reviewed and more

Vote for the hottest guitarist in the world right now
By Damian Fanelli published
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
Also in this issue: Body Count's Ice-T and Ernie C, Big Thief, Big Wreck, an exclusive Joe Bonamassa lesson and more

30 instrumental masters, starring Tosin Abasi and Joe Satriani – only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
Also in this issue: Animals As Leaders, the world's first official look at Line 6's new DL4 MkII, John McLaughlin, Eddie Phillips, Volbeat, Khemmis, Squeeze and more

Guitar shopping with Slash, Glenn Tipton unleashed, Robert Fripp's best and more – only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
Also in this issue: At the Gates, an overdrive-pedal overload, PRS Guitars' new SE Silver Sky, those dashing new Maestro pedals and more

From Steve Vai to Cobra Kai, plus an exclusive Frank Zappa flashback – only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
Also in this issue: Alex Lifeson, Gov't Mule, B.B. King's tone secrets, Joe Bonamassa's new column and more

Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales and 2021's best new gear, albums, solos and riffs – only in the new Guitar World
By Damian Fanelli published
Also in this issue: 2021's biggest guitar news, Dead Kennedys tone secrets, Jimmie Vaughan, the lost sibling of Kirk Hammett's "Greeny" Les Paul and more
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