Rich Davenport
Rich Davenport is guitarist and vocalist with punk/ska punk/punky reggae merchants Vicious Bishop, and is a former member of Radio Stars, Atomkraft, and Martin Gordon’s Mammals. He swears by Orange amps and pedals, which is entirely appropriate for a ginger. In addition to making loud noises, he’s also written about loud noises for Classic Rock, Record Collector, Vive Le Rock, and Rock Candy. He’s interviewed such six-stringers as Ritchie Blackmore, Joe Bonamassa, Michael Schenker, Ty Tabor (Kings X), Peter Tork (The Monkees), Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy), Pat McManus, Steve Hunter (Alice Cooper, Lou Reed), Ed King (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Vivian Campbell (Dio, Def Leppard), George Lynch (Dokken), Steve Lukather (Toto) and Lita Ford.
Latest articles by Rich Davenport

By Rich Davenport Published
Scott Gorham has long been the public face of Thin Lizzy. Now, Brian Robertson, the man behind Lizzy’s trademark six-string harmonies, gives us his perspective on the band’s classic era

By Rich Davenport Published
The British rock pioneers have survived almost continuously since 1968, partly because of their ability to choose the right players to stand in Ritchie Blackmore’s place

By Phil Weller Published
Robertson wasn’t filled with confidence when Gorham first joined the band

By Phil Weller Published
Robertson’s ill-fated stint in the band was short, but Jeff Beck helped him introduce an oddball instrument into their lore

By Rich Davenport Published
From a 17-year-old prodigy to a future stadium-conquering guitar superstar, Ronnie James Dio had a dream team of six-string sidekicks over the course of his solo career – and their contributions to his catalog should be essential listening for any aspiring metal guitarist

By Rich Davenport, Per Olsson Published
Half of the classic-era twin guitar attack discusses how the iconic sound was built, his relationships with his bandmates after he left, his forensic approach to modding Kirk Hammett Les Pauls to look like Peter Green’s Greeny, and why he couldn’t play the real thing

By Matt Owen Published
Robertson left Thin Lizzy amid conflict with Phil Lynott and a serious hand injury – but came back as a session hand on future albums and tours

By Rich Davenport Published
It’s wrongly said he didn’t play on his band’s first two albums. Aware of his “clumsy” approach to solos, he took lessons from the guitarist brought in to speed up the process – and it all came right on their third release

By Rich Davenport Published
Having served in Skynyrd as a pre-fame member and later as a crucial part of their reunion, Medlocke has more insight into the idiosyncrasies and genius of each of the band's six-string aces than just about anyone

By Rich Davenport Published
Flown in at short notice after Rhoads' death, the Irish Strat magician would soon leave Ian Gillan, Phil Lewis, and Tracii Guns – among many others – with blown minds

By Rich Davenport Published
The late guitarist went from hard-rock hijinks to a well-respected session career, and had skills and stories – a smoke with Johnny Depp in full Jack Sparrow dress, a 9 a.m. whiskey with Keith Richards – aplenty, but always remained humble and easy-going

By Rich Davenport Published
The German hard rock juggernaut's song-focused approach has required their guitarists to showcase their distinctive styles with a concise blend of taste and technique appropriate to the setting

By Rich Davenport Published
The Bluesbreakers remained a unique force in British blues throughout the decade, thanks to its late leader’s unfailing ability to pick breathtaking bandmates

By Rich Davenport Published
Koss had to teach him the basics of reggae guitar as he waited for a cab to the studio. A couple of hours later he’d tracked the solos for Marley classic Natty Dread
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
