Richard Bienstock
Rich is the co-author of the best-selling Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. He is also a recording and performing musician, and a former editor of Guitar World magazine and executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine. He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name.
Latest articles by Richard Bienstock

Looking for the hottest new venue in town? Come on down to TheAvenue.Live
By Richard Bienstock published
The “No Cost to Perform, No Cost to Watch" platform bonds artist and fans with anytime live streaming, innovative tip jar payments

Molly Tuttle releases new cover EP, …but i’d rather be with you, too
By Richard Bienstock published
The new release finds the fingerpicking titan teaming up with Iron & Wine to cover Phantogram’s You Don’t Get Me High Anymore

Misha Mansoor announces first-ever solo album, Moderately Fast, Adequately Furious, unveils first single Parabolica
By Richard Bienstock published
The new track under the Bulb moniker finds the Periphery mastermind delivering syncopated and djent-y thrills aplenty

Watch Billy Gibbons rip out some mean slide licks – using a beer bottle – in new My Lucky Card video
By Richard Bienstock published
The ZZ Top legend’s third solo album, Hardware, is out in June

Ozzy Osbourne is “so happy that Randy's genius is finally being recognized” by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
By Richard Bienstock published
The legendary guitarist will receive the Musical Excellence Award at this year’s ceremony

Thinking about actually gigging again? Here are five great new pieces of gear to take onstage with you
By Richard Bienstock published
With live shows returning, Guitar World suggests hot new equipment from NUX, Fender, Eventide and more

Watch Weezer perform ‘80s pop-rocker All the Good Ones on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
By Richard Bienstock published
It’s the latest single from the band’s long-awaited new album, Van Weezer

Tom Morello teams up with former Styx vocalist Dennis DeYoung for The Last Guitar Hero
By Richard Bienstock published
DeYoung will release his final studio album, 26 East, Vol. 2, in June

KK’s Priest, featuring former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing and singer Tim “Ripper” Owens, announce debut album, Sermons of the Sinner
By Richard Bienstock published
Listen to the Priest-y first single, Hellfire Thunderbolt, now

Randy Rhoads to receive Musical Excellence Award at 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony
By Richard Bienstock published
Other inductees this year include the Foo Fighters, the Go-Go’s, Tina Turner, Todd Rundgren, Jay-Z and Carole King

Nancy Wilson: “I painted myself intentionally into the corner by saying I was going to do an Eddie Van Halen tribute – because then I had to do it”
By Richard Bienstock published
The Heart acoustic and electric guitar icon on her first-ever solo album, covering Pearl Jam and Paul Simon, and that EVH acoustic instrumental

Robert Fripp contributes very Fripp-like guitar soundscapes to new collaborative effort with electronic act The Grid
By Richard Bienstock published
Listen to Fire Tower, the first single from their upcoming full-length, Leviathan

Mark Lettieri goes deep on his new PRS Fiore signature model: "It really is a 'do everything' guitar"
By Richard Bienstock published
The in-demand guitarist's PRS collaboration boasts a new body shape, custom pickups and much more

August Burns Red share new version of Pangaea, now with Misha Mansoor guitar solo
By Richard Bienstock published
The re-recorded track hails from ABR's Leveler: 10th Anniversary Edition, which features special guests and new guitar solos

Watch pro-shot footage of AC/DC’s Brian Johnson tearing through Back in Black with the Foo Fighters
By Richard Bienstock published
Johnson joined the Foos onstage at Global Citizen’s Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World event

The Cult’s Billy Duffy joins with the Alarm’s Mike Peters for first Coloursøund effort in more than 20 years
By Richard Bienstock published
Listen to Paradise (Free People), the first single from Coloursøund II, now

Pete Townshend says he "invented the guitar tech"
By Richard Bienstock published
The Who legend talks finding the person to not only change his strings, but tune the guitar as well

Chris Cornell’s family settles malpractice lawsuit with former doctor
By Richard Bienstock published
The terms of the agreement, which allege the Soundgarden frontman was overmedicated at the time of his death, remain sealed

Tedeschi Trucks Band and Trey Anastasio to release live full-album performance of Derek & the Dominos’ Layla
By Richard Bienstock published
Watch Derek Trucks and Anastasio go head to head on Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad now

Yngwie Malmsteen unleashes the fury once again with new album, Parabellum
By Richard Bienstock published
Listen to intense shred-a-thon of a first single, Wolves at the Door, now

Nine Inch Nails team up with Health on new industrial rocker Isn’t Everyone
By Richard Bienstock published
Trent Reznor returns to his dark, distorted roots on collab track

Steve Vai shares “upscaled” For the Love of God video
By Richard Bienstock published
Watch Vai shred on his burned Ibanez Universe seven-string in remastered glory

Kurt Cobain’s stage-used Marshall cabinet, signed guitar and... hair are up for auction
By Richard Bienstock published
You could be the new owner of the heavily used Marshall 1960B 4x12 – or six strands of the Nirvana frontman's golden locks
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