Steven Rosen

Steven Rosen

Steve Rosen has been writing about the denizens of rock and roll for five decades. His stories have appeared in Guitar World, Guitar Player, Rolling Stone, Creem, Circus, Playboy, Classic Rock, Mojo, the Los Angeles Times, Musician, Drum! and many, many others. 

Along the way, he has published nine books including biographies of Black Sabbath, Randy Rhoads, Free/Bad Company, Bruce Springsteen and others.

In 2022, he self-published Tonechaser – Understanding Edward: My 26-Year Journey with Edward Van Halen, which is now in its third printing. Most recently, he wrote The Original Punk – Jeff Beck Stories: From Yardbird to the Guitar Shop about the late and legendary guitarist.

Latest articles by Steven Rosen

Jimmy Page performs onstage with the Firm at the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey on May 9, 1985
With Led Zeppelin over, Jimmy Page returned to the Telecaster, and embraced a particular, beloved mod

By Jackson Maxwell Published

After a few years slightly adrift, the guitar god found his way back into arenas with the Firm in 1985, and leaned on some new tools along the way

Guitarists
[L-R] Ozzy Osbourne and Jake E. Lee
Jake E. Lee on how he nearly lost the Ozzy Osbourne gig, why he considers using the whammy bar "cheating" and the pressures of replacing Randy Rhoads

By Steven Rosen Published

In this classic 1986 Guitar World interview, Lee reveals what he likes (and dislikes) about Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin, what he thinks of Eddie Van Halen, and how being late to his audition very nearly cost him his place in the Ozzy lineup

Artists
Les Paul (left) on stage with Eddie Van Halen at Fat Tuesdays in New York City
Eddie Van Halen interviews Les Paul about his friendship with Leo Fender, the SG, and his favorite Les Paul model of all time

By Steven Rosen Published

In this 1986 classic from the GW archives, the guitar pioneer also reveals why he was relieved when Fender released the Broadcaster model in 1950

Guitarists
Ace Frehley (left) and Slash
Ace Frehley and Slash on their love of the Les Paul, British blues-rock, and their unique approaches to the guitar

By Steven Rosen Published

In this 2016 GW cover story, the two rock legends discuss how they came together for a raucous Thin Lizzy cover, and how they feel about their status as guitar heroes

Artists
Angus Young performs with AC/DC at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan on November 17, 1983
AC/DC's Angus Young: "I liked the SGs because they were light. I tried Fenders but they were too heavy and they just didn't have the balls"

By Steven Rosen Published

In his first GW interview from 1984, AC/DC's lead guitar dynamo discusses his beloved #1 SG and why you can't beat a Marshall hundred-watt stack

Bands
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Jimmy Page in the Eighties: The Firm Guitarist Talks Teles, ARMS Concerts, Live Aid and Eddie Van Halen in 1986 Interview

By Steven Rosen Published

Guitarists
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Supreme Shredder John 5 Discusses His Demanding New Album, 'Season of the Witch'

By Steven Rosen Published

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