Joe Bonamassa reveals “the best guitarist in blues rock that the world has right now”

Joe Bonamassa
(Image credit: Joby Sessions/Future)

Look, we write about Joe Bonamassa a lot. We hear you. But when arguably the world’s biggest blues guitarist singles out one other electric guitar player with a definitively superlative statement, we had to share the news.

In a new Instagram post, JoBo - who is in the midst of his Keeping the Blues Alive cruise - enthused, “Our best Ballad of John Henry of all time. Thank you to Eric Gales for showing us all how it’s done!

“You are the best guitarist in blues rock and that the world has right now. Epic in every way!”

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Presumably, Gales was a special guest, since he wasn’t featured on the bill for this year’s cruise, which included the likes of Peter Frampton, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Larkin Poe, Eric Bibb, Bernie Marsden, Curtis Harding, Philip Sayce and many more.

Gales’ effortlessly fluid playing style was most recently showcased on his latest album, The Bookends, back in February, which featured collaborations with the likes of B. Slade, Doyle Bramhall II and Beth Hart.

Bonamassa certainly seems sure of his opinions these days, having named the ‘best’ guitar in his incredible collection only last week.

Michael Astley-Brown
Editor-in-Chief, GuitarWorld.com

Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has been writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist for over 15 years, and recording and performing in original and function bands for two decades-plus. During his career, he has interviewed everyone from John Frusciante to Chris Cornell, Matt Bellamy and Billy Corgan. His writing also appears in The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.