Richie Kotzen

Latest about Richie Kotzen

Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen pictured with their Jackson and Fender guitars at soundcheck

Richie Kotzen and Adrian Smith on absurd volume, improv and how long a solo should be

By Jamie Dickson published

We meet Smith and Kotzen pre-show to talk gear, their new album Black Light/White Noise, and find a pair whose chemistry makes this a hard-rock project with legs

Guitarists
Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen, shot for Guitarist magazine

Adrian Smith on why making music outside of Iron Maiden lets him stretch his soloing wings

By Phil Weller published

In Smith/Kotzen, he’s relishing the chance to improvise and color outside of his usual lines, but admits that keeping up with Kotzen isn’t easy

Guitarists
Adrian Smith and Bruce Dickinson

Smith/Kotzen roll out an Iron Maiden classic, with a very special guest

By Phil Weller published

The Smith-penned anthem has been a standout during their live shows, and in London, things got a little more Maiden

Guitarists
Wide shot of Nuno Bettencourt performing onstage during the Above Ground 4 concert benefiting Musicares at The Fonda Theatre on October 26, 2025 in Los Angeles, California

Nuno Bettencourt on why, with his Six String Sanctuary, he’s finally ready to become a guitar teacher

By Amit Sharma published

Sponsored by Nuno’s Six String Sanctuary

The Extreme man’s Six String Sanctuary weekender goes way beyond your typical guitar clinic – and he’s recruited Steve Vai, Eric Gales, Mateus Asato, Richie Kotzen, Taj Farrant and guitar “Yoda” Rick Beato to help

Guitarists
Nuno Bettencourt

Nuno Bettencourt announces four day guitar camp – and he's recruited some big-name players to help

By Phil Weller published

Steve Vai, Eric Gales, Rick Beato, and Mateus Asato are among the guest stars who will take part

Guitarists
John 5 performs in a biker jacket with his white Ghost Telecaster – and a blue light in his mouth.

John 5 on staying true to the Crüe, pushing his playing and why he’s surrounded by ghosts

By Andrew Daly published

The virtuoso explains what made him the perfect fit for Mötley Crüe, how he’s channeling Paul Gilbert and Robert Johnson on his latest solo album, and what’s next for his signature Fender Telecaster

Guitarists
Jennifer Batten plays an Ibanez S-style during a Michael Jackson show, George Lynch plays his tiger stripe ESP, and Nuno Bettencourt plays his Washburn signature model live with Extreme.

The unlucky 13 guitarists who auditioned for Ozzy Osbourne – but didn’t make the grade

By Andrew Daly published

A procession of all-time guitar greats tried their hand with the Prince of Darkness but were ultimately rejected – sometimes for surprising reasons

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Guitarists
Richie Kotzen Signature Strat

Fender's highly sought-after Richie Kotzen signature Stratocaster has just been rolled out worldwide

By Phil Weller published

The guitar had previously been available as a Fender Japan-exclusive release

Electric Guitars
Richie Kotzen and Trent Reznor

Richie Kotzen came close to joining Nine Inch Nails – but one detail stopped him getting the gig

By Phil Weller published

The former Poison guitarist aced his surprise audition but never got a call back

Guitarists
Adrian Smith [left] and Richie Kotzen pose with an HSS S-style and Telecaster respectively.

Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen come from different worlds, but it all comes back to the blues

By Andrew Daly published

Returning with one of the hard-rock records of the year, the dynamic duo talk tone, collaboration, and the limits of technique and gear

Guitarists
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