Jan-19

From collecting guitars to building custom hot rods and selling hot sauce, the Rev Billy F Gibbons has taken livin’ large to the nth degree. We talk to him about his new album, which taps catalogs of blues heroes like Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters.

Also, we take a deep dive with Jefferson Airplane co-founder Jorma Kaukonen, who today plays solo acoustic shows with his signature Martin, does Hot Tuna gigs with Jack Casady, and guides his Fur Peace Ranch music school. We also speak with Alex Skolnick, Yasmin Williams, the Reverend Horton Heat, Dom Flemons, Halestorm’s Joe Hottinger, Popa Chubby, and Shermy Freeman from the Surfrajettes.

This month’s profiles go in-detail on the ’61 “Oversized” Fender Deluxe, ’82 Epiphone U.S. Map guitar, and the ’61 Magnatone Magna-Touch 100. “Pop ’N Hiss” speaks with Billy Sheehan about his work with Steve Vai on David Lee Roth’s bombastic Eat ’Em and Smile album, Peter Kohman talks about classic flat-top cowboy guitars made by Martin, Gibson, Gretsch, Goya, and Guild. Our “Hit List” reviewers discuss the best new music, and VG Approved Gear can help you put together that list for Santa! Get ready to immerse yourself in the January issue, available now!