Mar-22

For 50 years, millions have heard his guitar, mandolin, and banjo on hits by Elton John and a who’s-who list of superstars. We talk with Davey Johnstone about life, and his first solo album since 1973.

Chris Leuzinger’s mother spun Latin instrumental LPs under platters by Sinatra, Belafonte, Bennett, and others. After hearing Jimmy Reed and Howlin’ Wolf as a kid, he had to grab a guitar; the blues’ attitude pushed his career to suprising places.

“It’s the journey, not the destination.” Fender’s 1961 Bassman embodies the adage and how, while traveling the road to a better bass amp, Leo and company produced several of the best guitar amps ever made.

If your radio was tuned to a country station even for a few minutes anytime in the last 30 years, odds are you’ve heard the ’52 Les Paul in this month’s “Classics.”

For all of his fame, little is known about Spanish guitar builder Rafael Casana, and this guitar from 1910 may be the only surviving example of his work.

To learn about their new music, we speak with John 5, Keb’ Mo’, John Hall and Larry Hoppen from classic-rockers Orleans, Micki Free, and Scott T. Jones to talk about their latest work. 

Dan Erlewine’s “Guitar Rx” column shows us how to install an acoustic-guitar pickup, while Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” delves into the legendary licks of Johnny Meeks.

To lend a hand in your search for great new guitar music, our “Hit List” staff recommend the latest from Eric Gales, Phil Lynott, Spirit, Chuck Berry, Legendary Shack Shakers, John 5, Keb’ Mo’, Dave Specter, and more!

Our professional, reliable “Approved Gear” reviews discuss new stuff from Boss, Keeley, McGregor, Fender, Harmony, Taylor, Ellis, and Marshall. 

It’s all in the March issue of Vintage Guitar!