Fallen Legends

John Lennon

The 8th of this month marked the anniversaries of two slain guitarists. John Lennon killed in 1980 and 'Dimebag' Darrel Abbot in 2004. Both were victims of troubled individuals’ murderous designs, Mark David Chapman and Nathan Gale respectively.

It was reported that Chapman was living out a surreal fantasy inspired by the main character from 'Catcher in the Rye'. Gale on the other hand was reported as being an individual suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, and believed that the Abbot's band could read his mind and were mocking him through their songs.

It is a disturbing coincidence that both musicians met their demise on the same date, and a tragic loss to the music world. Who knows what masterpieces could have been produced if they were allowed to live on.

'Dimebag' Darrel

Guitar wise both legends were very contrasting, Lennon who was famous for being the rhythm guitarist in the Beatles was a very physically aggressive guitarist who would beat the instrument to produce his distinctive driving rhythm sections. Dimebag on the other hand was famous for playing aggressive music rather than aggressively playing his guitar. His technical style of lead playing was second to none, and has countless dedications from practically every metal guitarist not just for his lead playing but also his compositional skills.

It is fair to say that both the Beatles and Pantera would not have been the all conquering bands they are remembered as if it were not for Lennon and Abbot's involvement respectively.

I have just posted a clip of each player at their best, enjoy!

Pantera - Revolution Is My Name (Video)

Working Class Hero-John Lennon

Classic Rock Anyone?

I must admit, I was struggling to come up with a classic rock guitarist who was influential, talented and charismatic. Then it hit me, Ritchie Blackmore! Whilst his name and the bands he is associated with might not ring a bell, his music certainly will!


Many music compilations with titles along the lines of, 'Best Rock', 'Classic Rock', 'Monsters of Rock', and so on, will almost certainly include at least one of the songs he has been involved with.



Ritchie Blackmore



His playing style is instantly recognisable and he is sited by artists as diverse as Slash through to Kurt Cobain, as being a major influence. His style is based heavily on classical music, and he was one of the first players to use modes like Aeolian and Phrygian rather than the genre standard Pentatonic scales. He was basically the first commercially successful guitarist to employ non-Blues based licks in the Rock genre.

The bands he played with were mainly vehicles for him and keyboard legend John Lord to flex their musical muscles with catchy and equally challenging pieces.



With Deep Purple he brought us 'Smoke on the Water', one of the most commonly covered songs in guitar shops the world over, not that he'd be thanked for that! Deep Purple were essentially one of the first bands to make Prog Rock popular, even though many would consider their style of music too successful to be true Prog Rock. His next venture, Rainbow, was much more clearly defined as a straight ahead Rock band. The hit single 'Since You've Been Gone' is probably their most famous song, and whilst it does not show Ritchie in his full on guitar-hero mode, it is a fine example of someone playing for the song not their ego. Enjoy!





Rainbow - since you've been gone

The Results Are In... Again!

The votes are in for the type of guitar based music you would like to read about and it is a three-way-tie! Country, Metal, and Classic Rock.
To start the ball rolling I'll do a little on Country music and where better to start than Mr Brad Paisley?
His single 'Anything Like Me' is currently 2nd in the Billboard Country charts, while his album 'Hits Alive' is 9th in the Country Album charts. Brad has the amazing gift of being a phenomenal guitarist AND singer-songwriter. His songs display his playing prowess and sense of humour. With songs and lyrics that don't take themselves too seriously, his brand of pop/country always gets well received. Below is one of my favorite Paisley songs, which demonstrates all of the qualities he is known for, funny lyrics, catchy melodies, and amazing breakneck speed guitar playing! Enjoy

Brad Paisley - Mr. Policeman