Finally, some good news in the world of classic rock. Five guitars belonging to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were recovered Tuesday (April 17). The instruments had been reported missing since Friday, when they were taken from the Culver City, Calif. soundstage where the band was rehearsing for its upcoming tour, which begins Wednesday night in Broomfield, Colo.
Hard-core Black Sabbath fans know the significance of Tony Iommi‘s retired red 1965 Gibson SG guitar — easily identifiable by its cartoon monkey sticker — to the band’s catalog and touring history.
As the reunited Sabbath moves forward with a new album and tour, Iommi will be armed with two new replicas of the trusty guitar made specifically for him by a craftsman in the band’s hometown of Birming
Ace Frehley may not be sharing the stage with Paul Stanley and the other original members of Kiss anymore, but thanks to a pair of new custom guitars being produced by Washburn and Les Paul, you can relive your memories of the band’s glory days with some hot licks of your own.
Suddenly band class in Los Angeles just got a whole lot cooler. Eddie Van Halen has donated 75 guitars from his personal collection to music programs in the L.A. area. The rocker teamed up with the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to provide instruments to schools without enough for students to play.
Ed Roman, a guitar maker and luthier whose famous clientele included Ace Frehley of Kiss as well as Ted Nugent, has died, according to a recent post on his company’s Web site. Roman’s age, as well as the cause and location of his death, were not disclosed.
Certain guitarists are known for playing certain makes and models. Jimi Hendrix was quite loyal to the Fender Stratocaster. Former KISS member Ace Frehley has made a good living with the Gibson Les Paul. And AC/DC‘s Angus Young has a thing for the Gibson SG.
For Nirvana leader Kurt Cobain, the electric guitar he’s probably most identified with is the Fender Jaguar. By mid-to-late September, musici