BIOGRAPHY

Eric Patrick Clapp, 30 March 1945, Ripley, Surrey, England. The world's premier living rock guitarist will be forever grateful to his grandparents, for they gave him his first guitar. The young Eric was raised by his grandparents Rose and Jack Clapp when his natural mother could not face bringing up an illegitimate child at the age of 16. He received a £14 acoustic guitar for his fourteenth birthday, then proceeded to copy the great blues guitarists note for note. His first band was the Roosters, a local R&B group that included Tom McGuinness, a future member of Manfred Mann, and latterly part of the Blues Band. Clapton stayed for eight months until he and McGuinness left to join Casey Jones And The Engineers. This brief sojourn ended in 1963 when Clapton was sought out by the Yardbirds, an aspiring R&B band, who needed a replacement for their guitarist Tony Topham. The reputation swiftly established by the Yardbirds was largely centred on Clapton, who had already been nicknamed "Slowhand" by the partisan crowd at Richmond's Crawdaddy club. Clapton stayed for 18 months until musical differences interfered. The Yardbirds were taking a more pop-orientated direction and he just wanted to play the blues. He departed shortly after the recording of "For Your Love".
The perfect vehicle for his musical frustrations was John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, one of Britain's top blues bands. It was with Mayall that Clapton would earn his second nickname: "God"! Rarely had there been a similar meteoric rise to such an exalted position. Clapton only made one album with Mayall but the record is now a classic; on its famous cover Clapton is sitting reading a copy of The Beano comic. Between Mayall and his next band, Clapton made numerous session appearances and recorded an interesting session with a conglomeration called the Powerhouse. They recorded three tracks - "Crossroads", "I Want To Know" and "Steppin' Out" - the line-up comprising Paul Jones, Steve Winwood, Jack Bruce, Pete York and Clapton.

Clapton was elevated to superstar status with the formation of Cream in 1966, and together with ex-Graham Bond Organisation members Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, he created one of the most influential rock bands of our time. Additionally, due to his close friendship with George Harrison, he was asked to play the beautiful lead solo on Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" on The Beatles ("The White Album"). Cream lasted just over two years, and shortly after their demise he was back with Baker, this time in Blind Faith. The line-up was completed by Steve Winwood and Ric Grech. This "supergroup" was unable to stay together for more than one self-titled album, although their financially lucrative American tour made the impending break-up easier to bear. During the tour Clapton befriended Delaney And Bonnie, decided that he wanted to be their guitarist, and then joined them before the sweat had dried following his last Blind Faith gig in January 1970. He played on one album, Delaney And Bonnie On Tour, and three months later he had again absconded and finished up recording the disappointing Eric Clapton. Most of the previous band sessioned on that recording and three members (Jim Gordon, Bobby Whitlock and Carl Radle) ended up flying over to the UK to join Clapton again.

The 80s were kinder to Clapton, with every album selling in vast quantities and being critically well received. Another Ticket and Money And Cigarettes, which featured Ry Cooder, were particularly successful at the beginning of the decade. Behind The Sun benefited from the firm production hand of Clapton's close friend Phil Collins. Collins played drums on his next album, August, which showed no sign of tiredness or lack of ideas. This particularly strong album contained the excellent hit "Behind The Mask", and an exciting duet with Tina Turner on "Tearing Us Apart". Throughout the record Clapton's voice was in particularly fine form. Journeyman in 1989 went one better; not only were his voice and songs creditable but "Slowhand" had rediscovered the guitar. The album contains some of his finest playing and, not surprisingly, it was a major success.

Clapton has enjoyed a high profile in recent years with his touring, television documentaries, numerous biographies, and the now annual season of concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall. His 24 nights there in 1991 represented a record - such is his popularity that he could fill the Albert Hall every night for a year. As a final bonus for his many fans he played three kinds of concerts, dividing the season with a series of blues nights, orchestral nights and regular nights. In the 90s Clapton's career went from strength to strength, although the tragic death of his son Connor in 1991 halted his career for some months. In December of the same year he toured Japan with George Harrison, giving Harrison the moral support that he had received more than a decade earlier. Unplugged in 1992 became one of his most successful albums (US sales alone were 10 million copies by 1996). On this he demonstrated his blues roots, playing acoustically in relaxed circumstances with his band (including Andy Fairweather-Low), and oozing supreme confidence. The poignant "Tears In Heaven", about the death of his son, was a major hit worldwide. From The Cradle was a worthy release, bringing him full circle in producing an electric blues album. Those guitar buffs who mourned his departure from Mayall and despaired when Cream called it a day could rejoice once again: "God" had returned. The follow-up, Pilgrim, was a long time coming, giving rise to doubts about what he would do next and in which direction, blues or AOR. He fooled everyone by releasing a great soul-influenced album, sounding more like Curtis Mayfield than anybody else. Clapton has already earned the title as the greatest white blues guitarist of our time, but at the present time he seems to be working on his voice and his songwriting.

In 1998, he parted company with his long-time manager Roger Forrester and aimed to spend more time working with Crossroads, the drug rehabilitation centre he founded in Antigua. The auction sale of over 100 of his personal guitars raised money for this establishment. He changes his styles of rock music as often as he changes his hairstyle and spectacles. Ultimately he returns time and time again to his first love affair, the blues. His wonderful collaboration with B.B. King, Riding With The King, was an artistic and commercial success. Reptile built upon the soulful direction taken on Pilgrim. While guitar aficionados might be disappointed, those monitoring his "new improved voice" will be impressed, notably with the slick cover version of James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight".

BIOGRAPHY

Jeffery Phillip Wiedlandt (Born January 14, 1967 in Bayonne, New Jersey), better known as Zakk Wylde, is lead guitarist in Black Label Society, a frequent mainstay of the Ozzfest tour. Known for his unique guitar skills and style, Wylde has been voted "Most Valuable Player" for three consecutive years in the Guitar World magazine polls. In 2005, he was also voted "Best Metal Guitarist", "Number 1 Shredder" and received the Metal Hammer (UK magazine) "Riff Lord" and "Golden God" awards.

Wylde and his wife, Barbaranne, have 3 children and live outside of Los Angeles. He was a close friend of the deceased Dimebag Darrell since 1993, exchanging guitars in admiration for one another as fellow guitarists. Wylde had given Dimebag one of his custom Gibson guitars with the trademark "bulls-eye" design on it shortly before the guitarist's untimely death. Wylde dedicated the song "In This River" to Dimebag, citing that although the song wasn't originally written for him, the lyrics were fitting to the situation. He dedicates each live performance of the song to Dimebag.

Wylde has done numerous "guest" appearances on many albums, such as the début album for Damageplan as guest vocalist and guest lead guitar on tracks "Soul Bleed" and "Reborn", as well as Derek Sherinian's solo albums "Inertia", "Black Utopia", "Mythology" and "Blood of the Snake" alongside Yngwie Malmsteen, among others.

Wylde's film credits include Rock Star (As "Ghode", guitarist of the ficticious band Steel Dragon) and the concert DVD Boozed, Broozed, and Broken-Boned (Certified Platinum), recorded at Harpo's in Detroit, MI. It was the first time in the concert hall's history that all of the alcohol had been consumed on one night (Wylde's favorite beer is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale). He has also done a comedy skit show alongside Jim Breuer, titled "Crapshoot", which is now available on DVD.

Zakk Wylde also appeared on the tv show Angel in the season 4 episode "Magic Bullet" where he plays acoustic on the song "Mandy" while Angel and Conner sing along.

Wylde has also appeared as a guest star on the TV show Aqua Teen Hunger Force. He is a New York Yankees and New York Giants fan. He also performed the National Anthem on the electric guitar during a Los Angeles Kings game in October 2005.

- In the December of 2005, a promotional offer was posted on ZakkWylde.com, stating that anyone who bought a $100 merchandise gift certificate and a miniature model of a chopper would receive a $800 Epiphone guitar. The offer was posted by guitar company 357 Customs, thru webmaster Chad Dyer.

- On June 2, 2006, Bob Ringe, Zakk Wylde's manager, stated on the website that "357 Customs ran a promotion directed toward Zakk's fans, and [...] 357 has not delivered merchandise ordered during the promotion. Zakk has not authorized or otherwise been involved with this promotion, and has not received any compensation from it." Ringe went on further to state that he has instructed his lawyers to "contact 357....monitor this situation and follow up with 357." - - One week later, on June 9, 2006, Zakk Wylde corroborated Ringe's statement and the involvement of his lawyers in "address[ing] the situation." On June 14th, 2006, Zakk Wylde's attorneys filed suit against 357 Customs Inc. in the Superior Court of the State of California. The suit alleges trademark infringement, false designation of origin, unfair competition, false advertising, breach of contract, as well as several other counts. The text of the lawsuit indicates that it was brought about to prevent any preying upon of Zakk's loyal fans in the future and to recoup unpaid royalties as 357 Customs failed to deliver on its agreements with Zakk Wylde. There is nothing in the suit thus far to indicate any kind of specific damages to be recovered on behalf of fans who have not received their merchandise other than as-yet unspecified damages pertaining to this suit. Text of Lawsuit - - On July 5, 2006, webmaster Chad Dyer was asked to resign from the website. He admitted being hired (but not paid) by 357 Customs to maintain ZakkWylde.com and claimed that he wasn't aware of the conflict of interest.

NEWS: Steve Vai prepares new Ibanez Jem for 2009

NEWS: First new Ibanez 2009 guitars

Thomann has opened up preordering for new 2009 Ibanez guitars, and while not all the photos are on the site yet, you can tell a lot from the specs. They're talking about these over at the official Ibanez forum and at Jemsite, which is where I first heard about the Thomann links, so I figure it's ok to re-post the info here now that it's out there in the public domain.

For instance, there's the PGM401-TFB (pictured). Paul Gilbert Signature, ash body, 5-pcs maple/walnut PGM Prestige neck, rosewood fretboard, 24 medium frets, dot inlays, painted "f-holes", cosmo black hardware, fixed bridge, DiMarzio Air Classic humbuckers, 648 mm scale lenght, color: Trifade Burst, incl. case and leather strap. CLICK HERE to preorder. And by the way, check out his new CD, United States, with Freddie Nelson. It's awesome.
Or how about the return of Andy Timmons to Ibanez's endorser list? AT100CL-SB, Andy Timmons signature, alder body, 1-pcs maple neck, (AT "Prestige"), maple fretboard, 22 jumbo frets, Wilkonson by Gotoh VSVG bridge, DiMarzio Cruiser neck, DiMarzio Cruiser middle postion and DiMarzio AT1 Custom bridge pickup, cosmo black hardware, 648 mm scale lenght, color: sunburst, incl. Prestige case and leather strap. CLICK HERE to preorder.

BIOGRAPHY

It all started in 1968 when Chris Curtis, an ex-Searcher, formed a group with Dave Curtiss (no relation, note different spelling) on bass, Bobby Woodman-Clarke on drums and brought in ex-Artwoods organist Jon Lord (born 9 June 1941, Leicester, England) and ex-Johnny Kidd and The Pirates bassist, Nick Simper (born 3 November 1946, Southall, Middlesex). Nick had survived the car crash that had killed Johnny Kidd in 1966. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (born 14 April 1945, Weston-super-Mare, England) joined in rehearsals for this new act initially dubbed Roundabout. Curtis dropped out within days, and when Dave and Bobby also proved incompatible, two members of Maze, Rod Evans (born 19 January 1945, Edinburgh, Scotland; vocals) and Ian Paice (born 29 June 1948, Nottinghamshire; drums), replaced them.

Having adopted the Deep Purple name (apparently inspired by Ritchie's grandmother's favorite song) following a brief Scandinavian tour in April 1968 (where they played as Roundabout, "in case they flopped"), the quintet began recording their debut album, which they patterned on USA group Vanilla Fudge. "Shades of Deep Purple" thus included dramatic rearrangements of well-known songs, including a faithful cover of Hendrix's version of "Hey Joe" and the Joe South-penned, Billy Joe Royal hit "Hush", the latter hitting US #4 in 1968 but not troubling the UK chart-compilers one bit.
Lengthy tours ensued as the group, all but ignored at home, steadfastly courted the burgeoning American concert circuit. "The Book Of Taliesyn" and "Deep Purple" albums also featured several excellent reworkings, notably "Kentucky Woman" (Neil Diamond) and "River Deep Mountain High" (Ike And Tina Turner). The lengthy intro section to "River Deep" was a dramatic work-out of the theme from the then recently released Stanley Kubrick sci-fi classic film "2001: A Space Odyssey". This piece was based on Richard Strauss' "Thus Spake Zarathustra" and Jon Lord's classical leanings would soon culminate in a self-composed full-length work performed at the Royal Albert Hall in September 1969.

The band also drew acclaim for their original material and the dramatic interplay between Lord and Blackmore. In concert these guitar/organ duels could go on for over 20 minutes!

In July 1969 both Evans and Simper were axed from the line-up, which was then buoyed by the arrival of Ian Gillan (born 19 August 1945, Hounslow, Middlesex, England; vocals) and Roger Glover (born 30 November 1945, Brecon, Wales; bass) from the pop group Episode Six. Acknowledged by aficionados as the "classic" Deep Purple line-up (forever onwards known as Mark II), the reshaped quintet made its album debut on the grandiose "Concerto For Group And Orchestra", scored by Lord and recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold (later sir Malcolm).

Its hard rock successor, "In Rock", established the group as a leading heavy metal attraction and introduced such enduring favorites as "Speed King" and "Child In Time." Gillan's powerful silver-throated vocals brought a third dimension to their sound and this new-found popularity in the UK was enhanced when the single, "Black Night" reached number 2. "Strange Kind Of Woman" followed it into the Top 10 (reaching #8 in Feb 1971), while "Fireball" and "Machine Head" both topped the album charts. The latter included the riff-laden "Smoke On The Water", based on a real incident involving Frank Zappa and The Mothers and an infamous Montreaux concert.

Although the platinum-selling "Made In Japan" captured their live prowess in full flight, relations within the band grew increasingly strained, and "Who Do We Think We Are!" would be the end of this highly successful line-up. The departures of Gillan and Glover robbed Deep Purple of an expressive frontman and imaginative arranger, although David Coverdale (born 22 September 1949, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Lancashire, England; vocals) and Glenn Hughes (born 21 August 1952, Penkridge, Staffordshire; ex-Trapeze, bass & vocals) brought a new impetus to the act. "Burn" and "Stormbringer" both reached the Top 10, but Blackmore grew increasingly dissatisfied with the group's direction and in May 1975 left to form Rainbow. US guitarist Tommy Bolin (born 18 April 1951, Sioux City, Idaho), formerly of the James Gang and who had impressed Coverdale with his playing on Billy Cobham's "Spectrum", joined Deep Purple for "Come Taste The Band", but his jazz/soul style was incompatible with the group's heavy metal sound, and a now-tiring act folded in 1976 following a farewell UK tour.

Bolin died of a heroin overdose within months of Purple's demise. Judicious archives and 'best of' releases kept the group in the public eye, as did the high profile enjoyed by its several ex-members. Successful off-shoot bands include Whitesnake, Rainbow and Gillan. Pressure for a reunion bore fruit in 1984 when Gillan, Lord, Blackmore, Glover and Paice (the original Mark II) completed "Perfect Strangers". A whole new generation of fans discovered Deep Purple through this release and subsequent US, Japanese and European tour. A second album, "The House Of Blue Light", followed, but recurring animosity between Gillan and Blackmore resulted in the singer's departure following the disappointing live album "Nobody's Perfect" which included a 1988 rehearsal re-working of their first hit "Hush".

Joe Lynn Turner, one of Blackmore's many Rainbow vocalists, joined and gave the band more of an AOR (Adult-Orientated Rock) direction. After a disappointing Slaves & Masters album released in 1990 (though Fire In The Basement is classic 70s Purple), better sense prevailed. Gillan was re-admitted for his third stint, uncomfortably sharing stage and studio with Blackmore. The line-up remained stable while the band recorded "The Battle Rages On" album released in 1993, but Blackmore jumped ship once more during the tour that followed. The tour was completed courtesy of US guitar whizzkid Joe Satriani. Contractual obligations however, meant his tenure could only be short-term and Purple hurriedly enlisted Steve Morse (ex-Kansas, Dixie Dregs, The Steve Morse Band, et al) (born 28 July 1954, Hamilton, Ohio) as his replacement to record Purpendicular released early in 1996.

Setting off on tour again, they took a fresh look at their 70s repertoire; tour highlights were captured on the "Live at the Olympia" CD (1997) with forgotten favorites jostling for position against new material from the "Purpendicular" set. Suddenly they felt they could have fun again, and the concerts were enlivened by dropping old faves like "Lazy" and "Space Truckin'" in favour of new material and songs from the back catalogue that had seldom if ever been played (such as "Bloodsucker", "No One Came" and "Rat Bat Blue").

1998's "Abandon" album had all the classic rock attitude, nasty guitars, pounding drums and driving bass to scratch that R.O.C.K. itch. The album included a brilliant reworking of "In Rock"'s "Bloodsucker" (retitled "Bludsucker") and the Floydish-style "Watching The Sky" amongst other driving rock tracks.

In 1999 Deep Purple had a very successful tour of Australia and Europe.

Jon Lord retired in 2002 and was replaced by journeyman keyboardist Don Airey. This new line-up, which left Ian Paice as the only original member, released the stunning "Bananas" album in August 2003. Both a return-to-form and a look to the future, the "Bananas" album was well-accepted by the rock community at large.
The Legend marches on...

MINI BIOGRAPHYI

Saul Hudson, mainly known as Slash, was born on July 23, 1965, and was raised in Stoke-on-Trent. Both his parents worked in the entertainment business, his mother being a clothing designer (she did some of David Bowie's costumes) and his father being an art director for a record company. When Slash was 11 he moved with his mother to Los Angeles, leaving his father behind in England, although he eventually joined them in L.A. years later. Slash became sort of an outsider at school since he didn't really fit in with other kids. In the mid 70s his parents separated and Slash moved in with his grandmother. During this time Slash got interested in BMX riding, and went on to win several awards and money in competitions. When he was 15 he got his first guitar, and his schoolwork started to go downhill as he skipped class to sit playing guitar all day. Slash eventually got so tired of school that he dropped out in 11th grade. As he lived in Los Angeles, a city flourishing with new, young rock bands, he quickly got in touch with people to jam with. After meeting Steven Adler the two of them formed a band called Road Crew. Then he met Izzy Stradlin who played in a band with Axl Rose, and after hearing Axl sing live, he was set on getting him in his band. Soon a bass player answered one of Slash's ads in the paper, and Slash (guitar), Steven (drums), Izzy (guitar), Axl (vocals) and Duff McKagan (bass) formed Guns N' Roses in 1986. Soon enough, GNR were known across the globe as the new rock n' roll sensation. Album sales went sky high and the band was having a blast on their world tours, and during this time Slash worked with artists like Michael Jackson on the Dangerous album and Lenny Kravitz, just to name two. But after the Use Your Illusion tour, GNR decided to take a break. Slash however, needed to play music and so he formed his own band Slash's Snakepit. With the success of this bands album It's Five O'Clock Somewhere (1995), Slash told the public that Slash's Snakepit would be back again. During this time Slash and Axl were having some heated arguments about Guns N' Roses and what would happen next. Guns N' Roses as we knew them then, was terminated by the result as Slash decided to leave the band, handing all rights of the band name over to Axl. After this Slash did a few gigs here and there, formed a band called Blues Ball who played blues covers, and even brought back Slash's Snakepit as he said he would, although they didn't last very long this time either. In 2000, Slash met Perla Ferrar and on October 15, 2001, married her. It's not surprising that he wore black leather pants, a white shirt and his faithful black leather jacket to the wedding! His new status as a married man didn't slow him down, though. In 2003, Velvet Revolver was formed by the former members of Guns N' Roses; Slash, Duff and Matt (who replaced Steven in 1990), Scott Weiland (vocals) from Stone Temple Pilots and Dave Kushner (guitar) from Wasted Youth. Velvet Revolver's debut album Contraband (2004) was long-awaited and sold incredibly well. They are now going to show up on the second Live Aid concert along with many other huge artists, which will be held in London. Velvet Revolver's plans to become a rock band of great magnitude are definitely in the works, and Slash himself has earned his title as one of the greatest rock n' roll guitar players in history.

BIOGRAPHY

Full Name:

Sir Michael Phillip Jagger

Born:

July 26, 1943

Birthplace:

Dartford, Kent (England)

Quote:

"It's all right letting yourself go, as long as you can get yourself back."

Significant Facts:

• Co-founded (with Brian Jones) the Rolling Stones and has co-written (with Keith Richards) most of the band's original songs
• Has recorded five solo albums, most recently the soundtack for the movie Alfie in 2004, which he co-wrote with the Eurythmics' Dave Stewart
• Fathered seven children during two marriages and two affairs
• Knighted in 2003 for "services to popular music"

Career History:

His first band was called Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys. As a teenager, he went to school with Keith Richards, and together they helped form the original Rolling Stones. He attended the London School of Economics, but found singing and songwriting to be more fulfilling. Since 1970, he has appeared in ten movies, most recently "Mayor of the Sunset Strip" in 2003.

BIOGRAPHY

Yngwie J. Malmsteen arrived on the scene in 1983 when he emigrated to America from his native Sweden. Malmsteen created a style - an ear-searing blend of metal bombast and classical beauty that is one of the most immediately recognizable of ALL guitarists. He elevated classical chops to new heights, adding a definite European stamp both dark-sounding and blindingly fast.

"I've been exposed to classical music since I was five years old," says Yngwie, who was born in Stockholm on June 30, 1963. "My mother listened to Bach so much, and I grew to really love his music. Bach's chord progressions and melodies are the most beautiful things ever written.

"My family was very musical," he adds. "My sister played flute and piano and my brother played guitar, drums, piano, violin, and accordian. My father even played guitar."

Malmsteen maintains that his biggest classical influence is 19th-century violin virtuoso Nicolo Paganini. "I was in my early teens the first time I heard his music," recalls Yngwie," and he's been my idol ever since. I got turned on to him through a Swedish TV show. A Russian violinist was playing some Paganini stuff on the program, and I freaked. I quickly put a portable tape recorder in front of the TV to get it on tape. When I found out later what the guy was playing, I went out and bought Paganiniâs "24 Caprices," which is my all-time favorite thing to listen to.

"Thatâs how I wanted to play guitar. He did with his instrument what few have ever come close to doing. He was a rock and roller-very wild and very extreme."
Yngwie's work overflows with classically influenced playing. His Grammy-nominated debut solo album, "Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force," is regarded by many as the definitive document of neoclassical rock guitar.
"Those compositions ["Black Star" and "Far Beyond the Sun"] sort of sum up my style," says Yngwie. "There are fast runs, slow harmonies, and some really nice arpeggios in them. Those songs are like icons for me. I'll probably play them until the day I die."
Malmsteen first picked up a guitar on September 18, 1970-the day Jimi Hendrix died. "Hendrix did inspire me to play," Yngwie affirms, "but I was more influenced by his image than his music. He looked so cool and was a fantastic performer."

Says Yngwie: "I don't think anyone can actually teach someone how to play guitar. The desire should come from inside. Guitar is at a stage where one has to do oneâs own innovations. Playing electric guitar is not like playing classical violin, which has been around for hundreds of years. To play classical violin, one has to be taught the specific skills needed to perform that particular kind of music. Once you get past the basics needed to play guitar, the rest is up to you."
Guitarists with mind-boggling technique can be quite boring on stage, but Malmsteen impresses as well as entertains. He is always in constant motion, whether playing his Stratocaster with his teeth or twirling it around his body.
"When I play a song at rehearsals I often get bored with it," he admits. "But as soon as I get in front of an audience I'll get excited and everything comes alive. I'm not just playing for myself. I live for my audience-they're everything. It's the best feeling imaginable to go on stage and have the crowd love you. As long as there's an audience, I'll never lose the desire to play."

BIOGRAPHY

Name :Eddie Van Halen

Date of birth

: 26 January 1955

Place of birth : Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, generally known as Eddie Van Halen, (born January 26, 1955) is a classically-trained virtuoso pianist and founding member of the Hard Rock band Van Halen, which would now be considered classic rock. He was born in Nijmegen, Netherlands and moved with his family to Pasadena, California in 1962.

Eddie started classical piano training, and won many talent shows as a child. In an ironic twist of fate, Eddie's brother Alex Van Halen started taking guitar lessons and Eddie bought a drum kit. While Eddie was delivering newspapers to pay for his drum kit, Alex would play it. Alex eventually became much better than Eddie. They soon decided to switch instruments permanently.

In 1974 the brothers along with David Lee Roth and Michael Anthony became known as Van Halen. They were signed to Warner Brothers in 1977 and released their self titled debut album on February 8, 1978. Multiplatinum sales and world tours followed. Van Halen's prodigious ability, coupled with his home-brewed arsenal of unusual and unique techniques and unparalleled rhythmic sensibility influenced a generation of guitarists. Unfettered by formality, Van Halen's "if it sounds good, Is Good " mantra and graceful melodicism propelled him to guitar god status. He is especially known for a technique that he popularised: finger tapping.

Van Halen also played a pivotal role in getting R&B videos played on then rock-dominated MTV. He was called in to lay down a guitar track for the song Beat It from Michael Jackson's breakthrough 1982 album, "Thriller". The combination of Quincy Jones' production and Eddie's guitar work broke new ground, and ushered in yet another musical trend.

Van Halen has done soundtrack work for movies such as Back To The Future and Wild Life , and has recorded with Brian May, Jeff Porcaro, and Thomas Dolby. He built his trademark red and white striped "Frankenstein" guitar (Originally black and white) by hand, using an imperfect body and neck picked up at a discount. He created and promoted a new signature guitar made by Peavey Guitars in the 1990s. He left Peavey guitars in 2004, and started working with Charvel guitars instead. They introduced a signature guitar based on Eddie's original "Frankenstrat".

The 1990s proved to be a rough time for Van Halen. He lost his mother to cancer, was treated for toungue/mouth cancer himself, had hip surgery done to correct years of abuse fueled by alcohol, and his band went through their third lead singer.

2004 marks a new arrival of Van Halen, with Sammy Hagar back as lead singer and a highly anticipated summer tour awaiting.

Van Halen married actress Valerie Bertinelli in 1981, whom he separated from in 2001.

Van Halen has one son, Wolfgang William Van Halen , born March 16, 1991. He was named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and nicknamed "Wolfie". Wolfie has played at some of his father's concerts in their 2004 reunion tour with Sammy Hagar. Eddie named his line of signature Peavey Guitars after his son, and is also sponsored by Peavey Electronics to use their 5150 Amplifiers, which he had a part in designing.

Eddie Van Halen has introduced his new line of guitars with guitar maker Charvel in 2004, a modeled Frankenstat after his first and original guitar that he used to record Van Halen 1 with. There are 3 different types, the Black & White strat, the Yellow & Black strat, and the Red, White, & Black strat.

BIOGRAPHY

BORN: October 9, 1940, Liverpool, England
DIED: December 8, 1980, New York, NY

John Lennon was born on October 9, 1940 in Liverpool, England. When he was four years old, his parents separated and he ended up living with his Aunt Mimi. John's father was a merchant seaman and John did not see a lot of his father when he was small. As a child, John was a prankster and he enjoyed getting in trouble. As a boy and young adult, John enjoyed drawing grotesque figures and cripples. One of the reasons for his obsession with cripples and deformities was because of the Death of his Mother Julia. The John's school master thought that John could go to an art school for college, since he did not get good grades in school, but had artistic talent. He made it to art school, and was not allow to play "Rock and Roll".
At sixteen, Elvis is what was happening. John created the group called the "Quarry Man". They performed at school. One day, Paul McCartney was introduced to him. At this point, John ask Paul if he could join the group, and he accepted the next day. Paul McCartney introduced George Harrison to John Lennon. The first recording they made was called "That will be the day" by Buddy Holly.
John came up with the name Beatles for the group. John had a vision when he was 12 years old - a man appeared on a Flaming pie and said unto them 'From this day on you are Beatles with an 'A'. The Beatles were discovered by Brian Epstein in the Cavern, where they were performing. After Brian discovered the Beatles he became their manager. The Beatles released their first single "Love me Do", with George Martin as their producer. This song went up the charts the second day it was released. "Love Me Do" got up to 17. The Beatles first number one chart was "Please Please Me" written by John Lennon. This song was inspired primarily by Roy Orbison but also fed by John's infatuation with the pun in Bing Crosby's famous "Please, lend your little ears to my please,"
John married Cynthia Powell in August 1962 and they had a son together who they called Julian.Cynthia described John as "Rough, ready and not her type at all, but had an irresistible character". Since the Beatles were becoming very popular at the time, Cynthia had to keep a very low profile. John Lennon divorced Cynthia and re-married with Yoko Ono who he met at the Indica Gallery in November 1966. In 1970, the Beatles broke up also, after Paul McCartney has announced that he is leaving the Beatles. After the Beatles broke up, John Lennon went his way and he tried to send out his message out clearer. He started doing this by releasing his first solo album Imagine.
In 1972, John Lennon gave a charity concert. The concert was held in Madison Square Garden, August 30, 1972, to help improve the living conditions of the mentally handicapped children. Starting with the Toronto Peace Festival in 1969, John with Yoko did a series of rock concerts as their statement of Peace and Love, and to spotlight various social issues effectively. All proceeds from the concerts were given to the needy. This concert in Madison Square garden turned out to be the last concert John did with the Plastic Ono Band. In 1972 the Vietnam War protest was at its height. The Feminist Movement was in a stage of awakening. The concert was filled with love of brotherhood and sisterhood. Everybody joined in on the stage at the end when they sang "Give Peace a chance". People could not contain themselves and marched down Fifth Avenue after the performance, singing "Give Peace a Chance". John Lennon performed with his new band : "Plastic Ono Band".

The Double Fantasy album is a great album, which contain one ironic title songs "Just like starting over" now after John's death. John was just starting over again, when he was killed. John Lennon created the Beatles and with Paul, Ringo and George, they made great music together. John was not a follower, but a leader and was always fighting for people's right. He was a person that cared for other people and expresses himself by making different political statements. John was not only a great music writer, but also an excellent pop artist and did a lot in the Rock and Roll music world. John can not and will never be replaced by anybody. His songs will live forever in all our hearts and minds. Just Give Peace a Chance and lets work together to a great and much better world.

BIOGRAPHY

James Patrick “Jimmy” Page, (born January 9, 1944) is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential guitarists in rock and roll. He was a founding member of Led Zeppelin and, prior to that, a member of The Yardbirds from late 1966 through 1968. Before he was a member of those two groups, however, Page had been one of the most in-demand studio guitarists in England from the time he was a teenager.

Guitarist Jimmy Page did more to introduce a rock audience to the blues than any other musician. With his early-1960s session work, the groundbreaking tenure of Led Zeppelin, and various post-Zep creative collaborations, Page continued to expand his talents and expose listeners to various forms of blues, folk, and rock music.

A self-taught musician, Page began his career as a session musician, playing behind bands like the Who and the Rolling Stones, as well as British pop and folk artists like Donovan and P.J. Proby.

Led Zeppelin

It is with Led Zeppelin that Page's talent and reputation became widespread, and his influence on a generation of blues-rock guitarist was cemented by the band's first two album releases in 1969. Both albums were blues-based, building upon the work of Cream and Jimi Hendrix, with a heavier psychedelic rock sound. Both also featured covers of blues songs by Willie Dixon. Led Zeppelin's hard rock sound laid the groundwork for bands like Savoy Brown and Foghat.

With the release of Led Zeppelin III and the band's untitled fourth album, Page began mixing elements of British folk, Celtic and Welch mysticism, and strains of world music into the Zeppelin sound. By the time of the band's break-up in 1980 after the death of drummer Bonham, Led Zeppelin had conquered the music world with sold-out world tours and multi-Platinum album sales.

After Zep

Since Led Zeppelin, Page performed with both Robert Plant's Honeydrippers and in the Firm with Bad Company vocalist Paul Rodgers; recorded an album with Whitesnake's David Coverdale; toured with the Black Crowes; and recorded a pair of critically-acclaimed albums with Plant. Page has declined to pursue a solo career, releasing only Outrider in 1988.

Recommended Albums: Page's most outstanding blues-rock guitar work can be found on Led Zeppelin's first two albums and his lone solo album.

BIOGRAPHY

Began:1968

Ended:1980

Original Band Members:

• Robert Plant - Vocals
• Jimmy Page - Guitar
• John Bonham - Drums
• John Paul Jones - Bass

The Led Zeppelin tune "Stairway to Heaven" is one of rock music's most famous songs, and the band itself ranks just below The BeatlesThe Rolling Stones in rock 'n' roll fame. The band included singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones (b. John Baldwin on 3 January 1946) and drummer John "Bonzo" Bonham (b. 31 May 1948). Led Zeppelin was formed in 1968 and the next year released a self-titled album of heavy, blues-based rock. It went to #1 on the music charts. The immediate follow-up album, Led Zeppelin II, included the hits "Ramble On" and "Whole Lotta Love" and also went to the top of the charts. By 1971, when "Stairway to Heaven" came out on the group's mysteriously-untitled fourth album (known as "Zoso"), Led Zeppelin had become a supergroup known for churning guitars and mystical lyrics and for Plant's screaming vocals. The band toured the world throughout the 1970s, becoming in many ways the prototypical hard-partying arena-rock band. Bonham, a notorious wild man, died on 24 September 1980, choking on his own vomit after a drinking binge. The group disbanded shortly thereafter, though Page, Plant and Jones continued to perform separately and in combination. In June of 2003 Led Zeppelin was on the top of the charts again: How the West Was Won, a three-record set of live performances, was released simultaneously with a double DVD of rare concert footage, and both became top sellers within the first week. The band has reunited for performances a few times through the years, most notably at the 1985 Live Aid concert and at a 2007 London benefit for a charity in the name of Atlantic Records impresario Ahmet Ertegun.

Career History:

The band began as The New Yardbirds. Their first album was released in 1969, debuting their unique blues-heavy metal-psychedelic sound. Before disbanding in 1980 after the death of drummer John Bonham, the group released eight studio albums and one live album. Since then, an original album and nine compilations have been released. Vocalist Robert Plant has had a successful solo career since 1982, occasionally collaborating with band founder Jimmy Page.

BIOGRAPHY

Queen. One of the many iterations of the word includes “something having eminence or supremacy in a given domain” in its definition. The name itself brings to mind pomp and grandeur. There couldn’t have been a more appropriate name for this band. With the mix of operatic vocals, heavy metal/prog rock fusion and the most dynamic front man ever, how could you go wrong?

The band itself got its start with two members of the rock group Smile in guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. In 1971, following the departure of their lead singer, Brian and Roger formed a new group with Freddie Mercury, who had been singing for the band Wreckage. John Deacon completed the group a few months later. They released their first album Queen, in 1973 without much success. The followed up in 1974 with Queen II and had a minor hit with “Seven Seas of Rhye,” earning them a supporting spot for Mott the Hoople on their first American tour. Sheer Heart Attack was released later in 1974 garnering a little more attention with “Killer Queen”. All of this was just setting the table for 1975’s A Night at the Opera, seen by many as Queen’s best album. Rumor has it, A Night at the Opera was the most expensive album ever made up to that point. They also shot what could be known as one of the first music videos for “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

Queen quickly became one of the top acts in the world with a fan base and attitude to match. They continued their dominance with A Day at the Races, News of the World, and Jazz over the next four years. One of the things Queen prided themselves on was the fact that they never used synthesizers on any of their recordings. That changed in 1980 with the release of The Game. Ironically, that became the band’s first number one album in America. Unfortunately, they followed that up with the soundtrack to the campy sci-fi movie "Flash Gordon". 1982’s Hot Space, and 1984’s The Works received little attention in the U.S. or Great Britain.

In 1985, the band performed at Live Aid, reestablishing themselves as one of the best live acts ever, putting to bed rumors of the band’s demise. The released A Kind of Magic the following year to success in Europe, but their U.S. market never returned. The Miracle followed in 1989 with a similar fate. In 1991, Innuendo was released to critical acclaim with the album achieving gold status and peaking at number 30 in the U.S. Unfortunately, this would turn out to be their swan song.

Freddie Mercury released a statement on November 23, 1991 stating that he had AIDS, confirming rumors that had been prevalent for a while. He passed away the next day. The remaining members reunited in 1994 to record what would be the band’s final album, Made in Heaven, using vocal tracks Mercury had recorded in his final days.

BIOGRAPHY

The Rolling Stones began calling themselves the "World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band" in the late '60s, and few disputed the claim. The Rolling Stones' music, based on Chicago blues, has continued to sound vital through the decades, and the Stones' attitude of flippant defiance, now aged into wry bemusement, has come to seem as important as their music.

In the 1964 British Invasion they were promoted as bad boys, but what began as a gimmick has stuck as an indelible image, and not just because of incidents like Brian Jones’ mysterious death in 1969 and a violent murder during their set at Altamont later that year. In their music, the Stones pioneered British rock’s tone of ironic detachment and wrote about offhand brutality, sex as power, and other taboos. In those days, Mick Jagger was branded a “Lucifer” figure, thanks to songs like “Sympathy for the Devil.” In the ’80s the Stones lost their dangerous aura while still seeming “bad” — they’ve become icons of an elegantly debauched, world-weary decadence. But Jagger remains the most self-consciously assured appropriator of black performers’ up-front sexuality; Keith Richards’ Chuck Berry–derived riffing defines rock rhythm guitar (not to mention rock guitar rhythm); the stalwart rhythm section of Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts holds its own; and Jagger and Richards continue to add to what is arguably one of the most significant oeuvres in rock history.

Jagger and Richards first met at Dartford Maypole County Primary School. When they ran into each other 10 years later in 1960, they were both avid fans of blues and American R&B, and they found they had a mutual friend in guitarist Dick Taylor, a fellow student of Richards’ at Sidcup Art School. Jagger was attending the London School of Economics and playing in Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys with Taylor. Richards joined the band as second guitarist; soon afterward, he was expelled from Dartford Technical College for truancy.
Jones, Jagger, and Richards shared a tiny, cheap London apartment, and with drummer Tony Chapman they cut a demo tape, which was rejected by EMI. Taylor left to attend the Royal College of Art; he eventually formed the Pretty Things. Ian Stewart’s job with a chemical company kept the rest of the group from starving. By the time Taylor left, they began to call themselves the Rolling Stones, after a Muddy Waters song.

On July 12, 1962, the Rolling Stones — Jagger, Richards, Jones, a returned Dick Taylor on bass, and Mick Avory, later of the Kinks, on drums — played their first show at the Marquee. Avory and Taylor were replaced by Tony Chapman and Bill Wyman, from the Cliftons. Chapman didn’t work out, and the band spent months recruiting a cautious Charlie Watts, who worked for an advertising agency and had left Blues, Inc. when its schedule got too busy. In January 1963 Watts completed the band.
In June 1963 the Stones released their first single, Chuck Berry’s “Come On.” After the band played on the British TV rock show Thank Your Lucky Stars, its producer reportedly told Oldham to get rid of “that vile-looking singer with the tire-tread lips.” The single reached Number 21 on the British chart. The Stones also appeared at the first annual National Jazz and Blues Festival in London’s borough of Richmond and in September were part of a package tour with the Everly Brothers, Bo Diddley, and Little Richard. In December 1963 the Stones’ second single, “I Wanna Be Your Man” (written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney), made the British Top 15. In January 1964 the Stones did their first headlining British tour, with the Ronettes, and released a version of Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away,” which made Number Three.

“Not Fade Away” also made the U.S. singles chart (Number 48). By this time the band had become a sensation in Britain, with the press gleefully reporting that band members had been seen urinating in public. In April 1964 their first album was released in the U.K., and two months later they made their first American tour. Their cover of the Bobby Womack/Valentinos song “It’s All Over Now” was a British Number One, their first. Their June American tour was a smashing success; in Chicago, where they’d stopped off to record the Five by Five EP at the Chess Records studio, riots broke out when the band tried to give a press conference. The Stones’ version of the blues standard “Little Red Rooster,” which had become another U.K. Number One, was banned in the U.S. because of its “objectionable” lyrics.
In 2002, the Stones released Forty Licks, a greatest hits package including four new songs, and embarked on yet another tour, including two—one in Toronto and another in Hong Kong—to benefit victims of the SARS epidemic. In November 2003, the band inked a deal allowing the Best Buy chain to be the exclusive seller of their 4-DVD tour document Four Flicks. Some music retailers in the U.S. and Canada, including Best Buy competitor Circuit City and the 100-store HMV Canada, responded by pulling Stones merchandise from their shelves. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the Stones No. 4 in its "100 Greatest Artists of All Time," just below the Beatles, Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley.

On Jagger’s 62nd birthday, July 26, 2005, the Stones announced they were releasing a new album, A Bigger Bang (Number 3), followed by a tour. The album included a rare political song from Jagger, "Sweet Neo Con," which was stingingly critical of the Bush Administration’s post Iraq War tactics and included the line, "You say you are a patriot/I think that you’re a crock of shit." The Stones’ A Bigger Bang Tour began in August 2005 and by year’s end had already set the year’s record at $162 million in gross receipts. The tour took the band from North and South America to Europe, Asia and even the 2006 Super Bowl. The tour ended two years later in London. Overall, the Bigger Bang tour earned a staggering $558 million, the highest-grossing tour of all time. The tour was not without its setbacks. During the New Zealand stretch, in May 2006, Richards was hospitalized for brain surgery after reportedly falling from a coconut tree in Fiji. In June, Wood went into rehab for alcohol problems.

The Stones released another 4-CD box set, The Biggest Bang, in June 2007; it also was sold exclusively through Best Buy. The Very Best Of Mick Jagger, a collection of the singer’s solo works, came out in October 2007. Filmmaker Martin Scorsese's April 2008 documentary Shine a Light intimately captured the Stones' 2006 Bigger Bang live performance at New York City's Beacon Theater from sixteen different camera angles and included guest performances by Christina Aguilera, Jack White, and Buddy Guy.

THE BEATLES

• Born: 1962
• Birthplace: Liverpool, England
• Died: 1970
• Best Known As: The Fab Four
• Major Members: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr

One of the biggest musical acts in history, The Beatles were John Lennon (guitar), George Harrison (guitar), Paul McCartney (bass) and Ringo Starr (drums). Lennon and McCartney began playing together in The Quarrymen in 1957; Harrison joined later that year. Before they became The Beatles, they were also Johnny and the Moondogs and The Silver Beatles, joined at times by bandmates including bassist Stuart Sutcliffe (23 June 1940 - 10 April 1962) and drummer Pete Best (b. 24 November 1941); Best was replaced by Ringo to form the final foursome. The early Beatles performed shows in Hamburg, Germany and Liverpool, England, playing covers of early American rock and roll plus original songs by Lennon and McCartney. Their 1962 release of "Love Me Do" charted in the U. K., and in 1963 their song "She Loves You" was the biggest hit in U. K. history. Their personal charm and charisma helped boost "Beatlemania," and their tour of the U.S. in 1964 led to sold-out concerts and mob scenes. Their movies A Hard Day's Night (1964) and Help! (1965) capitalized on their humor and youthful exuberance and were box office successes, and the hit songs kept coming: in 1964 they had five straight number one albums. In the late '60s their songs became more sophisticated and their worldwide celebrity status prompted Lennon to joke "we're bigger than Jesus." By 1970 they were no longer performing in public and were beginning to pursue individual projects. In December of 1970 McCartney brought a lawsuit to dissolve The Beatles as a legal entity, and the group broke up. Their hits are too numerous to mention, and their impact on pop music can't be overstated. In 1980 Lennon was murdered, and in 2001 Harrison died of cancer, but McCartney and Starr continue to have busy solo careers.

PRS TREMONTI SE

Body:

• Mahogany with binding

Neck:

• 25" scale length mahogany 22-fret neck with rosewood fretboard and binding
• Neck carve - wide fat

Hardware:

• PRS designed stoptail
• PRS designed tuners

Electronics:

• PRS designed humbucking pickups
• 3-way toggle pickup selector
• 2 volume controls

Finish Options:

• Black
• Platinum (Silver)

pickups	inlays	heel
headstock-front	headstock-back	front
front-detail	controls	body-front
body-back	back	bridge

BIOGRAPHY

B. B. King (born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925) is an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter. Critical acclaim and widespread popularity have cemented his reputation as one of the most respected and successful blues musicians. Rolling Stone magazine named him the third-greatest guitarist of "the 100 greatest guitarists of all-time.

B. B. King arrived in Memphis for the first time in 1946 to work as a musician, but after a few months of hardship he left, going back to Mississippi. There he decided to prepare himself better for the next visit and returned to Memphis two years later. Initially he worked at the local R&B radio channel WDIA as a singer. In 1949, he began recording songs under contract with Los Angeles-based RPM Records. Many of King's early recordings were produced by Sam Phillips, who later founded Sun Records. King was also a disc jockey in Memphis, where he gained the nickname "Beale Street Blues Boy", later shortened to "B. B." Before his RPM contract, B. B. had debuted on Bullet Records by issuing the single "Miss Martha King" (1949), which got a bad review in Billboard magazine and did not chart well. King is often labelled as The King of Blues.

In the 1950s, B. B. King became one of the most important names in R&B music, amassing an impressive list of hits including "You Know I Love You," "Woke Up This Morning," "Please Love Me," "When My Heart Beats like a Hammer," "Whole Lotta Love," "You Upset Me Baby," "Every Day I Have the Blues," "Sneakin' Around," "Ten Long Years," "Bad Luck," "Sweet Little Angel," "On My Word of Honor," and "Please Accept My Love." In 1962, B. B. King signed to ABC-Paramount Records, which was later absorbed into MCA Records, and then his current label, Geffen Records.

The 1980s, 1990s and 2000s saw King recording less and less. Yet throughout this time he maintained a highly visible and active career, appearing on numerous television shows and performing 300 nights a year. In 1988 King reached a new generation of fans with the single “When Love Comes To Town”, a collaborative effort between King and the Irish band U2 (on their Rattle and Hum album). In 2000, King teamed up with guitarist Eric Clapton to record Riding With the King. In 1998 B. B. King appeared in "The Blues Brothers 2000" playing the part of the lead singer of the Louisiana Gator Boys, along with Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Koko Taylor, and Bo Diddley.

Brian May

AKA Brian Harold May

Born: 19-Jul-1947
Birthplace: Hampton, Middlesex, England

Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Guitarist

Nationality: England
Executive summary: Guitarist for Queen

Brian Harold May CBE (born July 19, 1947) is an English guitarist best known as the lead guitarist and backing (sometimes lead) vocalist for the English rock band Queen. As a guitarist, he is known for his memorable riffs and solos, distinctive tone, as well as for the fact that he built (with his father) his own guitar, called the "Red Special". He is also cited as a pioneer of the delay effect. He wrote many of Queen's most famous songs and biggest hits, including "We Will Rock You", "Fat Bottomed Girls", "Tie Your Mother Down", "Who Wants to Live Forever" and "I Want It All"[citation needed]. Because of his musical skills, he is often described as a virtuoso.

May was born in Hampton, in Middlesex, and attended Hampton Grammar School (now Hampton School). He went on to study at the Imperial College London departments of Physics and Mathematics, and was part way through a Ph.D. programme at Imperial College, studying reflected light from interstellar dust and the velocity of dust in the plane of the Solar System, when Queen became successful. He abandoned his astronomy doctorate - temporarily, as it later turned out - but did co-author two scientific research papers: MgI Emission in the Night-Sky Spectrum and An Investigation of the Motion of Zodiacal Dust Particles (Part I), which were based on Brian's observations in Tenerife. As of 2007, he is working on the updating and completion of his Ph.D. He was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in November 2002 by the University of Hertfordshire, although it is not customary in the United Kingdom for honorary doctors to use the title. Most recently, he was the co-author of "Bang! – The Complete History of the Universe" with Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott, which was published on October 23, 2006.

May was proud upon hearing that Cliff Richard had mentioned in an interview that he would have Brian May in his personal fantasy band. As well as recording with Hank Marvin, May also contributed to the 1996 album Twang!: A Tribute to Hank Marvin & the Shadows, playing FBI. The album featured many other renowned guitarists.

Throughout the last several years, he has overseen the re mastering of Queen albums and various DVD and Greatest Hits releases. In 2004, he announced that he and drummer Roger Taylor were going on tour for the first time in 18 years as "Queen", along with Free/Bad Company vocalist Paul Rodgers. Billed as "Queen + Paul Rodgers", the band has played throughout 2005 and 2006 in South Africa, Western Europe, Japan, and North America.

After the early promo tour, Eric Singer replaced Steve Ferrone for the full 1998 world tour. The Band then became Brian May (Lead Vocals & Lead Guitar), Spike Edney (Keyboards), Neil Murray (Bass), Jamie Moses (Guitar), Eric Singer (Drums & Percussion), Susie Webb (Backing Vocals) and Zoe Nicholas (Backing Vocals).

In 2005, Edney and Moses were recruited along with Danny Miranda (Bass) to join the Queen + Paul Rodgers tour, to fill the roles of keyboard player and second guitarist respectively.

BIOGRAPHY

Guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Born Johnny Allen Hendrix (later changed to James Marshall) on November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington. Learning to play guitar as a teenager, Hendrix grew up to become a rock guitar legend. He began his career by playing in a number of bands in his youth. Hendrix later enlisted in the United States Army in 1961 and became as a paratrooper. Even as a soldier, Hendrix found time for music, creating a band named The King Casuals. He served in the army until 1965 when he was discharged because of an injury.

After leaving the military, Hendrix pursued his music, working as a session musician and playing backup for such performers as Little Richard, Sam Cooke, and the Isley Brothers. He also formed a group of his own called Jimmy James and the Blue Flames, which played gigs around New York City’s Greenwich Village neighborhood. In mid-1966, Hendrix met Chas Chandler, a former member of the Animals, a successful rock group, who became his manager. Chandler convinced Hendrix to go to London where he joined forces with musicians Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell to create The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Released in 1967, the band's first single, “Hey Joe,” was an instant smash in Britain, and soon followed by such other hits as “Purple Haze” and “The Wind Cried Mary.” On tour in Europe to support his first album, Are You Experienced?, Hendrix delighted audiences with his outrageous guitar-playing skills and his innovative, experimental sound. He won over American music fans with his stunning performance at the Monterey International Pop Festival in June 1967, which ended with Hendrix lighting his guitar on fire. Quickly becoming a rock music superstar, Hendrix scored again with his second album, Axis: Bold as Love (1968). His final album as part of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Electric Ladyland (1968) was released and featured the hit “All Along the Watchtower,” which was written by Bob Dylan. The band continued to tour until it split up in 1969.

That same year, Hendrix performed at another legendary musical event, the Woodstock Festival. His rock rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” amazed the crowds and demonstrated his considerable talents as a musician. He was also an accomplished songwriter and musical experimenter. Hendrix even had his own recording studio in which he could work with different performers and try out new songs and sounds.

Hendrix tried his luck with another group, forming Band of Gypsys in late 1969 with his army buddy Billy Cox and drummer Buddy Miles. The band never really took off, and Hendrix became working on new album tentatively named First Rays of the New Rising Sun, with Cox and Mitch Mitchell from the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Unfortunately Hendrix did not live to complete the project.

Hendrix died on September 18, 1970, from drug-related complications. While this talented recording artist was only 27 at the time of his passing, Hendrix left his mark on the world of rock music and remains popular to this day.

BIOGRAPHY

Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American composer, electric guitarist, and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa worked in various musical genres, and wrote for rock bands, jazz ensembles, synthesizers, symphony orchestra, and created musique concrète works. He also worked on feature-length films, music videos, and album covers. Zappa produced almost all of the more than 60 albums he released with the band Mothers of Invention and as a solo artist.

Zappa's major commercial successes, especially within his native United States, were few. He received multiple GrammyBest Rock Instrumental PerformanceJazz from Hell. Zappa was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. In 2005, his album with the Mothers of Invention, We're Only in It for the Money (1968), was included in the National Recording Registry of the US National Recording Preservation Board. The same year, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him 71st in its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. In 2007 his birthplace, Baltimore, declared August 9 official "Frank Zappa Day" in his honor. nominations and won the in 1987 for the album

Politically, Zappa was a self-proclaimed "practical conservative". He was a strident critic of mainstream education and organized religion, and a forthright and passionate advocate for freedom of speech and the abolition of censorship. His work embodied his skeptical view of established political processes and structures. Zappa strongly opposed recreational drug use, although the use of drugs was common among musicians.

Zappa was married to Kathryn J. "Kay" Sherman from 1960 to 1964 (no children), and in 1967, to Adelaide Gail Sloatman, with whom he remained until his death. They had four children: Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen. Gail Zappa manages the businesses of her late husband, now arranged as a trust under the name the Zappa Family Trust.

BIOGRAPHY

Eric Johnson is on the short list of all-time guitar heroes, but his creative path has taken some interesting twists and turns. He has earned critical and commercial success, a Grammy, accolades from his peers and unabashed devotion from his fans. However, his story as a guitarist, vocalist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer is not a "typical" one. But this three-decade journey has led to his new 2005 Favored Nations studio album 'Bloom.'

'Bloom' features 16 new songs ranging the stylistic gamut, which has always been Johnson's approach on his solo albums. He is one of the precious few musicians to fully succeed artistically and commercially with this philosophy. The rock 'n' roll raveup "Summer Jam" fits comfortably alongside the bright Bob Dylan cover "My Back Pages," the hypnotic "Sea Secret," lyrically provocative "Sad Legacy" and the rollicking country jam "Tribute to Jerry Reed." His already-astonishing gifts as a songwriter and producer, in addition to his jaw-dropping guitar technique, have grown substantially on this album. 'Bloom' will appeal to Johnson's longtime fans while also bringing new ones into the fold.

Johnson is a native of Austin, Texas, which is steeped in blues and country music. But Johnson's music reflects a broader range of influences in addition to blues and country, particularly pop, rock and jazz/fusion. His meticulously-produced albums are almost always equally divided between instrumentals and vocal songs showcasing all of his musical interests.

By the time Johnson had reached his teens, he was making waves on the Austin scene. At 16, he was a member of a band called Mariani and by 21, he was part of Electromagnets, a jazz-rock band with an intense cult following.

He recorded his first album, 'Seven Worlds,' between 1976 and 1978, but it was not released until 1998. Ark 21 issued the album with Johnson's blessing. A previous manager owned the rights to 'Seven Worlds.'

Johnson's burgeoning reputation in the late 1970s and early 1980s led to session work with the likes of Cat Stevens, Carole King and Christopher Cross. In fact, he played on Cross' Grammy-sweeping, self-titled 1980 debut album.

One of the most important breaks of Johnson's career was a 1984 appearance on the PBS television show 'Austin City Limits.' Reportedly, Prince saw Johnson's performance and recommended him to his label, Warner Bros. Records. The Warner subsidiary Reprise Records signed Johnson, and 'Tones' was released in 1986. Prince band members Wendy and Lisa even sang uncredited background vocals. The song "Zap" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental. Johnson had already earned considerable coverage from the guitar magazines at this point, and their chronicling of his career increased rapidly.

In 1996, Johnson returned with 'Venus Isle' on Capitol. Notable songs from it include "S.R.V." (a tribute to his friend, another Texas native and guitar legend, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan) and "Manhattan." This album illustrated Johnson's growth as a songwriter, producer, vocalist and, perhaps most surprisingly, keyboardist. He promoted the album with the massively successful, first-ever G3 tour, which also featured his friends and fellow guitar virtuosos Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. The live album and VHS home video 'G3 Live in Concert' followed in 1997; the DVD home video reissue came along three years later. The video has been certified platinum.

One of Johnson's favorite side projects, apart from his own albums and guesting on other artists' albums, is the blues trio Alien Love Child. The group's 2000 album 'Live and Beyond' was Johnson's first project for Favored Nations, Vai's label. The song "Rain" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental.

2002 saw the release of 'Souvenir.' This popular collection of 12 previously-unreleased demos, outtakes and live recordings spanning his entire career is available only through www.ericjohnson.com or at his shows.

Johnson went on to surprise his fans, yet again, with a solo acoustic tour in 2004 showcasing his acoustic guitar and piano skills. He was also honored by Martin Guitars with his own signature acoustic model. That summer, he was also invited by Eric Clapton to take part in the Crossroads Guitar Festival.

A perennial favorite at the Austin Music Awards, Johnson and his band members won a variety of awards in March 2005 for the 2004-05 time period. Johnson won Austin Musician of the Year, Best Electric Guitarist and Best Acoustic Guitarist, as well as placing high in male vocalist, keyboardist and songwriting categories. Chris Maresh was named Best Bassist and Tommy Taylor earned Best Drummer honors.

The release of 'Bloom' and the following tour will be the main highlights of 2005 for Johnson, but the year certainly kicked off on a high note. In January, he joined Fender at the NAMM trade show in Anaheim, California, to introduce his own new Fender Signature Series Stratocaster guitar.