Guitarists: The Axemen Cometh 4

José Feliciano: Singing Out, in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:American Bands and Artists Guitarists: The Axemen Cometh Singer-Songwriters & Indie Artists
Post comments:4 Comments
Post published:October 20, 2014

I generally consider someone a true artist if he or she has the courage to produce straight-from-the-soul work that is so provocative it's likely to offend the masses, incite controversy, and, ideally, inspire people to open their minds and question long-held beliefs. When you think of such artists, Puerto Rican singer/songwriter José Feliciano doesn't immediately spring to mind. Yet, he made an artistic statement 46 years ago this month that was viewed with such contention that it nearly ended his career. His offense? He performed a soulful, Latin jazz version of "The Star Spangled Banner" to kick off the fifth game of the 1968 World Series, a matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers in the Motor City.

Brian May – The Asteroidal Axeman

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:Brits Beyond The Beatles & Stones Guitarists: The Axemen Cometh
Post comments:5 Comments
Post published:July 19, 2014

Lots of rockers and actors have had asteroids named in their honor, but Brian May is no doubt the only true scientist of the bunch. The brainy guitarist/astrophysicist best known for his work with Queen turns 67 today. I could always recognize his distinctive style. He used his custom-built "Red Special" guitar to produce sounds that mimicked all kinds of instruments, such as trombones and piccolos. In 2012, readers of Guitar World magazine voted him the 2nd greatest guitarist of all time, and Rolling Stone pegged him at #26 in their list of Top 100 guitarists.

Heartstrings: B.B. and Lucille, Albert and Lucy, and Stevie Ray and his First Wife

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:Guitarists: The Axemen Cometh Rhythm & Blues & Soul & Funk
Post comments:1 Comment
Post published:February 5, 2014

Guitarists love the ladies, especially those with long necks, shapely bodies, and melodic voices. Here are three love stories about legendary bluesmen and the instruments they adored.

Remembering Phil Lynott, an Overlooked Artist

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:Guitarists: The Axemen Cometh
Post comments:1 Comment
Post published:January 4, 2014

Here's what you probably don't know about Thin Lizzy, a band most Americans consider a 2-hit wonder: they were the first Irish or English group to feature a bi-racial artist as frontman; and they employed both Catholic and Protestant musicians from both sides of the Irish border during the height of the ethnic/nationalist conflicts of the 1970s. Phil Lynott, the band's singer, songwriter, and bassist died 28 years ago today at age 37 from alcohol abuse. He formed the group in Dublin in 1969 and wrote their two mid-'70s hits, "Jailbreak" and "The Boys are Back in Town." With their powerful double lead guitar harmony sound, Thin Lizzy is revered by some as the best hard rock band to emerge from Ireland. So, what's the story about those boys who came back to town?

Joe Walsh is Making Records. His Fans They Can’t Wait.

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:American Bands and Artists Guitarists: The Axemen Cometh
Post comments:0 Comments
Post published:June 3, 2012

Last night I finally got to see guitar wizard and rock-n-roll funny man Joe Walsh play my favorite song from my favorite teenage summer. I dropped a helluva lot of quarters into the Student Union jukebox in 1978 to hear "Life's Been Good," a hilarious, iconic parody of the rich, spoiled rock star lifestyle. Now, the man who once sang, "I keep on going, guess I'll never know why," is back on the road to promote his first album in 20 years, "Analog Man."