A GREAT LIVE moment can mean so many different things. It can be an experience that forever binds the minds of those on stage with the audience in front of them — the perfect setlist matched by the right atmosphere and sonic treatment. A formula that, as easy as it sounds on paper, is like catching lightning in a bottle. But an historic event is often so much more than a strong performance; it can be anything from an unexpected guest appearance or collaboration, something with some unexpected socio-political ramifications — or one of those times when things don’t quite go as planned, which, as every guitarist knows, is always an ever-hovering possibility. If anything, it’s how musicians have reacted in the face of adversity that has left the longest-lasting impressions — rare opportunities to prove their talents are more than just a simple rehearsal to perfection.
There have been a number of on-stage victories for any of the artists featured in this list, though — in our humble opinion — these are 40 of the most definitive events in guitar history. (P.S.: We’ve promised you 40, but our math isn’t so good, so, as always, we’ve thrown in a few extras. Enjoy!)
Mary duels with Paul — on Les Pauls
THE COLGATE COMEDY HOUR, 1954
This story is from the August 2021 edition of Guitar World.
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This story is from the August 2021 edition of Guitar World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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DEMMEL-ITION MAN
HOW FATE (AND PERSISTENCE) LED FORMER MACHINE HEAD GUITARIST PHIL DEMMEL TO A TREASURED SPOT IN KERRY KING'S BAND
THE AXES OF A KING
KERRY KING'S JOURNEY FROM B.C. RICH TO ESP TO DEAN
The Dandy Warhols
\"SMELLY BOY ROCK\" RULES THE DAY ON THE PORTLAND ALT-ROCKERS' RIFF-DRIVEN NEW RELEASE
The Pineapple Thief
THE BAND FROM THE RURAL BACKWOODS OF SOUTH-WEST U.K. WHO TOOK THE PROG-ROCK WORLD BY STORM
DigiTech SDRUM Strummable Drums pedal
DIGITECH CALLS THE SDRUM a “strummable drums” pedal, but that’s really only a small fraction of what this powerful device can do.
MXR Joshua Ambient Echo
IT’S AMAZING HOW many players have chased after and adopted the Edge’s signature delay tone.
Sometime in February
TRISTAN AUMAN INJECTS HIS BAND'S WILDLY ADDICTIVE PROGRESSIVE METAL WITH CLEVER HOOKS, GONZO SHRED AND ARRESTING MOMENTS OF AMBIENT BEAUTY
THE 30 GREATEST GARDEN STATE GUITARISTS OF ALL TIME
New Jersey derives much of its water from New York’s Catskill Mountains. Low in calcium and magnesium, it’s a naturally soft water that’s ideally suited for bread flour. And, of course, that means it’s also a crucial component in the making of New Jersey pizza, which everybody knows is the best in the United States. (Oh, you wanna argue about it? How about this? Fuggedaboudit!)
SONG OF MYSELF
\"MILES DAVIS ONCE SAID, 'SOMETIMES IT TAKES A WHILE TO SOUND LIKE YOURSELF\"\"
KEITH SCOTT
From \"Cuts Like a Knife\" to \"Summer of '69,\" the Canadian guitar great discusses the gear and solos that have fueled Bryan Adams' music for more than 40 years
