Discover the story of Ali Farka Touré, the Malian visionary who claimed the blues wasn't American, but African. From building secret guitars in the Sahara to winning Grammys with Ry Cooder, explore the hypnotic "Desert Blues" style that changed the face of world music.
Discover the percussive "hammer-on-anvil" style of Bukka White, the Mississippi Delta legend who turned the guitar into a locomotive. From the haunting depths of "Fixin' To Die Blues" to his mentorship of a young B.B. King, explore the life, collaborations, and raw technical power of one of the blues' most visceral icons.
Albert Hammond Jr. is the master of rhythmic discipline. From his "all-downstroke" attack to his uniquely wired signature Stratocaster, he has defined the sound of 21st-century indie rock. In 2026, he remains the primary influence for every guitarist who knows that the pocket is just as important as the solo.
Nick Valensi is the architect of the post-punk revival sound. By prioritizing rhythmic precision and tonal clarity over flashy theatrics, he has created a blueprint for modern indie-rock guitar. In 2026, his "calculated cool" remains the benchmark for players who understand that the best leads are the ones you can't stop humming.
Steve Winwood is the ultimate musical polymath. Whether he is coaxing a soulful growl from a Hammond B3 or a stinging lead from a Stratocaster, his influence on the fabric of rock and roll is unmatched. In 2026, he remains a vital force, proving that soul and virtuosity only get better with time.
If Stone Gossard and Mike McCready represent the stadium-filling evolution of the blues-rock lineage, Mick Clarke is the man who kept the engine room of that lineage running in the…
Following the success of their debut album Cougar, the trio is shifting gears. This new installment promises a darker, edgier, and more rock-oriented sound—a return to the raw, instinctive energy that the band members are renowned for.