Nikki O'NeilSocial Links Navigation Latest articles by Nikki O'Neil "Bird just grinned. He’d never heard a guitar played like that!" He saw T-Bone Walker, worked with Charlie Parker and uses a drawer-knob instead of a pick: Chicago jazz supremo George Freeman, 96, looks back over an epic career By Nikki O'Neil published 12 January 24 He’s a bebop originator who’s played with everyone from Charlie Parker to Jimmy McGriff and who saw the popular music transform from jazz to swing and beyond. Now in his 90s, George Freeman has a new album out… “Pops Staples Invented the Americana Tone of Guitar”: Ben Harper, Rick Holmstrom and Aaron Livingston Explain How the Pioneering Guitarist Brought Black and White Music Together By Nikki O'Neil published 3 May 23 The six-string legend created his own genre and the quintessential sound of Americana guitar How to Play Guitar Forever By Nikki O'Neil published 9 February 23 These five age-defying exercises ensure hand, arm and shoulder health for players of all ages “I Try to Trust that First-Thought Mentality”: Courtney Barnett Talks Writing and Recording By Nikki O'Neil published 8 February 22 Stripping away the heavy rock guitars of her previous albums, the experimental songsmith starts afresh with ‘Things Take Time, Take Time.’ “I Can Say So Much More With My Guitar Than Lyrics”: Miami Maestro Fernando Perdomo Explores the Art of Instrumentals By Nikki O'Neil published 27 January 22 The fiery guitarist puts his versatility on display with the Carmine Appice collaborative album ‘Energy Overload.’ “Your Tone is Your Voice”: Sue Foley Returns with Ballsy Texas Blues Album By Nikki O'Neil published 18 January 22 The Canadian guitarist brings swagger, sweetness and bite to the bold and unfiltered ‘Pinky’s Blues.’ Five Storied Guitars from George Harrison’s 'Concert for Bangladesh' By Nikki O'Neil published 7 December 21 Featuring Bob Dylan's Martin D-28, a rare Gibson Explorer, a mystery Fender Stratocaster and more... How George Harrison Made the Epic Concert for Bangladesh Happen with a Little Help From His Friends By Nikki O'Neil published 19 November 21 In the summer of 1971, Harrison corralled his musical friends to answer the call for humanitarian aid to Bangladesh. Two of his closest companions nearly left him hanging. The Story of Teenie Hodges, Memphis Soul's Greatest Guitar Player By Nikki O'Neil published 8 October 21 As the guitarist for Al Green, Ann Peebles, and other Hi Records acts, Hodges played from the depths of his heart to the heights of heaven. How Santana Took Their Blues-Rock Jazz Fusion to Exotic New Realms with 'Abraxas' By Nikki O'Neil published 27 January 21 Over 50 years later, Carlos Santana sits down with GP to reflect on one of his most enduring, influential works. Get The Pick NewsletterAll the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors LATEST ARTICLES1I’ve been playing guitar for 20 years – discover why I switched to Til guitar lessons and get $20 off your first lesson from a pro tutor2From his "Beat It" funk-rock riff to his "Rosanna" solo trick — learn the top 10 techniques behind Steve Lukather's virtuoso style 3Vic Flick, guitarist behind the iconic James Bond theme, has died. Read our historic interview with him4Snag one of our favorite 3/4-sized acoustic guitars for only $99 this Black Friday with Taylor's superb Get One, Gift One promotion5“Bobby came in and he went, ‘Da-da-da-da-da-da-da DUH-daaa!’ I said, ‘That’s the only thing you think I should do?’” George Benson tells how one small change turned the song “Breezin’” into an instrumental guitar sensation
"Bird just grinned. He’d never heard a guitar played like that!" He saw T-Bone Walker, worked with Charlie Parker and uses a drawer-knob instead of a pick: Chicago jazz supremo George Freeman, 96, looks back over an epic career By Nikki O'Neil published 12 January 24 He’s a bebop originator who’s played with everyone from Charlie Parker to Jimmy McGriff and who saw the popular music transform from jazz to swing and beyond. Now in his 90s, George Freeman has a new album out…
“Pops Staples Invented the Americana Tone of Guitar”: Ben Harper, Rick Holmstrom and Aaron Livingston Explain How the Pioneering Guitarist Brought Black and White Music Together By Nikki O'Neil published 3 May 23 The six-string legend created his own genre and the quintessential sound of Americana guitar
How to Play Guitar Forever By Nikki O'Neil published 9 February 23 These five age-defying exercises ensure hand, arm and shoulder health for players of all ages
“I Try to Trust that First-Thought Mentality”: Courtney Barnett Talks Writing and Recording By Nikki O'Neil published 8 February 22 Stripping away the heavy rock guitars of her previous albums, the experimental songsmith starts afresh with ‘Things Take Time, Take Time.’
“I Can Say So Much More With My Guitar Than Lyrics”: Miami Maestro Fernando Perdomo Explores the Art of Instrumentals By Nikki O'Neil published 27 January 22 The fiery guitarist puts his versatility on display with the Carmine Appice collaborative album ‘Energy Overload.’
“Your Tone is Your Voice”: Sue Foley Returns with Ballsy Texas Blues Album By Nikki O'Neil published 18 January 22 The Canadian guitarist brings swagger, sweetness and bite to the bold and unfiltered ‘Pinky’s Blues.’
Five Storied Guitars from George Harrison’s 'Concert for Bangladesh' By Nikki O'Neil published 7 December 21 Featuring Bob Dylan's Martin D-28, a rare Gibson Explorer, a mystery Fender Stratocaster and more...
How George Harrison Made the Epic Concert for Bangladesh Happen with a Little Help From His Friends By Nikki O'Neil published 19 November 21 In the summer of 1971, Harrison corralled his musical friends to answer the call for humanitarian aid to Bangladesh. Two of his closest companions nearly left him hanging.
The Story of Teenie Hodges, Memphis Soul's Greatest Guitar Player By Nikki O'Neil published 8 October 21 As the guitarist for Al Green, Ann Peebles, and other Hi Records acts, Hodges played from the depths of his heart to the heights of heaven.
How Santana Took Their Blues-Rock Jazz Fusion to Exotic New Realms with 'Abraxas' By Nikki O'Neil published 27 January 21 Over 50 years later, Carlos Santana sits down with GP to reflect on one of his most enduring, influential works.
