Phil Weller

Phil Weller

A freelance writer with a penchant for music that gets weird, Phil is a regular contributor to Prog, Guitar World, and Total Guitar magazines and is especially keen on shining a light on unknown artists. Outside of the journalism realm, you can find him writing angular riffs in progressive metal band, Prognosis, in which he slings an 8-string Strandberg Boden Original, churning that low string through a variety of tunings. He's also a published author and is currently penning his debut novel which chucks fantasy, mythology and humanity into a great big melting pot.

Latest articles by Phil Weller

Jeff Beck and Slash

Slash recalls how a jam with Jeff Beck nearly ended his idol's career

By Phil Weller published

After waiting years to play with his hero, Slash's cranked Marshall amps nearly deafened him

Richie Sambora, lead guitarist for the American hard rock band Bon Jovi, onstage at the Joe Louis Arena, during their Slippery When Wet tour, in Detroit, MI, May 26, 1987.

Richie Sambora recalls the disastrous show that turned him into a pro

By Phil Weller published

The crowd quickly turned on the young guitarist, but he and the band learned a tough lesson about survival

Jim Suhler and Stevie Ray Vaughan

Jim Suhler talks about sneaking backstage to meet Stevie Ray Vaughan and the career-shaping advice he gave him

By Phil Weller published

The George Thorogood guitarist has played with Joe Bonamassa and Billy Gibbons, but meeting SRV was a career highlight

Eric Clapton performs at Royal Albert Hall on May 14, 2015 in London, United Kingdom

Eric Clapton reveals the guitarist that inspired him to quit the Bluesbreakers and form Cream

By Phil Weller published

Buddy Guy's 1965 show at the Marquee Club made Slowhand realize he needed to escape John Mayall's shackles

Jeff Beck performs at the Molde International Jazz Festival in Molde, Norway on July 22, 2010

“I might have done better in the Bluesbreakers." Jeff Beck said he turned down John Mayall

By Phil Weller published

The coveted role was offered to him on a plate, but Beck was looking for a different kind of musical identity

Phil Lynott (left) and Scott Gorham perform with Thin LIzzy at London's Hammersmith Odeon, 1978.

Scott Gorham tells how an offhand moment led to his favorite Thin Lizzy song, released 50 years ago

By Phil Weller published

Gorham and Phil Lynott's partnership would grow into one of the most influential in rock music, and it started during a break in rehearsals

Peter Green

Peter Green recalled talking his way into Eric Clapton’s Bluesbreakers shoes. That's when his struggles began

By Phil Weller published

The guitarist never liked comparisons to the man he replaced

Jim DeCola and Randy Rhoads

Jim DeCola talks about modding Randy Rhaods’ polka-dot V backstage minutes before it was played live and the legacy it created

By Phil Weller published

He was so busy working on the guitar that he missed the support band. But he finished in time to witness an iconic rock moment

Ernie Isley and Paul McCartney

Ernie Isley recalls how a surprise meeting with Paul McCartney led to the pair jamming "Twist and Shout"

By Phil Weller published

Nearly 60 years after both groups found success with their hit cover versions, the pair united for a special impromptu performance of the track

Mike Campbell and Lindsey Buckingham

Mike Campbell talks about replacing Lindsey Buckingham in Fleetwood Mac

By Phil Weller published

The former Heartbreaker says his short time in Fleetwood Mac was an education and a challenge for one specific reason

Opeth's Mikael Akerfeldt

How vintage gear is fuelling Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt in the studio and on the road

By Phil Weller last updated

From a ‘90s Telecaster to Hank William’s 1940s Martin D-18, it’s been an interesting year of gear for the Swedish guitarist

Ritchie Blackmore plays the red Gibson ES-335 he purchased from Jim Marshall while performing with Deep Purple in 1969.

Ritchie Blackmore tells how amp-maker Jim Marshall sold him the guitar he used to launch Deep Purple

By Phil Weller published

He also talks of buying his first Strat from Eric Clapton

Brian Robertson (left) and Scott Gorham perform with Thin Lizzy at the Palladium, New York City, October 22, 1977.

Scott Gorham on the making of Jailbreak – Thin Lizzy’s do-or-die fifth record, twin harmonies, and his relationship with Phil Lynott

By Phil Weller published

After two failed albums, Vertigo Records was ready to drop the band, but their twin-guitar harmonies saved the day

A photo showing a replica of Les Paul's Klunker #1, the first of his expermental solidbody guitar designs.

Les Paul’s former guitar tech completes Klunker guitar replica to shine a light on the Les Paul guitar’s heritage

By Phil Weller published

Paul's former tech put 60 years of experience into his re-creation to underline its cultural significance

A screengrab from the show Pawn Stars showing DJ Ashba's custom Gibson Les Paul

Her Gibson Les Paul was worth four times what she thought

By Phil Weller published

The one-of-a-kind custom guitar mysteriously disappeared years ago and resurfaced only recently

Mark Tremonti of the American rock band Alter Bridge performs in concert during Resurrection Fest 2023 on June 29, 2023 in Viveiro, Spain.

Mark Tremonti reveals how Dumble, Fender and Mesa amps factor into his Creed tour rig

By Phil Weller published

The guitarist says, “I’m all about the big, straight-ahead meat-and-potatoes sound"

John Lennon D'Addario

D’Addario unveils commemorative John Lennon’s collection – including a replica of his 1972 Madison Square Garden solo show strap

By Phil Weller published

Replica straps from key moments in his career and picks celebrate the Beatles guitarist’s legacy

Dweezil Zappa

"You can't just 'be' a guy that can play Yngwie Malmsteen stuff. You have to do that for, like, 15 years just to play one of his songs.” Dweezil Zappa explains what most guitarists don't understand about shredding

By Phil Weller published

The guitarist virtuoso adds that it's vital not to worry about how you're perceived if you really want to achieve shred-level talent

Robby Krieger plays the first Fender Telecaster made of cardboard

“The structural integrity is pretty amazing for cardboard. You can totally rock it.” Robby Krieger plays slide guitar on the world’s first cardboard Telecaster

By Phil Weller published

Made by Fender’s Custom Shop in collaboration with snowboard and packaging firms, the oddball six-string is a faithful take on an old blues classic

Chris Garza seven-string Fender Stratocaster

The world’s first seven-string Fender Stratocaster is here

By Phil Weller published

Chris Garza shows off the history-making extended-range Strat and says there may be more to come

Rory Gallagher Stratocaster

Rory Gallagher’s Strat sells for $1.16 million at auction before being donated to the National Museum of Ireland

By Phil Weller published

The iconic six-string was purchased by Live Nation Gaiety with the intent of keeping the guitar in Ireland

Randy Rhoads recording Ozzy Osbourne's 'Blizzard of Ozz' album at Ridge Farm Studio, 1980.

Ozzy bassist Bob Daisley on his first memories of Randy Rhoads and how he knew he was special

By Phil Weller published

With one rehearsal, the guitarist shattered fears that he was too young and inexperienced to be Ozzy's guitar star

Joe Bonamassa with Lowell George's Dumble Overdrive Special

Joe Bonamassa explains why he sold all his Dumble amps – and why he’s now got more than ever

By Phil Weller published

After making some big changes to his live rig in 2014, the guitarist now owns eight Dumbles and isn’t looking back

Myles Kennedy

Myles Kennedy says an onstage disaster forced him to buy a PRS guitar he couldn't afford

By Phil Weller published

The guitarist felt obliged to write a check for the borrowed guitar, having previously been priced out of owning a PRS

Kenny Wayne Shepherd performs onstage during the Jim Irsay Collection Exhibit and Concert at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on January 11, 2024 in Los Angeles.

“When you start with a crappy guitar, it begins the cycle of gear addiction.” Kenny Wayne Shepherd explains why every player should start out with a cheap guitar

By Phil Weller published

Shepherd also says Jimi Hendrix's gear reveals how he was ahead of his time

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