Richard Bienstock

Richard Bienstock

Rich is the co-author of the best-selling Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. He is also a recording and performing musician, and a former editor of Guitar World magazine and executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine. He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name.

Latest articles by Richard Bienstock

Jerry Cantrell

"I'm gonna live this for the next year." Jerry Cantrell on the future of Alice in Chains and his heavy new solo album

By Richard Bienstock published

Cantrell, who teamed up with Duff McKagan and other pals for his new record, tells Guitar Player, "It’s no secret where my loyalty lies"

J Mascis performs at the Auckland Town Hall in Auckland, New Zealand on March 2, 2024

“I was playing the Breeders' Divine Hammer, and my whole hand cramped up, I couldn’t move it... It seemed so simple, but it was something I would never play”: J Mascis went electric for his new solo album, but (mostly) without his usual Jazzmaster

By Richard Bienstock published

The Dinosaur Jr. frontman and alt-rock guitar hero will always be associated with Jazzmasters and Marshall stacks, but for his new solo album, What Do We Do Now, Strats, Teles, Vox amps, and even Flying Vs were on the menu instead

Rich Robinson performs onstage with the Black Crowes at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, Tennessee on September 23, 2023

“I had a ’60s Guild 12-string that was destroyed in Hurricane Sandy. Guild rebuilt the back for me... ever since, it sounds amazing”: How Rich Robinson used resurrected Guilds, and an unusual Fender amp, to make magic with the reunited Black Crowes

By Richard Bienstock published

As the Black Crowes fly again with their first new album in 15 years, Rich Robinson reveals how music mended his relationship with his brother Chris, and kept the band true to their origins

Randy Bachman's lost Gretsch

“I used to fall asleep with it on my chest — it’s literally a one-of-a-kind, unreplaceable keepsake": Randy Bachman on the trauma of having his prized 1957 Gretsch 6120 stolen and the remarkable story of how he was reunited with it

By Richard Bienstock published

Stolen 45 years ago, the tale of the Gretsch's global journey is now the focus of a new documentary.

Joe Satriani performs at Symphony Hall on May 12, 2023 in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

“Instrumental Music Became Like a Personal Growth Thing for Me”: Joe Satriani Talks Becoming an Instrumental Guitarist

By Richard Bienstock published

“You can break it down into what you’re trying to accomplish physically, artistically and economically,” says Satch

Jimmy Page plays acoustic guitar in January 1970

‘Led Zeppelin III’ Track by Track

By Richard Bienstock published

Freewheeling, exotic and rootsy, 1970's ‘Led Zeppelin III’ showcased the band’s profound evolution and extended the reach of rock music

Stone Gossard

“I Still Get Excited About New Music”: Stone Gossard’s Loosegroove Records Returns After a Long Hiatus With New Discs From Jonny Polonsky, Brittany Davis and Brad

By Richard Bienstock published

“We want to encourage bands to take it one day at a time and to really enjoy the ride,” says the Pearl Jam guitarist

Jonny Polonsky

“I Record Pretty Much Everything at My Apartment”: Jonny Polonsky’s Credits Include Johnny Cash, Donovan and Tom Morello, but His New Solo Album, ‘Rise of the Rebel Angels,’ Is a Homemade Marvel

By Richard Bienstock published

Is it possible to record a great album at home on a budget? Absolutely! Critically lauded axe-slinger Jonny Polonksy reflects on his remarkable music career

Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown

“You Come to the Shows and You See Kids, Older People, Young Girls, Guitar Nerds”: Tyler Bryant and Graham Whitford on the Universal Appeal of Rock and Roll

By Richard Bienstock published

The Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown guitarists are working to bring riffy, guitar-centric blues-oriented rock back into the mainstream

'Led Zeppelin III' album artwork

“Our Attitude Was, ‘F**k the ’60s! We’re Going to Chart the New Decade!’” How Led Zeppelin Took the ‘70s By Storm With Their Game-Changing Third Album

By Richard Bienstock published

As a new decade unfolded, 'Led Zeppelin III' unlocked the musical adventurism that flowed freely throughout the band’s subsequent albums

Jesse Malin performs on stage at Sala Apolo on May 12, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

“Here’s a Song I Wrote in a Little Apartment, and We’re in Bruce’s Farm-Barn Studios Singing It Together”: Jesse Malin Reflects on Working With Bruce Springsteen and Ric Ocasek

By Richard Bienstock published

The hardcore troubadour takes us on a guided tour of his prolific career with five choice discs from his extensive catalog

Slash and 'Victoria' Gibson Les Paul goldtop

The Slash Guitar Collection: 8 Rare Treasures From Guns N’ Roses History

By Richard Bienstock published

Slash selects the models he treasures most and traces their journeys through his career and hits

Warren Haynes performs during "Love Rocks NYC! A Benefit for God's Love We Deliver" at Beacon Theatre on March 15, 2018 in New York City.

“In a Lot of Cases, Cheaper Guitars Sound as Good or Better Than Expensive Guitars”: Warren Haynes Shares Some Invaluable Tips for Blues and Rock Guitarists at Every Stage of the Game

By Richard Bienstock published

How do you get a great blues-rock sound on a budget? Why is it important to play in front of an audience? The Allman Brothers Band guitarist and Gov’t Mule founder answers these questions and more

Guitarists Joel Hoekstra (L) and Reb Beach of Whitesnake perform at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino as the band tours in support of "The Purple Album" on June 4, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Be the Guy Who Shows up on Time and Has a Good Attitude”: Whitesnake’s Joel Hoekstra and Reb Beach Reveal the Habits of the Successful Guitarist

By Richard Bienstock published

From session work to Broadway to the band's latest album, 'Flesh & Blood,' the Whitesnake axemen explain what’s needed to make it in show business

Dusty Hill (L) and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top perform in concert during La Grange Fest at the Backyard on October 27, 2012 in Austin, Texas.

“Rick Rubin Said We Needed One More Song for the Album”: Billy Gibbons Explains How ZZ Top Melded Hip Hop and Blues Rock With “I Gotsta Get Paid”

By Richard Bienstock published

“We had this great meeting of the minds,” says the frontman

Joe Satriani plays his 1969 Gibson Les Paul Custom

Five of Joe Satriani’s Coolest Vintage Guitars

By Richard Bienstock published

The man with the futuristic Ibanez guitars also owns a nice collection of vintage axes

John Petrucci from the band Dream Theater performs on stage at Oslo Spektrum on May 19, 2022 in Oslo, Norway.

“Putting in the Work Is How You’re Going to Become a Better Player”: John Petrucci’s Top Ten Tips for Guitarists

By Richard Bienstock published

The Dream Theater axeman offers advice to improve your chops and guarantee a long, healthy and knowledge-filled guitar life

ZZ Top in 1983

“We Were Still the Little Band From Texas, Interpreters of That Great American Art Form the Blues”: Billy Gibbons on the Making of “Gimme All Your Lovin’”

By Richard Bienstock published

How ZZ Top’s 1983 classic took the blues “up a notch”

Devendra Banhart with 1965/1966 Fender Jaguar

“The Essence of the Song Is Not Just the Notes but the Space Between Those Notes”: Devendra Banhart Talks Songwriting and the Importance of Silence

By Richard Bienstock published

“The guitar is terrain for endless exploration,” says the Venezuelan-American maestro

Billy Gibbons, of the group ZZ Top, performs onstage at the Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, March 14, 1980.

“Somehow, Something Went Haywire, but in the Right Direction”: Billy Gibbons Recalls How ZZ Top's Happy Accident, “Cheap Sunglasses,” Came to Life

By Richard Bienstock published

“So much of the stuff that you, me and the rest of the world grew up listening to, a good amount of it, if not more than half, was all done by accident,” states the ZZ Top frontman

Richard Lloyd

“People Talk About the Good Old Days, but the Good Days Are Today”: Television Guitarist Richard Lloyd Reflects on His Highly Influential Career in Music

By Richard Bienstock published

The most galvanizing guitarist to emerge from New York’s CBGB scene recalls a lifetime of nerve-tingling axe work

Joe Bonamassa performs with a Gibson Les Paul Standard at Fox Theatre on November 26, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan.

“It’s Not the Gear That Makes the Player; It’s the Player That Makes the Gear”: Joe Bonamassa Talks Turkey About Tone

By Richard Bienstock published

The blue-rock giant explains how to get a great sound for under $1,000

Cardinal Black guitarist Chris Buck

“The Noise That We Make Has Been Dyed in the Wool for a Very Long Time”: British Guitar Phenom Chris Buck Talks Being Back in Cardinal Black

By Richard Bienstock published

The blues-rock marvel puts his old band back together for their sensational debut album, ‘January Came Close’

Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante

“A Lot of What I’ve Wound up Having to Say Has to Do With Vulnerability”: John Frusciante Gives His Most Revealing Interview Yet

By Richard Bienstock published

The Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist comes clean about his love of Eddie Van Halen, his attraction to clean tones and the importance of staying vulnerable

John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers performs at Nissan Stadium on August 12, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Vintage Fender Stratocasters of John Frusciante

By Richard Bienstock, Guitar Player Staff published

Four rare Strats from the Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist’s collection of classics

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