How I Wrote

The pioneering guitarist tells his story of the Washington D.C. band that redefined punk.

With a virtuoso solo from Richard Lloyd, Sweet's breakout hit is a six-string tour de force.

The classic rock perennial roared to life on '70s radio, telling a tale of love after death.

Shredding Beethoven through 50-watt Marshall heads, the Swedish guitar god invented neoclassical metal.

How a warm-up jam became ZZ Top’s breakthrough hit.

Johnson's 1990 signature guitar instrumental was “a gift from the universe.“

Tommy Shaw reveals the jolly green inspiration behind Styx’s 1978 hit.

Dave Mason shares good memories of a song about feeling bad.

Stevens tells how partying with the Rolling Stones led to Billy Idol’s breakthrough hit.

The rock and roll legend on the inspiration and session behind his 1958 string-twanging instrumental hit.