Rusty Cooley (Revolution/Outworld)

Name: Rusty Cooley
Born: Unknown

Profile: He is a self-taught American guitarist who influenced by many styles including Jazz, Classical, Funk, Blues and even Country. His guitar works can be heard in his previous and current band such as "Revolution", "Dominion" and "Outworld", respectively.

History: Cooley received his first guitar on his 15th birthday (a Peavey T27 guitar and a Peavey Decade amp) from that day on he immersed himself in music, practicing upwards of 4 hours a day. Unsatisfied with local Instructors, he began teaching himself through instructional books and videos.

During high school, young Cooley took music theory classes and also attended the National Guitar Workshop. He performed solo guitar in high school talent shows and performed such pieces as Van Halen’s 'Eruption' and Randy Rhoads 'Revelation Mother Earth' solos. During his senior year, he was offered his first teaching job at the same store, where he had bought his first guitar.

After graduating from High School, Cooley continued studying Music Theory at the local college, as well as Music History and Class Piano. In 1989, he joined the local rock band "Revolution", the band wrote, performed and recorded all original music. They became one of Houston’s top drawing bands, and opened for national acts like "Badlands", "Nitro", "Every Mothers Nightmare", and "South Gang".

In 1992, "Revolution" released a four-song EP. "Revolution’s" music was once described as "Skid Row" meets Yngwie Malmsteen. The band made two appearances on a local TV show called 'Metallurgy' and 'Metallurgy Unplugged'. Cooley also taught guitar on a college TV show called 'Stay Tuned'. In 1993, he quit the band and started a new band called "Dominion", this new band wrote and performed locally as well but was short lived and broke up in 1995. Also, during 1995 he entered and won the 'Guitar Master Series' winning the title of 'Best Guitarist' in Houston.

In 1996, marked the beginning of a new direction, Cooley bought his first 7-string guitar and decided it was time to go for it on his own. It was during this period that he began to work on instrumental guitar compositions. These songs represented his desire to record an over-the-top guitar instrumental release featuring state of the art chops and strong melodic content. He also hosted 3 episodes of a local cable show called 'World Class Guitar Techniques', which aired in the Houston area.

In 2000, Cooley released an instructional CD 'Shred Guitar Manifesto' and gained endorsements with Jackson Guitars and Seymour Duncan pickups, and started doing guitar clinics as well. In 2001, he released two more instructional CD 'Extreme Pentatonics' and 'The Art of Picking'. Soon after, Cooley was asked to headline Jemfest in Orlando, Florida in 2002. Late that year, he had a custom 8 string guitar hand made by Bill Conklin of Conklin guitars.

In 2003, Cooley was given the honor of the '7th Fastest Shredder of all Time' in Guitar One Magazine, and not wanting to be known for shred skills alone, he and Bobby Williamson formed "Outworld", recorded its self-titled debut which was released in 2006 to both critical and artist acclaim. With the success of "Outworld’s" debut, and increasing notoriety in guitar circles, Cooley garnered a significant number of endorsements with Dean Guitars, EMG pickups and Diamond Amplification. In 2007, "Outworld" won 10,000 in a Famecast contest similar to American Idol where viewers watched and voted for the favorite artist.

Influences: Randy Rhoads, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Paul Gilbert, Allan Holdsworth, Paganini, Bach, Steve Vai, Gary Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Marty Friedman, Shawn Lane, Derek Taylor, Buckethead, Todd Duane, Scott Stine and Haji’s Kitchen and Ritchie Kotzen

Axology: Jackson guitars, Dean Rusty Cooley signature series guitar - the RC7 Xenocide and Diamond Amplifiers

Signature song(s): Under the Influence - Rusty Cooley (Rusty Cooley, 2003)

Link(s):

http://www.rustycooley.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL3RJ4B349o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6frmbC3pdTs&feature=related

Anastasia Bardina

Name: Anastasia Bardina
Born: Unknown

Profile: She is a Russian classical guitarist and graduated from the Russian Academy of Music. Bardina is the only virtuoso guitarist in Russia who plays both the 7-string Russian guitar and the 6-string Classical guitar. She also plays the 12-string GRAN Guitar (Guitar Russian Acoustically New) which is similar to a Classical guitar but has six light steel strings and six nylon strings with the steel strings lower in relation to the soundboard.

History: Her interest in music started when she was still young, and Bardina joined the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music (class of Professor A. Frauchi), just to pursue her dreams to be a classical musician.

After her graduation, Bardina is actively participating in numerous Russian and International Festivals. She always has enormous success with her solo concerts in countries such as Hungary, Poland, Austria, Cuba, Czech Republic, China, Mongolia, Latvia, Estonia, Belorussia and Ukraine.

Although she is not well-known in the West, Anastasia Bardina is one of the best classical guitar players in the world. In every of her concerts, she can be seen using his trademark 7-string classical guitar, though this instrument has been forgotten during several of decades. However, during the last several years, Russian and foreign musicians got highly interested with this instrument and therefore Bardina's concerts became especially valuable.

Bardina also perfectly plays six-string guitars and in her concerts she combines the masterpieces of world guitar art and the unique repertoire of Russian classics, which she tenderly saved and now shares with the audience. Today, Bardina is the constant member of jury on International and Russian competitions.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: 7-strings Russian guitar and the 12-strings GRAN guitar

Signature song(s): The Moth - Anastasia Bardina (GRAN-d Surprise, 1996)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdlYEoIMMp8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N80lAebLVrA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwppSHGZuXY&feature=related

"Harmony is the best word to describe the creative look of Anastasia Bardina" - World of Guitar Magazine.

Jeff Loomis (Nevermore)

Name: Jeff Loomis
Born: 14th September, 1971 (Appleton, Wisconsin, USA)

Profile: He is an American musician and guitarist, most notably known as the lead guitarist for the Seattle progressive metal band, "Nevermore".

History: Loomis started making music with drums, but soon he was bored and he started playing guitar. He got his first instrument at 9 or 10 years old, but did not start practicing seriously until around the age of 15. As a teenager in he played in a handful of cover bands and three death metal bands before joining more established bands. At the age of 16, Loomis won Wisconsin's 'Guitar Wars' contest.

After he won the contest, he auditioned for "Megadeth", after their lead guitarist Jeff Young left. After they played a few songs together, Dave Mustaine, the band's frontman, thanked Loomis and told him that one day he would become a great guitar player, but because of his age he was not right for the position.

Not long after the audition, Loomis join the band "Sanctuary" after guitarist Sean Blosl had left, however, because of a dispute caused by guitarist Lenny Rutledge wanting to make grunge oriented music, "Sanctuary" broke up 4 months afterwards. After the break-up, Loomis and former "Sanctuary" members vocalist Warrel Dane and bassist Jim Sheppard made plans to form "Nevermore", and in late 1994, Loomis became the lead guitarist of "Nevermore" after the brief period being in "Sanctuary".

Now, he is the main songwriter of the band, adding to the unique sound that fans are familiar with. Currently, Loomis plays an important role in portraying the sound that "Nevermore" has today, using a 7 string guitars and techniques such as sweep-picking. One of his more important musical showcases is in the critically acclaimed album 'Dead Heart in a Dead World', in which he wrote most of the songs before forming "Nevermore".

In 2005, Loomis reported that he would take some time as a break and then begin recording a solo album. In 2008, he announced that the album will be called 'Zero Order Phase', and was released on September via Century Media Records.

Influences: Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, Jason Becker and Marty Friedman

Axology: Schecter seven string guitars - Jeff Loomis C7 FR signature model, Schecter C-7 Hellraiser, Ibanez guitars, Gibson guitars, Jackson guitars, ESP guitars - Horizon 7 and Warmoth guitars, Peavey amplifiers and Krank amplifiers

Signature song(s): Timothy Leary - Nevermore (Nevermore, 1994) and Omega's Influence - Jeff Loomis (Zero Order Phase, 2008)

Link(s):

http://www.jeffloomis.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvfg0iLnzsw

Mayzan

Name: Mak Hwa San
Born: 12th April, 1974 (Pematang Siantar, Sumatera, Indonesia)

Profile: He is an Indonesian multi-talented musician and a webhoster, and famously known for his work with former "Megadeth" guitarist Marty Friedman's official website.

History: Started to play guitar as a hobby since he was 14, in SMA with his guitar buddy Kinwie. The both of them was influenced by 80's rock music, such as; "Cacophony", "Duran Duran" and "Firehouse", to name a few. Mayzan first electric guitar was a Prince. Marty Friedman (Cacophony/Megadeth) is Mayzan favorite guitarist since 1988 and was a big influence for him until now, and this is the reason why he took guitar and music as a career.

In 1992, Mayzan moved from Sumatera to Jakarta, and seriously learned the 'art of electric guitar', he even bought his first Ibanez guitar an 'RG550'. Late that year, he and his friend, Wiwik Wibowo, formed a heavy metal band which covered songs such as "Megadeth", "Extreme", "Dream Theater", Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker and Vinnie Moore.

In 1994, Mayzan started to play 7-strings guitar for the band. The next year, he started to take violin lesson and bought a ZETA electric violin (influenced by the violinist Vanessa Mae). In late 1997, he met with Della Abdullah who taught Mayzan all about the internet, and after being with the band for almost 5 years, he made a decision to quit the band and concentrate on doing business. With this business, he did what he love most which was music and webhosting.

He then bought the name domain for VanessaMae.com, MartyFriedman.com and YngwieMalmsteen.com. At first, his intention was to make it as a fansite, but later on he change his mind and created an unofficial website for Vanessa Mae in 1997 and Marty Friedman in 1999 (though he never meet with his idols at that time) - but in 2002, Friedman contacted him, and wanted Mayzan to do an official website for Friedman.

Around 2001, Mayzan found out that it was very difficult to look for any information regarding Indonesian guitarist in the web. He then got the idea to create a guitarist community website; www.DewaGitar.com in 2001 (later change to www.Gitaris.com). In 2002, Mayzan got his first Jackson guitar from Marty Friedman as a present by doing his official website.

Starting 2004, Mayzan was very busy because; he had collaborated with "Fahrenheit's" guitarist Javier Bassino to create his official website and his band official website fehrenheit.com. He also released his album, titled; 'Gitar Klinik 2', which received good reviews from the internet as well as in Indonesia. Marty Friedman was also featured in this album as a guest guitarist. Other artists who had Mayzan's touch in creating their website was; heavy metal band "MNEMIC" in 2005, Dino Cazares & Christian Olde Wolbers (Fear Factory), Michael Amott (Arch Enemy) and Gus-G (Dream Evil) in 2006.

Influences: Mozart, Marty Friedman, Uli Jon Roth, Jason Becker, Jeff Loomis, Blues Saraceno, Steve Stevens, Michael Thompson, Kiko Loureiro, Michael Schenker (UFO), Brian May (Queen), John Patrucci (Dream Theater), Herman Li & Sam Totman (DragonForce), Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde (BLS), Kirk Hammet (Metallica) and Eet Sjahranie (EdanE)

Axology: Ibanez guitars, Jackson guitars, Fender Stratocaster 1971 & 1966, Fender Telecaster 1967, Marshall JMP50 1972 amplifiers, Mesa Boogie amplifiers and DigiTech effects

Signature song(s): Innerfire Symphony - Mayzan (Gitar Klinik 2, 2004)

Link(s):

http://mayzan.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us30vHRRU5o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl8VmUzRu4w

Kerry King (Slayer)

Name: Kerry Ray King
Born: 3rd June, 1964 (Los Angeles, California, USA)

Profile: He is a American guitarist, best known as the rhythm and lead guitarist and one of the founding members of American thrash metal band "Slayer". He is also a long time and noted snake breeder, and is known to pop up at Southern California reptile events.

History: He started playing guitar in his early teens, and in early 80's, he was trying out for the position as a guitarist in a band. After the session was over guitarist Jeff Hanneman approached him and the two began playing "Iron Maiden" and "Judas Priest" songs, after a few months together the both of them formed American thrash-metal band "Slayer".

King has also made several guest appearances as lead guitarist for other bands and artist such as "Beastie Boys", "Pantera", "Hatebreed", "Sum 41", "Marilyn Manson", Ice-T and Rob Zombie.

Over the years, Kerry King's guitar style has remained similar, giving him a very distinctive sound. Aside from his strong, often angular rhythm guitar work, King is one of the most distinctive soloists in metal: focusing more on speed and chaos than on melody or typical metal-style technical precision, King typically makes extensive and unorthodox use of whammy bar and uses a very heavy, irregular vibrato.

Some fans and critics have disapproved of King's solo style, but it should be noted that King is an innovator: his solo style had little precedent, but has exerted a strong influence, particularly thrash and death metal bands, where diatonic-ism is less important than in traditional rock and metal.

Influences: Judas Priest, Venom, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath

Axology: B.C. Rich KKV Signature V guitar, B.C. Rich Wartribe 7-string guitar and Marshall JCM-800 amplifier

Signature song(s): Angel of Death and Raining in Blood - Slayer (Reign In Blood, 1986)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ayy4KqN9OU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FVBN-xidl8

Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit/Black Light Burns)

Name: Wesley Louden Borland
Born: 7th February, 1975 (Richmond, Virginia, USA)

Profile: He is an American musician, best known as the guitarist for the band "Limp Bizkit". He has been in several other bands, including "The Damning Well", "Goatslayer" and "Big Dumb Face". He also recorded on "From First to Last" album in 2006, and served as bass guitarist for the band's subsequent tour. Borland is well known for his bizarre stage appearance, and for his fondness of musical artists that differed greatly from the musical tastes of his bandmates in Limp Bizkit. Borland performed in "Black Light Burns", in which he sang and wrote most of the music.

History: He started playing music in an early age, growing up in Florida, he met bassist Sam Rivers, but the two did not get along due to rivalries between local bands. He went to school with John Otto. When "Limp Bizkit" was looking for a guitarist, John Otto threw out his name, stating he was more of an artist than a guitarist, but the band decided he'd be worthwhile for the position. In one of these bands, Borland sang and played guitar but didn't use a guitar pick. He would only play guitar using the two hand tapping style of guitar playing that he would go on to use in "Limp Bizkit" songs such as 'Stalemate', 'Sour', 'Re-Arranged' and 'Indigo Flow'.

With his black bulging eyes, outrageous stage costumes, freakish makeup and artistic sensibilities, it could be said that Borland is the modern day Ace Frehley (Kiss) - a consummate guitarist with a flair for showmanship and an eye for spectacle. His penchant for the bizarre stems from his background in visual arts (in his spare time, he's a painter, illustrator and sculptor), combined with a healthy interest in science fiction.

In 2001, Borland left "Limp Bizkit" but before leaving he formed the band "Big Dumb Face" as an outlet for his creativity, followed by "Eat the Day" (with brother, Scott Borland), he also played bass for the band "dobmyer" for a short time.

During this down period, Borland began production on his solo album. He was also featured twice on the Underworld soundtrack: 'Weak and Powerless' and 'The Awakening' with a supergroup called "The Damning Well".

In 2003, Borland co-produced and played guitar on several songs for "The Crystal Method". The tracks he worked on were 'Broken Glass', 'Weapons of Mass Distortion' and the lead single 'Born Too Slow'. In 2005, Borland declared himself a full time member of his new project, "Black Light Burns", where Borland as vocal and guitarist.

Recently in 2009, Wes Borland rejoined "Limp Bizkit" after he attacked the bands comeback plans and Durst's songwriting skills; claiming he had more freedom with his current band "Black Light Burns".

He's been known to restring his guitars in unique ways and experiment with all sorts of weird tunings, and layering guitars across the mix is something he's got down to a science.

Influences: Eddie Van Halen

Axology: Ibanez 7-strings guitar, Paul Reed Smith guitar, Master guitars 4-strings semi-acoustic baritone, Fender Jazzmaster, Gretsch hollowbody reissue, Mesa/Boogie and Deizel amplifiers

Signature song(s): Nookie - Limp Bizkit (Significant Other, 1999)

Link(s):

http://www.limpbizkit.com (Limp Bizkit official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeUb4vITfnI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI8e8LU4yHU

It's just a lot more fun to dress up and look completely bizarre onstage" - Wes Borland

Herman Li (DragonForce)

Name: 李康敏 (Lǐ Kāng Mǐn)
Born: 3rd October, 1976 (Hong Kong)

Profile: He is the lead guitarist, backing vocalist, musician, songwriter and producer in the power metal band "DragonForce". He speaks Cantonese, English and French fluently. Herman draws influences from rock, metal as well as video game music and mimics sounds from popular retro games from the late 80's, early-90's arcade and PC games. His playing style consists of fast descending and ascending licks, extreme use of the whammy bar, quick sweep picking and tapping on the higher frets.

It is a little known fact that Herman is left-handed but learned to play right-handed. Recently, he has begun to use a device called the Hot Hand that sits on his right hand like a ring, which causes extreme vibrato when shaken, giving him greater capacity to emulate certain video game sounds.

History: Herman is a self-taught musician, learning mostly from listening to his favourite music, watching videos and playing a lots of retro video games and arcades. After having played in a number of underground rock and metal bands in London, Herman decided the only way for him to move forward, is to form a band instead of joining one. In the summer of 1999, Herman found a number of musicians in the UK to kick start a new band now known worldwide as "DragonForce".

In between intensive world tours with "DragonForce", Herman found time to write a monthly guitar column in UK's 'Total Guitar' magazine. He has also given many guitar clinics around the world, showcasing his own approach to the instrument to help inspire guitarists around the globe. As well as evolving as a player, Herman likes to understand his instrument as much as possible. He is heavily involved in electric guitar development, working on new ideas to improve the instrument as much as possible.

Outside of music, Herman's interests includes technology, martial arts and when not touring, enjoys training in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu five days a week.

Influences: Oddly Herman draws influences from video game music and mimics sounds from popular retro games from the late 80's, early-90's arcade, and PC games, example; several Pac-Man-type noises in the song 'Through the Fire and Flames' on 'Inhuman Rampage'. In 'Black Fire', the middle of the solo sounds similar to music in the beginning of the game 'Double Dragon'.

Axology: Ibanez E-GEN Guitars, a 7-strings Ibanez 540S7, Ibanez Acoustics, Rocktron, DigiTech Whammy 2, Mesa Boogie Stereo 2 and Peavey 4x12 Straight cabinets

Signature song(s): Through the Fire and Flames - DragonForce (Inhuman Rampage, 2006) and Heroes of Our Time - DragonForce (Ultra Beatdown, 2008)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtUiQJc7ZMI

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=se9dl0UxoOY&feature=related

Bucky Pizzarelli

Name: John Paul Pizzarelli
Born: 9th January, 1926 (Paterson, New Jersey, USA)

Profile: He is an American Jazz guitarist and banjoist, and the father of jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli. The list of musicians Pizzarelli has collaborated with over his career includes Les Paul, Stephane Grappelli and Benny Goodman.

History: Born in a musical background, he started to play guitar in his early age, taught by his uncle every Sundays. Later those years, he ended up playing in little weddings and in high school, he formed a small group band which played classical music like "Vienna Woods".

His professional career started at 17 when he joined the "Vaughn Monroe" dance band in 1943, he toured and recorded with the band through 1951. Near the end of WWII, while in the military, he played in an unauthorized dance band. In 1952 he joined NBC as a staff musician and played in the "Doc Severinson Band" on the Tonight Show.

From 1956–1957, Pizzarelli performed with "The Three Sounds" trio along with bassist Andy Simpkins and pianist Gene Harris. He toured several times off and on with Benny Goodman.

In New York, Pizzarelli worked mainly as a freelance musician in the studios and he appeared on many recordings as part of the rhythm section. One of the era's most solid rhythm players, he was in high demand to provide propulsion and background for other musicians. He has brought forward the great chord solo tradition begun by George Van Eps and Dick McDonough. Like George Van Eps, Pizzarelli adopted the 7-string electric guitar.

His recordings as leader began to appear in the 70's with recordings like 'Green Guitar Blues'. On this recording Pizzarelli established a pattern he repeated throughout his career. Pizzarelli has carried forward other jazz guitar traditions as well.

Influences: Django Reinhardt, Freddie Green, George Van Eps, George Barnes, Tony Motolla, Artie Ryerson and Barry Galbrith

Axology: Archtop 1955 Gibson guitar and Benedetto Bucky Pizzarelli Signature 7-string guitar

Signature song(s): Love Songs and NY Swing

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kpnYhE2yyE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36SODD17-Cs

"I practice by playing - not scales" - Bucky Pizzarelli

John Petrucci (Dream Theater)

Name: John Peter Petrucci
Born: 12th July, 1967 (Kings Park, Long Island, NY, USA)

Profile: He is an American guitarist and songwriter best known as a founding member of the progressive metal band "Dream Theater" (DT), along with his bandmate Mike Portnoy, John has produced all DT albums since their 1999 release.

History: John began playing guitar at age 12 and quickly realized that music was his passion and that the pursuit of excellence on his instrument would consume him for the years to come. To that end, he practiced for at least 6 hours a day in an effort to further his understanding and technical abilities as a guitar player.

At age 18 after graduating from high school, he attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston along with schoolmate John Myung (bass), where they met future bandmate Mike Portnoy (drums). These three in addition to another childhood friend of John, Kevin Moore (Keyboards), formed the band "Majesty", which would later become Dream Theater.

In 1998, while DT is what John is most commonly associated with, he released "Liquid Tension Experiment" and "Liquid Tension Experiment 2" respectively, along with DT bandmates Mike Portnoy and Jordan Rudess and the inimitable Tony Levin on bass. Both albums would not only prove to be worthy and enjoyable side projects, but also favorites among fans worldwide and he also appeared as a guest on several records by other artists such as the "Explorer's Club".

In 2001 he was invited by Joe Satriani and Steve Vai to tour with them on the popular G3 guitar tour, which exposed him to a massive number of new fans and inspired him to record a solo album.

In 2005 John released his first and much anticipated solo album titled, "Suspended Animation" on the Sound Mind Music label. The self-produced album of all instrumental guitar music featured Dave LaRue on bass and Dave DiCenso on drums.

John proceeded to take his band on a very successful musical journey including many gold and platinum CD and DVD releases as well as extensive world tours. He would go on to receive many notable awards in the various guitar publications throughout the world, including most recently the 2007 "Guitarist of the Year" as named by the readers of Total Guitar magazine.

Influences: Steve Morse, Al DiMeola, Steve Howe, Allan Holdsworth, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Randy Rhoads, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Alex Lifeson, Yngwie Malmsteen, Rush, Yes, Iron Maiden, The Dregs and Metallica.

Axology: Ibanez guitars, JPX guitar by Music-Man, Road King Series, Marshall JMP1 amplifiers

Signature song(s): Pull me Under - Dream Theater (Images and Words, 1992) and I Walk Beside You - Dream Theater (Octavarium, 2005)

Link(s):

http://www.johnpetrucci.com (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5t_b9xOY-I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5VwPfyEq3w

Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions)

Name: Ulrich Roth
Born: 18th December, 1954 (Düsseldorf, West Germany)

Profile: He is a German guitarist and one of the earliest contributors to the neo-classical metal genre. He is also the founder of Sky Academy and inventor of the Sky Guitar.

History: Started to play guitar in his teens where in the early 70's, Roth formed a band called "Dawn Road". After Michael Schenker left the "Scorpions" the two remaining members, Rudolf Schenker and Klaus Meine merged with Uli Jon Roth, as Scorpions new lineup.

In 1979, Roth formed his own band named "Electric Sun" which released three albums. The first, Earthquake (1979), was dedicated to Jimi Hendrix. A second album released two years later, Fire Wind (1981), was dedicated to Anwar el-Sadat (the assassinated President of Egypt who had tried to make peace in the Middle East), and featured a song called "Enola Gay" about the atomic bombing of Japan. In 1985, Roth released his third and final album, Beyond the Astral Skies, dedicated to Martin Luther King and to his fans.

After Electric Sun, Roth entered a new phase of creative work, composing four symphonies and two concertos, and sometimes performing with symphony orchestras throughout Europe (these were around the 90's and early 2000's)

In 2007, Roth had begun working on a new full-length studio album. The title of the album would be "Under A Dark Sky" and was going to be the first official release in the long-awaited series of Symphonic Legends - a cycle of music written by Roth for his all-encompassing Sky of Avalon project.

Going back in the 80's, there have been companies who sold Sky Guitars, either without Uli’s knowledge or without his consent. Many private individuals have also had copies built for themselves, because of the unique and appealing design and the features. But these were all just copied from photographs and no one had access to the precise dimensions of the originals; hence most of those copies resulted in poor limitations, which didn’t stand a chance to live up to the extremely high standard of the handful of originals. The new Dean Custom line will be the first genuine, fully authentic Sky Guitars for 20 years.

Influences: Vivaldi

Axology: Sky guitars; 'Mighty Wing' and 'Destiny' have 7 strings guitars and Marshall amplifiers

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQWuKv4HCWc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmDTO3XUGZ4

Maestro Alex Gregory

Name: Alex Gregory
Born: Unknown

Profile: British composer, multi-instrumentalist virtuoso and inventor. Gregory is credited as the mid-’80s inventor of the solid body electric 7-string guitar, well before the instrument was popularized in modern metal.

History: Gregory was born into a family of musicians and visual artists. After years of strict studies throughout his youth, he graduated from Italy’s University of Milan as a classical composer and was formally titled MAESTRO by HM Queen Elizabeth II in British government in 1983. The classical composer-in-training was also a devoted rock ‘n’ roller.

Gregory’s dual loves for classical and rock led him down an unusual path, he is very likely the world’s foremost heavy metal mandolin player, and he was a pioneer in the design and use of the 7-string electric guitar, an instrument type for which he holds two patents and still vigorously champions. In the late 1980s, along with Eric Clapton and Yngwie Malmsteen, Gregory was one of the original Fender signature artists.

He continues to delight audiences worldwide with his phenomenal musical prowess on both electric guitar and electric mandolin.

Influences: Ritchie Blackmore, Allan Holdsworth Paganini and Jan Akkerman.

Axology: Fender Stratocaster 7-strings, Gibson 8-strings Piano guitar and electric Mandolin.

"Gregory was named one of the world’s 50 fastest guitarists in the July 2008 issue of Guitar World magazine."

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rwvwl_q4R0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPRajRWO7aM

Steve Vai

Name: Steven Siro Vai
Born: 6th June, 1960
Profile: An Italian American rock guitarist.

History: Started to play guitar at the age of 14, as a teenager he would write endlessly, keeping diaries, documenting dreams and studying music. Before going on solo Vai has played in various bands and along side with great guitarist such as Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Billy Sheehan(Mr. Big), Joe Satriani, John Patrucci (Dream Theater), Ozzy Osbourne, Alcatrazz, Whitesnakes and G3.

Influences: Jeff Beck, Allan Holdsworth, Joe Satriani, Jimi Handrix, Carlos Santana, John Lee Hooker and Roy Buchanan.

Axology: Ibanez JEM-777, Ibanez UV-7 Universe 7-string, Marshall 100-watt heads, Eventide HS3000S Harmonizer and Vox Wah.

"The genius - the master of the space age guitar - Mr. Steve Vai" - Brian May (Queen)

"Steve Vai is a huge musician. Most people hear him as a guitar player. They don't see all the different pairs of pants he owns. But I've seen the pants and I've heard the tapes" - Joe Satriani.

Steve Vai is an interesting man, His music is powerful, fast and dynamic. Yet Vai also has humanistic, philosophical and at times spiritual approach to his music and his way of life. He was a student at Berklee School and music and also studied with guitar teacher performer Joe Satriani, fondly recalling long jam sessions with Satriani as among his most enjoyable experiences.