Blog

When you talk about the Mount Rushmore of heavy metal, the conversation begins and ends with the Riff Lord himself, Tony Iommi. But when the undisputed master of doom decides to unleash a brand new sonic assault upon the world, the heavy music community collectively loses its mind. Enter From the Dark, the monumental new […]

The Statement: Diana has decided to step away from Delain after many years with the band to pursue other things in life. While her departure naturally brings a sense of … Continue reading Delain Announces Departure of Singer Diana Leah →

Lonnie Mack’s legendary 1958 Gibson Flying V guitar, known as “Number 7,” has sold for $550,000 at Heritage Auctions.

The guitar, which Mack played throughout his influential career, was sold alongside his 1962 Magnatone Custom 440 amplifier during Heritage’s October 15 Vintage Guitars and Musical Instruments auction. The lot also included Mack’s recognizable stage strap.

Mack’s Flying V became one of the most recognizable instruments in blues rock history. The guitarist used “Number 7” throughout decades of recordings, live performances, and international tours, helping establish his distinctive sound that combined blues, rock, country, and soul.

A pioneer of blues rock guitar, Mack helped shape the direction of electric guitar playing in the 1960s. His instrumental hits “Memphis” and “Wham!” showcased his aggressive picking style and influenced generations of guitarists who followed.

The Flying V was closely associated with Mack throughout his career, appearing on album covers and becoming a familiar sight during his live performances.

The Flying V was one of the auction’s biggest sales, second only to a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst that fetched $781,250. The Les Paul established a world auction record for a vintage guitar without celebrity provenance, surpassing the previous record of $611,000.

“To offer both this Les Paul and Lonnie Mack’s ‘Number 7’ in the same auction was extraordinary,” said Aaron Piscopo, Director of Vintage Guitars & Musical Instruments at Heritage Auctions. “One is a remarkably preserved example of Gibson’s Golden Era craftsmanship; the other helped shape the sound of modern electric guitar. Together, their results demonstrate the depth of collecting interest in great instruments and the musical history they carry.”

In total, the auction generated $2.15 million across 201 lots and attracted 848 international bidders.

Mack, who died in 2016 at the age of 74, remains an influential figure in the development of blues rock guitar. His combination of blues phrasing, rock and roll energy, and country-influenced picking helped establish a style that would influence generations of guitarists.

The $550,000 sale ensures that one of the most recognizable guitars in blues rock history remains a highly valued piece of music history.

The post Blues Rock legend’s guitar sells for $550,000 at auction appeared first on Blues Rock Review.

Watt and Ozzy listened to playback of the songs the night before Ozzy’s final concert.

The post Andrew Watt Speaks On Unreleased Ozzy Osbourne Songs: “There Are Some Songs That We Made For A Specific Reason.” appeared first on Theprp.com.

When it comes to bands that refuse to stay in their lane, Glasgow’s djent-pop-metal powerhouse Sixth Wonder are currently leading the pack by a country mile. These Scottish alternative mavericks have spent the last few years systematically tearing up the heavy music rulebook, collecting a couple of Best Metal gongs at the Scottish Alternative Music […]

Someone on this site may have had a hand with the first part of that…

The post Mark Hunter Reflects On Chimaira Playing Farmclub, Weighs In On The Possibility Of New Music And Lengthier Touring appeared first on Theprp.com.

Julie London was one of the most recognizable female vocalists of the 1950s and 1960s, celebrated for her smoky, intimate singing style and her ability to bring extraordinary emotion to even the simplest melodies. Born Julie Peck on September 26, 1926, in Santa Rosa, California, London began her entertainment career as an actress before becoming a successful recording artist. Her understated vocal approach set her apart from many of the more powerful singers of her generation. London’s recording career took off in 1955 with her unforgettable version of “Cry Me a River,” written by Arthur Hamilton. The single reached number

The post Top 10 Julie London Songs appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

The Pretty Reckless have released a video for About You (Bonus Version), a new version of a song that originally appeared on this year’s Dear God album, and singer Taylor Momsen has invited some friends along for the ride: Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and guitarist Pat Smear.

“About You is one of my favourite songs on the record, so I wanted to do something special,” says Momsen. “I called Dave and Pat and asked them if they’d lend their magic to it. It was an amazing time in the studio making music; there’s nothing better than jamming with friends. I couldn’t be happier with the result.”

The release comes as The Pretty Reckless prepare to embark on the European leg of their Dear God tour next month, which kicks off on November 9 in Madrid, Spain, and includes UK shows in Bristol, Wolverhampton, Manchester, London and Glasgow. Full dates below.

The tour will cap a busy period for The Pretty Reckless, who supported AC/DC on the North American leg of their Power Up tour, while Momsen played with Soundgarden at the halftime show during the Seattle Seahawks vs New England Patriots game last month. She also appeared at Tom Morello’s Power to the People Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD, earlier this month.

The Pretty Reckless: Dear God Euopean Tour 2026

Nov 09: Madrid La Riviera, Spain
Nov 10: Barcelona Razzmatazz, Spain
Nov 14: Milan Fabrique, Italy
Nov 16: Prague Forum Karlín, Czech Republic
Nov 18: Berlin Huxleys Neue Welt, Germany
Nov 21: Cologne Carlswerk Victoria, Germany
Nov 23: Amsterdam AFAS Live, The Netherlands
Nov 24: Paris Zéni, France
Nov 26: Bristol The Prospect Building, UK
Nov 27: Wolverhampton Civic Hall, UK
Nov 29: Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse, UK
Dec 01: London O2 Academy Brixton, UK
Dec 03: Glasgow Barrowland, UK

Find The Pretty Reckless tickets.

That run will launch this March.

The post Gradience Debut “Vermin” Music Video, Announce Their First-Ever UK Tour With Survivalist appeared first on Theprp.com.

Joanne Shaw Taylor can stand toe-to-toe with the best guitarists in the business today, and pay careful attention that I didn’t make that comparison with only female guitarists. She can flat-out play, and she possesses that smoky, bluesy voice that stands out among the very best vocalists. Plus, she’s a great songwriter. In short, she’s got it all going on.

Taylor also has a brand-new album, The Trouble With Love, dropping on October 23. For those unfamiliar (if that is even possible) with Joanne Shaw Taylor, let’s explore a little background about how she ascended to her current notoriety.

Born in Wednesbury, England (in the West Midlands area known as the “Black Country”), she grew up in a family that was musically influenced by a guitar- and harmonica-playing father who enjoyed the blues and a mother who enjoyed Motown and soul music. She spent time listening to her parents’ record collection as a youngster and played classical guitar while in school.

At the age of sixteen, she was discovered by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics). In 2009, Taylor’s first official album, White Sugar, was released, and since then, she has released ten more (including this new release), a couple of live projects, and a string of singles and EPs.

She is a multi-award-winning blues artist who has worked with artists such as Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Joe Bonamassa, Dave Stewart, Josh Smith, and others. Joanne Shaw Taylor continues to explore new territory in the blues music world, especially with this brand-new album release.

The Trouble With Love kicks off with the attention-grabbing title track, “The Trouble With Love,” which features Joanne Shaw Taylor’s close friend, Joe Bonamassa. What a great opening this tune is because it showcases some masterful guitar playing and Taylor’s sometimes-overlooked, outstanding vocal ability.

This song addresses the sad facts of failing love and how it is sometimes harder to stay than it is to leave. “And I wish I hadn’t had it, ’cause I can’t quit this habit. That’s the trouble with love.” This great piece has also been released as a video that you can find on YouTube.

The second track of this ten-song recording is “Hell Or High Water,” and it’s a great one. Do you love those gospel blues sounds? Well, it’s working here in a huge way! I love Taylor’s soulful guitar solo in this number.

She sings, “I feel no sorrow, I feel no shame. I’ve walked through fire and back again.” Taylor continues with, “Now I’m on my knees begging; Lord don’t let me falter; come hell or high water.”

The voices at the very end are such a nice touch to this well-done song that you’ll want to make sure to check out.

“What Good Is My Love” is an upbeat, happy song with negative, depressing subject matter. “No I don’t care, that you changed your mind. Baby that’s what lovers do all the time. But maybe next around, you could save somebody the fall. For now I’ll take the hit, and just call this another close call.”

She continues with, “What good is my love; what good is my love? If I’m not the one you’re thinking of?”

More great guitar work can be found on this track as Taylor sings about bad relationships that most of us can, unfortunately, relate to.

Track eight of The Trouble With Love is “Never Gonna Please ‘Em All,” and I’m just about betting that she might be referring to fans and critics of her music in this one. The opening guitar lead is “gonna” make you nod your head in rhythm. “Betcha”!

Taylor sings, “Played it safe and I played it sweet. Even sugar burns, left under the heat. Ain’t never gonna please them all.”

This is a real shake-the-walls rocker that might get you up and dancing a little “boogity, boogity, boo” around the room, especially if you crank up that volume dial.

The bottom line is that Joanne Shaw Taylor is, as Joe Bonamassa has been quoted as saying, “the total package.” I don’t disagree.

Joanne Shaw Taylor has been quoted as saying this about herself: “I’ll always be a blues guitarist at heart.” She has consistently stayed true to that quote, mixing in brief diversions to keep her music interesting to her listeners, as well as herself.

But make no mistake, she is a “true” blues artist, as bluesy as they come.

You can catch her on tour during October and November. Just check her schedule through her social media. You can also check out lots of her prior work on YouTube. Joanne Shaw Taylor just keeps getting better and better.

Grab a copy of The Trouble With Love. You will not be sorry.

The Review: 9.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– The Trouble With Love
– Hell Or High Water
– This Is Who I Am
– Never Gonna Please ‘Em All

The Big Hit

– Hell Or High Water

The post Joanne Shaw Taylor: The Trouble With Love Review appeared first on Blues Rock Review.