http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/FeaturesThe latest feature articles from Gibson LifestyleThu, 09 Feb 2012 23:34:23 GMThttp://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/love-bites-0209-2012The folks at Gibson.com appreciate a good love song. But with so many great, angsty ditties written about love gone wrong, we also appreciate a tune that delves into the darker side of affection. In honor of Valentine's Day, we’re highlighting 10 such breakup songs. Between the chocolate candies and red roses, V-Day stirs up a brew of emotions, from happiness to jealousy to woe, and this list embodies that reality. What’s your go-to breakup jam?]]>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:01:00 GMTFeatures180603http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/great-geek-bands-0208-2012Few endeavors carry a stronger “cool” factor than being in a rock and roll band. Occasionally, however, a group comes along that proves that Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and other purveyors of rebellion and sex appeal have no monopoly on the art form. For bookish fans – those, say, who prefer Star Trek conventions to Bonnaroo – such groups fulfill a craving for wit, intellect and irony. And guess what: in the case of the 10 bands below, we less cerebrally endowed folks like them, too.]]>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:01:00 GMTFeatures180585http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/top-ten-news-0207-2012It’s been another wild and wacky week in the crazy world of rock and roll. Mötley Crüe followed in Elvis’s footsteps and began a Las Vegas Residency, while Bryan Adams agreed to tour his native Canada for the first time in 20 years. American Idol’s Adam Lambert will be touring as the Queen frontman this year and Ringo told the Stones to get back on the road. KISS have an Angry Birds game in the works and Dave Grohl may be working on a sitcom. Finally, David Lee Roth told us al how to start a fire with a bag of Fritos. Now that’s rock and roll!]]>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:00:40 GMTFeatures180580http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/12-string-mimicry-0207-2012It’s one of the most heavenly, downright gorgeous sounds in rock history: a ringing 12-string acoustic guitar playing an ethereal chord. Or it’s one of the most sonically exciting: an overdriven electric 12-string playing a pedal tone riff punctuated by big chord jabs, like in Led Zeppelin’s “The Song Remains the Same.” Or it's one of the most unusual lead guitar sounds imaginable: the stacked octaves of George Harrison’s solo in The Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night” or Roger McGuinn’s work on The Byrds’ “Eight Miles High.” Even Eddie Van Halen got in on the action with chiming 12-string overdubs on “Poundcake” from 1991’s For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. ]]>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:01:00 GMTFeatures180570http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/Let-it-Rock-02-06-2012Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it, but guitar players who truly know the formative figures of their craft are savvy enough to borrow from the past, enriching their own music with foundational building blocks. Here’s a list of 10 guitarists you should know who helped form rock ’n’ roll’s backbone – and some of the key players they’ve influenced:]]>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:01:01 GMTFeatures180558http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/live-wire-0205-2012Just because MTV doesn’t play music anymore doesn’t mean there’s not tons of live music on television these days. Consider our weekly feature “Live Wire,” your guide to performances, concerts and rock star appearances on the tube. All times are ET. ]]>Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:01:00 GMTFeatures180554http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/gary-moore-0203-2012It is almost a year since Gary Moore died at the age of 58 on February 6, 2011. Moore’s heart attack while on vacation in Spain was a shock, and took away one of Ireland’s most celebrated guitarists. In music, though, Moore had plenty of heart. An outspoken, man, Moore was a take-no-prisoners player. He never stayed long in bands and he flirted with numerous styles of music and fashion but, ultimately, Moore just loved playing guitar. And to his devoted following, he was one of the very best guitarists ever. ]]>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:01:00 GMTFeatures180547http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/billie-joe-armstrong-0202-2012Billie Joe Armstrong, guitarist for Berkley-based punk-pop band Green Day, has a simple philosophy when it comes to the group’s fiery, breakneck-velocity punk tradition.]]>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:01:00 GMTFeatures180535http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/iggy-pop-world-0201-2012Carrying the “Godfather of Punk” torch can be a heavy burden, but Iggy Pop has proved up to the task for 40-plus years. Whether delivering an iron-fisted, metallic k.o. of a show with The Stooges, or offering up unpredictably eclectic solo albums (witness his 2009 “near-jazz” release, Preliminaires), the 64-year-old icon always has marched to a beat indecipherable to anyone but himself. In interviews, Pop has never shied from tough questions, especially when they pertain to his life and his music. In the quotes below, he waxes philosophical on his legacy, his childhood and the role that peanut butter played in his career.]]>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:01:00 GMTFeatures180525http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/top-ten-news-0131-2012It’s been another fascinating week in the crazy world of rock and roll. Guitar legend Joe Walsh finished his new solo album, while AC/DC’s plans were delayed by an illness in the band. We lost the great Etta James, but her album sales went through the roof – ensuring that her music will live on. Coldplay are headed to New York for The Secret Policeman’s Ball charity event and Neil Young announced two new albums with Crazy Horse. Ex-Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing is building a luxury hotel while rock and roll maverick Iggy Pop has been made Ambassador for Record Store Day 2012. Now that’s rock and roll!]]>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:53:55 GMTFeatures180520