Inquirer al jardine

Fifty years on from their first successes, Roger McGuinn, the 12-string architect of THE BYRDS , tells Uncut about their exceptional first 18 months – and his relationship with Gene Clark. As the young group make their jet-powered escape from the folk think tank, we hear about making the scene on the Strip, outraging Iowa and a muted response in the United Kingdom. But ultimately how “Eight Miles High” became the spectacular conclusion of the band’s first era. “I almost left The Byrds entirely to go and be in this space band With Dino Valente,” McGuinn tells John Robinson

The country superstar shares his love for Dumbles, writing riffs on cheap guitars, and the Nocaster once owned by Cinderella’s Tom Keifer that’s “worth every cent”

H.e.a.t frontman Kenny Leckremo on the records, artists and gigs that are of lasting significance to him.

THE STARS REVEAL THE SONIC DELIGHTS GUARANTEED TO GET THEM GOING...

Your letters to the Guitarist editor. Drop us a line at guitarist@futurenet.com

Best known as Billy Idol’s collaborator of 40-plus years, Steve Stevens transcends the punk-rock guitarist mould, taking in flamenco, jazzfusion, prog and classical styles – and he remains as excited about guitar today as he was when he first picked one up