The Complete History of Guitar World (Backbeat Books 2010)

A very concise history of the highlights of the respected ‘Guitar World’ magazine. Even non-musos like myself can enjoy this book. For only 300 pages they cram the information in from every song transcripted in the magazine between July 1980 when it launched up to October 2010. Then there is every cover featured plus eight pages given to each album.

It is fun just to watch the fashions and musical trends change over the years from the OTT hair metal days, grunge and bands like Green Day. There are some great interview highlights from a hilarious interview with Spinal Tap’s Nigel Tuffnell and a moving interview with Jason Becker shortly after he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Metallica seem to crop up an awful lot!

For a ‘dip in’ book on the magazine this one has it all and as mentioned earlier it has a wider appeal outside of the guitarist fraternity.

Jason Ritchie

www.backbeatbooks.com

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.

This is the first show broadcast on 27 September. Josh presents some of his inspirational artists and tracks.

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 27 September 2026.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 26 October 2026

BLACK RIVER DELTA Shame On You (Despotz Records)
DAYTONA Listen To The Silence (Escape Music)
SUCKERTRAP Sacred Lies (indie)
WOOD BURNT RED Count My Blessings (indie)
BLACKLIST UNION Heavy Is The Crown (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 26 October 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

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