Latest Industry News & Music Events

Steve Vai confirmed to play the 2009 London Guitar Show

London Guitar Show 2009

Master Guitar Virtuoso, Steve Vai, is confirmed to play the 2009 London Guitar Show at the ExCeL exhibition centre, London Docklands June 11th to 14th 2009.

More than just playing, “the stunt guitar man”, is also bringing his amazing Alien Guitar Secrets – a Steve Vai Masterclass to the show.

For more than 20 years Steve Vai has been one of the worlds most respected and admired guitarists. He has combined a highly successful solo career, with an equally successful career touring and recording with numerous musical artists including Frank Zappa, Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and the G3 Concert Tour.

Scott Henderson to Host ICMP Masterclass

Scott Henderson

Outstanding jazz, blues and fusion guitarist Scott Henderson is to be the next legendary player to headline in a series of masterclasses hosted by the Guitar Institute in London in association with Guitar Getaways Awaydays. This follows the hugely successful event featuring Larry Carlton at the end of last year.

Scott Henderson’s impressive work over the years as co-leader of the group Tribal Tech, and as sideman for Chick Corea, Jean Luc Ponty and Joe Zawinul has elevated him to the front ranks of both jazz and blues. Scott’s trademark today, apart from being a world class player and premier composer, is his unique sound and striking ability to switch from wonderful, soulful blues to incredible, technical jazz.

Gibson Donates to Ronald

The Ronald McDonald House in Rio de Janeiro recently received a very special delivery from the Gibson Foundation. In support of their musical therapy class, Gibson donated a Maestro Electric Mini-V Guitar, a Maestro Acoustic Guitar, and two amps.

“The instruments will certainly be a great contribution to improve the quality of life of our children living with cancer,” says Sonia Neves, President of the Ronald McDonald House Charity in Rio de Janeiro. “They will be used solely in our music therapy class.”

Founded in 2002, the Gibson Foundation is committed to making the world a better place for children by creating, developing, and supporting programs and other non-profit organizations in their efforts to advance education, music and the arts, the environment, and health & welfare causes.

Source:Gibson

Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Still Rules..

Even Ronald Orzabal, the band’s co-founders, never realized this song would rule the world for many decades. Orzabal did not want to include it in the album as he felt it did not fit the album, “Songs from the Big Chair”. It was the bands producer Chris Hughes who persuaded Orzabal to try recoding the song. It was the last song to be included in the album.

Tears for Fears - Orzabal & Curt Smith

“Songs from the Big Chair” was Tears for Fears’s ninth album. The British pop and rock band did have many songs in the UK top 40 charts before. However in 1985, this song reached the top like never before. Peaking #2 in the UK Top 40 charts and Billboard Hot 100 #1 in the USA the song stayed in the top for many weeks.

Squeeze's Chris Difford to host ICMP Masterclass

The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance is excited to present a masterclass on Friday March 27th with celebrated lyricist Chris Difford of the influential band Squeeze.

In 1974, Chris formed Squeeze with Glen Tilbrook, Jools Holland and Paul Gunn. Through the years, the band found itself with many great musical successes, such as the UK Number Two hits ‘Cool For Cats’ and ‘Up The Junction’, the US Top Five single ‘Tempted’ and the UK Top Five single ‘Labelled with Love’. After a headline gig at New York’s Madison Square Garden that same year, in 1982, Chris and Glen took a break from the band and concentrated on their music as a duo.

After reforming for a massively successful charity show in 1985, Squeeze decided to reform and begin recording again, releasing a further six albums over the following thirteen years, as well as maintaining a strong touring schedule. In 1998, Chris was presented with an Ivor Novello Award after penning the lyrics for the film ‘Still Crazy’ and a year later, after a show in Aberdeen, Squeeze decided to announce their split so that both Chris and Glen could focus on their respective solo careers.

In 2008, Chris and Glen were presented at the Ivor Novello Awards with the PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music award for their expansive body of work during their 34 year partnership.

The ICMP is delighted to be welcoming Chris for what will be an impressive and educational masterclass. In the evening following the event, he will be presenting a one-man show at the Luminaire in Kilburn, performing new versions of his solo favourites as well as some Squeeze classics. This will, be an amazing opportunity to experience the highlights of Chris’ career with music, visuals and intimate conversation.