Chris Rea (1951–2025) The English voice, guitar, and restraint that defined a singular musical life Chris Rea, the English singer-songwriter and guitarist whose work fused blues tradition with a distinctly British sense of reserve, died on 22 December 2025 , aged 74 . Revered for his husky, weathered voice and eloquent slide guitar, Rea built one of the most durable and quietly respected careers in European popular music, guided not by fashion or excess but by tone, patience,

When discussing the most important acoustic guitars in popular music history, a short list inevitably emerges. Among them stands one instrument whose influence transcends wood, wire, and craftsmanship: the 1964 Epiphone FT-79 Texan  played by Paul McCartney. More than a tool of composition, McCartney’s Texan became a cultural artifact — inseparably linked to Yesterday , one of the most recorded songs of all time, and to a moment when popular music embraced vulnerability, inti

Introduction Few artists have shaped the sound of popular music as profoundly as The Everly Brothers . Their seamless sibling harmonies, acoustically driven arrangements, and crossover songwriting helped define the emerging rock-and-roll era and influenced countless musicians—from The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel to modern Americana duos. Equally iconic is the guitar designed in their honor: the Gibson Everly Brothers  model (J-180 Everly Brothers), one of the most visually

The Gibson Nick Lucas Special: The Deep-Body Acoustic That Changed Guitar History Among the most iconic acoustic guitars ever built, the Gibson Nick Lucas Special embodies the golden age of craftsmanship. Designed in collaboration with America’s first true guitar star, it redefined acoustic performance with its deep body and refined tonal balance. Introduction The Gibson Nick Lucas Special stands as one of the most significant acoustic guitars of the pre-war era, a model that

In the history of modern popular music, a handful of names stand as turning points—artists who didn’t just make hits, but changed the cultural weather. Among them is Lonnie Donegan , the man affectionately and rightly known as the “King of Skiffle.” Donegan didn’t invent skiffle, but he turned it from a footnote in American roots music into a wildfire that swept across Britain in the 1950s, inspiring a generation of young musicians who would go on to reshape the global sounds

It’s hard to imagine a world without Ace Frehley. For so many of us, he wasn’t just a guitarist — he was the  spark that made us believe rock and roll could take us somewhere bigger, louder, and wilder than the world we knew. When Ace hit the stage with Kiss, the air changed. You could feel it in your chest — the rumble of the amps, the flash of the lights, and then that guitar . The way he bent notes felt like he was tearing open the sky. He didn’t just play solos… he launch

When C.F. Martin & Co. introduced the D-45SS “Stephen Stills” Limited Signature Edition at the close of the 1990s, it wasn’t just another...

Pure Effect Music is delighted to make available for sale this 1938 Gibson Advanced Jumbo , one of the most revered acoustic guitars ever...

A pristine 1997 Martin 000-45JR “Jimmie Rodgers”  will be released October 2025 from The Collection in mint condition —arguably one of the finest surviving examples of this limited run (approx. 52 built). Featuring Adirondack spruce  over Brazilian rosewood , full Style-45  abalone trim, the “Blue Yodel” headplate, and “JIMMIE RODGERS” fingerboard inlay, this guitar is as close as you can come to a playable museum piece. Its voice is lush, articulate, and harmonically rich, w

Few artists can transform a live performance into a spiritual experience. In 2024, David Gilmour reminded the world why his voice and...

Few albums have left as deep an imprint on rock history as Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti . Originally released on February 24, 1975,...

Introduction In 2025, The Beatles Anthology  makes a triumphant return with a stunning reissue across multiple formats. At the heart of...

We know the feeling — you find the  guitar. The one you’ve been dreaming about for years. The sound, the story, the craftsmanship… it’s...

More than 120 guitars, amps and pedals from legendary rock musician Jeff Beck's career have been sold at auction for £8.7m, more than...

Martin Guitars and Joe Bonamassa have teamed up to bring you a limited edition replica of one of the most-stunning pre-War acoustic...

The iconic guitar that Irish rock and blues legend Rory Gallagher played throughout his career has been sold at auction for more than...

Known for his electrifying live performances, the Irish musician and songwriter Rory Gallagher (1948-1995) was an inspiration to his fans...

What price for a piece of bona fide rock ‘n’ roll history? Well, if that piece happens to be an iconic guitar used by an equally iconic...

A guitar used by John Lennon has sold for $2.9m (£2.3m), setting what organisers have called a new world record for the highest-selling...

The Mark Knopfler Guitar Collection was an outstanding success, totalling £8,840,160 / US$11,227,003 / €10,342,987 at a live Christie's...