Review
Prato shreds it (sorry!) on this stellar oral history of shredders. --Vintage Guitar Magazine
An amazingly comprehensive look at the lineage of some of the greatest guitarists of all time in their own words. I greatly enjoyed the format and stories from the wide range of players represented. --Eddie Trunk, Trunk Nation SiriusXM Radio
Prato's already worked out the magic of getting oral history right with his definitive grunge book, Grunge is Dead. Now tackling guitar shred, artfully covering the main hub and then all the spokes that make the wheel go round and round, Prato talks to all the luminaries--this is serious interview snagging here--and lays down the somewhat obscure and challenging story with great flow and lots of humor from the speakers, shredders and those who have to deal with them (like Graham Bonnet). What results is a weighty academic work, an erstwhile history of heavy metal, really, but manna from heaven if you are a guitar player. Forewords and afterwords by Alex Lifeson and Uli Jon Roth underscore the substance Prato has laid down here. --Martin Popoff, book author/journalist
I love this book! I personally know many of the guitarists featured, but I'm also a huge fan of their work. I've never read a book about famous guitarists and how other famous guitarists view them. I was captivated from beginning to end. This is a "must read" for anyone that loves the guitar and really a "must read" for anyone that loves music. I highly recommend this book! --Michael Angelo Batio (Nitro guitarist, solo artist)
Told by the guitars players themselves, this book gives personal insight into what makes them who they are, and how they got there. Guitarists talking about the guitarists that made an impact and gave inspiration. I'm so proud to be included in this book. --Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, solo artist & Guns N' Roses guitarist (2006-2014)
I vividly recall devouring magazines like Guitar Player back in the late '80s and early '90s...reading this book evoked a lot of memories from that time, but with one significant difference: back in the day, these kind of insights into other players' approaches and perspectives would trickle out in tantalizing monthly installments, whereas Greg's book facilitates a more voracious approach. Reading it felt rather reminiscent of being able to "binge" on the whole boxed set of a TV series, rather than having to wait for each new episode to air. A fascinating read, if this kind of guitar playing is your metaphorical "cup of tea." --Guthrie Govan (The Aristocrats, Asia, GPS, & solo guitarist) If you base your decision on whether or not to buy and read thisfascinating book simply by what Michael Angelo Batio, Ron "Bumblefoot"Thal and Guthrie Govan have so eloquently said....you couldn't besteered onto a better course! The only thing that I could add is thatthis book could also serve as a sort of "bread crumb" path for the upand coming new guitarists to be led into a way of thinking, that couldvery well put them in a position to be in the next book like this in the future...if you read closely! Greg Prato is not only a great writer,and I am also honored to call him friend, but the way his mind works inputting this together the way he did, can only enrich any guitarplayer's knowledge and nudge them closer to where they want tobe...simply by the written word! --Craig Goldy (Dio, Dio Disciples, Dream Child guitarist)
Greg steers the ship and lets the truth do the talking. With Shredders!: The Oral History Of Speed Guitar (And More), same result - Alex Lifeson (who wrote the foreword) gets you preparedfor the journey...then fasten your seat belt to the land of guitaraerobics. A MUST FOR ANY FAN OF SPEED GUITAR HEROES!!! --Keith Roth, Ozzy's Boneyard & Electric Ballroom
Although this is not a short book, music fans and guitar enthusiasts will find themselves engrossed and not able to put this book down. Prato never disappoints. --Screamer Magazine
Greg Prato covers the history of shredding from its early days (the most influential early shredder cited as Eddie Van Halen) through to the current day. The oral history style of the book means that each chapter subject (e.g. Steve Vai, special effects, Shrapnel Records, etc.) has related quotes and anecdotes along with views from musicians and journalists. Edited well in this book, this format is entertaining and provides a fascinating view of guitarists talking about their peers --Fireworks Magazine
What's particularly cool about this book, is it that you feel likeyou're traveling back in time to the dawn of shred during your reading.On topof that, you don't need to know who all the players are to beengaged.Shredders are a 5/5 book. A super fun read that I recommend to any andmusic fans! --All That Shreds Website
A deep dive look at some of the best lead axemen (and women) of hard rock and heavy metal, Shredders!: The Oral History of Speed Guitar (And More) is as fun of a read as it is highly informative. --No Echo ("2017 Holiday Gift Guide: Hardcore, Punk + Metal Books" selection)
About the Author
Greg Prato is a New York-based writer and author whose books include Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History Of Seattle Rock Music, Survival Of The Fittest: Heavy Metal In The 1990s, and A Devil On One Shoulder And An Angel On The Other: The Story Of Shannon Hoon And Blind Melon. His writing has also appeared in publications including Guitar Player, Vintage Guitar, and Rolling Stone.
