John Petrucci

John Petrucci (born July 12, 1967) is the guitarist and a founding member of the progressive metal group Dream Theater. He is a popular musician in the progressive metal genre and utilizes a mixture of styles when playing, such as shredding and flamenco.

Related Topics:
July 12 - 1967 - Guitar - Progressive metal - Dream Theater - Shredding - Flamenco

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Born July 12, 1967, John first played guitar at age 8 but soon abandoned it. At age 12, he began playing again when he was invited into the band of his friend Kevin Moore, who would later become the keyboardist of Dream Theater. John began to practice in earnest. He was a largely self-taught guitarist who he developed his skills through attempts to equal the chops of his idols, who included Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Morse, Steve Vai, Al Di Meola, Alex Lifeson, and Allan Holdsworth. He has jokingly referred to his guitars idols as the "Steves and the Als".

Related Topics:
July 12 - 1967 - Kevin Moore - Keyboard - Dream Theater - Yngwie Malmsteen - Steve Morse - Steve Vai - Al Di Meola - Alex Lifeson - Allan Holdsworth

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John attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts with childhood friend John Myung (bass), where they met future bandmate Mike Portnoy (drums). These three in addition to another childhood friend of Petrucci and Myung, Kevin Moore (Keyboards), formed the band Majesty, which would later become Dream Theater.

Related Topics:
Berklee College of Music - Massachusetts - John Myung - Bass - Mike Portnoy - Drums - Kevin Moore - Keyboards

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While Dream Theater is what John is most commonly associated with, he was also a part of the band Liquid Tension Experiment and has appeared as a guest on several records by other artists.

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In 2001 he was chosen by Joe Satriani and Steve Vai to tour with them on the popular G3 guitar tour, which exposed him to a massive number of new fans and inspired him to record a solo album. Suspended Animation was released on March 1, 2005, and made available for order from his web site. He is also appearing on the 2005 G3 tour.

Related Topics:
2001 - Joe Satriani - Steve Vai - Suspended Animation - March 1 - 2005

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Petrucci is also notable as one of relatively few users of the 7-string guitar. While he uses a conventional 6-string guitar in the majority of his compositions, he has used the 7-string in such songs as "A Change of Seasons", "Caught in a Web", "The Glass Prison", "New Millennium", "The Mirror", and "Lie".

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Petrucci currently endorses Ernie Ball/MusicMan guitars and has two signature guitars on the market, a 6-string and a 7-string. Two new models are on their way, and will be presented on the NAMM show in January 2006. In addition to Ernie Ball/MusicMan guitars, he endorses Mesa Boogie amplifiers, and is currently using the Road King and Lone Star. He had previously used their Mark II C+ amp and their Triaxis preamp, among others.

Related Topics:
Ernie Ball - MusicMan - Mesa Boogie

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