EIGHT FROM THE ’80S

LOOKING BACK, GW-STYLE

CONTRARY TO POPULAR belief, Guitar World — which came into existence right around the middle of 1980 — didn’t actually publish a ton of stereotypically squeakin’, squawkin’, screamin’ and/or honkin’ “ridiculously Eighties” covers! Sure, there are (literally) a couple of instances of Billy Idol axer Steve Stevens and his amazing hair… there’s definitely a heapin’ helpin’ of our Mr. Vai looking very “of the time” every now and then… But for the most part, these days, GW’s Eighties covers come off as more “generally vintage” instead of “insanely Eighties.”

Above, check out what we feel are eight GW covers (all from the Eighties, of course) that somehow — whether for obvious reasons or more subtle criteria (For instance — Jeff Beck with his pink Jackson!) truly sum up the Eighties. Of course, 35 years from now, they’ll probably have to lump the August 2022 cover into this pile!

— Damian Fanelli