One man’s ‘crazy guitar hero quest’

Author’s journey to meet the rock gods makes for a fun read.

Success is measured in many ways.

Some consider happiness the ultimate indicator of a worthwhile existence. Others need a certain level of financial stability. Some require the adulation of their peers.

Rock stars have checked off every one of those boxes.

It’s why so many people want to be, or know, guys who rock out every night.

Thomas Scott McKenzie, a software project manager and lifelong hard rock fan from middle America, is among the millions who dreamed of wielding an ax in front of an arena full of adoring fans, a la Eddie Van Halen or Slash.

McKenzie took his rock obsession a step further, however, embarking on a cross-country expedition to meet and learn from the guitar gods of his youth — guys like Ace Frehley of KISS and Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest.

The result is “Power Chord: One Man’s Ear-splitting Quest to Find His Guitar Heroes,” an entertaining travelogue that hits all the right notes.

“Some guys want to visit every major-league ballpark,” McKenzie writes. “Other people retrace their family’s history through Europe.

“My mission simply had more ear-shattering volume.”

And great anecdotes, too, including McKenzie describing the times he: shared a meal with KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick at Cracker Barrel, attended a class taught by virtuoso Steve Vai titled, “Alien Music Secrets,” and attended Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy Camp.

The latter tale is the highlight of “Power Chord.”

You see, McKenzie is a topshelf rock aficionado. He just isn’t much of a rocker.

So at the fantasy camp, where wannabes shell out big bucks to form groups and learn from some of the best in the business, McKenzie had the misfortune of not really being able to play a lick.