Events and Promotions - Guitar Center

Guitar Center and Motley Crue Award The Last Vegas the Ultimate Career-Altering Opportunity:
In front of a capacity crowd at the world famous Whisky A-Go-Go, complete with music industry tastemakers, Guitar Center and Motley Crue selected The Last Vegas from Chicago, IL, as the winner of Guitar Center On-Stage last night. Over the past eight weeks, bands across the United States submitted their music at makerockhistory.com. From close to 8000 submissions, 30 semi-finalists were selected, which were then narrowed down to the six top undiscovered bands in the country, with The Last Vegas prevailing as the one band chosen for the ultimate, career altering opportunity -- the chance to open on tour for rock icons, Motley Crue. In addition to the slot on Motley Crue’s 2009 "Saints Of Los Angeles" U.S. tour (dates to be announced on Friday, November 14th), The Last Vegas also takes home $25,000 cash, $20,000 in exclusive new gear from Gibson Guitars, management from Tenth Street Entertainment, and a recording deal from Eleven Seven Music. In true Crue fashion, The Last Vegas also found out that their career is literally going from "0" to "60" overnight and will be opening for the notorious rockers at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles this Friday, November 14th. The band will record their first single immediately. It will be available as a stream on AOL on November 24th and as a download on iTunes by November 25th.

For more in formation or to watch highlights from Guitar Center On-Stage, please go to

Fishbone Fall Tour:
Since forming in Los Angeles in 1979, Fishbone has garnered legions of fans through relentless touring and the sheer appeal of their frantic mix of funk, punk, reggae, ska, hip-hop and metal. Their 1985 single "Party at Ground Zero," and the 1988 and 1991 albums Truth and Soul and The Reality of My Surroundings are regarded as classics by critics and fans alike. After nearly 30 years, Fishbone is still going strong, recording and bringing their one-of-a-kind live show to an entirely new generation of concertgoers. Make it a point to catch Fishbone on their Fall Tour.

Guitar Center Sessions presents Slash:
Guitar Center is pleased to announce the next installment of Guitar Center Sessions: An Evening of Dialogue and Insight with Slash.

Taking place Wednesday, September 3 at the Guitar Center in Northridge, CA, the evening is free and open to the public, and will include a book signing for 2008 Pop-Culture Book of the Year Reckless Road: Guns N' Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction (Real Deal Media), the definitive visual history of the band's early days in Hollywood.

The evening will be powered by Gibson, Ernie Ball and Real Deal Media. Stay tuned for videos and photos post event!

Guitar Center Sessions presents Pete Rock:
Guitar Center recently hosted another Sessions with legendary hip-hop producer Pete Rock.

Sessions was kicked off with 5 contest winners getting an exclusive MPC tutorial with Pete himself...

Guitar Center Sessions presents Joe Satriani:
Guitar Center recently hosted 11 exclusive in-store events with guitar master, Joe Satriani.

Performing songs spanning his entire career including gems like "Always With Me, Always With You", "Overdriver" and the classic "Satch Boogie", Satriani shared stories from his past and thoughts on his approach to songwriting...

Guitar Center Sessions presents RZA:
In a continuing commitment to Education, Conversation, and Inspiration Guitar Center hosted a special evening of dialogue with hip-hop icon, The RZA.

RZA teamed up with Roland and legendary studio pioneer, Bruce Forat, to customize a series of Roland MV8800 workstations exclusively for Guitar Center. 8 MV8800 pieces were customized representing an element of the 8 Diagrams of the I Ching, the philosophical foundation of the new Wu-Tang Clan album. The custom designed pieces turned out so well, they instantly became the centerpiece of Guitar Center’s Sessions: RZA edition.

Guitar Center Sessions: RZA edition kicked off with the introduction of the one-of-a-kind Roland RZA/FORRAT MV8800s collection, to the capacity crowd. RZA touched on topics ranging from production tips, including the gear he likes to use, to the inspiration for his rhymes. The packed room was able to witness an improv beat-making class with RZA, band mate Shavo Odajian (System of a Down) and Dhani Harrison (son of George Harrison). Dhani and Shavo also offered their insights into distribution, production and finding your sound. RZA was funny and truthful and answered several audience questions during a Q&A session, connecting with his fans on a personal level. Afterwards, the room lined up to get their collectables and albums autographed, and RZA signed as many as he could.

Ill Insanity Tour:
Guitar Center Sessions and Rane present Ill Insanity's "Ground Xero" Album Release Tour. Check out masters of the turntables, Precision, Total Eclipse and Rob Swift showcase their new routines. Sit in for an exclusive hands-on Rane TTM-57 and Serato tutorial by Ill Insanity followed by a Q&A panel. Plus enter for your chance to win a Rane TTM-57 mixer signed by the group! For more info, photos and videos click here!

Drum Off Grand Finals:
Donnie Marple crowned Guitar Center’s 2007 Drum Off Champion! The sold out show was hosted by Stephen Perkins (Janes Addiction) and featured performances by Street Drum Corps with special guests Adrian Young (No Doubt), Shannon Leto (30 Seconds to Mars), Byron McMackin (Pennywise), Brooks Wackerman (Bad Religion), John Sawicki (Stomp), Go Get a Late Pass!!! Featuring ?uest Love, and a headlining performance from Angeles and Airwaves. Check out photos from the event and a video of Donnie’s winning performance!