Veteran music writer/journalist Greg Prato's new book Shredders!: The Oral History Of Speed Guitar (And More) released earlier this week and features a foreword from Rush's Alex Lifeson (thanks Will C). The book focuses on the fast, virtuoso guitar soloing style known as shredding, which was popularized in the 1980s by musicians like Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen, Randy Rhoads and Dimebag Darrell. The book is currently available for purchase via Jawbone Press at this location. Here's Lifeson's foreword:

On these pages, Greg Prato has delivered a fascinating presentation of not only the history but the personal observations of all things rock guitar from many of the great guitarists of the past half-century, in their own words.

A clear, in-depth chronicle told honestly from the perspective of the players who have learned and showcased their skills from a long line of talented predecessors and providing an insight that frankly could not come from a casual observer.

In these chapters, the reader will glean a bounty of information regarding individual players and their impact on the music scene of the time - opinions on technique and gear, the value and differing forms of practice, support from the industry, and many other points of interest.

For anyone with a deep interest in the role rock guitar and its diverse myriad of players hae played, Shredders! will satisfy completely. - ALEX LIFESON, NOVEMBER 2016