Golden Age Guitar Player Magazine - February 2026

Geezer Butler is a Geezer. 

by Di Arrehea Pantz

Ever since he was a young boy, Michael Joseph Butler was called “Geezer”. This apparently was a 1960's Cockney expression equivalent to “hello mate”, or in the USA, “Dude”. 

Geezer Butler 1970's

Michael, uh Geezer was by all accounts a bright lad and did well in school, despite his family’s poverty. In 1963 he had seen The Beatles on the TV, and once waited outside a London television studio, where the group was filming, just to get a glimpse of the Boys. It was there that he met, and struck up a friendship with another Beatle fan named John Ozzy Osbourne. 

It would be another five years, but in 1967 the two would form a band called The Rare Breed. Butler chose to play rhythm guitar. Eventually they met Tommy Iommi, who joined the band, which by 1969 changed it's name to" Earth." 

Because there was a rival band with the same name, and Butler was a fan of old horror movies, the band’s name was changed to Black Sabbath. Iommi wanted to be the only guitarist in the group, so Geezer Butler, at 20 years of age, became the group’s bass guitarist. 

Through the group’s ups and down Geezer remained with Black Sabbath. Geezer Butler played in other band’s as well, including his own band “GZR”, and a group called Heaven and Hell.

Geezer Butler 2025

Quite notably, Geezer Butler was possibly the first bass player to use a Wah-Wah pedal. He also tuned his instrument down to C#-F#-B-E, which is , by all accounts, a very strange tuning. 

Having a career that has lasted nearly six decades, Geezer Butler has successfully bridged the “Duffer” years. And though he is not yet in his eighth decade, Geezer Butler has achieved the venerated title of "Geezer" that all old guys cherish. Congratulations!  

Angus Young is No Longer Young

by Jock McTassie

Angus Young was born in Australia in 1955. In the mid 1950’s his father relocated to Glasgow, Scotland. 

Angus Young

Angus, his mother, and six siblings resided there for seven years. But due to the harsh winters of 1962 and ’63 most of the family said the heck with this, and returned to Sydney Australia. 

Music was a big part of the Young family life with most of the family members playing a musical instrument. Angus Young took up the guitar at age six. He first learned chords on a banjo that he had strung with six strings. He was entirely self-taught. He had been enrolled at Ashfield Boys High School, but dropped out at age 15 to pursue work and earn a living.

Young's very first guitar was a cheap acoustic model purchased second-hand by his mother. After high school, Young bought his first Gibson SG second-hand in 1970 from a music shop just down the street from his home on a payment plan. He stated that “I got out and got a Gibson SG that I played until it got wood rot because so much sweat and water got into it. The whole neck was warped. I bought it second-hand; it was about 1967.”  After that he purchased a different Gibson SG.

Angus’ brothers, George and Malcolm eventually were founding members of the Easybeats, which had a hit record called Friday on My Mind. 

AC/DC

Then in 1973, at age 18, Angus and his brother Malcolm started the group, AC/DC. The group's name came from his sister Margaret who had seen “ac/dc” written on the back of her sewing machine. Margaret was also instrumental in the group by creating Angus' first stage clothing. Unfortunately, the outfits fell apart. 

So at the first concert Angus Young, who is a slight man, wore his Ashfield Boys High School uniform, complete with cap and short pants. This costume, the Gibson SG, and his unique version of Chuck Berry’s duckwalk have become his trademark through the history of AC/DC. 

The group’s original vocalist, Bon Scott, passed away at age 33 from alcohol poisoning. Malcolm Young, the band's rhythm guitarist, became ill in 2014 and passed away. 

Angus Young at 70

Currently, at age 70,  Angus is still the front man of the band, and continues performing. He can still  play those hot licks, and still struts his stuff. But in my opinion, it is sort of sad to see this little old, and nearly bald man, decked out in  schoolboy attire, dancing across the stage with those boney white legs.  Aye Angus , ye are no longer a wee laddie. 

Keef’s Arthritis Tips 

By Polly Esther Fabrique 

I first saw The Rolling Stones on the Ed Sullivan Show in October of 1964. I was smitten by the “guitar bug” earlier that year when the Beatle made their US debut on that show. 

I was only 13 at the time but convinced my folks to purchase a Silvertone guitar and amplifier. Although I was a girl, and I wanted so badly to be in a rock band. 

The Rolling Stones 10/26/1964

At the time The Rolling Stones had two guitar players. One was Brian Jones, and the other was Keith Richards. Keith didn't look to be much older than me. He seemed to be more into playing guitar than the moody Jones. 

Though The Stones had recorded a few albums, the band’s first big hit was I Can’t Get No Satisfaction (because of the double negative, does that mean they can get satisfaction?) That song had such an awesome guitar riff,” Duh-duh - duh duh duh - duh duh duh”, you know the one. 

Keith was the guy that played it on his guitar. At the time I was puzzled how he achieved that incredible sound. I later learned he was using a Maestro Fuzztone. I bought one in the late 1960's for my Silvertone Twin Twelve amp. I never quite got that sound, but it was very close.

After Brian Jones left The Rolling Stones their songs got edgier and I really liked that. 

Keith's Hands

Now at age 82, Keith Richards is still playing guitar, but he has terrible arthritis and swollen joints in his fingers. Richards says that the pain is minimal, and the arthritis is benign, but mercy, his hands look really terrible. 

Through the years, Keith says he has modified his guitar playing to accommodate this disease. He has done so by playing songs using “open chords”, using lighter gauge strings, and modifying his guitars to use only five strings. 

The Boss on His Role As A Preacher

By Al O'Vera

I first heard of Bruce Springsteen around 1974 when I heard his album, “The Wild, The Innocent, and the E-Street Shuffle.” There were some pretty good songs on that album. 

The following year he gave us the iconic “Born to Run” album. His songs were about fears of growing old, and rebellious youth and they reflected the times we were living in back then. 

Bruce Springsteen

By 1982 Springsteen and the E-Street Band recorded “Born In The USA”. This was a great song about a disillusioned Vietnam veteran, the struggles that working class Americans experience, and putting the blame on the politicians in power for the country’s problems. This was Springsteen’s first dip into politics and the beginning of expressing his political point of view through music.  I can certainly relate to the struggles our nation experienced during and following the Vietnam War.

In the late 1980’s Bruce dissolved the E-Street Band. He then became involved with worldwide political causes. Springsteen went on to do perform many acoustic concerts around this same time, in which he sang songs, and spoke of issues he felt were important. However sometimes the crowd was just there to hear Springsteen’s music. I recall a 1981 concert in my fair city where he was criticized for promoting and charging patrons for a concert, but then spending most of the concert pontificating.   

By 2016 Bruce had become totally immersed in preaching to audiences, tossing in a little music. 

Streets of Philadelphia

Back in 1994 Bruce wrote a song called Streets of Philadelphia which depicted the plight of AIDS. 

Now in 2026 “The Boss” recorded "Streets of Minneapolis" which was his protest of the Immigration, and Customs Enforcement arm of the federal government. Bruce wrote the song on Saturday, Jan 24; recorded it on Monday, Jan 26; released Tuesday, Jan 27, 2026. It was a rush job, and it certainly sounded like it.

Bruce Springsteen has a right to air his views. The Vietnam War was terrible. I felt it was run by the Defense Industry. However what is going on in Minnesota is much different. Protesting is one thing. Openly attacking law enforcement...Nah. There has to be a better way. 

Streets of Minneapolis

As for my opinion of Bruce's new song. well I gave it a listen. I really tried to like it. The man is entitled to his opinion.  However old Bruce's voice sounds like a poor imitation of Bob Dylan with a very bad head cold, attempting to unsuccessfully navigate to hit the proper musical notes. Musical notes that it seems he could not find with a flashlight and a search warrant.

Bruce, you and I are no longer young guys. Be happy you achieved a lot of influence, fame and wealth.  But at 76 maybe it is time to retire and let the young guys have their turn. Just sayin'.

One Pill Makes You Larger, And One Pill Makes You Small

By Willie Maekit

Illicit Drugs

Although I never got in to popping pills, when I was 18 I had a bunch of friends that seemed to thrive on taking sopers, yellow jackets, black bettys, and poppers. At the time I didn't quite understand the purpose of those pills. I doubt if my young chemically enhanced friends did either.

2026 Drugs

Jump forward 65 years, and now myself, my friends, and relatives rely more on drugs than we ever did back in the days when we were young. But now they have names like Metoprolol, Atorvastatin, Cardura, Torosemide, Eliquis, and Losartin. As Doctor Seuss once said, "Getting old is not for sissies." 

My fellow old druggies, keep poppin' to survive!

Can You Afford A New Fender American Made Instrument?

by Pollo Cacciatore

Fender American Instruments

The short answer is no. The longer answer is, if you have $2500 to blow on a new instrument it better be a write off for your business. There are certainly wiser options. 

You can purchase a similar new instrument at a much lower price. Hey, I know you want to "buy American", support your country, I dig it. 

Fender Fullerton Factory

If you look back to the 1950's all of those Fender guitars and basses that are now vintage were made by Hispanic men and women in Fullerton, California that worked at the Fullerton factory. Perhaps that is one reason that Fender Musical Instrument Corporation built a plant in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.  

FMIC also has plants in Japan, and Indonesia, and of course Corona, California. Lately tariffs are hurting the company. Last May, Moody's downgraded the company's loan. Though Fender wanted to go public back in 2012, they withdrew their IPO and are still a privately held company. 

Fender American Guitars

$2500 is a lot of money for a luxury purchase, plus the amplifier you use will effect the sound. My advice is, try before you buy. Don't waste your money.

©UniqueGuitar Publications Parody Division (2026) text only

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The Reverend Springsteen doing some preaching,

Tickets to the event - $200 each! No thank you.