Reeves Gabrels (May 1, 1997) Earthling Guitarist Profile - Guitarist Magazine

A detailed profile from Guitarist magazine dated May 1, 1997, focusing on Reeves Gabrels’ creative partnership with David Bowie during the Earthling era.

SOURCE DETAILS

Publication: Guitarist Magazine

Date: May 1, 1997

Country: United Kingdom

Section / Pages: Feature Article

THE STORY

Reeves Gabrels discusses his role as Bowie’s guitarist and key collaborator, explaining his aggressive, textural approach to playing — “trying to kill someone with it.” He covers his shift from analog to digital setups, use of Whammy pedals and amp modelling, and how he translated Bowie’s surreal creative prompts into the innovative sound of Earthling. The piece also touches on his jazz influences (especially Chet Baker) and his belief that emotional connection matters more than technical perfection.

CONTEXT AND NOTES Published during the Earthling campaign, this feature captures Gabrels at a creative peak, helping Bowie reinvent his sound for the digital age. It highlights the intense, boundary-pushing dynamic between the two artists and Gabrels’ distinctive contribution to Bowie’s late-90s work.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS Event: In-depth profile on Reeves Gabrels as Bowie’s guitarist Era: 1997 – Earthling period Tone: Technical yet personal Photography: Portraits of Reeves Gabrels with blue brick backdrop Audience: Guitar enthusiasts and Bowie fans

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS A comprehensive feature with technical insight, personal reflection, and striking photography. The layout includes inset portraits and a focus on Gabrels’ gear and playing philosophy, typical of Guitarist magazine’s detailed style.

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All magazine artwork, photographs, logos, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.