John Petrucci is possibly the most technically proficient guitar virtuoso you’ve never heard of, let alone heard play. He is a music school trained prog metal shredder with all the chops and magic expected from a guitar god. So, what gives?

Born, raised and still living on Long Island, NY, John Peter Petrucci arrived in Kings Park, NY, on July 12, 1967. He had an older sister who, he noticed when he was 8, got to stay up late to practice piano. Aha! Cue sudden interest in playing guitar -- abort guitar playing when expected late bedtime is not forthcoming – only to give in to the guitar’s siren song once more at age 12.

Practicing 6 hours a day was not unusual for John, once he discovered Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Rush, Dixie Dregs, Yes, Iron Maiden and Mettalica. After high school, John went to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where he hooked up with classmates into the same music. Some would become band mates for life. John’s guitar style has been influenced by Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs/Deep Purple from Hamilton, OH), Al Di Meola, Steve Howe (Yes), Allan Holdsworth, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osborne/Quiet Riot), Joe Satriani, Steve Vai (Frank Zappa), Alex Lifeson (Rush), Yngwie Malmsteen and David Gilmour.

While still in music school, John co-founded Majesty (also the name of his signature guitar), which then became Dream Theater, performing mostly Rush and Iron Maiden covers. Dream Theater now has 13 studio albums and multiple Grammy nominations to its credit. John also started the acclaimed side project, Liquid Tension Experiment, producers of 2 more albums. In addition, John has done 5 tours with G3, Joe Satriani’s traveling guitarfest. Joe, Steve Vai and John recorded G3: Live in Tokyo. John also guested on the Explorers Club Age of Impact, Working Man, a Rush tribute album, and Dragon Attack, a Queen tribute.

G3: Joe Satriani, Steve Morse, John Petrucci

John’s long awaited first solo album, Suspended Animation, was released in 2005, and he also performed as a duet with keyboardist Jordan Rudess on An Evening with John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess. John has a series of instructional videos, as well as written guitar instruction columns. He also has a line of Ernie Ball, Music Man guitars, and Mesa Boogie amps. He is particularly fond of the 7-string guitar.

Rena Sands with Meanstreak

John and his wife, Rena Sands, have 3 daughters. Rena is a guitarist and founder of Meanstreak. She now appears with the all-female tribute band Judas Priestess. John’s hobbies include body building, “bearding” and BBQ – when he’s not practicing guitar, which is still a part of every one of his days.

Happy Birthday to John Petrucci!