Gretchen Menn is an American guitarist and composer who has her own original instrumental work and is also the lead guitarist for Zepparella, an all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band. She was included in Guitar Player Magazine's '50 Sensational Female Guitarists'[1] and Guitar Player Magazine's '50 Years of Extraordinary Players.'[2] In 2017 she was one of 11 female guitarists selected to contribute a track onto She Rocks, Vol. 1, a compilation released on Steve Vai’s label: 'Favored Nations'.[3] In 2017 she was nominated by readers of Vintage Guitar Magazine as 'Artist of the Year', alongside Allan Holdsworth, Steve Vai, Dan Auerbach, Rik Emmett, and Andy Timmons.[4] She has provided lessons for Acoustic Guitar Magazine, JamPlay - an online guitar lesson provider,[5] and has been a 3-time counselor at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camps.[6]
Gretchen Menn | |
|---|---|
 Gretchen Menn performing with Zepparella at the Malibu Guitar Festival 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gretchen Menn |
| Genres | Rock, progressive, instrumental |
| Instrument(s) | Electric and acoustic Guitar |
| Website | www |
Biography and early playing
editMenn started playing guitar as a teenager. She attended Smith College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in music while studying classical guitar with Phillip de Fremery.[7]
Zepparella
editMenn is an original member of Zepparella, a Led Zeppelin tribute band founded in 2004 which currently performs nationwide.[8]
Solo career
editMenn's first solo album Hale Souls was released in July 2011. Her second solo album, Abandon All Hope, was released in December 2016.[9][10]
Discography
editAlbums
editSolo
edit- Abandon All Hope (2016)
- Hale Souls (2011)
Zepparella
edit- Live at Sweetwater (2016)
- Zepparella (2014)
- A Pleasing Pounding (2008)
- Live at 19 Broadway (2005)
Lapdance Armageddon
edit- Lapdance Armageddon (2010)
Francis Bakin
edit- Conversation with Francis Bakin (2009)
Sticks and Stones
edit- Unbreakable Strings (2007)
The House of More
edit- The House of More (2006)
References
edit- ^ "50 Sensational Female Guitarists".
- ^ "50 Years of Extraordinary Players".
- ^ "'She Rocks, Vol. 1: A Collection of Kick-Ass Guitar Goddesses' Triumphs". 2 February 2017.
- ^ "2017 Readers' Choice Awards". Vintage Guitar. 11 December 2017.
- ^ "Gretchen Menn: Electric Guitar Techniques for Creativity". JamPlay.com.
- ^ "Jam With Joe Perry and Jason Bonham - Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp - Music Events Ft. Lauderdale, FL". Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp.
- ^ "Gretchen Menn: The Complete 2010 Interview - Jas Obrecht Music Archive". jasobrecht.com.
- ^ "Zepparella - Gretchen Menn Bio". www.zepparella.com.
- ^ "Gretchen Menn Releases Concept Album Based on Dante's Inferno".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Zepparella's Gretchen Menn Discusses Her 'Inferno'-Inspired Album, 'Abandon All Hope'". 26 January 2017.