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DARK SECRETS: Extreme org | Vintage Vibes

Rock on: Portuguese guitarist Nuno Bettencourt wins Grammy for best performance

The Portuguese singer won the Grammy in the category of Best Rock Performance for his participation in 'Changes (Live from Villa Park)'. The show took place in Birmingham in 2025 at the final concert of legendary British heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne.

Euronews

“After it was called the ‘solo of the century,’ I remember saying to Steve Lukather, ‘Come on, this is ridiculous’”: Nuno Bettencourt on turning down Ozzy, Sabbath’s final show and how Extreme finally got their dues

Having torn up the rulebook and raised the bar once again for lead guitar, Nuno Bettencourt promises no let up – he’s out for blood again

Guitar World

“Nuno’s shoutout was an emotional moment for me. I was gobsmacked. Without my brother showing me Extreme’s music, I would never have been there”: From Plini to Polyphia, how Rick Graham quietly became one of progressive guitar’s most influential names

From Guthrie Govan, through to Jason Richardson and Andy James, Rick Graham has garnered friends, fans and guest-spots with guitar’s most technical talents – and helped a huge chunk of players to hone their craft along the way

Guitar World

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“Washburn didn’t know I was leaving – it was probably a messed-up thing to do”: Nuno Bettencourt gave his new guitar brand its debut at Back to the Beginning – but Washburn had no idea it existed

The Extreme icon took to the stage at Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell show with a guitar that no-one – not even the brand he had played for 35 years – knew about

Guitar World

“I texted Jake and told him, ‘There’s no way in hell I’m taking that solo. You’re going to play it!’” Why Nuno Bettencourt said no when Jake E. Lee asked him to play one of his iconic Sabbath solos at Back to the Beginning

The Extreme virtuoso played plenty of guitar during Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell show, but he drew the line at this solo

Guitar World

“I just walked off the stage. I wanted Jake to have his moment. And Jake nailed it”: Nuno Bettencourt on why he handed Shot Of The Dark over to Jake E Lee at Ozzy's farewell show

Bettencourt says Lee was far too humble and had to remind him that he had done the impossible by not only replacing Randy Rhoads but taking Ozzy Osbourne to “another place”

MusicRadar

“We shot this at the high school I went to”: Nuno Bettencourt solos while ‘ice skating’ – as he shreds guitar and shaves ice in new Extreme music video

Is there anything the man can’t do?

Guitar World

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Mötley Crüe announce mammoth Carnival Of Sins tour with Tesla and Extreme

If you missed all the big top action on the original Carnival Of Sins tour, now's your chance to put that right

Metal Hammer

“Everybody thinks playing technical and fast is harder. It takes a lot more courage to tone it down and play what’s right for the song”: Nuno Bettencourt on what Ace Frehley taught him about guitar playing

The Extreme guitarist has looked back on how the Spaceman shaped his childhood and his unique brand of soloing

Guitar World

“He was born 10 years too late, because he’d be competing with Eddie Van Halen”: Justin Hawkins names the guitar virtuoso who could have been EVH’s equal in the 1980s

The Darkness guitarist believes this shredder would have been better appreciated in the ’80s

Guitar World

“Once you own a Nuno guitar, you are part of my family. Let’s ride!” Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt leaves Washburn to launch his own guitar company and debuts two new S-styles – but the N4 isn’t going anywhere

If Bettencourt can make 'em as well as he can play them then we are all in for a treat. “These are true workhorses built with the same passion I’ve put into every note I’ve ever played” he says

MusicRadar

“Nuno calls me up and says, ‘Picture this. I want Mad Max and Jesus Christ Superstar’”: Nuno Bettencourt’s outrageous part-guitar, part-keytar Washburn is 2025’s wildest Custom Shop creation

The guitar was crafted by Washburn Master Builder Chris Meade, and was spotted in Extreme’s music video for X Out

Guitar World

“Ozzy had a problem with my short hair. Sharon had a problem with my green guitar – she said it looked like a booger”: The unlucky 13 guitarists who auditioned for Ozzy Osbourne – but didn’t make the grade

A procession of all-time guitar greats tried their hand with the Prince of Darkness but were ultimately rejected – sometimes for surprising reasons

Guitar World

“I grabbed his hand saying, ‘Thank you for everything.’ He goes, ‘You were the only guitar player who said no to me’”: Nuno Bettencourt remembers his final exchange with Ozzy Osbourne – a reminder of the gig he once turned down

As a 15-year-old, Bettencourt auditioned to become Randy Rhoads’ replacement. When the gig presented itself years later, he declined

Guitar World

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Metal Hammer

Yungblud, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Nuno Bettencourt to honour Ozzy Osbourne with performance at MTV Video Music Awards

Members of Aerosmith and Extreme will be joined by Yungblud for medley of Ozzy's greatest hits at VMAs this weekend

Louder

"It's going to be an incredible night for all the fans!": Def Leppard announce 2026 European tour with brand new show

News of Def Leppard's plans for next year breaks as they gear up for their only UK show of 2025

Guitar World

“We love you, Ozzy!” Nuno Bettencourt covers three Ozzy Osbourne classics with Extreme – and nails Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee’s iconic solos

Fresh from his spot at Back to the Beginning, Bettencourt is continuing to doff his cap to the Prince of Darkness’ legacy

Guitar World

“It was the first and last time I've ever argued with Brian May. He was so adamant about us not doing it”: Nuno Bettencourt recalls Extreme’s rebellious Queen medley at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert

All bands were banned from playing Queen songs, but Bettencourt wanted to pay tribute to “one the greatest composers of all time” in his own way

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Louder

"It sounds like Dream Theater doing a pastiche of Bon Jovi songs": Did Extreme over-egg the funk-rock pudding on III Sides To Every Story?

Extreme's third album, the three-part III Sides To Every Story, was the sound of a band over-reaching themselves

Guitar World

“Unforgettable”: Nuno Bettencourt joins Van Halen tribute band for blazing Hot For Teacher cover

The Extreme axeman used an EVH striped guitar to blast out Van Halen licks like he's been doing it all his life

Guitar World

“It’s as if God convinced SRV and EVH to be reincarnated into one body”: Nuno Bettencourt says this 15-year-old blues player is in the league of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eddie Van Halen

The Extreme hero is betting on this young Australian guitarist after being blown away by his virtuosic performance

MusicRadar

“We may be witnessing a true future guitar hero in our midst”: Aussie teenager Taj Farrant officially blows Nuno Bettencourt’s mind as Extreme guitarist describes the blues-rock phenom as SRV meets EVH

Game recognises game...

Guitar World

“Keep your eyes on this man”: Nuno Bettencourt joins Steven Tyler for a mini-set of Aerosmith, Extreme classics at charity gig – and, wait, is that a Les Paul?

Backing Tyler and some of his A-list friends at a fundraiser for the Janie’s Fund foundation at the Hollywood Palladium, the Extreme virtuoso ditched his signature Washburn

Louder

"This is one of my favourite songs in the whole world": Watch Steven Tyler return to the stage with Nuno Bettencourt and Mick Fleetwood

The reported Aerosmith reunion failed to materialise, but this year's Jam for Janie show was still an all-star affair

Guitar World

“He turns back to where all the guitars are and the double-neck is gone, stolen from the stage while the lights are down”: Nuno Bettencourt’s custom Washburn N-8 double-neck was stolen from an arena stage – but made a remarkable return

While in the middle of an Extreme tour, Bettencourt found himself without his prized custom Washburn guitar, with suspicion falling on his crew

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