John Petrucci Guitar player Date of Birth: 12.07.1967 Country: USA

Biography of John Petrucci

John Petrucci is an American virtuoso guitarist who was born on July 12, 1967, on Long Island, New York. He quickly developed a passion for music, which overshadowed all other childhood activities. Instead of playing with the neighborhood kids, he would spend hours in his room playing the guitar. Although no one in his family played musical instruments, his siblings were all talented musicians. His older sister played the piano and organ, his brother was obsessed with the bass guitar, and his younger sister learned to play the clarinet.

Under the influence of his musical family, Petrucci gradually developed an interest in music. He chose to play the guitar because many children in his neighborhood played it, although he saw it as more than just a child's toy. At the age of twelve, he began taking guitar lessons to develop his finger dexterity and musical knowledge. His musical education began with theory lessons at school, where he coincidentally studied alongside John Myung and Kevin Moore.

Petrucci's musical interests led him to the world of metal. Influenced by musicians like Yngwie Malmsteen, Randy Rhoads, Iron Maiden, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, he discovered new bands such as Metallica and Queensryche. He also developed a fascination with art-rock, delving into the music of Rush, ELP, King Crimson, and Genesis. This pursuit of his own technique and melodic style introduced him to new musicians such as Steve Morse, Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth, Al Di Meola, Mike Stern, Joe Satriani, Neal Schon, and Eddie Van Halen.

In 1985, Petrucci enrolled in Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied jazz composition and harmony. While at Berklee, he met Mike Portnoy, a virtuoso drummer. Together with John Myung, who had also joined Berklee's bass department, they formed the band initially named "Majesty," later renamed "Dream Theater." Petrucci had to leave college to dedicate his time to the band.

Dream Theater became known for their progressive rock music, recording 15 albums that are considered benchmarks of the genre. Petrucci also worked with other bands, including "Liquid Tension Experiment," an instrumental project that explored different aspects of progressive music. He started playing a six-string guitar and later switched to a seven-string guitar on Dream Theater's album "Awake," adding more contrast and originality to their already complex sound.

In his free time, Petrucci enjoys composing, writing, and playing in his personal music studio in his New York City home. He lives with his wife Rena and their three children: SamiJo, Reny, and Kiara.