Everybody needs to have a hero or two when they're learning guitar: it keeps you inspired, drives you to become better and keeps your feet on the ground when you become totally mega famous...

Misha Mansoor: “When I was 17, I decided that I needed to become John Petrucci. I went out and bought a Petrucci seven-string and learned as much Dream Theater as humanly possible. I realised really fast that it was not gonna happen...”

John Petrucci: “I think emulating somebody or the path they took is actually a great way to achieve success. I did the same thing. I said, ‘Well, Steve Vai went to Berklee: I’d better go to Berklee. Randy Rhoads took his guitar to school: I’m taking my guitar to school’.

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