By David Farrier
New Zealand's only international guitar festival almost didn't happen this year after founder Garry Sharpe-Young died unexpectedly from an aneurism in March.
But his colleagues at the New Plymouth District Council decided to press on; bringing some of the world’s premier guitarists down under.
Among them is Michael Jackson’s former lead guitarist Jennifer Batten who was with Michael on three world tours.
Taranaki – beautiful, serene, and when combined with guitars it turns into Guitaranaki.
The festival kicked off on Wednesday, but things are really heating up going into the weekend, as the show’s stars arrive.
Jennifer Batten is a guitarist best known for playing with Michael Jackson during his Bad, Dangerous and History world tours.
Batten is joined by Vinnie Moore of UFO; Tony Levin and Guitaranaki’s headliner Slash, who arrives on Sunday.
3 News