By Tina | FM 2.0 Conversations
In a landscape where musical trends shift as fast as TikTok trends, Frank Hannon of Tesla is a steadfast force. The legendary guitarist joined FM 2.0’s Don Thatcher and Dean Baldwin for a no-holds-barred conversation on guitars, longevity, authenticity—and why rock isn’t dead, no matter what anyone says. From the jump, the vibe was casual but electric. Hannon, vibrant and genuine, kicked off with a story about a failed wireless guitar system mid-national anthem—“That’s why I use a cord,” he laughed. “I’m old-fashioned. I’ve been burned by tech too many times.” It’s emblematic of Tesla’s ethos: direct, raw, no gimmicks. Frank was on to promote Tesla’s new All About Love EP, a rich, vinyl-first release featuring various renditions of the title track, plus a James Gang cover and acoustic surprises. “It’s on orange vinyl,” he beamed, “and we poured a lot of heart into this. There’s even an instrumental called From the Heart.” Dean was quick to praise: “First time I heard it, I thought—damn, they’ve still got it.” And they do. Tesla has always blurred the line between thunderous arena rock and intimate acoustic soul. From 1990’s Five Man Acoustical Jam to their recent Las Vegas residencies, they’ve balanced power and purity. “It’s all about the song,” Frank insisted. “Whether it’s plugged in or not.” Naturally, the conversation shifted to the now-infamous phrase “rock is dead.” Frank didn’t hold back: “I hate hearing that shit. It’s not dead to me. It’s the only thing that makes me feel alive.” He attributes statements like that to frustration over a music industry that’s lost its old infrastructure. “MTV’s dead. Tower Records is dead. But good music? No way.” Tesla’s secret? Loyalty, both to the fans and to themselves. “We never really changed who we were,” said Hannon. “Even when we dabbled with tech like Pro Tools or collaborated with Phil Collen, we kept our songwriting and lyrics front and center.” That integrity extends offstage. Asked to define success, Frank reflected: “Peace of mind. Joy. A positive attitude. That’s success.” He credits fans who say his music helped them through hard times as the ultimate reward. And while Tesla keeps gigging—set to tour with Def Leppard, hit House of Blues in Orlando, and rock the Monsters of Rock Cruise—Hannon is also diving into a new docuseries: Frank’s World Famous Guitar Lounge, spotlighting his rare, beloved guitar collection. “I’ve been buying and trading guitars since I was twelve, mowing lawns and hustling for a Strat.” Among the treasures? A black Gibson Dove gifted by his cousin Mike, and a legendary red SG once given by Steve Clark of Def Leppard—later stolen, but never forgotten. Through it all, Frank Hannon is more than a guitarist—he’s a rock historian, a craftsman, and a soulful observer of what matters most in music. “We’re not chasing trends. We’re still telling stories. And now, we call the shots.” Rock isn’t dead. It’s just wearing orange vinyl and playing from the heart. @TeslaBand #Teslaband @defleppard #defleppard
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