Joel Hoekstra | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Hoekstra performing with Whitesnake in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1970-12-13)December 13, 1970 (age 54) Iowa City, Iowa, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock,hard rock,heavy metal,blues rock |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Website | joelhoekstra |
Joel Hoekstra (born December 13, 1970)[1] is an American guitarist currently in the hard rock bandWhitesnake. He also tours as a guitarist forTrans-Siberian Orchestra. The son of classical musicians, he started out playing cello and piano at a young age, but it was hearingAngus Young ofAC/DC that inspired him to start playing the guitar.[2][3] He was raised in the suburbs of Chicago, inOrland Park, but has lived in New York City since 2001.
Hoekstra has performed withTrans-Siberian Orchestra[4] and was the lead guitarist in the Broadway musical,Rock of Ages.[5] He also made a cameo appearance alongsideSebastian Bach,Nuno Bettencourt,Kevin Cronin andDebbie Gibson in the big screen movie adaptation ofRock of Ages.[6]
In 2008, Hoekstra joinedNight Ranger and combined with guitaristBrad Gillis as a part of the group's dual guitar driven sound. Hoekstra toured with Night Ranger and performed on several albums with the group and appeared in the videos for the songsGrowin' Up In California,[7]Knock Knock Never Stop[8] andHigh Road.[9] In 2011, Joel filled in forMick Jones inForeigner while continuing to play with Night Ranger on the same tour.[10]
In 2014, Hoekstra joinedWhitesnake as their guitarist alongside fellow guitaristReb Beach. Hoekstra played onThe Purple Album (released May 2015) which was a re-imagination of classic songs fromDavid Coverdale's time as the lead singer forDeep Purple. Hoekstra appeared in the videos for the songs "Stormbringer",[11] "Gypsy"[12] and "Soldier of Fortune"[13] offThe Purple Album and "Shut Up & Kiss Me" and "Trouble is Your Middle Name" videos off theFlesh and Blood album. Hoekstra was co-writer with Coverdale on six of the songs onFlesh and Blood.[14] He has toured with Whitesnake on theirThe Purple Album tour (2015–16),The Greatest Hits tour (2016–2018) and theirFlesh and Blood tour (2019).
Hoekstra played guitar forCher on theHere We Go Again Tour of 2018–2020.[15] He also served as guitarist for Cher during her Las Vegas residency at theMonte Carlo.[16] Hoekstra performed at the 2017Billboard Music Awards as the guitarist for Cher on the songs "Believe" and "If I Could Turn Back Time" as Cher received the Icon Award.[17]
In 2015,Frontiers Records released the debut albumDying to Live from his side project Joel Hoekstra's 13, to rave reviews.[18] The album featured performances byRussell Allen,Vinny Appice,Tony Franklin, andJeff Scott Soto.In 2016, Hoekstra played onMichael Sweet's albumOne Sided War and appeared in the video for the song "Radio".[19]
Hoekstra served as a counselor at the 20th anniversary of theRock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp where he played along withNancy Wilson,Vinnie Appice,Steven Adler, andGregg Bissonette and others.[20] Hoekstra also frequently plays acoustic duo shows with singer/guitarist Brandon Gibbs (Devil City Angels). Hoekstra also performed withPaul Shortino on the song "War Cry" on the albumSinister (released on October 27, 2017) by Appice (Carmine Appice and Vinny Appice).[21]
Hoekstra appeared as guest guitarist on two episodes ofThat Metal Show onVH1 Classic (January 25, 2014, and March 14, 2015).[22] and has performed on stage and in the studio with many artists includingForeigner,Dee Snider,Jeff Scott Soto,Jim Peterik,The Turtles,Big Brother & the Holding Company, and many more.
Hoekstra has contributed to many articles inGuitar World magazine and in 2017Guitar World released an instructional DVD titledHard Rock Lead Guitar Master Class with Joel Hoekstra.[23]
In January 2024, it was announced that Hoekstra would be joiningAccept for the European and South American legs of their tour.[24]
Media related toJoel Hoekstra at Wikimedia Commons
| National | |
|---|---|
| Artists | |
