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Orianthi Panagaris (born 22 January 1985), known professionally as Orianthi, is an Australian guitarist, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, widely regarded as one of the most technically accomplished and expressive guitarists of her generation. Blending hard rock, blues, pop, and shred influences, she has built a career that bridges virtuoso musicianship and mainstream appeal.

Born in Adelaide, Australia, to Greek-Australian parents, Orianthi showed exceptional musical talent from an early age. She began playing the guitar at just six years old, drawing early inspiration from Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Steve Vai. By her early teens, she was already performing professionally, and at 15 she shared the stage with Carlos Santana, an experience that proved formative for her future career.

Orianthi gained international recognition in the late 2000s, particularly after being selected as the lead guitarist for Michael Jackson’s planned “This Is It” tour. Although the tour never took place due to Jackson’s death, rehearsal footage and documentaries showcased her guitar skills to a massive global audience, cementing her reputation as a world-class guitarist.

In parallel, Orianthi pursued a solo career as both a guitarist and vocalist. Her breakthrough solo album, Believe (2009), featured the hit single “According to You”, which achieved significant chart success and introduced her to a broader pop-rock audience. While accessible in structure, her music consistently highlighted her distinctive guitar tone, melodic phrasing, and blues-inflected solos.

Throughout the 2010s, Orianthi continued to evolve artistically, releasing albums such as Heaven in This Hell (2013), Orianthi (2020), and Rock Candy (2022). These records leaned more heavily into hard rock and blues rock, emphasizing raw guitar-driven songwriting, classic rock influences, and a confident, gritty vocal delivery. Her style often balances emotional restraint with explosive technical passages, reflecting deep respect for traditional guitar heroes while maintaining a modern edge.

Beyond her solo work, Orianthi has collaborated with an impressive list of legendary artists, including Alice Cooper, with whom she became a full-time touring and recording member of his band, as well as Richie Sambora, Dave Stewart, Steve Vai, Joe Bonamassa, and Carrie Underwood. Her role in Alice Cooper’s band further reinforced her credibility in the hard rock and classic metal scenes.

Orianthi is also recognized as a role model for women in guitar-driven music, frequently cited as an inspiration by aspiring musicians for breaking stereotypes in a male-dominated field. She is closely associated with PRS Guitars, having multiple signature models, and is known for her distinctive tone, combining high-gain rock sounds with expressive blues phrasing.

Today, Orianthi stands as a modern guitar icon—a rare artist who successfully merges virtuosic technique, songwriting sensibility, and mainstream recognition. Her career reflects consistency, adaptability, and an enduring commitment to the guitar as a central expressive voice in contemporary rock music.

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