Extended interview: Guitarist John Petrucci on Dream Theater and 30 years in rock

Dream Theater is one of the biggest bands in progressive rock music, and it was formed by a group of musicians from Long Island. Guitarist John Petrucci spoke with CBS2's Chris Wragge in this extended interview.

[@Happy-Existentialist]

Interviewer surprisingly did his homework. Stated he only started listening to Dream Theater weeks ago but didn't sound clueless like a lot of these other interviewers. Great piece 🤘

[@mediatect]

I did an interview with Chris Wragge many years ago in Houston on the sport of disc golf. He was the same then! Great guy. Interestingly, I started to listening to DT at that time - I should have told him about DT back then! 😆 ✌️

[@Micas099]

The dude doing the interview is a metal-head. I did not expect that.

[@AlexRamosDrTaz]

​​@@Micas099 most metal heads I'd argue, do look like him. I look like Wragge too, in a sense. Had my hair trimmed as short eleven years ago. :) (I do miss my long hair sometimes... maybe I'll farm it again once it's all gray!)

[@scorpiusbalthazar4327]

Excellent interviewer! Sounded engaged even if he was faking it, which he did not sound like.

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

Man realised he was sitting before true greatness and his words are worthy of etching into stone.

[@petrucci973]

A man that inspired us to practice the guitar!! What a guy what a band.. gifted musicians

[@markusantonio4866]

He so disciplined. I have the G3 dvd with Satch and Vai, and they were doing a sound check in one scene. This is when John had short hair and was smaller the sound check guy wasn’t getting the sound. John gives him the death stare. Periphery toured with DT way back in 2008-10 and Misha the guitarist said they were having technical problems. John was calm and said you guys better get it together, calmly😳 Great musician and we’ll deserving group DT.

[@petrucci973]

@@markusantonio4866 he takes his tone very serious 😂 and not arrogant at all!

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@markusantonio4866 The wizard has spoken. Do what the wizard commands... or else.

[@jeremiahnations8808]

He threw me a guitar pick in New Orleans October 22. I still have it in my wallet. He IS the greatest guitar player alive. He nails EVERY thing it takes to be a guitar player, better than ANYONE on the planet. He plays what you hear in your head and anticipate coming up in the next notes/bars of his solos.

[@robertodamico8081]

JP is my idol, my favourite guitar player, and I'd rather listen to Dream Theater for all my life than anything else if I had to choose. However, he's not the greatest. The people who are close to perfection in every guitar aspect are people like Shawn Lane, Guthrie Govan and others which are just on another world because they are not limited to their style.

[@Micas099]

I can one up that I think. I saw DT at a bar in Phoenix in 1985. Seriously, a metal head bar called The Mason Jar, and the guys hung out with us after the show. Racer X opened.

[@piwo647]

@@robertodamico8081 as much as I see the incredible talent, feel and improv capabilities of Guthrie Govan plus his style versatility I find it hard to connect much with his music. I like the genious in the simplicity. Sometimes less is more and GV is more of a 'maxi and "expansive" guitarist.

[@robertodamico8081]

@@piwo647 It only means it's not your style, and that's totally fine, because we don't all like the same music. But when you also start to play the guitar, at a certain point you realize how objectively superior certain guys are. Not only technically, but also musically.

[@scorpiusbalthazar4327]

During his solo tour last year? I didn't have the money to go despite wanting to.

[@fritzmetzger22]

I fist-bumped John Petrucci in April 2014. Since then I have grown immensely more powerful and am able to move things with my mind.

[@ryanmausolf656]

Yep...John is a solid dude. I met the band on A Dramatic Turn of Events tour, and I was on active duty at the time. I think all my tattoos gave it away. John asked me if I was active duty and how many deployments I'd been on, and once I told him, he put his sharpie down, got up from the autograph table, walked around to my side of the table, gave me a huge hug and thanked me for my service. Really genuine person. The entire band was great but John was the one that really seemed like he knew everyone there was important.

[@AtomizedSound]

Woo hoo DT!!! Mad respect! 🤘🏻

[@johnsalesi3575]

What a fantastic interview. It makes a huge difference when the interviewer has an honest interest in who he/she is interviewing. He asked questions you don't normally hear with other Petrucci interviews. Well done and John Petrucci is as gracious as ever. One of the best out there.

[@rickfeith6372]

Well….not sure how well you guys know JP, but that right there is one of the nicest people in the music industry. Such a humble man…and he is one of the best guitar players to ever pick up the instrument, yet you’d never know that unless you heard it, because he is so down to earth and not vein. We need more people who are this classy. Congratulations on your tremendous success my man, you have most certainly earned every drop of it. I also want to thank you for creating the JP6, JP7 and the Maj…I now have four of these monsters in the collection, for now……….

[@davebasch5995]

Nice job dude...happy for you!!

[@slartybartfast1112]

One of the nicest and most down to earth Guitar Gods on the planet! Cool to see DT get some recognition in their regional news. They inspired so many amazing players and bands.

[@Proghead88]

Yes! Dream Theater changed my life. Love these guys to the death.

[@reactions4u438]

prog music needs more recognition for sure, its so much better than 99% of the crap out there nowadays

[@rickfeith6372]

Agree. Like 815 5/8%. But, it’s beyond the scope of most people I feel. I think that 82 6/8% of the world can’t pay attention long enough. Being a lifelong musician myself, since i was like 7/8 and started playing piano, then 7/8th grade and played the saxamaphone alto Yamaha for a bit…still didn’t do it. Then I heard Slash wailing on Sweet Child and Jungle at 13 and at that moment I literally said “I’m gonna play lead guitar like that.” It hit me like a Ron of Danzig’s Evil Bricks and changed my life. Took as much music in high school as was possible, Jazz Ensemble, Music Theory 101 & 201, Music Theater, I was taking hour long guitar lessons weekly from ex Overkill shred master and super nice guy, Sebastian Marino (RIP Seb ❤😢)…from Appetite, my musical journey got darker and heavier, from Metallica in the Justice era, to Megadeth in the Marty era, to Pantera and the one and only Dimebag Darrell…after getting good at playing technical and fast I started listening to more tasty stuff, like Dave Gilmour and the Pink Erasers, and this little band from Kings Park Long Island called Dream Theater Eater. I liked the John so much, I started studying his every move, getting some of his gear, seeing them 14 times live..I even got the majesty emblem tattoo right on my right forearm in 5/8 time. Looking back, I’ve been playing guitar for 32 years, I have created JPs rig pretty closely, with 4 Music Man guitars, a sick guitar rack with an Axe FX III, Mesa Mark V:35 rack mount, a pair of Boogie quad boxes with Vintage 30s, a recording setup, Arturia MIDI synth, a boutique level signalless pedalboard, and tons and tons more stuff. My point being….well I don’t have one, but this type of music is usually more well received by musicians, and normies like songs that are 3/4 mins long with 3/4 chord progressions and lots of boobs, ass, sausages and more boobs. They can’t handle this types of music, and this many instruments with not enough rapping and boobs. Man..,,these kids suck. I’ve spent more on DT CD’s than they have on life. Long live long songs with adult vitamin chords and fun time signatures like 4/4 and 8/8…and the always popular 19/8 which is terrific for competitive square dancing for seniors. Okay, I’m not sure what I’m doing anymore, and I’m tired. Take care reactions. React to this…lol

[@lurchgurk7824]

you forgot 1% there

[@reactions4u438]

@@lurchgurk7824 haha 😂

[@mixedmartialoddest]

Music is subjective. There is no such thing as better when it comes to art. YOU like it more. The general population doesn't care about acrobatic musicianship and songs longer than 3 minutes. Also, saying an entire genre is better than everything else shows an incredibly narrow field of vision and taste.

[@reactions4u438]

@@mixedmartialoddest I disagree. Saying prog is better than any other genre is a genuine opinion, based on the way I feel about all that I’ve heard in it compared to anything else. And yea, prog is better than anything else to me… put prog up against pop music, in my strong opinion, prog is significantly better because I like it more

[@seanpeterlynch]

So glad to see these guys harvest all of those years of hard work and commitment, staying true to their art - ignorant of fads and the mainstream to create a body of work which has influenced rock, progressive, and metal music.

[@123lowp]

Best band in the world.

[@TrueVanguardhasterribletakes]

The GOAT!

[@Jin.Yoon.]

Guitar god is on CBS😍 Awesome

[@JunKungMusic]

Such a great thing to see…. Mad respect for great journalism. Supporting their local band!!!! Congrats to the Grammy boys…. DT!!!!!

[@chrisbcn3114]

Great interview! Very good work from the journalist and a stellar John! He is not only an incredible musician, but also an amazing person and one of the best representatives of metal music 🤘

[@keytronek]

It's always fun trying to explain what "Prog" is to non-listeners. Add "Prog Metal" to the mix, and you can see their eyes roll back in their heads. JP always gives an eloquent and descriptive interview to anyone taking the time to listen. Good interview.

[@morganakerman7219]

Can't wait to go see them in Cleveland.

[@TheOligoclonalBand]

A great interviewer. He stated that he only got into DT recently but he obviously thought about it and did his homework. Great interviewee as well, obviously.

[@the_shadow_realm5110]

What a great interview! JP is a living legend. Great questions from Chris Wragge.

[@julieangle9721]

This is so deserved, he says a household name my home for sure, people I talk to them about have no clue but at the end of the day I suck it up, I feel sorry for people who don't know what real and talented musicians are and amazing songs and albums, much love to John, James, Jordan, Mike and the most talented bass player Jon myung

[@luminoxx5150]

Following Dream Theater since 1992. One of the only bands that never gave into record labels, always stayed true to their musical roots.

[@sjsphotog]

Fantastic in review of my favorite Guitar Hero and Prog Metal band. JP is such a great guy on top of being one of the greatest guitarist of all time.

[@jps_musics]

This was so fun! Truly one of the last places I thought I’d see John haha

Humble master! Petrucci is the best guitarist combining feeling and virtuosity.

[@FirstLast-cd6vv]

Great to see DT finally getting the praise they deserve from the mainstream👍

[@daveayers3236]

Still trying to wrap my brain around TV News giving attention to a prog band. Is the world finally bending to my will???

[@counterfit5]

Can you start willing me a winning lottery ticket?

[@lizlorde3190]

Did we step into a slightly alternate dimension?

[@daveayers3236]

@@counterfit5 Still trying to figure out how to do that for myself. lol

[@josevillarreal4897]

💯 percent deserved. So happy for them.

[@babagadoush1]

Thanks for interviewing JP!

[@renaugmil]

Why people never ask him about muscles and flexing

[@J-Allen19]

FEAR

[@KrlosRodz]

@@J-Allen19 😂

[@yogee0007]

Comment number 108 from India for the INTERVIEWER Chris Wragge - great to here you ,congratulations and continued success to you ...

[@jaredklock8754]

Interviewer did great here.

[@fatsuperfly]

As a kid I worshiped James Hetfield for his Rytham and writing, then later I started listening to dream theater. I was blown away, it made me work on my stuff. I can still be me rytham guy, But this band did make me go woh! Ok… i started playing more lead stuff, and how to think of putting songs together. Not a lead guy, but now I’ll listen to harmony and stuff, and how does it all work together in a song. Love these guys.

[@TheSateef]

glad to see he brought Images and Words as a prop, still the best album of all time (sorry Moving Pictures)

[@Itsallfun3000]

Great to see JP on the telly. Shout out to the uk company he works with 🇬🇧 always a humble man and ive bookmarked the steak house the next time i fly stateside

[@raybergstrom]

Props to the interviewer for doing his homework and showing genuine interest in JP and DT.

[@Behemoth66]

Greatest guitar player in the history of man kind. Not only technically but live, as a composer, greatest feel to music, etc.

[@mykuntstynx9463]

Images And Words Live Mississippi Nights St. Louis, MO. Changed music forever ...

[@RH-hz9ly]

Thank for interviewing him and thanks for being a great interviewer

[@protolexis]

What an absolute legends. Super proud of DT

[@ellisonlowrimore7751]

Sad is no one in the Grammy audience knew who Dream Theater is.

[@marcus.thoren]

Amazing interviewer! You can tell he really cares. Petrucci is always lovely to listen to 😊

[@AlfarAwayMusic]

Salamat! 💕

[@BurstingVeins1]

This was a surprisingly great interview, I almost thought the guy was a fan. Captain Fawcett makes fantastic beard products, I just wish they were easier to get in the US. Nebula is my favorite scent.

[@THELASTUYGHUR]

This man and Dream Theater will be remember for generations ✌🏼✌🏼✌🏼

[@aragorn771]

Great conversation. That was fun to watch

[@stevebifano7749]

OMG…..has to be the nicest man in music

[@leddygee1896]

I wish we could go. I've seen DT 11 times over the last 30+ years, and they never let me down. We're on a fixed Income, so we can't afford to do it...

[@HoustonRoad]

I’m a huge DT fan!!! Thanks for the interview!!

[@noonecomics]

This interview is really really well done, kudos to the interviewer, you can see and hear that jhon was into it. cool!

[@fabians6264]

This man inspired me practice more guitar.

[@guillaumegayot807]

What a pleasant interview! Well-paced, very educated interviewer and a broad summary of JP's career. It didn't sound cringy as some of these US interviews on mainstream networks can be.

[@HiThereFaceHere]

Hands down one of the guitarists of all time

[@wojticz3754]

Great interview!

[@AuroraStudiosID]

Waiting for next concert in Jakarta, Indonesia ❤

[@danielmiller8548]

Well deserved Grammy and great interview so happy they are finally getting the respect and press they deserve.congrats Guys

[@MatDuJardin]

much love

[@rp3618]

Congrats John on the Grammy! Wish your Manager would have invited me to work the South American Tour ( and subsequent) in 2014. Maybe there is hope? Seriously - much deserved and thank you for creating and playing perfect all these years!

[@sordel5866]

He seems happy to get the Grammy so I'm happy for him but Dream Theater are just so far above needing an award that it barely seems worth talking about.

[@julessimon7665]

Great interview

[@thomasseptimius]

Petrucci is of course god. But lets take some time to appreciate how great the Interviewer Chris were. Great questions, humble approach without feeling theatrical. This is the kind of interviewer anyone can hope to get.

[@coimarco]

Shaked a golden hand at the end

[@stevewigdor1466]

John is a great person and Dream Theater has so much amazing music!

[@AlwinArrasyid]

I was in the Jakarta show and people were singing along. I absolutely love the crowd there.

[@brendannahor1460]

Dream Theater ROCKS! 🤘🏻

[@charlesrocks]

I really appreciate John's music. It would be great to hear him write just an old fashioned pop rock song.

[@billrath9314]

Wonderful interview!

[@jaguarhell2068]

Feel so happy for DT 🤩

[@leoalagre]

Happy birthday to my favorite band

[@TheMazzimM]

When he gave kudos to Rush.... goose bumps. John and the boys....what a legacy.

[@Skwidmon]

Great interview as is deserved by JP

[@mahmoudalramly3517]

They’re the music itself ❤

[@Djcimofficial]

Can’t wait for that show on 6/28!!

[@wesleytrott6397]

It sounds like the interviewer became a Dream Theater fan after listening to their music in preparation for the interview. Very cool!

[@attilahun8541]

BAND OF GODS 😎💚

[@pajamasflannel]

Surprisingly mentions Genesis despite lead guitar being all but absent much of the ‘70s material.

[@user-yk1pn3tc6i]

ペトルーシ最高にカッコいい！❤❤❤❤ドリームシアター最高！❤❤❤❤❤

[@jeremythornton433]

I’ve been a huge fan since the early 90’s! I love prog metal!

[@stevewigdor1466]

John with Larue and Portnoy was the best show I have ever seen. To be fair, those are my 3 favorite musicians at each instrument.

[@brockbaldridge7620]

John is the goat

[@MalmosDarurat]

8:52 Indonesian fans should be proud. JP him self mention about us. Yeaaaach \m/

[@billwell9266]

the best

[@David.S.]

John's always a class act 👍

[@brianskinner5212]

Interview with the king

[@krendlerkrendler117]

cool guys

[@babagadoush1]

DT is the best!

[@izanami7701]

ada Jakarta coyy

[@MalmosDarurat]

Yoih, Bro. Yang Mulia JP selalu teringat nyanyian penonton di Jakarta.

[@charlesflorio2891]

Love it

[@michaelkampmann2167]

The Interview is a bit on surface but yeah i think it went surprisingly well for CBS. Btw. Nebula smells awesome. ❤

[@mindofmatter071]

This is a beard oil commercial...come on!😂😂😂

[@Anthonylollz]

yessss

[@bobule]

Great interview, he really did his homework.

[@tinieblasabismos9859]

_🔥💯%_

[@geromahony70]

petrucci ! vai satch malmsteen all scales guitarist ! fusion is 2023 playing the future of axe guitar

[@tymanngruter1808]

Its a feast for all metal fanathics!

[@kinkinmyslinky967]

Who’s the old lady singing “Pull me Under”?

[@RiffLordKofC]

👍

[@mindofmatter071]

Gojira and Deftones....come on bro! One of those should've won. Gojira!!!🦖🦖🦖 Edit: dnt get me wrong i love Dream theater....just we never heard the Alien and it won the Grammy. Kill me KZbin!😂

[@mindofmatter071]

Dare i forget that Mastodon was also a nominee.

[@JCordoba1001]

Gojira=.OVERRATED

[@Montreal_Audio_Systems]

How come I can't remember the notes of 1 dream theater song?

[@nedrini1055]

Maybe you have Alzheimer’s

[@mindofmatter071]

😂😂😂 so true! Pull me under! 😂😂😂

[@geromahony70]

any jtc guitarist would blow away any average playercsuch as vai petrucci sach. all they r gilbert.satch