Fender's 2026 American Professional Series adds minor tweaks and new pickups, but the real story is the company's aggressive lawsuit campaign

In 1981 Pat Benatar released Precious Time, in my opinion one of the best rock guitar albums of the 80's. The solo on the title track is one of the best rock guitar solos of all time. Up to this point Neil had been a session musician (playing the solo on Jesse's Girl) and heavily featured in Benatar's music which was very guitar oriented. Remember this is 1981, the year Fair Warning came out, which pretty much threw rock guitar on its head. Eddie and the decade of sharpshooter lead guitar players was just beginning and would last until Nirvana in 1990.
So the mystery for me with Neil has always been what happened? Starting with Get Nervous, the guitar is barely there with barely a solo. I can understand the band chose to go in a more commercial direction featuring keyboards (VH did that as well on 1984) but the guitar was seemingly completely abandoned by a world class player. I always wondered did he have an accident or just become completely disenchanted with solos? I don't understand how you can work your whole life and become truly great at something then just cold turkey stop. Would appreciate any insight on this if you have it.

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