Guitar & Bass Tabs
Autograph
About Autograph
Autograph burst onto the 1980s rock scene with a guitar-driven blaze that helped define the glam metal era. Formed in 1983 in Pasadena, California, the band fused high-energy riffs with melodic hooks, and their breakout single Turn Up the Radio propelled their debut album Sign In Please into the orbit of classic rock radio. Led by guitar virtuoso Steve Lynch, Autograph became a staple of MTV and fans around the world embraced their fast, melodic approach to hard rock.
Across the 1980s and into the era of reunions and touring, Autograph influenced a generation of players with their technically ambitious playing and stadium-ready choruses. The band is remembered for its riff-driven songs, punchy rhythms, and Lynch's signature tapping style that showcased guitar virtuosity within mainstream rock. Even as members rotated, their impact on guitar-centric rock remains evident in the many players who cite Turn Up the Radio as a favorite study piece.
Today, Autograph continues to resonate with classic rock enthusiasts and guitarists who love fast riffs, savvy arrangement, and energetic performances. Their enduring legacy is a reminder of how a bold guitar sound and catchy songs can cross generations, helping new players discover the thrill of 80s hard rock through modern tabs and lessons.
🎸 Want to know what gear Autograph used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
Turn Up The Radio
Autograph
View Tab →Playing Style
Autograph crafts a high-energy, riff-driven hard rock sound anchored by punchy rhythm guitar, fast tempo changes, and melodic leads. Expect powerful palm-muted chugging, traditional power-chord progressions, and snappy alternation between rhythm and lead lines. The band is known for weaving tight two-guitar textures, harmonized melodies, and memorable chorus hooks that propel songs forward. Steve Lynch adds a distinctive flash with fast, precise solos that often blend rapid picking, bends, and occasional two-handed tapping to punctuate the groove. The result is a bright, aggressive guitar voice that remains immediately identifiable in any 80s rock set.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Autograph's era-defining sound sits on sturdy gear: iconic solid-body guitars such as Gibson Les Paul style axes for thick, sustaining rhythm tones and sharp lead lines; reliable high-gain amplifiers to drive the power-chord punch; and effects like chorus and delay to thicken textures and add space to solos. Steve Lynch’s guitar work highlights the usefulness of a dependable humbucker setup and a tone that can cut through a loud mix, while the band's hardware sense champions sustain, clarity, and melodic aggression in both studio and live settings.
Why Learn Autograph Songs?
Learning Autograph tracks gives you a solid foundation in classic rock technique while sharpening your rhythm and lead guitar skills. You’ll develop tight palm-muted riffs, clean power-chord transitions, and the confidence to lock in with a band-style groove. The two available lessons on this artist page focus on Turn Up the Radio, breaking the song into rhythm and lead sections so you can master the iconic riff, aggressive groove, and the melodic solo feel that defines 80s guitar- driven rock. Difficulty is approachable for late-beginners to intermediates, and the material translates well to other guitar-driven hard rock tunes.
Did You Know?
- 1Autograph formed in 1983 in Pasadena, California, quickly becoming a staple of the 80s glam metal scene.
- 2Turn Up the Radio became a breakout hit for the band and helped bring their sound to national MTV audiences in the mid-1980s.
- 3Steve Lynch is renowned for his fast tapping technique and melodic solos featured on Turn Up the Radio, a signature move in guitar-driven rock.
- 4Their debut album Sign In Please is regarded as a landmark in guitar-driven hard rock and a must-study for fans of 80s riffs.
1 Autograph lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
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