Sean Kelly

Sean Kelly is a Juno award-nominated Canadian musician, educator, and author with an extensive career that includes touring and recording with renowned artists such as Nelly Furtado, Lee Aaron, Coney Hatch, The Tenors, Helix, Gilby Clarke, Rough Trade, Alan Frew (Glass Tiger), Harlequin, Honeymoon Suite, Canadian Brass, Northern Strum, and his own band Crash Kelly. Beyond his musical achievements, Sean has authored three books: "Don’t Call It Hair Metal: Art In The Excess of ‘80s Rock" (ECW PRESS) and "Metal On Ice: Tales from Canada’s Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Heroes" (Dundurn Press), and his new book “Battle Axes: A Hard Rockin’ History of Pointy Guitars,” which will be published in Summer ‘26.

Sean was a Top Ten finalist in Guitar Player Magazine's inaugural GUITAR HERO competition, earning kudos from celebrity judges Joe Satriani and Steve Lukather for his performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Sean has recorded Top 10 US Billboard charting classical guitar albums and has also worked as a composer, music director, producer, and session musician in Toronto, Canada.

In addition to these pursuits, Sean showcased his guitar and performance skills in the 2023 Toronto production of "Rock of Ages" and had a major role in Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider’s "Rock N Roll Christmas Tale." Recognized for his contributions, Sean was inducted into the North Bay Entertainers Hall of Recognition in 2022. Furthermore, in 2023, he earned induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame as a member of Lee Aaron’s band. Currently, Sean serves as a dedicated music teacher with the Toronto Catholic District School Board.

NOW published:
Battle Axes: A Hard Rockin’ History of Pointy Guitars by SEAN KELLY
A Deep Dive into the Wildest Electric Guitars of ’70s and ’80s Hard Rock
From Flying V to Firebird, Explorer to Warlock—this is the untold story of the most outrageous guitars in rock history. In Battle Axes, guitarist and music historian Sean Kelly explores the cultural and musical evolution of the world’s most iconic “pointy guitars”—and how they helped define the sound and image of ’70s and ’80s hard rock and heavy metal.

https://ecwpress.com/products/battle-axes