oel Hoekstra is a powerhouse guitarist known for his technical skill, versatility, and relentless work ethic. Born on December 13, 1970, in Iowa City, Iowa, and raised in a musical household, he started out playing cello and piano. But everything changed when he saw Angus Young of AC/DC on TV—at that moment, he knew guitar was his calling. That inspiration launched a career that would span Broadway stages, stadium tours, and studio sessions with some of the biggest names in rock.Joel first gained wider recognition playing with Night Ranger in the late 2000s. Around the same time, he became a fixture in the Broadway musical Rock of Ages, performing eight shows a week while juggling touring commitments with rock bands. His ability to seamlessly shift between hard rock stages and theater pits set him apart from most guitarists in the scene.He later joined the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, known for their elaborate holiday arena tours, and in 2014, he landed a major gig as guitarist for Whitesnake. Since then, he’s toured the world with the band, appearing on albums like The Purple Album and Flesh & Blood, where he also contributed as a songwriter. He’s also performed alongside Cher, playing guitar for her Las Vegas residency and her “Here We Go Again” tour, proving he can hold his own in any musical environment.In addition to his high-profile band work, Joel leads his own project, Joel Hoekstra’s 13, a melodic hard rock supergroup featuring players like Russell Allen, Vinny Appice, Tony Franklin, and Jeff Scott Soto. The project has released several critically acclaimed albums—Dying to Live (2015), Running Games (2021), and Crash of Life (2023)—with a new one on the way in 2025. The music is a blend of soaring vocals, powerful riffs, and sharp songwriting that showcases Joel’s full range as a musician and producer.Outside of performing, Joel is a respected session guitarist and educator. He’s contributed to albums by Foreigner, Dee Snider, and many others, and he’s shared his expertise in magazines like Guitar World. Whether he’s tearing it up onstage with a rock legend or composing intricate solos in the studio, Joel Hoekstra continues to prove why he’s one of the most in-demand guitarists in rock today.⸻

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