“If you talked to me when I was 25 years old, I would have been frightened to take a solo after Joe Satriani…” Why Cory Wong is no longer afraid to trade leads with his heroes

Left– Cory Wong performs at North Sea Jazz on July 12, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands; Right–Guitarist Joe Satriani performs on the Palomino Stage during day 3 of the Stagecoach Music Festival on April 27, 2025 in Indio, California.

As the old adage goes, comparison is the thief of joy. Even the best of us experience imposter syndrome – but, as Cory Wong and bassist to the stars, Oteil Burbridge, discuss on the Wong Notes podcast, the key is to develop, and be confident enough in, your own playing style.

“Lean into what you are,” Burbridge imparts. “That's what I do, and that's what people call me for. But when [they call] me for 'this', and now you're saying you don't want me to do 'that', I'm like, 'I think you need to get someone else.'”