Al Di Meola turned 70 on July 22. The American was one of the co-inventors of jazz-rock and is one of the most influential and fastest guitarists in music history. Together with John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia, Al Di Meola released the live acoustic album "Friday Night In San Francisco", which sold millions of copies.

For the New Jersey-born Italian American musician, the guitar is more than just an instrument: "When something stresses me out or I get bad news, I immediately run to my guitar and play," Di Meola told. It gives me strength and confidence. As soon as I strum the strings, I start thinking positive thoughts."