About
Someone once called Paul Pesco “the invisible guitarist.” Nothing has ever been more accurate. His work lives in that rare space where it’s instantly recognizable, yet rarely called out by name. When someone shouts “Everybody dance now!” the answer arrives instinctively—that unmistakable dun, dun, dun dun is Paul’s guitar, embedded in collective memory. His guitar also anchors the NFL on FOX theme, a sound synonymous with cultural moments of stadium-sized proportion, etched into history and heard by millions—often without attribution.
Paul Pesco (born May 13, 1959, Canandaigua, New York) is a musician whose influence far outweighs his visibility. Over the years, he has played with an extraordinary range of artists including Steve Winwood, Joan Baez, Cher, Whitney Houston, Al Green, Roberta Flack, Mariah Carey, Hall & Oates, Annie Lennox, Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, and C+C Music Factory—often stepping in at pivotal moments and quietly elevating the work.
He came up through New York’s S.I.R. Studios, where an early encounter with a then-unknown Madonna led to studio sessions, touring, and contributions to her debut album, including “Lucky Star” and “Burning Up.” Paul went on to perform on The Virgin Tour, play on Erotica, and join The Girlie Show World Tour. Along the way, he helped launch the synth-pop duo The System and became one of the most in-demand session guitarists of the 1980s. Paul later served as lead guitarist and musical director for Hall & Oates, as well as for Daryl Hall’s Live From Daryl’s House, both on television and on tour.
While Paul Pesco will always be a session guitarist at heart, his current focus is increasingly centered on his own creative worlds. In 2026, his attention turns toward personal projects—including Sonic Boom Squad with Omar Hakim and a collaboration with Gary Meek with drummer Dave Weckl—alongside a deeper commitment to the film industry. As a partner, Musical Director, and Film Composer at Grey Matter Visions, Paul is channeling decades of musical instinct into cinematic storytelling, shaping sound for the screen.
Paul Pesco does not chase the spotlight—yet his work has shaped the sound of generations.