Frank Hannon reimagines ‘Greensleeves’ for Christmas

Few guitarists have left as significant a mark on rock music as Frank Hannon, a musician who, for more than four decades served as the co-founder and lead guitarist of the iconic band Tesla. He’s stood as one of the genre’s most expressive voices, a player whose sound pairs power and poetry in equal measure. From the hard-driving riffs of “Modern Day Cowboy” and “Little Suzi” to the delicate, Bach-inspired acoustic introduction of “Love Song,” Frank’s playing channels both technical mastery and emotional context.

His work helped define Tesla’s blend of arena-ready energy and heartfelt songwriting, proving that even within rock’s loudest moments, beauty and nuance could shine. By the time Tesla released their now-legendary live album Five Man Acoustical Jam in 1990, Frank had already demonstrated his ability to strip things back without losing impact, ushering in an unplugged movement years before it became mainstream. Beyond his work with Tesla, his solo catalogue has been equally adventurous, crossing genres with curiosity and flair.

Albums such as Six String Soldiers, which earned an LA Music Awards nomination, revealed an artist unchained by what fans had come to expect, eager to explore new sonic areas. Along the way, he’s collaborated with an array of artists including Rick Derringer, Pat Travers, Dave Meniketti and Dickey Betts, forging connections across generations of guitar greats. In 2020, his artistic output was further immortalised by Gibson, who honoured him with the Frank Hannon “Love Dove” acoustic, a guitar that perfectly captres the emotional and melodic stylines that run throughout his sound.

Now, he returns with a project based in timeless melody, his brand new holiday EP titled Greensleeves (The Timeless Melody) which reimagines the 445-year-old English folk tune “Greensleeves” through four guitar-driven interpretations that traverse mood, tone and time of day. Inspired by his 1978 Ovation Adamas 12-string, the first ever built, originally made for Heart guitarist Roger Fisher, Frank found himself captivated by its dulcimer-like chime. That tone became the spark for a project designed to explore the endurance and emotion of one of history’s most recognisable melodies.

“It was my desire to arrange Greensleeves for guitar and create different versions to showcase its strength and versatility as a melody,” he explains. “The concept of the EP is inspired by the classical approach of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, as I take the Greensleeves melody through the four stages of a day.” The release begins with “Morning Star,” a shimmering, symphonic arrangement that distils the quiet wonder of dawn with the familiar “Greensleeves” delivered by gliding guitar layers.

“Our Savior Is Born” follows with intimate fingerpicking on a Gibson J-45, its stillness capturing reflection and peace in a delicate, stripped back setting. “A Winter’s Night” introduces a darker atmosphere, pairing harmony-focused passages and flamenco-inspired flourishes that nod to the tune’s debated European origins.

The cycle closes with “Before the Dawn,” performed again on the original Adamas 12-string, where harmonics and open strings create a dazzling glow, casting an immersive atmosphere to close the EP. Greensleeves (The Timeless Melody) arrives as both a tribute and a continuation in the story of one of the most recognisable pieces of music and across these four variations, Frank Hannon’s playing reminds us that melody, above all else, endures by connecting centuries, traditions and listeners through the simple beauty of sound.

Listen to Greensleeves (The Timeless Melody) below