Orianthi

Born in Adelaide, Australia, female guitarist Orianthi Panagaris released her debut album, Violet Journey, in 2007. After she moved to Los Angeles, Orianthi's musicianship was exposed to millions of television viewers when she joined Carrie Underwood's band for a 2009 Grammy Awards performance. That same year, an e-mail invitation arrived asking her to audition for Michael Jackson, who was assembling a band for a 50-date residency at London's O2 Arena. One blistering rendition of the "Beat It" solo was enough to land the gig, but the King of Pop unexpectedly passed in June of that same year. Her second album, Believe, arrived in 2010. ~ David Jeffries