Wayne "Led" Sorbelli

Key West & Venice Beach Guitarist · Island Guitar · Led Zeppelin Tribute Performer

About Wayne

Wayne "Led" Sorbelli is a Key West (& recently Venice Beach) based guitarist, musician, & the co-owner of Island Guitar at 1109 Key Plaza. Known equally for his for his electrifying Led Zeppelin tribute AND electric slide guitar & ukulele blues performances, Wayne has sold out the Key West Theater multiple times.

Beyond music, Wayne & Nicky's mom Jamie, are the driving force behind Nicky's Celebration, Inc. — a 501(c) non-profit they founded in honor and memory of their son Nicky Wayne Sorbelli, raising money to help local Key West children fight cancer.

Wayne plays guitar with a violin bow in the manner pioneered by the 'Wizard' himself — guitar master Jimmy Page — bringing the full Zeppelin experience to the Conch Republic.

Wayne Sorbelli backstage with Bo Diddley, River Street Jazz Cafe, Wilkes-Barre PA, circa 1994–95
Backstage

Backstage with Bo Diddley

River Street Jazz Cafe, Wilkes-Barre, PA — circa 1994–95. A moment Wayne still talks about. Bo Diddley, the man who invented his own beat and influenced everyone from Chuck Berry to the Rolling Stones, backstage before the show.

These are the encounters that shape a musician — not just the notes, but the stories behind them.

A Life in Music

From a kid with a guitar in northeastern Pennsylvania to the stage and studio in Venice Beach — the journey never stopped.

Young & Loud — Northeastern PA
The PiTTston Pa. Years

Young & Loud

Northeastern PA

Before the stores, before Key West, before any of it — there was a kid in his 20s with long hair, a Les Paul, and no shirt. Playing hard, smiling harder. This is where it all started.

Wayne's World Music, April Fools Day, 1997 — No Joke — Pittston, PA (Wilkes-Barre area)
Early Years

Wayne's World Music, April Fools Day, 1997 — No Joke

Pittston, PA (Wilkes-Barre area)

On April 1st, 1997 — no joke — Wayne opened Wayne's World of Music, Movies & Games in Pittston , PA, just outside Wilkes-Barre. Records, CDs, VHS tapes, video games, gear, and a few guitar & bass  lessons all under one roof. The store became the heartbeat of the local music scene. Wayne sold thousands of Breaking Benjamin's debut CD out of that store before anyone else knew who they were. After-hours jams with the band. Demo tapes, handshakes, and a community of players who built something real together.

Wayne's World Dallas, Pa
"The Back Mountain" — Dallas, PA (Wilkes-Barre area)
Wayne's World of Music, Movies & Games

Wayne's World Dallas, Pa "The Back Mountain"

Dallas, PA (Wilkes-Barre area)

It started in Pittston, PA — a small town just outside Wilkes-Barre — a young guitarist obsessed with Led Zeppelin, blues & rock n roll,  Wayne's World Music, his first store, had a baby brother , Wayne's World Dallas, Pa lol and was born out of that obsession for teaching, selling gear, running a full record and CD store — PLUS guitar bass drum piano & vocal lessons!!! ALL of it, ALL at once , ALL under one roof.   The Dream was ALIVE and on track!! "Live the Music & the Music will live through you" - Wayne

Island Guitar — Key West, FL
The Island Guitar Years

Island Guitar

Key West, FL

Key West changed everything. Island Guitar at 1109 Key Plaza became a community institution — Ukulele jams at the Green Parrot, Nicky's Celebration benefit concerts, hundreds of first lessons. And the Led Zeppelin tribute shows that sold out the Key West Theater.

On the Keys Stage — Key West, FL
The Island Guitar Years

On the Keys Stage

Key West, FL

From the store floor to the spotlight — Wayne was playing as much as he was teaching performing live and later building his YouTube Channel.  Key West gave him the stage, the crowd, and the community that shaped everything that came next.

Keys Nights — Key West, FL
The Island Guitar Years

Keys Nights

Key West, FL

Late nights, live music, and a crowd that knew every riff. The Key West years were never just about the store.

Keys Crowd — Key West, FL
The Island Guitar Years

Keys Crowd

Key West, FL

The fans showed up every time. Key West had a way of turning a Tuesday night into something you'd talk about for years.

In the Pocket — Key West, FL
The Island Guitar Years

In the Pocket

Key West, FL

Every show had its own energy. Wayne found the groove and stayed there.

Stage Life — Key West, FL
The Island Guitar Years

Stage Life

Key West, FL

Between lessons, jams, and benefit shows — the stage was always calling. (and the Back Stage hehe)

Keys Nights — Key West, FL
The Island Guitar Years

Keys Nights

Key West, FL

Another night, another room full of people who came for the music and stayed for Wayne.

Country Club Sessions — Florida Keys
The Movie That Almost Was

Country Club Sessions

Florida Keys

A well-funded documentary about tribute bands. An exclusive country club in the Florida Keys. Wayne on Led Zeppelin, Greg Allman's son (look at photo lol a spitting image of Greg) he doing the Allman Brothers tribute. An amazing day of playing and filming — then Key West happened that night - some ended up in jail, some made it out unscathed. The investors pulled out by morning. The stories last lifetimes lol.

On Camera — Florida Keys
The Movie That Almost Was

On Camera

Florida Keys

The cameras were rolling. The performances were real. Some stories write themselves — and some movies never get made.

Wayne & the Vocalist — Florida Keys
The Movie That Almost Was

Wayne & the Vocalist

Florida Keys

Wayne on guitar, a powerhouse vocalist out front, Yamaha kit locked in behind them. The room had no idea this was the last night it would ever happen.

The Full Cast — Florida Keys
The Movie That Almost Was

The Full Cast

Florida Keys

Four musicians, one stage, one documentary that never got finished. Wayne, the vocalist, the guy in the white hat, and the filmmaker. Everyone smiling — nobody knew yet.

After the Show — Florida Keys
The Movie That Almost Was

After the Show

Florida Keys

Blue lights, big smiles, peace signs. The night was electric. By morning, the investors were gone. Key West has a way of ending things.

One More Shot — Florida Keys
The Movie That Almost Was

One More Shot

Florida Keys

The whole crew, one more time. Whatever happened after — this moment was real.

Behind the Scenes — Florida Keys
The Movie That Almost Was

Behind the Scenes

Florida Keys

The cameras caught everything. The performances, the energy, the room. A documentary that never got finished — but the footage was real.

The Double Neck — Florida Keys
The Movie That Almost Was

The Double Neck

Florida Keys

Wayne on the double neck — the kind of shot that was made for a documentary. Too bad nobody ever saw it.

Backstage at Key West Blues Festival — Florida Keys
The Movie That Almost Was

Backstage at Key West Blues Festival

Florida Keys

Behind the curtain with the band before showtime. The kind of moment that never made the documentary — but should have.

Pre-Show at the Smokin' Tuna — Key West, FL
Florida Keys

Pre-Show at the Smokin' Tuna

Key West, FL

This is what warming up looks like. Sitting in a tropical sanctuary with the Gibson before an Elmore's Revenge gig at the world famous Smokin' Tuna Saloon. Quiet time, prayer, running the solo parts — and yes, posting updates to the band page. Never actually resting. Never.

Ocean Sessions

Uke in the Ocean

Key West, FL

Because why play on the beach when you can play IN it. Key West, ukulele, saltwater, and zero regrets.

On Stage & In the Studio — Venice Beach, FL
Venice Beach

On Stage & In the Studio

Venice Beach, FL

Wayne walked away from retail and never looked back. Venice Beach is the new home base — on stage and in the lesson studio more than ever, playing and teaching everyone from touring veterans to first-time beginners. The music got louder.

The Bow — Venice Beach, FL
Venice Beach

The Bow

Venice Beach, FL

Jimmy Page did it. Wayne does it too — and means every note. The SG, a violin bow, and a room that didn't know what hit it.

Right Now — Venice Beach, FL
Last Month

Right Now

Venice Beach, FL

Still here. Still playing. Still teaching. Venice Beach, FL — guitar, bass, ukulele, and whatever you want to learn. Come play.

Hear Wayne Play

Short clips from the lesson room, the stage, and the living room. Hit play.

Intro Lick

A taste of what Wayne brings to every lesson — feel, tone, and a little fire.

Lemonade Stand

Written and recorded sitting in the ocean in Key West. For Nicky — and for anyone life has handed lemons.

Have You Ever Loved a Woman

Freddie King classic — Wayne's take with slide guitar. Raw, soulful, and straight from the gut.

The Movie That Almost Was

Shot at an exclusive country club in the Florida Keys for a well-funded documentary about tribute bands. Wayne on Led Zeppelin, Greg Allman's son on the Allman Brothers. Amazing day of playing and filming — then Key West happened that night. The investors pulled out by morning. Some stories write themselves.

Killing in the Name — Slide Guitar

Rage Against the Machine on slide guitar. Wayne's "FU CANCER" version — raw, loud, and unlike anything you've heard. Drop D, slide, and zero apologies.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Guitar Lesson

30 minutes of Southern rock gold. Wayne breaks down the Skynyrd style — the riffs, the feel, the attitude. Everything you need to start playing like you mean it.

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Music • Community • Venice Beach • Key West

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