Kirk Hammett

Kirk Lee Hammett was born on November 18th, 1962 in San Francisco, California. He got his first guitar at the age of 15, a Montgomery Ward Strat copy from a friend for ten dollars and a Kiss album ("Dressed To Kill").

As a youngster, Kirk kept to himself. The family moved from San Francisco to a suburban area in East Bay. He suffered from culture shock, and the music he would listen to, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix or Cream set him apart from the other kids even more. But playing his favorite songs like "Purple Haze", "Wild Thing" and "Communication Breakdown" on the guitar made him feel closer to the music he was listening to. The first real good guitar Kirk bought was a blonde Strat with a maple neck, because of Hendrix. After listening to UFO, with Michael Schenker, he bought a black Flying V, which can be heard on the first three or four Metallica albums.

By then, he had formed a band called Exodus, and they would play Thin Lizzy, UFO, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden cover songs.
Exodus opened a couple of shows with Metallica and Kirk was very impressed by them and their original sound. When lead guitarist Dave Mustaine got expelled after a fight with James Hetfield, Kirk was invited to an audition in New York and he was asked to join the band.

In 1982, a few weeks before Metallica recorded their debut album, "Kill 'Em All", Kirk took lessons from Joe Satriani. "Kill 'Em All" would mark the beginning of an incredible rise in the bands popularity.

Hammett's playing has evolved since the early years of "Kill 'Em All". Witnessed on "And Justice For All", where he showed off his speed. But on the "Black Album" and subsequent albums "Load"/ "ReLoad" Kirk dropped some speed in favor of a more bluesy playing style and experimental sounds.

Tony Levin

Tony Levin was born in Boston on June 6, 1946. He grew up in the suburb of Brookline and began playing upright bass at 10 yrs old. In high school, he picked up tuba, soloing with the concert band. He also started a barbershop quartet. But he primarily played classical music on the upright, most notably performing at the White House with a youth orchestra for John and Jackie Kennedy.

He then attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY and played in the Rochester Philharmonic. Also at the school was Steve Gadd, now a renowned drummer, who introduced Tony to playing a higher level of jazz and rock. He traded in his Ampeg baby bass for an old (at that time) Fender Precision bass, which was his only instrument for many years.

In 1970, Tony moved to New York City, joined a band called Aha, the Attack of the Green Slime Beast, with Don Preston of The Mothers of Invention. Soon after, he began working as a session musician and through the 1970's he played bass on many albums.

In the late '70s wanting to do more live playing, Tony joined Peter Gabriel's band. He had met Peter through producer Bob Ezrin (with whom Tony had recorded Alice Cooper's Welcome to My Nightmare, and Lou Reed's Berlin .) Tony has played with Gabriel, both on the road and in the studio, since then. On that first Peter Gabriel album, Tony played some tuba as well as bass, and directed a short barbershop quartet version of a song.

It was in these early years with Gabriel that Tony developed his playing of the Chapman Stick. More recently, the song Big Time, from Gabriel's So album, inspired the development of Funk Fingers, which are chopped off drumsticks used to hammer on the bass strings. Levin credits Gabriel with the idea, and Andy Moore, his tech at the time, with actually making them workable.

In 1978, Tony moved to Woodstock NY, to join the band L'Image , which included his old friend Steve Gadd, as well as Mike Mainieri and Warren Bernhardt. The band, which did some very special music, broke up after a year, and Tony stayed in Woodstock, where he still lives.

On Peter Gabriel's first album, Tony met Robert Fripp and, in 1980, after having played on Fripp's solo album Exposure, he became a member of the '80s incarnation of King Crimson.

Through the years, Tony has toured with quite a few artists including: Paul Simon (with whom Tony appeared in Simon's 1980 film "One Trick Pony"), Gary Burton, James Taylor, Herbie Mann, Goro Noguchi, Judy Collins, Joe Yamanaka, Carly Simon,Peter Framptom, Anderson/Bruford/Wakeman/Howe, Tim Finn, Richie Samborra, and Claudio Baglioni.

In 1984 Tony released "Road Photos," a collection of black & white photos taken during his travels with Crimson, Gabriel, Simon and others. Tony's brother, Pete, is a New York keyboardist and writer who is best known for his work with Gil Evans. Back in the 70's, Tony and Pete collaborated with Steve Gadd in the comedy band The Clams. Tony still threatens to release some Clams material some day.

Robben Ford

The third of four sons born to Charles and Kathryn Ford, Robben (born in 1951) grew up in Ukiah, California - a small town two hours drive north of San Francisco. Both parents loved music and had talents of their own. Charles had performed professionally as a young man singing and playing guitar.

Throughout his high school years Robben continued to enjoy and explore music of all types. The rock idiom was full of energy and was itself being influenced by different musical styles. Rock was growing up and leading the way were artists like Jimi Hendrix, the Yardbirds, Cream, Steve Winwood, and of course the Beatles. Like Robben, many of the artists he enjoyed the most had also been influenced by the blues idiom to one degree or another

He joined Charlie Musselwhites band in 1970 Charlie often had Robben playing sax on such instrumentals as Ray Charles' "Hard Times" or Robben's own "Blue Stu".

It was the gig with Charlie Musselwhite that gave Robben his first serious exposure to the blues community. As he was only eighteen years old and just out of school it was also his first professional gig with a road band and provided him his first real recording experience when Charlie recorded his "Takin My Time" LP.

After a year with Charlie he left with his brother Patrick to form the Charles Ford Band, along with brother Mark, and friend Stan Poplin. This band lasted less than a year but had a major impact on the West Coast blues scene. Muddy Waters had just convinced Chess Records to offer the Charles Ford Band a contract when Mark decided to leave the music business for awhile. Luckily, several months after their breakup, Chris Strachwitz of Arhoolie Records asked them to go into the studio for two days of recording, saying it would be a shame for the band not to leave something behind on disk. So came about the Charles Ford Band LP. It still sells in CD form to this day and is considered by many to be a modern blues classic. This was Robbens first recording where he was a featured artist.

After leaving Witherspoon in 1974 Robben was invited to join the LA Express for a tour of the US and Canada along with Joni Mitchell. This became a two year relationship and was Robben's introduction to the style of music known as "Fusion". It not only resulted in Robben recording a fusion release for Elektra Records, his first solo recording, but also led to the the formation of the band, The Yellow Jackets, which continues to have a world wide following today.

Robben became an in-demand guitarist in LA, but always preferred live performance. His reputation was to land him tours and recordings with the likes of Joni Mitchell, George Harrison, Michael McDonald, David Sanborn, Randy Crawford and even a one-year stay with his most important musical icon and mentor, Miles Davis.

It was in 1982, ten years after their breakup, that Robben reunited with the other members of the Charles Ford Band to play and record a series of gigs and release an LP dedicated to the brothers' Father who had just passed away. These recordings were released on Patrick's newly formed Blue Rock'It Records as The Charles Ford Band - "A Reunion".

During the next two years Robben continued his LA based career but as Charles Ford Band members had enjoyed doing the reunion gigs they did the same again in 1983 and 1984 and in fact took the band to Europe for a few dates with Charlie Musselwhite. Music from the US dates led to another Blue Rock'lt release years later, "As Real As It Gets".

Deciding it was time to form his own group, Robben put together a band composed of two of LA's finest musicians, Russel Ferrante and Vinnie Colaiata, along with Texas bassist Roscoe Beck. This band was to record the "Talk To Your Daughter" album for which Robben was to receive his first Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Recording. This release was to open eyes world wide to Robben's talents as a true blues artist.

Robben is without a doubt one of the most creative and honest men to play, write, and arrange in the blues field. He feels it as well as understands it.

Lenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz was born to TV News producer Sy Kravitz and the late actress Roxie Roker in New York on May 26, 1964. as a little boy, Lenny showed a strong interest in music. As a toddler, he would surround himself with pots and pans, and use them as a makeshift drum set. His parents encouraged his interest, and by the time he was 10 he had seen several performances including: Duke Ellington, James Brown, and the Jackson 5.

In 1964, the Kravitz family relocated to Los Angeles. The move was initiated by Lenny's mother because of her work as Hellen Willis on The Jefferson's. It was there that he auditioned for and won a place in the prestigious California Boy's Choir. He also began to teach himself to play several instruments including the guitar, and by 1978, his parents used their connections to get him into Beverly Hills HighSchool. (which boasted a superior music program)

Kravitz seemed to have found his calling, but lost interest in his studies. He named himself Romeo Blue, and started to spend more and more time away from home. He eventually started to live out of his Ford Pinto. He managed to graduate from high school in 1982.

Much to his father's disappointment, Kravitz decided not to attend college. His father agreed to finance his attempts to gain a record deal. It seemed, though that his sound wasn't "black enough" to get him a deal. For three years he struggled, and his difficulties were compounded by his parents divorce in 1985, which had a major effect on him. However, by the end of the year, his prospects were looking up. He was introduced to actress Lisa Bonet during a backstage gathering after a performance by New Edition. The two became fast friends, and by early 1986 the two were living together. In the same year, the couple moved back to New York where Kravitz met his mentor and kindred spirit, recording engineer, Henry Hirsch. The two started work on his first album, Let Love Rule.

In November 1987, Lisa and Lenny got married in Las Vegas, and 12 months later, his daughter Zoë was born. Shortly after Zoë's birth, Kravitz released his first album Let Love Rule, with the title song becoming a smash hit. Kravitz started living the rock and roll lifestyle, and rumors soon started circulating about his indiscretions after he produced the hit for Madonna titled Justify My Love. This proved to be more than Bonet could bear, and in 1991 the couple separated.

Kravitz's next album Mama Said seemed to be more introspective. It was released April 1991. It sold to platinum status, and featured guest appearances by Slash and Sean Lennon.

In the spring of 1993, he released Are You Gonna Go My Way? Soon after he began to work on this album, he found out that his mother had terminal cancer. Kravitz's personal life spilled into his music. The title track earned him an MTV Video Award for Best Male Video, as well as a Grammy Nomination for Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Vocal Performance.

In 1995, Kravitz released another album entitled Circus. It was clear that there would be no themes of peace and love on this album. The lead track bore the name Rock and Roll is Dead.

On December 2, 1995, 1 day after his daughter's birthday, his Mother, Roxie Roker succumbed to her illness. With the events of his life being more than he could bear, Kravitz retreated to the Bahamas in the summer of 1996. With his Grandmother and Daughter by his side, he spent much time relaxing and reflecting on his musical direction. Bonet visited often, and the two were able to re-establish a healthy friendship.

In 1998, after Kravitz felt he could begin working again, he began to play with different sounds and samples. He started to record using digital technology. As a result his latest album 5, is his most eclectic work to date. The album includes a tribute to his Mother, Thinking of You, and a gift to his Daughter, Little Girl's Eyes. The single Fly Away won him a Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.

In April and May of 1999, Kravitz teamed up with the Black Crowes and Everlast for a North American tour. On the last day of the tour, after playing for 40 minutes, Kravitz collapsed reportedly of heat exhaustion. He took a brief break and then began a tour of Europe that summer.

Kravitz also did a remake of The Guess Who's American Woman which appeared on the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me sound track.

Kravitz, despite his personal adversity, has always maintained his own musical style. He writes songs that cross all boundaries with abandon, but at the same time uses a rock and roll virtue. He is a talented guitarist, and is an avowed Les Paul player. There is certainly more success in his future.

Frank Zappa 1940-1993

Frank Zappa was known as one of the most accomplished composers of the rock era. He has a genius for using the combination of contemporary classical music with the sound of the 50's Doo Wop, and guitar heavy rock, which was prevalent during the 70's. He is also best known for being the most creative recording artist of his time, recording 65 albums.

Born Frank Vincent Zappa in Baltimore, Maryland on December 21, 1940, Zappa was the eldest of 3 children.

Zappa became interested in music at a very early age, and pursued music studies in school. He took summer courses in drumming, as well as 6 months at Chaffey College in California.

In the early 60's, he wrote music for some low-budget movies, and used the money to buy a recording studio. In 1964, he joined a local band called the Soul Giants. Over the course of the next two years, it evolved into The Mothers. They played songs written by Zappa. The band was signed by MGM in 1966, and they recorded their first album. It was a 2 LP set called Freak Out! This first album showed Zappa's interest in serious music, and biting wit. MGM then insisted that the name be changed to Mother's of Invention because they thought "Mothers" to be too scandalous.

Ensuing albums came frequently. In 1968, three albums hit the charts: We're Only in it for the Money, which was an album that made fun of hippies, Lumpy Gravy, a Zappa solo album recorded with an orchestra, and Cruising With Ruben and the Jets, a "neo-doo wop" album.

Toward the end of the 60's, the Mothers seemed to turn more toward instrumental Jazz-Rock, which revealed Zappa's technically accomplished guitar playing. At the end of the 60's, he broke up the band after much frustration with the financial losses, and the band members.

In 1970, Zappa teamed up with former members of Turtles. The group seemed to move their music into the direction of x-rated comedy as you can hear on the album Fillmore East. But during a performance in London, England, Zappa was pushed off the stage by a member of the audience. Zappa fell ten feet into the orchestra, and broke his leg. He spent a month in the hospital, and Trevor Howell (the man who pushed him) spent a year in jail. While Zappa recovered, he released several albums. He then reformed The Mothers, with himself as lead singer, and recorded Pop/Rock albums, which were his best selling records.

By the end of the 70's, Zappa was recording on his own labels, and he had a huge following of fans for both his humor and his music.

In the 1980's, Zappa gained the rights to his old albums and re-released them. He also wrote an autobiography, and began a world tour in 1989.

At the end of 1991, Zappa got confirmation that he was very ill with prostate cancer. However, his scheduled album releases never waned.

On December 4, 1993, Frank Zappa succumbed to his illness, but his albums were released until the end of 1996.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk Wylde was born Jeffery Philip Wielandt on January 14, 1967 in Bayonne and raised in Jackson, New Jersey. Zakk began guitar at the age of eight, only to quit a short time after due to lack of interest. Zakk then attended Jackson Memorial High School where he then picked up the guitar again at age 14. He began taking lessons from his high school football coach’s son, LeRoy Wright. And later studied classical guitar. Zakk formed his first band “ Stone Henge” playing songs by Black Sabbath and Rush.

Around 1985 Zakk began to write originals and joined a band called “Zyris” This is when he started calling himself Zakari Wyland. He got the name from the TV show Lost In Space’s character Dr. Zachary Smith. Zyris played original material as well as covers by their favorite bands, Zyris played some, but not many gigs in the southern Jersey area.

Hearing on the Howard Stern Show that Ozzy would be auditioning unknown guitarist's Zakk took a chance and got the audition with Ozzy. During the audition Zakk played a few Ozzy songs and some acoustic and classical stuff. After the audition he returned home thinking he didn’t get the job. Shortly after he received a phone call from Sharon Osbourne asking if he would join the band.

Zakk had joined up with Ozzy at the age of 20, in May of 1987. It was then he was given the last name “Wylde”, which he was called for obvious reasons. Ozzy introduced Zakk as his new guitarist at the Hard Rock Café in New York City, on Dec.15, 1987. Zakk Wylde made his debut with Ozzy Osbourne on album in 1988 with "No Rest For The Wicked." Zakk quickly became a big name in the guitarist community, due to his instantly recognizable guitar sound and style.

In 1989, Zakk toured the world playing guitar for Ozzy. He basically went from an unknown kid playing small clubs in New Jersey, to playing huge arenas. The live E.P. "Just Say Ozzy" was released in 1989. It featured Ozzy, Zakk, Geezer Butler, and Randy Castillo playing three No Rest For The Wicked tunes, a version of the Jake E Lee penned song "Shot In The Dark" from The Ultimate Sin, which is universally recognized as way better than the studio version, and two Black Sabbath classics, "War Pigs," and "Sweet Leaf."

In 1990, Ozzy and Zakk recorded No More Tears . No More Tears is generally regarded as one of Zakk's best performances. The tour for No More Tears, aptly titled "No More Tours" was billed to be Ozzy's final farewell tour. The band went back into the studio during the tour to record a few new studio tracks that were to be included as bonus tracks to the live album they were going to release. Live & Loud was a double disc set of live recordings from Ozzy's supposed final tour.

In 1995, Ozzy came out of retirement and recruited Zakk, Geezer Butler, and Deen Castronovo to record his next album. Ozzmosis came out in 1995, which featured the pounding leadoff single "Perry Mason."

It was during this time that Zakk began jamming with a few of the guys from Guns N Roses. Several songs were demoed with the band, including a song with an early version of the riff for "The Rose Petalled Garden." Zakk was torn between joining Guns N Roses, and touring with Ozzy. He waited too long, and Ozzy eventually hired a guitarist by the name of Joe Holmes for the Ozzmosis tour. Zakk received a message from Guns N Roses that his services would not be needed.

Zakk Wylde, Mike Inez, and Randy Castillo, the No More Tears band, were rehired by Ozzy Osbourne in early 1998 for a tour in New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. Mysteriously, the entire band was let go without reason by the Ozzy camp after they got back from Japan. They were supposed to play Ozzfest '98 in the US, but this never happened. Zakk went to Italy in early May 1998 to do a one-off show by himself, and then he called up Phil Ondich and what became Sonic Brew was recorded in May 1998 in Miami.

Sonic Brew was released in Japan on October 28th, 1998. It contained 13 tracks ("Lost My Better Half" and "No More Tears 2000" did not exist yet), an awesome album cover that was printed on clear plastic, with a separate paper booklet. The back cover was printed with golden ink, and the packaging was, overall, a lot better than the USA version ended up. Zakk and Phil decided to give the USA an extra bonus track for the album, and went to the studio in California and recorded "Lost My Better Half" as a one-off bonus track for the album. It was Zakk's heaviest song to date. Sonic Brew was finally released in the USA on May 4th, 1999.

The band needed a bass player, so Zakk put out an ad in all guitar magazines. Zakk ended up hiring his long-time friend bassist J.D. as Black Label Society's bass player. The lineup was now complete.

BLS performed their first ever show in Japan on May 1st, 1999 at Club Quattro, Shibuya Tokyo. After the European tour, the American tour dates that were scheduled all got cancelled, and there was a wait before the US tour. Black Label Society finally kicked off their tour of the US in mid September 1999, with the band Loudmouth opening for them for many of the dates.

"Alcohol Fueled Brewtality Live" was recorded in October of 2000, and was released on January 16th, 2001. Black Label Society was added to Ozzfest 2001 that summer as the main stage opener.

Zakk recorded a new album with Ozzy in the Summer/Fall of 2001, but did not write any of the tracks for it. "Down To Earth" was released on October 16th, 2001, and Ozzy and Rob Zombie toured together as the "Merry Mayhem" tour for winter 2001 and then again in 2002 for the Down to Earth tour.

Zakk returned to the studio and recorded what became "1919 Eternal." released on March 5th, 2002.

Black Label Society continues to pound out albums and crushing licks as witnessed by "The Blessed Hell Ride" in 2003. Followed by "Boozed, Boozed and Broken Boned" and their latest release "Mafia" in 2005.

Zakk continues to provide the Ozzy Osbourne band with his talents whenever Ozzy hits the road.

Slash

Slash was born in Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, England on July 23, 1965. His given name is Saul Hudson. His mother is American, and his father is English. Both parents were artistic and work in the entertainment field. His mother is a clothing designer while his father provides art direction for record albums. Two notable clients are Neil Young and Joni Mitchell.

At age 11 Slash moved to Los Angeles with his mother while his father remained based in England. The family eventually lived together again in L.A. where Slash had a rough transition to conservative Southern California. The long hair, jeans and t-shirts that he wore even then didn't exactly fit with the other kids. An outsider at school, he lived a bohemian life at home. Surrounded by artistic friends of his parents, Slash grew accustomed to the moods and eccentricities of those in the music world. Frequent visitors at the Hudson household included Joni Mitchell, David Geffen, David Bowie, Ron Wood, and Iggy Pop to name a few.

In the mid-1970's, his parents separated. Slash moved in with his beloved grandmother until he could sort out the situation at home. About this time he discovered BMX bicycle racing. He joined up with a group of kids, and rode with a passion.

While in junior high school, his grandmother gave him his first guitar. Although it had just one string, Slash was able to learn to play. Slash's early musical influences were Led Zep, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Neil Young. He credits the Aerosmith album ROCKS with changing his life.

Eventually, Slash gave up on school and dropped out in eleventh grade. Another education was waiting for him in the L.A. band scene. Slash had met Steven Adler, formed Road Crew, and was looking for a good singer. Then he met Izzy Stradlin who played him a tape with W. Axl Rose singing. Slash went to see Axl perform and immediately wanted to steal him from Izzy, but the two Indiana natives were fast friends. Slash found his bass player in Duff McKagan when Duff answered an ad in the paper. All the players changed combinations, but the result was Guns N' Roses! With a lot of talent and a lot of drive, the band became an international success story.

After the Illusions tours, Guns N' Roses went on a well-deserved hiatus. Slash became restless and decided to form a new band as a side project. Matt Sorum, Gilby Clarke, Mike Inez, Eric Dover, and Slash formed Slash's Snakepit and recorded the album It's Five O'clock Somewhere.

Slash's life once seemed a symbol of rock and roll decadence, but things have calmed down with him in some ways. Once a heroin addict, Slash has been off drugs for several years. His astounding drinking habits are sometimes in evidence, and he still smokes his Marlboros. A major change occurred when he fell in love with Renee Suran. They were married in October 1992. The two separated and divorced in the fall of 1997. They remain friends.

Slash has kept busy with several projects over the years. His latest band "Velvet Revolver" featuring the talents of Scott Weiland, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum and Dave Kushner has put him back on the stage in a big way. The band has seen much success and with the release of "Contraband" in 2004 you can find them headlining at a major venue near you.