Fuzz Kmak (Disturbed)

Name: Steve Kmak
Born: 3rd September, 1970 (Covington, Kentucky, USA)

Profile: He is an American bass guitar player, best known for his work with the heavy metal band "Disturbed".

History: Fuzz started to play bass guitar when he was young and founded the band "Brawl" in 1996 with guitarist Dan Donegan and drummer Mike Wengren.

"Brawl" played small clubs in Chicago before singer David Draiman answered their ad, after which they changed the band name to "Disturbed". They then produced their first studio album 'The Sickness', released in 2000 and their second album 'Believe', released in 2002. Since the band's formation, they have sold over 11 million albums worldwide, making them one of the most successful rock bands in recent years. The band have charted on the Billboard 200.

In 2003, after finishing the 'Music as a Weapon II Tour', Fuzz left the band. He was replaced with John Moyer, who is the current bass player, and he usually use three or more amplifiers when playing in a concert.

Influences: Rush, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne and Pantera

Axology: Music Man Sting Ray basses - 5-string

Signature song(s): The Game - Disturbed (The Sickness, 2000)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqT-WuyewMU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cOMiBy5q2w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYgkSnhJUyM

John Moyer (Soak/Disturbed)

Name: John Moyer
Born: 30th November, 1973 (El Paso, Texas, USA)

Profile: He is the current bassist and back up vocalist for the alternative metal band "Disturbed", replacing their former bassist Steve Kmak. Moyer also published "Disturbed's" albums; such as 'Ten Thousand Fists', 'Indestructible' and 'Asylum'. In addition to this, Moyer also works in partnership with Silver Tongue Management.

History: He started to play bass guitar in his teens, and Moyer was formerly part of the Texas hard rock act "The Union Underground". Prior to his stint in "The Union Underground", he was the bassist of the popular band "Soak", also hailing from Texas. He teaches at Natural Ear Music in Austin, Texas, where he works with a lot of young bands, which inspires him.

Moyer prefers picking over finger-style (he is still capable of playing finger-style) because it has a more aggressive feeling towards the style.

Moyer has a custom line with Traben bass company. He and the company produced his signature Traben Havoc. He also has custom amplifiers with Kustom featuring his own design printed on the front resembling a skull engulfed in flames.

Influences: (Texas hard rock bands)

Axology: Traben bass - signature series (Traben Havoc) and Kustom amplifiers

Signature song(s): Inside the Fire - Disturbed (Indestructible, 2008)

Link(s):

http://www.disturbed1.com/ (Disturbed's Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfJC25nOSqE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K9jBL2syJ8

Dan Donegan (Vandal/Disturbed)

Name: Dan Donegan
Born: 1st August, 1968 (Oak Lawn, Illinois, USA)

Profile: He is an American musician and guitarist for heavy metal band "Disturbed". Previously, Donegan was the guitarist of 80's hair style band, "Vandal".

History: Donegan began playing guitar as a teenager and eventually formed a band called "Vandal". Most of the solo in "Vandal" where his solos were shred guitar solos, but he would incorporate other techniques, which many consider his own style of playing.

Donegan is a self-taught guitarist. He uses one handed and two handed tapping in many of his solos, with pull-offs, legatos and hammer-ons, also sometimes using the 'flick off' technique, as used in the solo for the song 'Indestructible', and in others as well. His heavy riffs and sweep picking are seen in many music videos. He uses his DigiTech Dan Donegan, "The Weapon" for many effects in and out of his solo work. He also combines arpeggios with finger tapping and many other techniques. He is known for shredding in some songs and uses finger vibrato on occasion. He uses the whammy bar in many songs to give it a certain sound effect.

Disturbed's frontman David Draiman mentions, that Donegan can rip with the best of them, and he also added; Donegan is among the best in existence, and he does not give himself enough credit.

Recently, Donegan was added to the guitar show 'Chop Shop's' list of "Top 100 Most Complete Guitar Players of All Time" at #76.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Gibson Les Paul Standards, Gibson SGs, Paul Reed Smith guitar models, Washburn Guitars, Schecter Guitars, Mesa/Boogie Amplifiers, Randalls amplifiers, Marshall amplifiers and DigiTech effects (Dan Donegan, "The Weapon", that DigiTech made for him).

Signature song(s): Indestructible - Disturbed (Indestructible, 2008)

Link(s):

http://www.disturbed1.com/ (Disturbed's Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BU7LxcaCC4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXh5j6Z_-KQ

Michael Franks

Name: Michael Franks
Born: 18th September, 1944 (La Jolla, California, USA)

Profile: He is an American smooth jazz singer and songwriter. Franks has recorded with a Who's Who of artists, such as Patti Austin, Brenda Russell, Art Garfunkel, and David Sanborn. His songs have been recorded by "The Manhattan Transfer", Patti Labelle, Carmen McRae, Diana Krall, Shirley Bassey and "The Carpenters".

History: Although no one in Franks family played music, his parents loved swing music and his early influences included Nat King Cole and Johnny Mercer. At age 14, he bought his first guitar (a Japanese Marco Polo for $29.95 with six private lessons included - the only music education that he received).

At University High in Irvine, Franks discovered the poetry of Theodore Roethke with his off-rhymes and hidden meter. In high school, he began singing folk-rock, accompanying himself on guitar. Studying English at UCLA he discovered Dave Brubeck, Patti Page, Stan Getz, João Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Miles Davis, and he never studied music in college.

During this time he started writing songs, starting with the anti-war musical Anthems in E-flat starring Mark Hamill. He also composed music for the films 'Count Your Bullets', 'Cockfighter', and 'Zandy's Bride'. Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee recorded 3 of Franks' songs, including 'White Boy Lost in the Blues', on their album 'Sonny & Brownie'. Michael played guitar, banjo and mandolin on the album and joined them in touring.

In 1973, Franks recorded an eponymous album (later reissued as 'Previously Unavailable'), which included the minor hit 'Can't Seem to Shake this Rock 'n Roll'. In 1976, he released his second album 'The Art of Tea', beginning a long relationship with WB Music, the album featured Joe Sample, Larry Carlton and Wilton Felder (The Crusaders) and included the hit song 'Popsicle Toes'.

Franks' third album, 'Sleeping Gypsy', which includes the song 'The Lady Wants to Know', was partially recorded in Brazil. Around this time, percussionist Ray Armando first gave Franks what would become a signature instrument - a cabasa - to play on stage for songs he didn't play guitar on. His 1978 album, 'Burchfield Nines', which includes the song 'When the Cookie Jar is Empty', reflects Franks move to New York City and features more of an East Coast sound. Since then, he has recorded more than 15 albums.

His best known works include 'When I Give My Love To You', 'Popsicle Toes', 'Monkey See', 'Monkey Do', 'Tiger in the Rain', 'Rainy Night in Tokyo', and 'Tell Me All About It'. His biggest hit came in 1983 with 'When Sly Calls (Don't Touch That Phone)', from the album 'Passionfruit'. Radio hits include 'Your Secret's Safe With Me' from the 1985 album 'Skin Dive', and 'Island Life' from 1987's 'The Camera Never Lies'.

Influences: Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Johnny Mercer

Axology: Unknown

Signature song(s): Can't Seem to Shake this Rock 'n Roll - Michael Franks (Previously Unavailable, 1973)

Link(s):

http://www.michaelfranks.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPWA9N10tRQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDb6X7-Y6RY

Rusty Cooley (Revolution/Outworld)

Name: Rusty Cooley
Born: Unknown

Profile: He is a self-taught American guitarist who influenced by many styles including Jazz, Classical, Funk, Blues and even Country. His guitar works can be heard in his previous and current band such as "Revolution", "Dominion" and "Outworld", respectively.

History: Cooley received his first guitar on his 15th birthday (a Peavey T27 guitar and a Peavey Decade amp) from that day on he immersed himself in music, practicing upwards of 4 hours a day. Unsatisfied with local Instructors, he began teaching himself through instructional books and videos.

During high school, young Cooley took music theory classes and also attended the National Guitar Workshop. He performed solo guitar in high school talent shows and performed such pieces as Van Halen’s 'Eruption' and Randy Rhoads 'Revelation Mother Earth' solos. During his senior year, he was offered his first teaching job at the same store, where he had bought his first guitar.

After graduating from High School, Cooley continued studying Music Theory at the local college, as well as Music History and Class Piano. In 1989, he joined the local rock band "Revolution", the band wrote, performed and recorded all original music. They became one of Houston’s top drawing bands, and opened for national acts like "Badlands", "Nitro", "Every Mothers Nightmare", and "South Gang".

In 1992, "Revolution" released a four-song EP. "Revolution’s" music was once described as "Skid Row" meets Yngwie Malmsteen. The band made two appearances on a local TV show called 'Metallurgy' and 'Metallurgy Unplugged'. Cooley also taught guitar on a college TV show called 'Stay Tuned'. In 1993, he quit the band and started a new band called "Dominion", this new band wrote and performed locally as well but was short lived and broke up in 1995. Also, during 1995 he entered and won the 'Guitar Master Series' winning the title of 'Best Guitarist' in Houston.

In 1996, marked the beginning of a new direction, Cooley bought his first 7-string guitar and decided it was time to go for it on his own. It was during this period that he began to work on instrumental guitar compositions. These songs represented his desire to record an over-the-top guitar instrumental release featuring state of the art chops and strong melodic content. He also hosted 3 episodes of a local cable show called 'World Class Guitar Techniques', which aired in the Houston area.

In 2000, Cooley released an instructional CD 'Shred Guitar Manifesto' and gained endorsements with Jackson Guitars and Seymour Duncan pickups, and started doing guitar clinics as well. In 2001, he released two more instructional CD 'Extreme Pentatonics' and 'The Art of Picking'. Soon after, Cooley was asked to headline Jemfest in Orlando, Florida in 2002. Late that year, he had a custom 8 string guitar hand made by Bill Conklin of Conklin guitars.

In 2003, Cooley was given the honor of the '7th Fastest Shredder of all Time' in Guitar One Magazine, and not wanting to be known for shred skills alone, he and Bobby Williamson formed "Outworld", recorded its self-titled debut which was released in 2006 to both critical and artist acclaim. With the success of "Outworld’s" debut, and increasing notoriety in guitar circles, Cooley garnered a significant number of endorsements with Dean Guitars, EMG pickups and Diamond Amplification. In 2007, "Outworld" won 10,000 in a Famecast contest similar to American Idol where viewers watched and voted for the favorite artist.

Influences: Randy Rhoads, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Paul Gilbert, Allan Holdsworth, Paganini, Bach, Steve Vai, Gary Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Marty Friedman, Shawn Lane, Derek Taylor, Buckethead, Todd Duane, Scott Stine and Haji’s Kitchen and Ritchie Kotzen

Axology: Jackson guitars, Dean Rusty Cooley signature series guitar - the RC7 Xenocide and Diamond Amplifiers

Signature song(s): Under the Influence - Rusty Cooley (Rusty Cooley, 2003)

Link(s):

http://www.rustycooley.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL3RJ4B349o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6frmbC3pdTs&feature=related

Link Wray

Name: Frederick Lincoln Wray Jr.
Born/Died: 2nd May, 1929 (Dunn, North Carolina, USA) - 5th November, 2005

Profile: He was an American rock and roll guitarist, songwriter and occasional singer. Wray was noted for pioneering a new sound for electric guitars, as exemplified in his hit 1958 instrumental 'Rumble', which pioneered an overdriven, distorted electric guitar sound, and also for having, 'invented the power chord, the major modus operandi of modern rock guitarist', 'punk' and 'heavy rock'.

History: At age 8, young Wray first heard slide guitar from a traveling carnival worker, an African-American man named 'Hambone', he got interested with the instrument and learned how to play it. In his early years, Wray was a veteran of the Korean war, where he contracted tuberculosis (TB) that ultimately cost him a lung. His doctors told him that he would never sing again. So he concentrated on his heavy guitar work. Despite this, on his rare vocal numbers he displays a strong voice and a range equivalent to Clarence 'Frogman' Henry.

After discharge from the Army, Wray and his brothers Doug and Vernon Wray, with friends Shorty Horton and Dixie Neal, formed "Lucky Wray and the Lazy Pine Wranglers", later known as "Lucky Wray and the Palomino Ranch Hands". They had been playing country music and Western swing for several years when they took a gig as the house band on the daily live TV show Milt Grant's House Party, a Washington, DC version of American Bandstand. The band made their first recordings in 1956 as "Lucky Wray and the Palomino Ranch Hands" for Starday Records.

In 1958, at a live gig of the Milt Grant's House Party, attempting—at the urging of the local crowd—to work up a cover sound-alike for "The Diamonds" hit, 'The Stroll', they came up with an eleven and one half bar blues titled 'Rumble'. The song was an instant hit with the live audience, which demanded four repeats that night. Eventually the song came to the attention of record producer Archie Bleyer, and he wanted the song to be recorded. The song became a huge hit, not only in the US, but also Great Britain, where it has been cited as an influence on "The Kinks", "The Who" and Jimmy Page among others.

In 1960, he performed an instrumental song composed by Jerry Lordan, called 'Apache' which became a hit in the UK for "The Shadows". Wray later recorded one of the better covers of the song 30 years later, somehow finding new life in this mythic, minor-key, guitar/drum dialogue which by then was also associated with everyone from "The Ventures" to the "Incredible Bongo Band". And with the band they had several more hard-rocking instrumental hits in the late 50's and early 60's, including 'Rawhide', 'Ace of Spades', and 'Jack the Ripper'.

After his initial hits, Wray's career had periods of retirement followed by renewed popularity, particularly in Europe. He toured and recorded two albums with retro-rockabilly artist Robert Gordon in the late 70's. The 80's to the 90's saw a large number of reissues as well as new material. Wray's last new recording was in 2000, titled 'Barbed Wire', he even continued to tour up until four months before he died.

In 2003, Link Wray was ranked at #67 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time, but still has not yet been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is, however, a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Fender Stratocaster and Gibson SG

Signature song(s): Rumble - Link Wray and his Ray Men (1958)

Link(s):

http://www.rockabillyhall.com/LinkWrayTribute.html (Tribute Page)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEUBV8qPZhw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVfmLFWDnYA&feature=related

Patti Smith (Blue Öyster Cult)

Name: Patricia Lee Smith
Born: 30th December, 1946 (Chicago, Illinois, USA)

Profile: She is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 début album 'Horses', and was called the 'Godmother of Punk', she integrated the beat poetry performance style with three-chord rock. Smith's most widely known song is 'Because the Night', which was co-written with Bruce Springsteen and reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1978.

History: As a young girl, she got interested in music in an early stage, and in 1969 she went to Paris with her sister and started busking and doing performance art. When she returned to New York in the early 70's, she spent most of her time painting, writing, and performing.

Smith was briefly considered for the lead singer position in "Blue Öyster Cult". She contributed lyrics to several of the band's songs, including 'Debbie Denise', 'Fire of Unknown Origin' and 'Shooting Shark'. During these years, Smith also wrote rock journalism, some of which was published in Rolling Stone magazine and Creem magazine.

By 1974, Smith was performing rock music herself, initially with guitarist and rock archivist Lenny Kaye, and later with a full band comprising Kaye, Ivan Kral (bass), Jay Dee Daugherty (drums) and Richard Sohl (piano), and named the band as "Patti Smith Group" or "PSG". Financed by Sam Wagstaff, the band recorded a first single, 'Hey Joe/Piss Factory' in 1974.

In 1975, "PSG" was signed by Arista Records, and released their first album 'Horses'. The album fused punk rock and spoken poetry and begins with a cover of Van Morrison's 'Gloria'. As the popularity of punk rock grew, "PSG" toured the US and Europe. The rawer sound of the group's second album, 'Radio Ethiopia', reflected this, and several of its songs from the second album have stood the test of time, and Smith still performs them regularly in concert.

Through most of the 80's, Smith was in semi-retirement from music, but in 1988, she released the album 'Dream of Life', which included the song 'People Have the Power'. In 1994, Smith faced the unexpected death of her brother Todd and "PSG" original keyboard player Richard Sohl. After the impact of these deaths, her friend Michael Stipe (REM) urged her to go back out on the road, and she toured briefly with Bob Dylan in 1995.

In 1996, Smith worked with her long-time colleagues to record 'Gone Again', featuring 'About a Boy', a tribute to Kurt Cobain (Nirvana). Smith was a fan of Cobain, but was more angered than saddened by his death. That same year she collaborated with "Stipe" on 'E-Bow the Letter', and a song on "REM"s 'New Adventures in Hi-Fi', which she has also performed live with the band. After release of 'Gone Again', Smith had recorded two new albums: 'Peace and Noise' in 1997 and Gung Ho in 2000.

In 2005, Smith was named a 'Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres' by the French Ministry of Culture. In addition to her influence on rock music, the Minister also noted Smith's appreciation of Arthur Rimbaud. In 2007, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She dedicated her award to the memory of her late husband, Fred, and gave a performance of "The Rolling Stones" staple 'Gimme Shelter'. As the closing number of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Smith's 'People Have the Power' was used for the big celebrity jam that always ends the program.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Fender guitars

Signature song(s): Gloria - Patti Smith (Horses, 1975)

Link(s):

http://www.pattismith.net/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3coSfks4rQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cppyn-u3Djw&feature=related

José Feliciano

Name: José Montserrate Feliciano García
Born: 10th September, 1945 (Lares, Puerto Rico)

Profile: He is a blind Puerto Rican singer, virtuoso guitarist and composer, known for many international hits including the 1970 holiday single "Feliz Navidad".

History: Feliciano was born blind because of congenital glaucoma. He was first exposed to music at age 3. When he was 9, he played on the Teatro Puerto Rico. He started his musical life playing accordion until his grandfather gave him a guitar. He reportedly sat by himself in his room for up to 14 hours a day to listen to 50's rock albums, classical guitarists such as Andrés Segovia, and jazz players such as Wes Montgomery. He later had classical lessons with Harold Morris who earlier had been a student with Segovia.

At 17, he quit school to play in clubs, having his first professional, contracted performance in Detroit. In 1963, after some live performances in pubs and clubs around the USA, where he played at the same time as Bob Dylan, he was signed at RCA Victor.

In 1964, he released his first single 'Everybody Do the Click'. Later, in 1965 and 1966, he also released his first albums 'The Voice and Guitar of Jose Feliciano' and 'A Bag Full of Soul', two folk-pop-soul albums that showcased his talent on radio across the USA, where he was described as a '10 finger wizard'. He also was invited to the Newport Jazz festival in 1964.

After two more successful albums, Feliciano, now a household name all over Latin America, moved to LA. He got together with Rick Jarrard and they recorded "The Doors" song 'Light My Fire' in a Latin style and when released as a single, it reached #3 on the US pop charts in 1968. It sold over a million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. He immediately became a sensation all across North America, selling millions of albums and followed up his success with another top 20 hit in the US with his version of 'Hi-Heel Sneakers', again recorded with a Latin feel. On the strength of this success he won 2 Grammy Awards for Best New Artist Of The Year and for Best Pop Song Of The Year in 1969.

In 1970, he wrote and released an album of Christmas music, 'Felíz Navidad', which may be deemed to be his most famous recording. The title song has been covered by many artists and is now a traditional part of the musical landscape in the US, Canada and Latin America around Christmas time. Each year during the Christmas season, 'Feliz Navidad' returns to US airwaves, one of the most-played and most-downloaded radio songs and downloaded songs of the season. 'Feliz Navidad' is also recognized by ASCAP as one of the 25 all-time most-played Christmas songs in the world.

Feliciano holds the distinction of being one of the few singers to have enjoyed success both in Spanish language music and in English language rock & roll. He won 5 consecutive awards for best pop guitarist from Guitar Player magazine and was voted in jazz, classic and rock fields. He received a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1987, and continued as a very popular singer during the 80's. He also has a star in the Walk of Fame of his native Puerto Rico.

In 1987, he also had a great hit in Austria with the song 'The Sound of Vienna', at #1 for four weeks and recorded with the famous Vienna Symphony Orchestra. The Orchestra also performed with him live on national television at Danube Park in Vienna before more than 60,000 people. During the 80's, record companies gave him space made only for the Latin market, and he recorded an impressive number of albums for that market, including the Motown albums 'Escenas de Amor' and 'Me Enamoré', as well as others from RCA, EMI, and Capitol which added four more Grammys for best Latin performer.

In 2006, Feliciano's new Spanish album, 'José Feliciano y amigos' was released by Universal Records, featuring Feliciano joined in duets with many other Latin American stars including Marc Anthony and Gloria Estefan, to name a few. In 2007, Feliciano released an album called 'Soundtrack of My Life', the first English-language album composed and written by him.

In 2010, Feliciano performed his rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' again at Comerica Park in Detroit. This was part of the remembrance of Detroit Tigers radio announcer the late Ernie Harwell. He played it similarly to how he did back in 1968; with his acoustic guitar and in his slow tempo-ed, latin jazz style.

Influences: Andrés Segovia and Wes Montgomery

Axology: Unknown

Signature song(s): Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano (1970)

Link(s):

http://www.josefeliciano.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgIC6KOFySk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKIrqC2QUvg

Buck Owens

Name: Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. (aka Corky Jones)
Born/Died: 12th August, 1929 (Sherman, Texas, USA) – 25th March, 2006

Profile: He was an American singer and guitarist (better known as Buck Owens), who had 21 number one hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, "The Buckaroos". They pioneered what came to be called the Bakersfield sound - a reference to Bakersfield, California, the city Owens called home and from which he drew inspiration for what he preferred to call American music.

History: The name 'Buck' was a donkey on the Owens farm, in Texas, when Alvis, Jr., was 3 or 4 years old, he walked into the house and announced that his name was also Buck. That was fine with the family; and young Alvis was Buck from then on. While living in the farm, Buck who was in his teens started to have an interest in music, mainly; pedal steel guitar, and started to learn more about music.

In 1945, Owens co-hosted a radio show called Buck and Britt. Soon, Owens was frequently traveling to Hollywood for session recording jobs at Capitol Records, playing backup for Tennessee Ernie Ford, Sonny James, Wanda Jackson, Del Reeves, Tommy Sands, Tommy Collins, Faron Young and Gene Vincent.

Owens recorded a rockabilly record called 'Hot Dog' for the Pep label, using the pseudonym Corky Jones because he did not want the fact he recorded a rock n' roll tune to hurt his country music career, but sometime in the 50's, he joined the Dusty Rhodes band as a singer. His career took off in 1959, when his song 'Second Fiddle' hit #24 on the Billboard country chart, followed by 'Under Your Spell Again' at #4 and 'Above and Beyond' at #3.

In the early 60's, the countrypolitan sound was popular, with smooth, string-laden, pop-influenced styles used by Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves, and Patsy Cline, among others. Owens went against the trend, utilizing honky tonk hillbilly feel, mixed idiosyncratically with the Mexican polkas he had heard on border radio stations while growing up. And in 1963, the single 'Act Naturally' became Owens and the Buckaroos' first #1 hit. "The Beatles" later recorded a cover of it in 1965, with Ringo Starr as lead singer (Starr later re-recorded the song as a duet with Owens in 1988).

In 1972, Owens and the Buckaroos finally had another #1 hit, 'Made in Japan', and he added pedal steel guitarist, Jerry Brightman. The band had been without pedal steel since late in 1969, and Owens returned to his grass roots sound of fiddle, steel, and electric guitars releasing a string of singles including 'Arms Full of Empty' and 'Ain't it Amazing Gracie'.

In late 70's, Owens established Buck Owens Enterprises and produced records by several artists. He recorded for Warner Bros. Records and left the TV series Hee Haw in 1986, after 24 seasons. Owens was named the Most Promising Country and Western Singer of 1960 by Billboard.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Fender guitars

Signature song(s): Act Naturally - Buck Owens and the Buckaroos

Link(s):

http://www.buckowens.com/index2.html (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOpgL4mqEis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSY-IF6pI2g

Olivia Newton Bundy (Marilyn Manson/LUNGS)

Name: Brian Tutunick
Born: 31st March, 1968 (Tampa, Florida, USA)

Profile: He is an American musician, vocalist and was the original bass player for "Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids", he played during the first part of 1990, before Gidget Gein took over bass guitar in June the same year. His stage name combination is from actress/singer Olivia Newton-John (Grease), and Ted Bundy (the American serial killer).

History: Started to play guitar in his teens, then moved to bass few years later. In April 1990, Tutunick were brought in the "Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids" band as their bassist after, Manson and Daisy got their first club booking.

After he left the band, Tutunick founded "Collapsing Lungs" (aka LUNGS) in 1991, as a vocalist. "LUNGS" headlined the 1993 Slammie Awards at the Plus Five Lounge in Davie - the same year that rival band "Marilyn Manson" won the Slammie Awards for Band of the Year and for Song of the Year, 'Dope Hat'.

In 1993, "LUNGS" was signed to Atlantic Records. A year later, the band split after 3 years, although long disbanded, they played a one-off, well received reunion gig in 2003 at the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

In 1996, Tutunick along with notable DJ Grynch formed the industrial band, "Nation of Fear". They released the song 'Immortal' on a compilation CD for the rock station 94.9 WZTA. Later that year, "Nation of Fear" would release their well-received self-titled album on DiMar Records. They would go on tour with "Genitorturers" and were even joined on tour by "Lords of Acid".

In 1998, the band's released their second album, 'Everything Beautiful Rusts', while receiving much more attention, Tutunick failed to keep the band together and by 2000 they had broken up. Tutunick can now be seen on a weekly music show Feedback featured on the PAX TV channel.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Unknown

Signature song(s): Faster - Nation of Fear

Link(s):

http://www.myspace.com/briantutunick (Official Myspace)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOBAwAZyrSY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33cweEv3zm4&feature=related

Roy Clark (Million Dollar Band)

Name: Roy Linwood Clark
Born: 15th April, 1933 (Meherrin, Virginia, USA)

Profile: He is an American country music musician and performer. He is best known for hosting Hee Haw, a nationally televised country variety show, from 1969 to 1992. He is an entertainer most of all, with an amiable personality and a telegenic presence. He is highly regarded as both a guitarist and banjo player, and is also skilled in classical guitar as well as playing several other instruments.

History: At the age of 14, Young Clark began playing banjo, guitar, and mandolin. He won two National Banjo Championships by the age of 15. He was simultaneously pursuing a sporting career, first as a baseball player, and then as a boxer, before switching over to music full time. At the age of 17, he had his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. By the time he was 15 he had already won the world banjo/guitar flatpick championship twice.

By 1955, he was a regular on Jimmy Dean's Washington, DC television program, where Clark played on Dean's band, the "Texas Wildcats". In 1960, Clark went out to Las Vegas where he worked as guitarist in a band led by former West Coast Western Swing bandleader-comedian Hank Penny. During the 60's, he was also prominent in the backing band for Wanda Jackson during the latter part of her rockabilly period.

When Dean was tapped to host The Tonight Show in the early 60's, he asked Clark to appear, introducing him to a national audience for the first time. Subsequently, Clark appeared on The Beverly Hillbillies as a recurring character. Once, on an episode of the Sunday evening Jackie Gleason Show dedicated to country music, Clark played a blistering rendition of 'Down Home'. Later, he even appeared on an episode of The Odd Couple where he played 'Malagueña'.

In 1963, Clark signed to Capitol Records and had three top 10 hits. He switched to Dot Records and again scored hits. He later recorded for ABC Records, which had acquired Dot, and MCA Records, which absorbed the ABC label. In 1969, Clark and Buck Owens were the hosts of Hee Haw. The show was dropped by CBS Television in 1971 but continued to run in syndication for 20 more years. During its tenure, Clark was a member of the "Million Dollar Band".

In 1983, Clark opened the Roy Clark Celebrity Theatre in Branson, Missouri, becoming the first country music star to have his own venue there, and beginning a trend which led to Branson becoming a center of live music performance, as it is today. Many of the celebrities who have played in Branson first entertained at the Roy Clark Celebrity Theatre. Clark frequently played in Branson during the 80's and 90's. He has since sold the venue and gone back to a fairly light touring schedule, which usually includes a performance with Ramona Jones and the Jones Family Band at their annual tribute to Clark's old Hee Haw co-star Grandpa Jones in Mountain View, Arkansas.

In addition to his musical skill, Clark has often displayed his talents as a comedian and actor. During his years on Hee Haw, Clark entertained with numerous comedy sketches, including a recurring feature where he played the clerk of the 'Empty Arms Hotel'. Clark released several albums of his comedic performances, to varying critical acclaim and commercial success.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Mosrite guitars, Gretsch guitars and Heritage guitars - Roy Clark model

Signature song(s): Yesterday, When I Was Young - Roy Clark

Link(s):

http://www.royclark.org/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6x-DCbaC3k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqnU83wPmfc

Steve Stevens

Name: Steven Schneider
Born: 5th May, 1959 (Brooklyn, New York, USA)

Profile: He is an American guitarist and songwriter. He is best known for playing for other artists, most notably Billy Idol, Michael Jackson, and Vince Neil and less known for his critically acclaimed solo efforts in 'Atomic Playboys' and 'Flamenco A Go-Go', and as an in-demand session guitarist.

History: Steve attended New York City's prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts as a music major, studying the guitar, and graduating in 1977.

In 1979, Steve played in a band called "One Hand Clap" with lead singer Ray Melnik. They played Long Island clubs almost six nights a week for about a year. Steve and Ray eventually moved on to join the "Fine Malibus" in New York City. They caught the attention of Jimmy Miller (producer) and he arranged for them to record an album at Compass Point Studios, in Bahamas.

They spent 2 months there in 1981 and even played a local club at night. At Compass Point Studios is where Steve met singer Robert Palmer. Steve moved on when manager of Fine Malibus (Ric Aliberte) introduced him to Billy Idol, and made an agreement with Idol to signed Steve into his band.

His hit-making collaboration with Billy Idol began when Idol moved from the UK to the US. Stevens co-wrote and played on the albums 'Don't Stop' EP, 'Billy Idol' (1982), 'Rebel Yell' (1984), 'Whiplash Smile' (1986), and the remix collection 'Vital Idol' (1985). In 1987, Michael Jackson hired Stevens to back him on the 'Dirty Diana' track.

Following his departure from Billy Idol's band, Steve pursued a solo career, releasing his first album 'Atomic Playboys' in 1989 and receiving good comments from the critics and a moderate commercial response, then followed by his second solo album, 'Flamenco A Go-Go', in his home studio entirely by himself. This effort stemmed from the inspiration he received after attending a concert by Flamenco virtuoso Paco de Lucía.

In 1987, Steve along with Harold Faltermeyer won a Grammy for his performance on the Top Gun soundtrack and has worked with a host of other artists such as Thompson Twins, Joni Mitchell, Peter Criss, Steve Lukather, Ric Ocasek, Ben Watkins (Juno Reactor), Greg Bissonette, Pink, Jill Jones, Robert Palmer, Jizzy Pearl, Terry Bozzio and Tony Levin.

In 1999, after an extended hiatus, Steve and singer Billy Idol reunited for a series of tours across the USA and Australia. This era included a recording captured for the VH1 show Storytellers, which was subsequently released on CD and DVD. Such was the success of this renewed collaboration, in 2005, along with producer Keith Forsey, the duo released Billy Idol's 'Devil's Playground' album.

Steve has an additional following in Japan tied to his appearances with Japanese rock singer Kyosuke Himuro. Steve was first involved with Himuro's big hit single 'Native Stranger' in 1996, and appeared in this song's music video. Steve participated in Himuro's album 'I・DE・A' in 1997 as a guitarist, songwriter and arranger.

Influences: Paco de Lucía

Axology: Gibson Les Paul guitars and Hamer guitars

Signature song(s): Feminova - Steve Stevens (Flamenco a Go-Go, 2000)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqGB4nQIAcQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPwf6g3HK9Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFdPGD-enZo&feature=related

Tanya Donelly (Throwing Muses/Belly)

Name: Tanya Donelly
Born: 14th July, 1966 (Newport, Rhode Island, USA)

Profile: She is an American Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and guitarist based in New England who co-founded "Throwing Muses". She is best known as lead vocalist and songwriter for "Belly"'.

History: At age 8, she met with Kristin Hersh in school and their quickly becoming close friends. Eventually, Donelly's father later married Hersh's mother.

Around the age of 14, Hersh's and Donelly's fathers both gave them their own guitars and they initially started playing along with "The Beatles" songs. Soon after, the two started to play along with songs written by Hersh's musical father and then began to write original songs of their own. At age 15, Donelly and Hersh founded "Throwing Muses".

Throughout the 80's, Donelly worked as lead guitarist and secondary vocalist/songwriter, complementing the work of band leader Hersh. In 1986, the band did recording albums for the British 4AD label. Although the band's work generally employed complex rhythms and offbeat chord structures, Donelly has said she eventually accepted that her compositions were simpler and had 'more traditional songwriting sensibilities' than Hersh's, by the last two years she worked in the band. Some of her tunes from this period include 'Green', 'Dragonhead' and 'Angel'.

In 1990, Donelly had additionally begun working in a side project called "The Breeders" with Kim Deal (Pixies). Working with this band increased Donelly's versatility as a guitarist. In 1991, after the released of "Throwing Muses" album 'The Real Ramona', Donelly officially left the band and founded "Belly", as guitarist, vocalist and songwriter.

In 1993, "Belly" released the 'Star' LP, the album soon peaked at #2 on the UK music charts and featured, 'Feed the Tree', which quickly rated at #1. In 1995, the band released, 'King'. Though critically well-received, this album did not match the commercial success of 'Star'. The band officially broke up in 1996.

After "Belly" was disbanded, Donelly put together a group of musicians to tour internationally with, just prior to her first solo release, the 'Sliding & Diving' EP. Included on the tour were bassist Dean Fisher (husband) and drummer Stacy Jones (Letters to Cleo).

In 2004, Donelly released 'Whiskey Tango Ghosts', an acoustic album laced with Rich Gilbert's pedal steel guitar touches. The album's lyrics explored, in part, marital relationships and family life. Donelly has said the album's minor-key tone was influenced by 'a horrible war, a horrible administration, a bleak, mean winter'.

Influences: Marc Ribot, Leonard Cohen, Lucinda Williams, Joan Wasser, Robyn Hitchcock, Nina Simone, Kristin Hersh, "Dambuilders", "Pixies", "Count Zero" and "The Beatles"

Axology: Campbell American guitar - Tanya Donelly signature model and Fender Telecaster Thinline

Signature song(s): Feed the Tree - Belly (Star LP, 1993)


Link(s):

http://www.tanyadonelly.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EkoG75W9NY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpwqcR-lHuY&feature=PlayList&p=57C21F566D771728&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=3

Daisy Berkowitz (Marilyn Manson/3TG)

Name: Scott Mitchell Putesky
Born: 28th April, 1968 (Los Angeles, California, USA)

Profile: He is better known by his stage name Daisy Berkowitz, a professional musician and was the guitarist of industrial metal band "Marilyn Manson" before moving on to "Three Ton Gate" (3TG) and "Stuck on Evil". His stage name is formed from the names Daisy Duke and David Berkowitz.

History: Putesky's first musical instruments were the flute and the snare drum, and in 6th grade he joined the school's chorus, for which he apparently had a talent. His early loves were drawing and Sci-Fi movies (mainly Star Wars). His first record was the Star Wars soundtrack, and the influence that it had on him can be seen in much of his original artwork, which consists of aliens and spaceships.

In the late 70's, when he was in his early teenage years, he found admiration for artists such as David Bowie and "Talking Heads", influences that are apparent in his later work. In 1980, Putesky's discovery of MTV after his moving to Fort Lauderdale, gave him the inspiration to save up to buy a small Casio keyboard. He taught himself to play, and later, in 8th grade, took guitar lessons. Influenced by his early favorites, which lead to his development of an odd personal style sometimes described as a fusion between blues and grunge.

Putesky's first band was "The Flying Eggbeaters", with drummer Tom Wolf and bassist Jim Neuman. This gave him the experience needed to later go on to other bands, such as "Blue China" and "Ear Wacks". In 1988, after being given a small 4-track recorder by his parents, he bought a bass guitar and a drumkit to record his music with a full ensemble, at this period, he met with Brian Warner (future frontman of "Marilyn Manson") at a local party and the two instantly bonded.

Putesky, who had at this point not thought to advance his lyrical ability, began to meet up with Warner and brainstorm after his admission of wanting to start a band as a creative outlet for his poetry-writing abilities. Dual input from both parties gave the band its darkly psychedelic style, and as early as 1989, they began to record on Putesky's 4-track songs that would seven years later become known as 'Cake and Sodomy' and 'Dogma'. They quickly assembled a band with Warner's schoolmate Brian Tutunick (aka Olivia Newton Bundy) and Perry Pandrea (aka Zsa Zsa Speck). The band played its first show at Churchills, Miami and was known as "Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids".

In the early 90's, the band quickly built a cult following, playing at clubs and later opening for several national acts such as "Danzig". In 1992, "Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids" played their last show and renaming themselves to a shorter "Marilyn Manson". Though the band built up a strong local fanbase throughout these years, it was not until their 1995 release 'Smells Like Children' that they caught the ear of the world with the darkly gothic cover of Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)'.

After opening for "Danzig", having two headlining tours, the band headed back to the studio to begin work on their new album 'Antichrist Superstar'. At this point, creative differences between Warner and Putesky reached their peak. Putesky left "Marilyn Manson", abandoning the Daisy Berkowitz moniker in favor of his own initials, SMP, and began recording demos for his first solo project, "Three Ton Gate".

In 1997, the album was released, written entirely by Putesky using the name Scott Mitchell (his first and middle name), and featured gothic vocalist Tyreah James. In 1998, Putesky joined up with longtime "Marilyn Manson" collaborators "Jack Off Jill", replacing departing member guitarist Ho Ho Spade and playing live on their 1999 West Coast tour. His first recorded work with the band was the EP 'Covetous Creature'. By early 1999, Putesky was no longer a member of "Jack Off Jill", by most accounts, he simply lost interest in the band and he kicked around several solo and collaborative projects.

He also re-established the "Rednecks on Drugs" project with fellow musician Rich Penny, eventually, "Rednecks on Drugs" metamorphosed into "Stuck on Evil", essentially a hard-rock band with gothic and early Rock 'N Roll influences. In 2001, the band recorded a 10-song full-length album, 'Suntanic', produced by Putesky. However, following the September, 11 (911) attacks, and the subsequent condemnation of 'evildoers' by President Bush, the band decided to drop the word 'evil' from its name, reverting to the original name of "Three Ton Gate", and Putesky recorded the album 'Lose Your Mind' in 2003.

Influences: David Bowie, "The Cure", "U2", "Talking Heads" and Star Wars (soundtrack)

Axology: Yamaha RGX 612-S

Signature song(s): Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - Marilyn Manson (Smells Like Children, 1995)

Link(s):

http://www.myspace.com/threetongatemusic (Three Ton Gate's Official Myspace)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6VojYGrnpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0CliSpoCPQ

Zim Zum (Marilyn Manson/Pleistoscene)

Name: Timothy Michael Linton
Born: 25th June, 1969 (Chicago, Illinois, USA)

Profile: He is an American multi platinum musician, songwriter and former guitarist for "Life, Sex & Death" and industrial metal band "Marilyn Manson", and was known as Zim Zum. His current projects are "Pleistoscene", a solo project, and "The Pop Culture Suicides".

History: Zim starts to play guitar at the age of 13. His love in guitars, made him worked as a guitar repairman in a local guitar manufacturer. In his early days, before joining "Marilyn Manson", Zim reportedly previously played guitar for the band "Life, Sex & Death".

After responding to an ad in The Chicago Reader for an audition, for replacing the original guitarist Daisy Berkowitz of "Marilyn Manson", he got the job and performed his first live show with the band at Nothing Records' A Night of Nothing showcase, opening for "Nine Inch Nails".

In 1998, the album, 'Mechanical Animals' was Zim's second major label writing and recording, charted at #1 on Billboards Top 200 in its first week of sales, which makes it the first "Marilyn Manson" album to do so. It has since gone on to earn the multi-platinum status. He wrote and recorded on 10 of the 14 tracks on the album. Soon after the album was released, Zim left the band to pursue a solo interests, this includes collaborations with other artists, such as; Cher and her son, Elijah Blue Allman, "Korn" and "Jane's Addictions".

In early 2000's, Zim left Hollywood behind and returned to Chicago, compelled to explore his musical vision in an art and music district. Treading upon uncharted mental ground, he completely isolated himself in his studio for more than a year, cutting off all ties to the outside world in an effort to guarantee the creation and production of his music completely unique in perspective and true to his own definitive musical statement. During that 'self-imposed exile' he spent 14 hours a day writing and recording over 100 songs.

In 2002, Zim formed his unique studio project band, called "Pleistoscene". It was considered to be ahead of it's time for releasing 2 songs as free digital downloads before this was common practice. These downloads attracted over 500,000 hits in the first month it debuted. Even today, he talks about "Pleistoscene" as his 'own orchestra' and states that its still fully functional.

In 2005, Zim brought his main musical project, "The Pop Culture Suicides" to life. The band started releasing 4 songs through their official MySpace profile and have since released many more. And in 2009, he finished recording the band's conceptual double album that will be broken into and released as 4 EP's.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Gibson Les Paul Custom, Gibson SG, Fernandes guitars, 1976 Fender Stratocaster, 1976 Fender Tele-Deluxe, Fender Barritone guitar, Roland 707 Synth guitar, Washburn P4 guitar, Framus Cobra amplifiers and Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinets

Signature song(s): Fundamentally Loathsome - Marilyn Manson (Mechanical Animals, 1998)

Link(s):

http://www.zimzum.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW8hb8hsx1k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WUVoR8-krQ

John 5 (Marilyn Manson/Loser)

Name: John William Lowery
Born: 31st July, 1971 (Grosse Pointe, Michigan, USA)

Profile: He is an American guitarist, better known with his stage name John 5 which was bestowed on him in 1998 when he joined industrial metal group "Marilyn Manson" as their guitarist, and currently the guitarist for Rob Zombie. He is also a solo artist and works as a staff writer for Chrysalis Records, working with artists such as Avril Lavigne, "Garbage", Meat Loaf, "Scorpions", FeFe Dobson and has been writing and recording with southern rock band "Lynyrd Skynyrd".

History: Lowery first started playing guitar at the age of 7 after watching Buck Owens and Roy Clark's television show Hee Haw with his dad. His parents supported his playing as long as it didn't interfere with his education. They also accompanied him at the adult bars where he would play during the evening. In the 80's, Lowery started his career as a session guitarist having moved to LA from Michigan at the age of 17. His first band in L.A. was "Alligator Soup", which led to an important meeting with Rudy Sarzo (Whitesnake), that would give him his first real bit of exposure.

This also saw him meeting producer Bob Marlette, who has worked with, among others, Tracy Chapman, Alice Cooper, Rob Halford and "Black Sabbath". Lowery began working on numerous projects with Marlette including TV show soundtracks, movie soundtracks, commercials and infomercials. This in turn saw Lowery being picked to play with Lita Ford (The Runaways), opening up for "Kiss", and started another long time friendship with Paul Stanley and various "Kiss" members.

In 1996, Lowery went for his first audition with "Marilyn Manson", but narrowly missed out (he was late to the auditions) and the guitarist role at that time was taken by Mike (Timothy) Linton, who became known as Zim Zum. Instead, Lowery teamed up with former "Judas Priest" frontman Rob Halford, to work on an industrial metal inspired album, under the band name of "2wo". The subsequent album 'Voyeurs' was remixed by Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails). The band embarked on a world tour, and were part of the Ozzfest line-up but the tour was pulled and "2wo" disbanded.

After "2wo" disbanded, Lowery's next piece of work came when he played on David Lee Roth's (Van Halen) solo project album, 'The DLR Band'. Lowery was already a fan of the band and was familiar with the playing style. He submitted 6 tracks he had written to Roth's management. Finding they suited, Lowery submitted further tracks to Roth's management. Eventually Roth and Lowery met and recorded 'The DLR Band' album in 2 weeks.

In 1998, the infamous band "Marilyn Manson" was looking for a guitarist to replace Zim Zum. Again, for the second time Lowery went to try out for the band audition. Following a tour with Rob Halford in Europe, Lowery received a call from Manson's manager asking if he would like to meet Manson for lunch. At the meeting Manson asked Lowery to join the band, taking the moniker, 'John 5', he signed on for the band's tour and to work on the next album. Lowery's first live performance for "Marilyn Manson" came on the MTV Video Music Awards.

In 2005, after Lowery left "Marilyn Manson", he formed the band "Loser", recruiting vocalist Joe Grah, bassist Charles Lee and drummer Glendon Crain, they began working on their debut album 'Just Like You'. The band had initial success not long after signing with Island Records, when the track 'Disposable Sunshine' became part of the Fantastic Four Movie soundtrack. At the same time, Lowery was also working for Rob Zombie and a working conflict occurred.

In 2006, Lowery left "Loser", and took up the role of Rob Zombie guitarist as a permanent gig. Lowery is also working on the musical score for Rob Zombie's 6th feature-length film, Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Starting in 2004, Lowery has gone on to record a total of five instrumental records. His works have had many guest players on them, from Steve Vai, Joe Satriani to Jim Root. And in 2009, Lowery released a remix album, 'Remixploitation', and has also released an instructional DVD entitled 'The Devil Knows My Name'.

Influences: Buck Owens and Roy Clark

Axology: Fender J5 Telecaster, Fender J5 Acoustic, Squier J5 Telecaster, Ibanez AX, Ibanez Iceman, Ibanez RG, Ibanez Talman, Gibson Les Paul, Taylor 912 Acoustic, Boss effects and Marshall amplifiers - JCM900

Signature song(s): The Fight Song - Marilyn Manson {Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death), 2000} and Pear of Anguish - John 5 (Requiem, 2008)

Link(s):

http://www.john-5.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdc7u4MUYYo

http://www.youtube.com/user/john5official?blend=1&ob=4

Dick Dale (The Del-Tones)

Name: Richard Anthony Monsour
Born: 4th May, 1937 (Boston, Massachusetts, USA)

Profile: He is a surf-rock guitarist, known as 'The King of the Surf Guitar'. He experimented with reverberation and made use of custom made Fender amplifiers, including the first-ever 100-watt guitar amplifier.

History: In 1954, Dale moved to Massachusetts to Orange County, California. He learned to surf and became interested in music. He soon learned to play the drums, the trumpet, but it was the ukelele that really caught his ear - a lefty, Dale played the instrument upside-down and backwards but without restringing it, from ukelele it evolves to playing the guitar. Eventually, he formed a band called "The Del-Tones" (Texas DJ; 'T. Texas Tiny' suggested Dale's stage name).

Much of his early music shows a Middle Eastern influence; Dale is often credited as one of the first electric guitarists to employ non-Western scales in his playing. Dale himself was an amateur surfer and wanted his music to reflect the sounds he heard in his mind while surfing. While he is primarily known for introducing the use of guitar reverb that would give the guitar a 'wet' sound, which has since become a staple of surf music, it was Dale's tremolo picking that was his trademark.

With his backing band "The Del-Tones", Dale's live performances became huge local draws. The song 'Let's Go Trippin' is often regarded as the first surf rock song. This was followed by more locally released songs, including 'Jungle Fever' and 'Surf Beat' on his own Deltone label. His first full-length album was 'Surfers' Choice' in 1962. His signature single 'Misirlou' went to #1 in America, followed by his second album, named after his performing nickname, 'King of the Surf Guitar'.

In 1964, surf rock briefly became nationally popular in the US, but the British Invasion began to overtake the American charts. In 1986, he recorded a new album and was nominated for a Grammy, and the use of 'Misirlou' in the Quentin Tarantino film, 'Pulp Fiction', gained him a new audience. He has released several albums since and continues to tour.

In 1987, he appeared in the movie 'Back to the Beach'. He features playing surf music, also playing 'Pipeline' with blues legendary, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. And in 2005, the "Black Eyed Peas" song 'Pump It' from the 'Monkey Business' album heavily samples Dale's 'Misirlou'. 'Misirlou' is also featured on games such as the infamous; Guitar Hero II, as well as Rayman Raving Rabbids.

Influences: Hank Williams, Gene Krupa and Harry James

Axology: Fender Stratocaster guitar and Fender Dual Showman amplifiers

Signature song(s): Misirlou - Dick Dale and The Del-Tones (Surfer's Choice, 1962)

Link(s):

http://www.dickdale.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6M6kd8cmpI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXq7e4Zbrx0&feature=related

Muddy Waters

Name: McKinley Morganfield
Born/Died: 4th April, 1915 (Issaquena County, Mississippi, USA) – 30th April, 1983

Profile: He was an American blues musician, generally considered 'the Father of Chicago blues'. Blues musicians Big Bill Morganfield and Larry 'Mud Morganfield' Williams are his sons. A major inspiration for the British blues explosion in the 60's, Waters was ranked #17 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. His fondness for playing in mud earned him the nickname 'Muddy' at an early age. He later changed it to 'Muddy Water' and finally 'Muddy Waters'.

History: He started out on harmonica but by the age of 17 he was playing the guitar at parties emulating two blues artists who were extremely popular in the south, Son House and Robert Johnson.  Waters moved to Chicago for the first time in 1940. He played with Silas Green a year later, and then returned to Mississippi. In the early part of the decade he ran a juke joint and performed music there himself.

In 1943, Waters headed back to Chicago with the hope of becoming a full-time professional musician. Big Bill Broonzy, one of the leading bluesmen in Chicago at the time, helped Waters break into the very competitive market by allowing him to open for his shows in the rowdy clubs. In 1945, his uncle Joe Grant gave him his first electric guitar which enabled him to be heard above the noisy crowds.

In 1947, Waters recorded some tunes for Aristocrat, he also played guitar with Sunnyland Slim on piano, but in 1948, songs like 'I Can't Be Satisfied' and 'I Feel Like Going Home' became big hits and his popularity in clubs began to take off. Soon after, Aristocrat changed their label name to Chess Records and Waters' signature tune 'Rollin' Stone' also became a smash hit.

In 1958, Waters headed to England and shocked audiences (whose only previous exposure to blues had come via the acoustic folk/blues sounds of acts such as Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee and Big Bill Broonzy) with his loud, amplified electric guitar and thunderous beat. His performance at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival, recorded and released as his first live album, At Newport 1960, helped turn on a whole new generation to Waters' sound. He expressed dismay when he realized that members of his own race were turning their backs on the genre while a white audience had shown increasing respect for the blues.

Waters' sound was basically Delta blues electrified, but his use of microtones, in both his vocals and slide playing, made it extremely difficult to duplicate and follow correctly.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Fender Telecaster guitars

Signature song(s): Rollin' Stones - Muddy Waters (The Best of..., 1958)

Link(s):

http://www.muddywaters.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO4A6xx65WU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0StecXInguc&feature=related

Otis Rush

Name: Otis Rush
Born: 29th April, 1935 (Philadelphia, Mississippi, USA)

Profile: He is a blues musician, singer and guitarist. His distinctive guitar style features a slow burning sound and long bent notes. With similar qualities to Magic Sam and Buddy Guy, his sound became known as West Side Chicago blues and became an influence on many musicians including Michael Bloomfield, Eric Clapton and SRV.

History: Rush is a self-taught musician who began playing the guitar at the age of 8. Moving to Chicago in 1948, he was introduced to the more urban sounds of the blues and made the decision to become a performer after he saw Muddy Waters for the first time. At the age of 13-14, Rush made a name for himself playing in clubs on both the South Side and West Side blues scenes. Soon Rush fronted his own band under the name of "Little Otis".

From 1956-1958, he recorded for the Cobra Records and released eight singles, some featuring Ike Turner on guitar. His first single 'I Can't Quit You Baby' reached #6 on Billboard's chart. During his tenure with Cobra, he recorded some of his well known songs such as 'Double Trouble' and 'All Your Love (I Miss Loving)'.

In 1960, Rush landed a recording contract with Chess. He recorded eight tracks for the label, four of which were released on 2 singles that year. Six tracks including the 2 singles later came out on 'Door To Door' album in 1969, a compilation with Albert King. Around the 60's, Rush began playing in other cities in the US and also to Europe, most notably the American Folk Blues Festival.

In 1971, Rush recorded the album 'Right Place, Wrong Time' for Capitol Records, and the album was released 5 years later. The album generally has since gained a reputation as one of the best works by Rush. In 1985, he made a tour in the US and releasing the live album, 'Tops', recorded at the San Francisco Blues Festival. In 1998, Rush released 'Any Place I'm Goin', and earned his first Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album in 1999.

Though he has not recorded a new studio album since 1998, he continued to tour and perform. In 2002, he was featured on the Bo Diddley tribute album 'Hey Bo Diddley - A Tribute!', performing the song 'I'm A Man'.

Influences: Muddy Waters, Jimmie Rogers, T-Bone Walker and BB King

Axology: Fender Stratocaster, Gibson ES-335, Gibson ES-355 and a Japanese-made Flying V

Signature song(s): Double Trouble - Otis Rush (singles, 1958) and Three Times A Fool - Otis Rush (Right Place, Wrong Time, 1976)

Link(s):

http://www.otisrush.net/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy2tEP3I3DM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsXK2zL2-yM

Joe Pass (The Trio)

Name: Joseph Anthony Jacobi Passalacqua
Born/Died: 13th January, 1929 (New Brunswick, New Jersey) - 23rd May, 1994

Profile: He was an Italian-American born jazz guitarist. His extensive use of walking basslines, melodic counterpoint during improvisation, use of a chord-melody style of play and outstanding knowledge of chord progressions opened up new possibilities for jazz guitar and had a profound influence on future guitarists.

History: Born into a non-musical family, Pass started to play the guitar after being inspired by actor Gene Autry's portrayal of a guitar playing cowboy. He received his first guitar, a Harmony model (bought for $17), on his 9th birthday. Pass' father recognized early that his son had 'a little something happening' and pushed him constantly to pick up tunes by ear, play pieces not written specifically for the instrument, practice scales and not to 'leave any spaces' - that is, to fill in the sonic space between the notes of the melody.

As early as 14, Pass started getting gigs and was playing with bands fronted by Tony Pastor and Charlie Barnet, honing his guitar skills and learning the music business. He began traveling with small jazz groups and eventually moved from Pennsylvania to New York City. In 1962 he recorded 'The Sounds of Synanon'.

In the 60's, Pass recorded a series of albums for the Pacific Jazz label, including the early classics 'Catch Me', '12-String Guitar', 'For Django', and 'Simplicity'. In 1965, Pass toured with George Shearing. Mostly, however, during the 60's he did TV and recording session work in LA, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Merv Griffin Show, The Steve Allen Show, and others.

In the early 70's, Pass and guitarist Herb Ellis were performing together regularly at Donte's jazz club in LA. This collaboration led to Pass and Ellis recording the very first album on the new Concord Jazz label, entitled simply 'Jazz/Concord (#CJS-1)', and collaborated on a series of music books, and his 'Joe Pass Guitar Style' is considered a leading improvisation textbook for students of jazz.

In 1974, Pass released his landmark solo album 'Virtuoso' and the album 'The Trio' featuring Pass, Oscar Peterson, and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen. At the Grammy Awards of 1975, "The Trio" won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group. In the late 70's and early 80's, Pass and Ella Fitzgerald recorded four albums together; Take Love Easy (1973), Fitzgerald and Pass... Again (1976), Speak Love (1983), and Easy Living (1986).

In addition to his ensemble performances, the jazz community regards Joe Pass as an influential solo guitarist. His solo style was marked by an advanced linear technique, sophisticated harmonic sense, counterpoint between improvised lead lines, bass figures and chords, spontaneous modulations, and transitions from fast tempos to rubato passages. Pass would regularly add what he called 'color tones' to his compositions, to give what he believed was a more sophisticated and 'funkier' sound.

Influences: Django Reinhardt, Charlie Parker(saxophonist) and Gene Autry (actor)

Axology: Gibson ES-175 guitar, semi-acoustic Epiphone guitars, Ibanez guitars and a custom guitar by luthier Jimmy D'Aquisto,

Signature song(s): Cherokee - Joe Pass and How High the Moon - Joe Pass

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFqiDcvRW2Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyjQv52Nzno&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWa6aChSf1w&feature=related