Robert DeLeo (STP/Army of Anyone)

Name: Robert Emile DeLeo
Born: 2nd February, 1966 (Glen Ridge, New Jersey, USA)

Profile: He is an American bass player and harmony vocalist for the rock band "Stone Temple Pilots" (STP). He has also played in "Talk Show" and "Army of Anyone". He is the younger brother of Dean DeLeo, who plays lead guitar for "STP".

History: Robert started to play guitar in his teens, but his interest are more in playing bass because his brother Dean already played guitar. DeLeo met Scott Weiland (who would eventually become vocalist of "STP") at a "Black Flag" concert in 1987. The both of them wanted to form a band and eventually hooked up with drummer Eric Kretz, and DeLeo managed to convince his brother to play guitar in their new band "Mighty Joe Young" which later changed to "Stone Temple Pilots".

During their years, "STP" came to be one of the most successful bands of the 90's. Robert is credited with much of the band's music, including the famous intros for the songs 'Plush' and 'Interstate Love Song'.

While "STP's" hiatus in 1997, he and his brother Dean, Kretz, Dave Coutts (Ten Inch Men) formed a new band "Talk Show", their debut album was released in 1997 and peaked at #131 on the 'Billboard 200' and was considered a commercial flop.

In 2003, the DeLeo brothers formed another group "Army of Anyone". The group met after Richard Patrick (Filter) contacted the DeLeo brothers on writing material for "Filter's" fourth album. The band eventually called in drummer Ray Luzier in for an audition, found the formula worked, and the band was formed. The band's self titled album was released in 2006. The album became a critical success; some went as far to label the album as one of the bests of the year.

In 2008, "STP" reunited and are planning on releasing their sixth album on 25th May, 2010. DeLeo is a former employee of Schecter Guitar Research and built the prototype of what later became his signature model while working there. The Schecter Model T was his primary live instrument during his years with "STP".

DeLeo is known for his smooth style of playing, with infusions of Jazz, 1960's rhythm and blues, and hard rock creating a rather distinctive tone. He is also known for being a master riff maker; he created most of the riffs for "STP" which was the band's trademark style, and wrote and arranged most of the band's songs. He also uses a bass Wah-wah pedal to change his tone accordingly.

Influences: James Jamerson, John Entwistle (The Who), Rocco Prestia (Tower of Power), Chris Squire (Yes) and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin).

Axology: Schecter Model T signature basses, 1966 Fender Precision bass, 1976 Rickenbacker 4001, 50's Danelectro Longhorn, Fender Musicmaster, Marshall and Ampeg amplifiers

Signature song(s): Interstate Love Song - STP (Purple, 1994) and Goodbye - Army of Anyone (Army of Anyone, 2006)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RwD4Q33CQ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtEdwwe_41c

Pete Townshend (The Who)

Name: Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend
Born: 19th May, 1945 (London, England)

Profile: He is an English rock guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for "The Who", as well as for his own solo career. His career with "The Who" spans more than 40 years, during which time the band grew to be considered one of the most influential bands of the rock era. Townshend has also been a contributor and author of newspaper and magazine articles, book reviews, essays, books, and scripts, as well as collaborating as a lyricist (and composer) for many other musical acts.

History: Born into a musical family, his father was a professional saxophonist in "The Squadronaires" and his mother was a singer, Townshend exhibited a fascination with music at an early age. In the mid 50's, he was drawn to American rock and roll. When he was 12, his grandmother gave him his first guitar, a single pickup Harmony Stratocruiser. He did, however, learn the banjo joining a traditional jazz band "The Confederates" playing with John Entwistle as trumpet.

From this beginning Townshend and Entwistle joined "The Detours", the lead guitarist Roger Daltrey at the time, sold him an Epiphone. In 1964, they renamed "The Detours" to "The Who". The band comprising Daltrey on vocals, Townshend on guitar, Entwistle on bass guitar and Moon on drums. The band raw and high-energy music, strongly influenced by American R&B, reflected the youthful frustration of their generation and became synonymous with the mod movement.

Townshend was to channel his self-expression through the group's overall sound, the songs he wrote for them, his rhythm guitar and his on-stage image. This separated him from most of his peers; Eric Clapton, for example, were very much lead guitarist. Townshend was not. Frustrated because he was unable to get the kind of sounds that Clapton could, he discovered his own solution.

One night, while he was on stage at a club in West London, he accidentally put the head of his guitar (a Rickenbacker) through the false ceiling above him, snapping off the neck. When the audience started to laugh, he smashed the rest of the guitar to pieces, picked up a 12-string guitar and continued to play for the rest of the show as if nothing had happened. Subsequently, ritualistic equipment-smashing became the climax of many of "The Who's" stage and television appearances.

By this time, Townshend, the inventor of the 'rock power chord' and a pioneer user of controlled feedback, had developed a unique playing style. Laced with on stage acrobatics and his trademark (windmilling arm motions), it provided a solid, powerful foundation for the rest of the band.

Influences: Link Wray, John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley and Hank Marvin (The Shadows)

Axology: Emile Grimshaw SS De Luxe, 6-string and 12-string Rickenbacker semi-hollow electric guitars, Fender Stratocaster, Fender Telecaster, Vox Cheetah guitar, Gibson SG, Gibson Les Paul DeLuxe, Gretsch 6120 guitar, Guild acoustic, Takamine acoustic, Boss OD-1 overdrive pedal, T-Rex Replica delay pedal and Marshall amplifiers

Signature song(s): My Generation, Anyway, Anyhow, Anytime, I Can't Explain and Substitute

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5yymadwxj8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AXnr6Gg3s0&feature=related

"... possibly the greatest live band ever" - Eddie Vedder

Cliff Burton (Metallica)

Name: Clifford Lee Burton
Born/Died: 10th February, 1962 (Castro Valley, California, USA) – 27th September, 1986

Profile: He was an American bassist best known as the bass player of American heavy metal band "Metallica". As a bassist he made heavy use of distortion and effects (several of which are usually associated with non-bass guitars).

History: Cliff's interest in music began when his father introduced him to classical music and he began taking piano lessons. In his teenage years, Cliff had an interest in rock, classical and eventually heavy metal. He began playing the bass at age 13, after the death of his brother. His parents quoted him as saying, "I'm going to be the best bassist for my brother." He practiced up to 6 hours per day. Along with classical, jazz, southern rock, country and blues.

While still a student at Castro Valley High School, Cliff formed his first band called "EZ-Street", other member of the band was guitarist "Big" Jim Martin (Faith No More). Cliff and Big continued their musical collaboration after becoming students at Chabot College in Hayward, California.

Their second band, "Agents of Misfortune", entered the local "Battle of the Bands" contest in 1981. Their audition was recorded on video and features some of the earliest footage of his trademark playing style. Cliff joined his first major band, "Trauma" in early 1982.

Late in 1982, he joined "Metallica" and performed on their debut album, "Kill 'Em All". Cliff's early influence was essential in creating the unique musical style for which "Metallica" became famous. Cliff performed on two more albums, "Ride the Lightning" and "Master of Puppets", both of which met with major commercial and critical success.

He was known for his "lead bass" approach, in which the bass played a melodic, soloistic role in addition to holding down the harmonic and rhythmic foundation of the band.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Rickenbacker 4001, Aria SB-1000 and Mesa Boogie amplifiers

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O9zMnwD65Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=B_HmN4cHkvk&feature=related

Geddy Lee (Rush)

Name: Gary Lee Weinrib
Born: 29th July, 1953 (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Profile: He is a Canadian musician, best known as the lead vocalist, bassist and keyboardist for the Canadian rock band "Rush".

History: Taking up bass as a teenager and influenced by the likes of John Entwistls (WHO). Lee then joined "Rush" in 1968 at the request of his childhood friend Alex Lifeson. In 1973, their released their self-titled debut album and after honing their sound on a few albums, the trio went with relentless touring and their 1976 sci-fi concept album, 2112.

Throughout the 80's, Lee and "Rush" explored more modern sounds with Lee vocals becoming more restrained, they remained successful throughout the 90's, issuing successful albums and playing sold-out arena tours worldwide, until "Rush" went on indefinite hiatus in 1997.

In 2000, Lee issued his first ever solo album "My Favorite Headache" who was joined by ex-Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron and ex-FM guitarist Ben Mink and in 2006, Lee joined Lifeson's supergroup the "Big Dirty Band".

Influences: John Entwistle (WHO), Jack Bruce (Cream), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), John Myung(Dream Theater), Les Claypool (Primus) and Cliff Burton (Metallica)

Axology: Fender Precision bass, Fender Jazz bass, Rickenbacker 4001 model bass, Steinberger bass, British Wal basses, Ampeg amplifiers and Gallien-Krueger amplifiers.

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dptj4dMuS1w