Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Born September 25, 1969 in Brooklyn New York City, NY), is an American guitarist, songwriter and producer. He is currently a member of Guns N' Roses, playing co-lead guitar with Robin Finck.
Career
He got the name "Bumblefoot" from the bacterial infection, which he learned about while helping his wife review for her veterinary exams. Vigier Guitars later made Ron "The Vigier Bumblefoot Guitar" [1], a custom guitar which is shaped like a foot, painted like a bumblebee and has decorative wings that extend from the body when activated by the tremolo bar. This was presented to Ron in January 1998 at the NAMM convention in Los Angeles.
Bumblefoot joined Guns N' Roses in mid-2006, replacing the departed Buckethead. He made his live debut with the band at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on May 12, 2006. They have since toured Europe, North and Central America,Oceania, and Japan. It has been confirmed that Bumblefoot will also appear on the band's new album, Chinese Democracy,[1] despite the fact that it has been in the process of recording since 1994, long before he joined.[2] The album has no scheduled release date, but it has been confirmed that recording has been completed as of April 03, 2007.
Guitars
* Vigier Surfreter Fretless Guitar in Gold
* Vigier Swiss-Cheese Guitar (also released as a limited edition)
* Vigier Bumblefoot Guitar
* Gibson Les Paul: Ron apparently had to use a Les Paul to join Guns N' Roses on tour.
* Gibson Flying V: He has only used this on the 2007 leg of Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy Tour.
Discography
| Year | Album | |
|---|---|---|
| As Ron Thal | ||
| 1995 | The Adventures of Bumblefoot (out of print) | |
| 1997 | Hermit (out of print) | |
| As Bumblefoot | ||
| 1998 | Hands | |
| 2000 | Uncool (French Version) | |
| 2001 | 911 | |
| 2002 | Uncool (American Version) | |
| 2003 | Forgotten Anthology | |
| 2005 | Normal | |
| 2008 | Abnormal | |
| With Guns N' Roses | ||
| TBA | Chinese Democracy |
Guest appearances
| Song | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|
| Q*Ball | This Is Serious Business | |
| Q*Ball | Fortune Favors The Bald | |
| Q*Ball | Q*Ball In Space | |
| "Rhode Island Shred" | Guthrie Govan | Erotic Cakes |
| "Game Over" | Mike Orlando | Sonic Stomp |
| "Metal Kartoon" | Christophe Godin | Metal Kartoon |
| "Speak When Spoken To" | Freak Kitchen | Organic |
| "Psychometamorph" | Phi Yann-Zek | Solar Flare |
| "Dynasty Of Death" | Mistheria | Messenger Of the Gods |
| "From the Inside" | Richard Daude / Various Artists | Shawn Lane Remembered Vol 2 |
| "Irresistible" | Jessica Simpson | Hex Hector club mix CD-single |
| Jordan Rudess | The Road Home |
