jack99 Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 Purchase professor tours with Guns N' Roses By DAVID NOVICH(Original publication: August 7, 2006)At Purchase College, he is known as professor Ron Thal, an expert in teaching the art of producing music.But at concerts across Europe, he is known as Bumblefoot, the lead guitarist for Guns N' Roses.Since May, Thal has been touring with Axl Rose and the heavy metal band that rocked the 1980s and early 1990s with such hits as "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Paradise City."His fellow faculty and his students couldn't be more psyched."I know this gig means a lot to Bumblefoot, and he's excited to be on tour with them," said Joe Ferry, a Purchase College professor who chairs the Studio Production Department. "He is like the most amazingly talented guitarist I've ever known, and he's just a regular guy."Thal, 36, has been playing before thousands of fans from Spain and Portugal to Hungary and Italy. In an e-mail last week, he said Guns N' Roses management asked that he not be interviewed, and he had to honor their wishes.But several Web sites show that he has been busy overseas. There are photos and videos of him playing guitar, including a solo with the song "Don't Cry."Thal also is close to the action of lead singer Axl Rose, who continues to make headlines on his latest tour. In June, he was arrested in Sweden, accused of biting a security guard in the leg at his hotel.He was released from a Stockholm jail that evening, after he admitted to the charges and agreed to pay a fine of $5,500.Last month, Rose almost started a riot in England after delaying a concert so he could first eat a roast lamb dinner.While Guns N' Roses was most popular more than a decade ago, the group still retains legions of fans and will be on tour through the end of the year.Christina Ticciano, who is studying studio production at Purchase College, said she is really excited for Thal.At the college, he is known as an innovative professor. He takes his students on walks around campus to listen to planes flying overhead and people talking. He then has them translate those sounds into their work.They go up to buildings on campus and clap their hands to hear the sounds bounce off them. And he takes them to his studio in Princeton, N.J., to work on music.Ticciano said Thal is a laid-back professor and easy to talk to but also very smart."He just shares so much knowledge with us," said Ticciano, 19. "And he's just so approachable about anything. It's great."Source: http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...314/1018/NEWS02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 wow, that's pretty sweet, Ron Thal is a legend! no doubt about it.... I'd kill if he could be a professor at a university which i could go to never gonna happen..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Seal Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I envy those people! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f**k_your_enemy Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 Ron just seems cooler and cooler each time I read something about him... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 WOW!He inspires both young guitar players and students!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highvoltage Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I honestly can't think of a single thing I dislike about Bumblefoot. The guy is an absolute legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCG Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I honestly can't think of a single thing I dislike about Bumblefoot. The guy is an absolute legend. Yeah, he's a great addition to GN'R. He's better than Buckethead imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bromle Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I always tought he was too cool for school Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rock angel 1 Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 Did I just read there were videos of him playing solo's to Don't cry when did Axl agree to play this song again I thought it had been retired. I would like to see this video if any one has it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottish nutter Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 he came out the secc hall in glasgow and dished out a plate full of cake to the fans waiting to get in to see them a few weeks ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobobiba Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 Bumblefoot is the best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoon87 Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I honestly can't think of a single thing I dislike about Bumblefoot. The guy is an absolute legend. Damn right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrettyTiedUp763 Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 Ron just seems cooler and cooler each time I read something about him...Yep. I like him more and more each day. He's great for the band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadine Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 That's a great article Seriously I haven't heard a single negative thing about that guy yet and probably never will. The dude rocks what else can I say Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angel of music Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 wow that's so cool, it almost sounds like something taken from the dead poets society movie hehe, but gosh it would be amazing to have him as a professor!! Bumblefoot rules! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patience 4 Axl Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 Bumblefoot is the lead guitarist for Guns N' Roses?! WOO HOO!!! rock1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay410 Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 ron is god Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragoon77 Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I saw him some weeks ago on that MTV program "Made" giving guitar lessons to a guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishyguy Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 Thanks for the article great read!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vogstar90_G'N'R Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 i have not once ever heard a bad thing bout BBF, this guy must really be down to earth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack99 Posted August 8, 2006 Author Share Posted August 8, 2006 Hmm... Maybe we could call the college and ask them when he's expected back.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
November_rain Posted August 8, 2006 Share Posted August 8, 2006 Wow, I didn´t know he was a professor! His students must feel proud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_l Posted August 8, 2006 Share Posted August 8, 2006 I honestly can't think of a single thing I dislike about Bumblefoot. The guy is an absolute legend. second that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f**k_your_enemy Posted August 8, 2006 Share Posted August 8, 2006 Hmm... Maybe we could call the college and ask them when he's expected back.... Ha that's actually a good idea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longpig Posted August 8, 2006 Share Posted August 8, 2006 "Nice Boys don't play rock n' roll......" Nah Ron is a top bloke and I'm very happy he's in GnR rather than that masked fuck up that was buckethead.Let's wear a mask how terribly original and just so 'whacky'.... LP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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