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Paul Gilbert

Here are some key facts about Paul Gilbert best known as e the co-founder of the band "Mr. Big", and a member of "Racer X":


(Photo: Fanart.TV)


= He was born as Paul Brandon Gilbert on November 6, 1966, in Carbondale, Illinois, USA.


= He began playing guitar at the age of 6, but initially only practiced a few chords.


= At 12, Gilbert started taking guitar seriously, influenced by bands like "Led Zeppelin", "Aerosmith", and "Kiss".



= by age 15, he was playing local clubs with his band "Tau Zero", and had been featured in Guitar Player magazine.


= In 1982, Gilbert attended a guitar seminar hosted by Randy Rhoads.


= At 17, he moved to Los Angeles to attend the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT).


= In 1985 he joined the band "Racer X", known for their speed metal and technical guitar work.



= In 1986 he released "Street Lethal", "Racer X’s" debut album, featuring his fast and intricate guitar solos.


= In 1988 he released "Second Heat" with "Racer X", further showcasing his technical guitar skills.


= He left "Racer X" in 1988 to pursue other musical ventures and to focus on his teaching at GIT.


= Gilbert co-founded "Mr. Big" in 1989 with bassist Billy Sheehan, known for their virtuosity and musicianship.



= He released "Mr. Big's" debut self-titled album in 1989, gaining commercial success and recognition.


= In 1991 "Mr. Big" released "Lean into It", featuring the hit single "To Be with You," which topped the charts in several countries.


= In 1993 Gilbert released "Bump Ahead" with "Mr. Big", which included a cover of Cat Stevens's "Wild World."


= In 1996 he released "Hey Man" with "Mr. Big" before leaving the band due to creative differences.


= He began his solo career in 1998 releasing his debut solo album "King of Clubs". Gilbert sang vocals and played guitars, piano, organ, bass guitar, tambourine and drums on the album.


= The same year Gilbert released "Flying Dog" showcasing a more experimental and personal style in his guitar playing.


= In 1999 he reunited with "Racer X" and released "Technical Difficulties", combining classic "Racer X" energy with new sound.


= Gilbert wiil continue and release 2 more albums with "Racer X", their 4th album "Superheroes" in 2000 and "Getting Heavier" in 2002.


= In the years 2000-2006 Gilbert continued his solo career releasing "Alligator Farm" (2000), "Raw Blues Power" (2002), "Burning Organ" (2002), "Gilbert Hotel" (2003), "Space Ship One" (2005), "Get Out of My Yard" (2006) the latter was his first all-instrumental solo album.


= Gilbert is a member of  "the Beatles'" tribute band - "Yellow Matter Custard" which also includes Neal Morse, Matt Bissonette and Mike Portnoy, and released the album "One Night in New York City".


= In 2007 Gilbert joined G3 Tour with Joe Satriani and John Petrucci, bringing his technical skill to a broader audience.




= In 2010 Gilbert released "Fuzz Universe", another instrumental album exploring a variety of guitar tones and techniques.


= The same year "Mr. Big" reunited with its original lineup and released "What If..." in 2011.


= The band will continue and release "...The Stories We Could Tell" in 2014 and "Defying Gravity" in 2017.


= In 2014 he released "Stone Pushing Uphill Man", an album of covers where he explored his vocal abilities more deeply.


= In 2016 he released "I Can Destroy", an album blending rock, blues, and humor.


= In 2019 Gilbert released "Behold Electric Guitar", which received praise for its technical skill and musicality.


= In 2021 Gilbert released "Werewolves of Portland", recorded entirely by him playing all instruments during the pandemic.



= In 2023 he released his 18th solo album - "The Dio Album" - A tribute to Ronnie James Dio, consiststing of instrumental covers of various "Rainbow", "Black Sabbath", and "Dio" songs.


= Paul Gilbert has contributed extensively to guitar education through various platforms. For example, he wrote a section in Total Guitar magazine, demonstrating techniques for 31 issues until November 2006.


= Gilbert was voted fourth-best on "GuitarOne" magazine's 2007 "Top 10 Greatest Guitar Shredders of All Time".


= He was also ranked in "Guitar World's" 2008 list, "50 Fastest Guitarists of All Time".


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