A biography for Paul Gilberthasn’t been written yet.
“As human beings we're visual creatures, and it's so easy to play the guitar by looking at it. It's a real challenge to go from that visual way of perceiving the guitar to getting back to that pure sound connecting to the instrument.”
“I prefer playing in songs where I have a tempo, groove and harmonic map to hang on to.”
“The Great Guitar Escape is built around world-class seminars, concerts and jam sessions. It's a chance to learn and be inspired by some truly amazing musicians. And it's just a great way for everyone to hang out together in a beautiful place.”
“As always, my influences are diverse and not what you might expect from a 'heavy metal' artist.”
“I've realized that, as the years have gone on, I have become completely impatient with the demo process.”
“Scotty Johnson is a guy who I've worked with on a lot of my tours and albums, and I'm always blown away by his musical knowledge and playing.”
“It's so satisfying as a guitar player to play stuff that's related to the blues.”
“My guitar playing was born from playing in my teenage heavy rock bands.”
“My life is a glorious tornado of musical projects!”
“A Herd of Turtles' is the only song on 'Behold Electric Guitar' that is not strictly instrumental. But instead of singing, I am reciting a poem. My poem is about overcoming challenges.”
“I think I had heard Al Di Meola on the radio when I was a kid, that acoustic record, 'Friday Night In San Francisco,' with Paco de Lucía and John McLaughlin. His picking was unbelievable. I thought it was incredible.”
“I'll have a chorus pedal or a flanger or an echo, that kind of thing. But as far as specific pedals, the one that's really been a mainstay is the TC Electronic MojoMojo.”
“Andy Timmons is someone I've jammed with many times over the years, and we always have a great chemistry when playing together.”
“Seriously, though, I think the only musical term that's ever put a bee in my bonnet is 'shred.' I tried to peddle the term 'Terrifying Guitar' to the world, but it just didn't stick. Now we've got 'shred.'”
“Every Mr. Big album is an event.”
“As far as pedals are concerned, the test for me is if I step on it, do I seem to be playing better?”
“Two words: Kasim Sulton. I've been a Utopia fan for a long, long time, and Kasim's a pop hero of mine. I have to hold myself back from asking him a million Utopia questions.”
“I waited until the end of the 'Behold Electric Guitar' recording sessions to record 'A Herd of Turtles,' as I knew the unusual arrangement might raise some eyebrows.”
“Recently, I had some powerful magnets glued into the lower horn of a few of my guitars. This holds a metal slide in place so I can easily get to it and put it back, even in the middle of a song.”
“I worked out the keyboard parts on the progressive rock classic 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' and somehow managed to play it all on acoustic guitar.”