Happy Birthday Buckethead! (May 13, 1969) - Was he really raised by chickens?
Hi, WA Friends
Today we are celebrating the birthday of Buckethead! Haha, I've been waiting to do this one for a while!
Buckethead was born Brian Patrick Carroll in Claremont, California, in 1969. He is a guitar player, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who has released over 300 (yes, you read that right!) albums.
He has become known for his innovative electric guitar playing, which often features intricate solos, tapping techniques, and blinding speed that makes lightning look slow!
Was Buckethead Really Raised By Chickens?
One of the most interesting things about Buckethead is his claim that he was raised by chickens. He says he spent a lot of time on his family's farm as a child and developed a close bond with the chickens. Furthermore, he said that they taught him how to be patient and observe his surroundings, skills that he later applied to his music.
Believe it or not, this story does not seem strange to many Rock and Metal lead guitar players! Oh, well.
So, do I believe it? Well, if Buckethead says so... Lol! You must be wondering by now if I am really a physician. I can assure you that I am. π
What's Up With The Hat?
Buckethead has become a champion and protector of the chicken and wears a Kentucky Fried Chicken on his head with a "Funeral" sticker affixed to the front of it.
How About The Mask?
Buckethead claims to wear the white "Michael Myers" (Halloween) mask because he is extremely shy and doesn't want to be identified. No, he does not have a big knife. His weapon of choice is a guitar, and Buckethead really is that good! Apparently, he has received death threats from people that love eating fried chicken. You can't make this stuff up!
Fun Fact: Did you know that the first Michael Myers mask was created from a Captain Kirk mask that was turned inside out and painted white? Now, you'll probably never watch Star Trek again; sorry about that!
Career
Buckethead has played in several bands throughout his career, including Guns N' Roses. He joined Guns N' Roses in 2000 and played with the band for four years, contributing to their album "Chinese Democracy," and appeared live on stage with them in 2001 and 2002. (Did you know that, Jason???)
He has also collaborated with a number of other artists, including Serj Tankian of System of a Down, Praxis, and Les Claypool of Primus.
Musical Equipment
For all your gearheads out there, and you know who you are, Buckethead has two signature series guitars!
He is most often seen playing his iconic white (it looks yellowish in the title image because of the lighting).
(from Wikipedia)
- Gibson Buckethead Signature Les Paul
- Jackson Buckethead Signature Roundhorn V
- Gibson SST
- Gibson 1969 Les Paul Custom
- Custom-built Jackson Doubleneck
Honors And Awards
- Guitar Player magazine's "Best Overall Guitarist" award (2007)
- Guitar World magazine's Second-Fastest Guitarist Of All Time (2008) *
- Honorary Doctor of Music degree, University of La Rioja in Spain (2017)
* In case you are wondering, John Taylor is the fastest guitarist of all time, according to the Guinness World Records.
Discography
Buckethead has released 30 regular solo albums, as well as 294 albums in the "Pikes Series," for 325 albums overall. Here are just a few.
Of course, any real Buckethead fan would listen to all 325, but if you must listen to only one, check out Giant Robot!
- Solo albums:
- Bucketheadland (1992)
- Giant Robot (1994)
- Colma (1998)
- Monsters and Robots (2000)
- Population Override (2001)
- Somewhere Over the Slaughterhouse (2001)
- The Robots of Death (2002)
- A Real Diamond in the Rough (2003)
- Enter the Chicken (2005)
- The Crack of Doom (2005)
- Pikes (2007-present)
- Band albums:
- Praxis (1992-1998)
- Cornbugs (1996-2004)
- Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains (2000-present)
- Deli Creeps (2003-present)
Happy Birthday, Buckethead! (he doesn't like to be called Brian) π
We won't be eating any chicken tonight during our world-famous Buckethead celebration; steaks instead (I hope he doesn't like cows!).
What do you think about all this? I'm sure you have comments, so be sure to add them below!
Rock On! π€
ο»ΏFrank πΈ
Recent Comments
51
Happy Birthday, Buckethead!
Good info on this fellow. I was not too familiar with him!
Thanks once again, Frank!
Jeffππ€πΈ
I think the economy has caused steak to be the poor man's meat over chicken! Not to mention all of the bird flu, fries, etc.! I bet Buckethead is not happy about that!π²π€πΈ
What can you say about virtuosos like Buckethead?
Even if his music doesn't make sense to you, you have to admit he is great at doing what you hate.
I haven't listened to much of his music, but I'll ask Alexa to play his best when I get home from WORK Aghhhh! Am I correct in thinking I'm going to listen to someone like Dimebag Darrell or Zakk Wylde?
Hi, David
No, his music is nothing like Dimebag or Zack.
Listen to several tunes and let me know what you think. ππΈ
Haha, thatβs great, David! π
Buckethead will take your musical experience to another place. πΈ
Hey Frank, I'm about 6 songs deep into Buckethead. Lightning fingers is right! He reminds me of Satriani so far. Not as blatantly commercial though. More genuine.
Hi, Dave
Yeah, a cross between Satriani and some eclectic stuff.
Good call! You Rock! ππ₯π₯πΈ
I thought the Michael Myers mask Captain Kirk's turned inside out?
I can't believe people are crazy enough to send death threats over KFC... nevermind, yes I can these days, lol!
"I can't believe people are crazy enough to send death threats over KFC... nevermind, yes I can these days, lol!"
Hah hah.
Never underestimate the power of obsession and KFC addiction.
Hi Frank,
I feel bad for Buckethead. He had similar circumstances to Cherone with Van Halen imo.
There was so much bad feeling over the breakup of GNR over Axl's personality, coupled with the drawn out release coupled with the different style on that album he walked into a bad situation.
I must admit I also wasn't a fan of his appearance, which also gave me somewhat of an aversion to the new version of G&R,
I watched him live with G&R on video and while he could play the songs, I couldn't shake the thought He Isn't Slash.
I always considered Slash to be half of what made them what they were, the way his guitar sang alongside the vocals. I always thought it was great Axl was confident enough back when he could sing he wasn't worried about the guitar taking away from him.
I'll never allow anything to tarnish Kirk, and I really don't see Shatner in the mask even after your mention of it. Sadly for Mr. Shatner, he played that role so well it doomed him a lot in other roles.
I'll have to go listen to music Buckethead did away from G&R so I can appreciate it without the stain of my thoughts of there was only one G&R guitarist.
Regards,
Jason
Hi, Jason
Yeah, Slash is a great guitar player. You might like this documentary from Gibson TV, where Mark Agnesi interviews Slash and looks at his extensive guitar collection.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z64Y-pjZw2E
Let me know what you think of some of Buckethead's solo tunes. π
Have a Rockin' Weekend! π€
Frank πΈ
Hi Frank, thanks for the link. I love everything Slash, and find it telling he was on many releases (his own and gust appearances) while Axl squandered the time he had.
I loved his work in his band Slash's Snakepit.
I'll definitely get back to you on Buckethead. I love the guitar as a listener as you know, and would hate to allow his bad timing and choice of branding to allow me to miss a great talent.
Regards,
Jason
Hi, Jason
That video is over an hour but is well worth the time investment. So check it out with your favorite beverage when you get some free time, so you can enjoy it to the fullest!
Gibson TV has done a number of great guitar artist interviews, and you can find them all on their YouTube channel.
Yeah, Slash's Snakepit tunes are excellent, for sure! ππ
Rock On! π€
Frank πΈ
See more comments
No! You can't make this stuff up!
What a story of his persona! I love it and it's so compelling.
As a lover of 70s music, I am so sad that I missed this one - I have never heard of this guy! What is his genre?
I am going to listen to his music, because, someone dropped the name Joe Bonamassa and I have been a fan ever since then.
This could happen with Buckethead!
Thank you for this post - I enjoyed it.
Corinne
Hi, Corrine
Buckethead plays a very diverse range of Rock and Metal, but he has a unique style that sets him apart from everyone else. So definitely give him a listen and let me know what you think.
Joe Bonamassa is an outstanding player, too!
Rock On! π€
Frank πΈ
Hello Frank,
This is definitely for a select audience but his creativity is inspiring! His musical ability is so carefree and diverse - as you mention. Definitely he is a talented guy.
I would probably have listened to him in the 90s; today, not so much.
He's the sort of performer that you always want to know what he will do next ... so I won't be able to ignore him.
Thanks again for this post.
Corinne
Hi, Corinne
Yes, I know exactly what you mean. π
Thanks for checking him out! π
Rock On!π€
Frank π