"Thank you for inspiring me to play the guitar for the past 15 years. In a show back in 2008, you gave an R2D2 toy that was up in your guitar pickups, I still have that, and that is one of my fondest memories," a fan wrote to a masked man who always has a KFC bucket on his head when he is on stage. His name is Buckethead, a legend in the guitar world.
His real name is Brain Patrick Carroll, and he was born on May 13 in Southern California, USA. He is a multi-instrumentalist and critically acclaimed for his electric guitar playing. He plays in different genres, including progressive metal, funk, blues, etc.
Performing as a solo artist, he is one of the iconic guitarists internationally. He has collaborated with various artists such as Bill Laswell, Barnie Worrell, Mike Patton, Serj Tankian and more.
Buckethead is one of the most prolific guitarists in history, having recorded over 300 studio albums, four special releases, and one EP at just 48 years of age. He has performed on more than fifty albums by other artists.
He was the lead guitarist of the widely known band Guns and Roses from 2000 to 2004. Buckethead is voted number eight on a list in GuitarOne magazine of the 'Top 10 Fastest Guitar Shredders,' as well as being included in Guitar world's list of the '50 fastest guitarists of all time.'
Buckethead writes and performs music for motion pictures too. Some major names include Saw II. Ghosts of Mars, Beverly Hills Ninja, Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Last Action Hero, and many more.
His dynamic guitar playing leaves the audience astonished. However, even though he was on the biggest stage playing the guitar, he never revealed his face. Fans have an enormous interest in knowing him. He is hardly seen in interviews. Away from all the glams and glitters, he is solemnly dedicated to music.
Buckethead calls his later releases 'pike.' His pike series contains 317 albums which have been getting released since 2011. The latest pike, 'Live Sprinkles,' was released on August 27 this year.
