I know this is a
personal style blog but Bumblefoot from Guns and Roses is so beyond
cool that I had to step away from clothes and fashion mags for a
second and throw some light on his coolness. So I hope you enjoy my
little interview with him.
Bumblefoot is the
antithesis of the cliche that is the Rockstar. I mean yes he likes
his Jägermeister more than the next person and he does like to throw
around the odd cuss word on stage. But this man is so much more.
Ever willing to give a fan advice straight from the heart, still so
passionate about the woman he has been with for over 20 years and
the stomach to take in more heat from a pepper than any indian I
know. All the while rocking packed stadiums, tutoring kids with
dreams, making hot sauce and managing a small empire. Not an easy
task I'm sure but he does it and does it well. I met Ron late last
year at a GnR concert. His manager was a friend of a friend. To cut
a long story short, we met that day, again the next at a private
concert and he gave me life changing advice. I wasn't even looking
but I'm so glad I received it. Because it made me forget about all
my fears and start to live a life with passion. Now I know there are
tons of interviews with him focussing light on his guitar skills and
his music genius but here is my little attempt at finding out more
about the person. Because this man is more than just a rockstar
1 Your style best described in 3 to 5 words
In (1) Need
(2) Of (3) A (4) Shave (5).
2 Rings or other shiny things?
I love shiny things, especially on women. I don't wear much jewelry.
The only ring I wear consistently is my wedding ring. People have
given me gifts while on the road - a ring from Japan, a bracelet
from France, a necklace from Brazil - they're sometimes hand-made,
always have personal significance. Those I'll wear from time to time
and will be reminded of the people and places, the good memories.
3 Chapka or beanie?
Chapka, all the way...! When my ears get cold, I disintegrate. My
ears are the windows to my soul, when they go numb, my light goes
dim. Give me heat, lots of it!
4 How would you rate on the scoville heat scale?
If you are what you eat, then I'm at 7,100,000. That's the Scoville
rating of the 'pain sauce' I add to my food, haha. My kinda pain,
love it. I guess that would define it as 'pleasure', wouldn't it?
5 Hot sauce or cool spirits?
Hot sauce, definitely. How about hot sauce *and* cool spirits? :)
6 Jamming in studio or building kids dreams with guitar lessons?
Ooooooh, good question! It's about giving the world something that
will grow beyond your own life. Teaching does that. You're giving
the sum of your experiences to others, they add to it and give it to
the next person. If I'm just jamming, it's great for the moment, but
for me teaching is more meaningful. Above all though, writing,
recording and releasing songs - I need to do it. I've devoted my
life to being a musician, for me that means making music, not just
playing it - it starts to feel pointless if I'm not creating
something.
7 What makes you smile a while?
People's happiness - it's contagious. When I see it, I feel it and
get a big smile.
8 Wanna tell us something sexalicious about Ron?
It's all about connecting deeply inside a woman's mind, and heart.
It's where all good things begin, and you share them through your
hands, your voice, your body. Music, art, love.
9 if you weren't strumming your guitar where would your hands be?
They'd either be on a mixing board helping other people make their
music happen, or holding a fork and knife while enjoying a meal in
good company, pursuing some ideas for inventions marinating in the
back of my mind, or maybe just something sexalicious... :)
10 Life lessons.
So many things... first, *communicate*, and be on time - it's a sign
of consideration and respect, an acknowledgment that people's lives
have value, don't leave people in the dark. I've learned that you
shouldn't give loyalty to people that don't give it in return,
wasting a good trait is a bad trait. I've learned that you can have
what you want in life, but it means nothing if you're not happy.
Keeping a healthy soul and mind is as important as keeping a healthy
body, don't neglect any of it. It's *your* life - no apologies or
explanations required, nobody owns you. I've learned that a friend
will be there for you when things are going badly, but a *real*
friend will be there for you when things are going well. Take care
of your teeth and gums. Travel. Don't over-think, don't create your
own obstacles, just go with your gut. Don't try to control what's
meant to happen naturally. Have faith and trust in yourself, your
decisions, your abilities, in fate - be brave and let go, the world
won't crumble. There is such a thing as caring *too much*, caring to
a point you're unhappy and can't progress - reel yourself in and
adjust your perspective before getting that way. Be imperfect - it's
what separates us from machines. Our imperfections are our
identities, it's the cracks in our shell that let people in, to
connect with what's inside, with your soul. The laws of nature
regarding time travel are that we can only go forward, not backward
- enjoy the good memories of the past, but don't fight nature trying
to re-live it, you can't change anything, fix anything, un-say or
un-do anything, you can't go back. Don't beat a dead horse - face
front, move forward, invest yourself in the future, not the past.
Better off doing something a little bit every day than trying to
take it all on at once, whatever it is. Life is about AND, not OR.
Enjoy carbs. Support local farms. Be diverse, try different things,
step out of your comfort zone and experience life. And however far
you've gone, however much you've learned, there's still an endless
road in front of you. We're all just guests in this world - be a
gracious one
What do you think?
Doesn't he have something worthwhile to say???? |