Bumblefoot Opens Up on Guns N' Roses

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Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal talks with Graham Hartmann about his exit from Guns N' Roses and his favorite moments in the band.
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[@Bumblefoot]

Hey all, for the sake of accuracy - I let the band members & crew know I was leaving on March 1, 2014, soon as we met for the first rehearsal for the tours. I offered to help with finding my own replacement, offered suggestions and to train whoever it would be so they'd be 'show ready', and finished all booked shows. During the tours I started hearing rumblings about the 2016 plans (from crew/other) Hope this clarifies the timeline a bit, thanks :)

[@aprofondir]

Thanks for clearing it up

[@szahuba]

the way you are playing Don't cry is magiq. Thx for it ! ;)

[@dama301]

Hey thanks for the interview, I know it doesn't bring in the clicks but would've loved to have heard some things at the end of the interview about what music you are doing now and tips for musicians/guitarists. Great work will keep an eye out for your stuff in future

[@alexbyrd12]

+szahuba I personally didn't like it, maybe cause I'm a die hard gnr fan. With slash it just seems perfect. I mean no offense. But I just love the old gunners.

[@Mattv93]

Hey Mr. Thal, thanks for the interview. It's understandable that there are certain comments you can't make, or things you can't say because it's too delicate or private, etc. It's really insightful to hear what you did say, regarding your relationship with Rose. I've personally always wondered what it was like working with him, from your POV or the others. You seem like a genuinely modest man and easy to approach and talk to. Hope all is well. Greetings from a new fan of yours, - Matt

[@overlorrd53]

Bumblefoot is one of the realest guys in the rock and metal scene.

[@bongchitis_4203]

You obviously don't listen to system of a down

[@rerditirerthz5568]

+Cam Smiley lol

[@rerditirerthz5568]

Claudio Sanchez

[@greggdaniels6129]

And coolest! Proper open and connected with his fans. As is DJ in that respect. Bumblefoot is just a cool motherf*****!

[@theondulle8475]

With John 5! These 2 are so skilled and down to earth! A collaboration would be pure awesomeness.

[@JuskoLord247]

Such a humble guy. I love this man.

[@21stCenturyPirate]

he's more HumbleFoot than Bumblefoot

[@rodolfoplasencia9739]

@@21stCenturyPirate Meaning?

[@AR00STIKA]

A humble bumble

[@lennart3445]

He seems like a magician that would live in a tree, where you could go to, to get some advice

[@crungen5134]

damn that's good

[@jromasterofone]

Gandalf in his first 100 years?

[@christineayres5339]

lol it's true he's very wise maybe he took lessons from Jimmy Page

[@christineayres5339]

+Chad Ciputra lol

[@jmgmarcus808]

Yes agree 100%, but he's a bit confused about what he wants to say. So you ask him about other wizards, and where you can find them.

[@AxlRoulley]

He is a genuinely nice guy..I met him backstage at a GNR show and he was unbelievably nice to my crew..

[@kennycamaro2361]

I just saw Ron on October 13,2019. He played a small banquet hall in Westland Michigan. There was about 100 people there. He is a phenomenal talent. He really enjoyed himself. The audience loved it and him. He stayed after the show and hung out with everyone. Spent as much time with everyone as they wanted to spend with him. Honestly, I felt like I owed him more money after about an hour into the show. Spent time with him and got my pic with him and bought his Abnormal CD. He autographed it. What a genuinely great guy, no pretense or outrageous ego. We even teased him a little and he laughed along with me and my two friends. A great human and a great guitarist!!

[@DannyBZ9]

Cmonnn im from Westland why did I miss this 😆

[@ScottElblein]

I don't know much about Bumblefoot, but, he seems like a nice, genuine dude.

[@Gloveberg1]

"How did you keep that a secret???"......"You just don't tell people" Pretty amazing huh? 99% of the population needs to be just like Mr. Thal

[@user-ty2xv6xw8j]

Yes! In the vault, I keep alot in there! ❤

[@sungyultaylor1354]

He seems like a genuine dude and that he actually may care about the fans. Awesome guitar player as well. Mr. Thal, I wish you all the best.

[@escolaguitartraining]

We are a music school from Curitiba - Brazil... We had the honor to have Mr. Thal for a meet and great here... He left 3 hours taking pictures with everyone in the venue... He's great and a GREAT person too!

[@TheTruthIsTheWay11]

Bumblefoot is the coolest! A few years ago he was on a radio show and the show was taking questions from Facebook. It was late and no one was online posting questions except me. So it basically became my own personal interview with Bumblefoot. They decided to end the interview by asking him one of my questions, where I asked him what advice he has for guitarists, and they told him about me. The way that Bumblefoot decided to answer the question was by specifically addressing me. By this time, it was like 3:00AM EDT. Based on a Google search, this interview happened in 2010 when I was 12 years old (a week and a half before my birthday). And they told him that I was a young listener and the way that he answered it was amazing. Afterwards they asked me to call in, and I did and spoke to them for a few minutes. So I basically got to have a conversation with Bumblefoot and Michale Graves from The Misfits that night (it was on Radio Deadly). :)

[@MrGoodtogo55]

And he was Aewsme with them ,,Seen them Live!!!

[@TheTruthIsTheWay11]

Gary Manfredi So did I. I saw them in 2011 in Hamilton. Fantastic show!!!

[@MrGoodtogo55]

They were Really Good,,, And each Guitarist were Awesome and played Their own Solo's..

[@MrGoodtogo55]

In 2011, Every one of the guitarists were Great,, DJ,Bumblefoot,Fotus who is Touring with them now, And I will see this Lineup and Compare..

[@kaffeice7]

wow what a story :)

[@countvond233]

Such a great talent and humble man. His work on Chinese Democracy is stellar.

[@SlipNoodles]

What a genuinely nice man, wasn't expecting that for some reason.

[@MonkeyTempleNepal]

Bumblefoot is one of the most humble , rockstar / musician I have ever met , he is one of the coolest people !! Very humble !! Humble bumble foot Ron Thal

[@chipperwilliams7854]

I wonder if that Axl candle was giving Bumblefoot anxiety through out this interview

[@tejastrojan]

LOL

[@xXxXxCGPBxXxXx]

Yea ... the AXl candle was a bit much... 💞

[@bryantham11]

I don't get it...

[@markjacobsen121]

He wanted Axl to know he was thinking of him.

[@skintrade01]

"There was a Time" is just AMAZING, love that solo. Ron doesnt seem to have an ego and comes across really well.

[@Johnnysmithy24]

That’s a Buckethead solo

[@gitaarlessenamersfoort920]

note for interviewer: he's a musician pro, not a gnr fanboy ;)

[@PocketCloyster]

Humble Bumble

[@Azwad]

What a kind person he is! So polite and said just the right things despite being one of the best guitarists of his generation. No primadonna

[@77iam97]

Sounds like a real genuine person and a really great guitar player

[@nachocheez9690]

Ive always like Bumblefoot. Good guitarist and great guy. Loved what he did live with gnr

[@jamesshadow1626]

he seems so sad in this

[@divyjain123456]

nah hes a thinker.. people interpret it in different ways... negative mostly.. but some understand.

[@Jamesftd]

Yeah he seems kinda bitter like he was unfulfilled and regrets the time he spent in gnr which is normal considering his unbelievable guitar skills

[@nicholasreando1617]

+Jamesftd who's a better guitarist, Slash or this guy?

[@nicholasreando1617]

+The Collectors Corner the original lineup: Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy/ Gilby, Dizzy, Steven/ Matt or the other guys, Chinese Democracy lineup?

[@nicholasreando1617]

+The Collectors Corner so are you telling me that Axl recorded another Chinese democracy album with Slash & duff too? where can I get that album?

[@IbrahimAhmed-zi5bw]

Ron, Love from Bangladesh 🇧🇩. I know and love of your music from the Shrapnel days. I have been playing heavy metal for 35 years. You have been my Hero since Fantasia was released. I am not capable of covering you. You are versatile, musical shredder and you don't sound like no one. And skills..you are 100% equipped. You wished me on my 50th Birthday when you came to Bangladesh to shoot, in 2019. I am honoured by your humbleness and I regret not meeting you the. Keep creating great music. 🙏♥️⚡🇧🇩🎶🎸

[@dillonfour70]

He is so genuine. It's nice to hear.

[@martinjefeslash]

This guy is awesome!..simply.

[@crs6473]

I've met Ron twice and he was a gentleman on both occasions.

[@metalzzzx]

How do you keep that secret? You just don't tell people.

[@ThomasLiberoRock]

Lucas Baião Pires sometimes (most of the times) life is just simple

[@jimd4322]

That was a great line.

[@justinmetcalfe2259]

Such a humble guy. I wish him the best!

[@DiamondDead]

Such a sane, talented and chill guy. Impressive.

[@TSPH1992]

He's one of those guys that you want to share a drink with and talk about music, the current state of the music and entertainment industry etc. If you know what I mean

[@francisplatt93]

Famous last words: "we felt like band members." Awesome.

[@davidnissim589]

He has some pretty epic solos on Chinese Democracy. “Shackler’s Revenge” is my favorite.

[@victordigalia3598]

Osaka 2009-12-16

[@Euanhamiltonmusic]

This is a cool interview, but the interviewer really doesn't seem to get it.. you can tell from the first second that Ron didn't have a great time in the band. He clearly says that the only thing that kept him going were the fans.. he doesn't remember the live shows, he hasn't gone to see the new shows because it'd be weird.. Then the interviewer decides to try and press him into admitting that him and Axl were friends?! Of course they weren't friends, and obviously Ron felt really awkward talking about it. What a weird question

[@rayrivera1830]

true... and I cringed a bit when the interviewer was so stoked about the reunion, lol.

[@ukilledmydog]

Huge GNR fan but the clearly weren't friends Ron was constantly pushing to make music and it just never happened... He had to cancel his solo tours to go on tour with guns... It sounded like it was kind of hellish for him, Shame really a gnr song with him on lead that he'd written would have been great

[@LinkRocks]

The interviewer's job is to press and try to get answers. Was it uncomfortable for Ron? Sure, but the guy giving the interview had a job to do. Not an easy task, but he did it fairly IMO.

[@mattharris2398]

Super nice guy with a humbled heart .

[@ScottELoveless]

Ron's time in G&R was that of a Mercenary - strictly a hired gun. His own music and talent level is way above anything ever done by Guns.

[@arcticmonkey3]

Haha. Good one 💩

[@lEli7e]

Good fact indeed

[@johnulcer]

His music has not had even close to a fraction of the impact that Gnr’s has. Kids are still buying their first guitars after listening to Appetite all these years later; no one on the street can even name a Bumblefoot song, and most probably wouldn’t even recognize his name.

[@klextacy]

Ron is a class guy.

[@paulos1878]

This shows why its so hard to be out of Guns N Roses. Fair play to the man hes very humble and doesnt want to look likes hes bitter. When you get comfortable its natural to forget how you imagined it would end when you first thought about it.

[@michaelsullivan9342]

Ron Thal is a highly skilled and talented musical genius, one of the best guitar player's and vocalist I've ever seen, he is true'ly amazing!!!

[@infomationclark7922]

Bumble you are an Awesome guy and Amazing guitar player. Total class shown in this interview and your exit from GnR. I wish you the best- T D Clark

[@obeth1]

A true Gentleman.

[@SolidFreeLoader]

You're one of the best guitar players of your time BumbleFoot... Keep up the good work... :-)

[@Guitardeeds]

The ending is the best: " Sometimes we felt like friends, sometimes we felt like enemies. You know, we felt like bandmates."

[@Auen73]

What a class act, hats off to you sir. Hope you are feeling excellent these days and I hope to hear something from you in the near future, peace.

[@empire1281]

He seems like such a nice guy. Very mellow and modest. I like that

[@GrayWoIf]

He was wasting his time with Axl playing the same 20 songs over and over again never creating new music with psycho fans belittling your efforts because your not Slash

[@JMH33SD]

You hit the nail on the head, great guitarist but he wasn't Slash and that's a good thing. Only one Slash and there's only one Bumblefoot, but I just seemed he never fit in. Maybe when they didn't make any new music and that's what he's all about, that man wright's music. He just out grew it.

[@shockt9610]

He wasn't even trying to be Slash, Ashba was. Bumble was just doing his own thing and tearing it up. Glad to see he's going his own way.

[@JMH33SD]

+shockt9610 I would agree with that but to DJ's credit he has always said that Slash was a major influence on his playing and before GnR he stylized his play after Slash. Might sound cheesy but it is what it is.

[@MrGoodtogo55]

Seen him and he was Just as Good..

[@shockt9610]

+J.M. Hanover I just meant more so with the whole hat and Les Paul thing

[@Rifftheraff]

i love this guy..

[@AroundTheKit]

He grew up in Staten Island, New York for most of his early life, A great local musician, and an old friend of mine, who has turned into a beautiful human being and a Genius musician!

[@genesisolaes1584]

Bumblefoot is one of the best musicians in the world..I'm glad that he became part of GnR lore.

[@GilangRamanda]

met him twice, great guy!!!

[@aaronmontgomery4000]

Bumblefoot is awesome!

[@myworstenemy680]

Say what you will, but this guy is an Awesome Guitar Player.

[@ovr11o80]

How did you keep the secret? You just don't tell anybody😂

[@DiruMede]

Did it got cut at the part where he says "I don't want to talk about this anymore"?

[@VikenxRocker]

Seems like

[@tenniskill]

You are incredibly grounded and your vision is incredibly clear. Thanks for sharing a part of who you are and your input on Guns N Roses.

[@MrGoodtogo55]

Seen them with Him and they Were Great!!! HE IS A GREAT GUITARIST!!!

[@einarabelc5]

Ron, you are a great guy and a role model when talking and reflecting.

[@Niamorg1007]

"We sometimes felt like friends, we sometimes felt like enemies... We felt like bandmates." Says it all.

[@stoo4534]

Superb , great interview . An inspiring human being .

[@balucious]

'Humblefoot'! What a decent human being he is. Yes. I'm way out of the loop but I'll catch up...

[@ryanboyce3365]

This Bumblefoot fella gets it.

[@smiljanicn]

Bumblefoot, the man!

[@mackin26]

I gotta say... Mr Ron Thal... an absolute gentleman. He took the time to chat with me over Instagram for a few weeks about all kinds of things including the odd GnR question. A thoroughly decent human being. Lovely bloke.

[@WishedUponAVlog]

Ron Is super down to earth, in my opinion!

[@RitchieRosson]

That is the greatest beard in the history of beards!

[@1badjesus]

lol

[@ukilledmydog]

Ron's beard has its own Facebook page

[@RitchieRosson]

LMFAO! Is that really true Ben?

[@ukilledmydog]

+Ritchie Rosson I don't know if it's it's still there, but it used to have one yeah

[@ukilledmydog]

+Ritchie Rosson yup Ron's Beard Appreciation Page

[@mikehumm9660]

Go BumbleFoot!!!

[@walterevans2118]

RON is not just one of the most CREATIVE people in the guitar playing business......He is one of the NICEST people in the business.

[@Esceefort]

He seems like a lovely guy.

[@devangunaseelan]

Ron is such a nice guy. Meet him last month in Kuala Lumpur and this was how he answered when fans asked him about GnR; no hatred towards his previous band members. Bless you Ron. Hope to see you in Kuala Lumpur again.

[@knowsmebyname]

Lot of class.

[@myworstenemy680]

He's one hell of a guitar player too. Good Comment Devan!

[@nikolaicorleone768]

Yup. I went to see him performed at Balai Seni Negara ('12) and Publika ('15). He's such a nice guy. Got him to sign my copy of Chinese Democracy :)

[@nikolaicorleone768]

+Nikolai Corleone correction; the show at Balai Seni was in '13

[@margiestephans6824]

I got one on top of you. I have had lunch with him and his beautiful wife.

[@LexCinnabon]

I have seen GNR twice with Bumblefoot, and once, recently, with the current lineup with Slash. All 3 shows were amazing, and Axl always sounded great but as far as playing ability, I enjoyed the lineups with Bumblefoot more because he can play the Chinese Democracy material, especially Buckethead's parts, no problem unlike Slash who has a different style of playing. (Not a dis on Slash, just a different type of guitarist)

[@universalmanchild]

Yeah, nobody that's going to see them with the original lineup minus Izzy, cares about Chinese Democracy.

[@LexCinnabon]

If you have attended any recent GN'R shows, you would know you're wrong. In Detroit last month, you could hear the crowd singing along to the new songs, and excited through them too.

[@TheJayofthejungle]

I think Slash has given the Chinese Democracy songs new life. He seems to put a little extra into those songs live

[@Slash18622]

Bumblefoot seems to have a big heart - but at the same time he always looks and sounds so sad when he is talking.

[@tommydeftone8411]

bumblefoot... I thought your persona was an act. THANK YOU for clarifying yourself. you have to be the most generous musician I have seen live and to see the respect, admiration, and professionalism you project not only reinforces my faith in you, but also in humanity. The only other persona I have felt this way with is Dug Pinnic. I understand that the business is very challenging at times and to be able to take a platform (KZbin) with such a permanence and reverberation that lasts infinitely and not rehash turbulent experiences just shows me you are one first class individual. Nondisclosure agreement or not, you my friend are a rare one. Thank you for your music and inspiration. Very, very much.~Tommy in Delaware

[@vileguile4]

Everybody getting along and blue skies doesn't necessarily make the best music.. :) He seems like a really nice guy.

[@wheelman1324]

Love this guy

[@jasonlee8497]

Cool dude, great player, class act. Total pro.

[@brycepagey888]

Hes such a dude. And a freak of a musician. More people need to know this mans music! He also seemed like he was thinking hard about every single word that he was saying. Who could blame him.

[@suvarnachauhan951]

Very humble Bumble

[@thebassman79]

ok i am going to get shit for this but why do i see axl on the holy candle in the background i dont have any of those candles but i see blue bandana with sunglasses on top

[@katherinegaughan45]

Great eyes Jason

[@CarlosEduardoGuerraCova]

I saw it too!

[@nicoandreozzi6996]

he s a incredible guitarist took care of g n r thru the years also a very person

[@davidnissim589]

Of course it’s hard for him to talk about it. He gave 12 years to a band that forced him to play songs he didn’t even write, and he was constantly belittled by psycho fans who couldn’t accept that he wasn’t Slash. On a side note, he had some pretty epic solos on Chinese Democracy.

[@knowsmebyname]

At 2 minute point Graham says "you didn't even tell people close to you that you knew you could trust?" That's so funny, because if you can't keep a secret, and have to tell people around you, how do you expect THEM to keep quiet? Graham is illustrating exactly why you can't trust people to keep a secret and he doesn't even realize it. Pretty amusing IMO.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

It's not me that can't keep a secret, it's the people I tell.. LOL

[@luckyrocket1903]

"how do you keep it secret?", "you don't tell anyone" deep man lol this guy is even better than spinal tap cause he's not acting and doesn't realise how dumb he is hahaha

[@BUNKERJR53]

The "Man" can play and he is very humble and "Down to Earth"............

[@buddha-up4325]

It's all about the experience. 🙏

[@davidcurtis4478]

All the best to all! David Curtis Drumming

[@SPGRAMPA1]

humble dude 👍sick gutairist I'll always be a fan good luck bumble foot wish u the best always my bruda✌

[@Quazi-moto]

The words behind Bumblefoot's eyes, on the tip of his tongue, but that were left unsaid because he has some class: "Axl is an egomaniacal prick... the most undeserving human in the history of entertainment. Talented? Sure. But an ego bigger than the band ever could be."

[@UnderTheMysticMoon]

quazzie1 Tell me...are you personal friends with him? Do you go to his place off Cannon rd in Malibu for dinner or Sunday brunch when he's not touring the world? I didn't think so...you don't know the man, you only know what the media has fed you for years and you've gobbled it right up, unlike the delicious Sunday brunch buffets that you've never been invited to. Hmmm

[@gormaz13]

his original work is awesome

[@stormbringer197]

Very thoughtful guy

[@haroldhughesyo]

can anyone link to that video of the girl singing catcher in the rye with the band?

[@bawbag3715]

seems like a good guy, was at the gnr show in glasgow 2006 and ron came out and dished out a plate full of cakes to the the fans waiting lol

[@FantastyckplastycK]

what a nice guy

[@danielnahuelpi]

"Watching your ex girlfriend getting married" I know that feel bro :/

[@thundergod6173]

bumblefoot is a bad ass guitarist

[@bobbyberetta4206]

Good thing to know that this dude wouldn't snitch

[@bartshart3404]

What a cool dude!

[@OopsyApple]

His looks and his name are both just so perfect for Harry Potter.....

[@OutlawStarkiller]

His talent was wasted in GNR anyway

[@themetalicious7195]

Fakenr

[@nachocheez9690]

not really. He gained way more fame

[@brandxlion]

+Keith Petitdemange fame & talent are not the same thing mann

[@nachocheez9690]

+FallingInAndOutOfReality Band his talent brought him more fame. What can i say?

[@nachocheez9690]

+aubsdaddy ok

[@andregonzalez3324]

But he played Slash's song with his own style and skills. Got to give him credits for that. Nice fellow by the way. Cheers

[@CaptPostmod]

I keep seeing the thumbnail for this video and thinking "Weird Al?"

[@RexBarca]

He's a class act

[@tarcrystalline]

Real cool dude.

[@JS45678]

Pure Class Act.