Paul Gilbert

Early Life

Paul Brandon Gilbert was born on November 6, 1966, in the United States. His passion for music ignited at a young age, heavily influenced by his uncle Jimi Kidd, who inspired his interest in playing guitar. Growing up, Gilbert was a fan of iconic bands such as Rush, The Beatles, and Cheap Trick, which shaped his songwriting style and musical aspirations.

Career

Gilbert is best known as a hard rock and heavy metal guitarist, co-founding the band Mr. Big and being a key member of Racer X. In 1996, he embarked on a successful solo career, releasing numerous albums including "King of Clubs," "Flying Dog," and "I Can Destroy." His musical style is characterized by shredding, versatility, and a unique staccato picking technique. Gilbert has been recognized as one of the world's fastest guitarists and has cited a wide range of influences from Eddie Van Halen to Jimi Hendrix. Beyond performing, he has made significant contributions to guitar education, writing instructional articles for magazines and launching the Online Rock Guitar School with Paul Gilbert.

Personal Life

Gilbert was previously married to Patricia Gilbert from 1993 to 1998. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon, with his second wife, Emi Gilbert, whom he married in 2005. They have a son born in 2014. Gilbert enjoys visiting Japan, where he has a strong fan base and has taught guitar at the Guitar Institute of Technology.