Paul Crook

1999

I had the honor to meet Brian May a few years ago. I was playing lead guitar for the band ANTHRAX. The concert was put together by a big rock radio station in Chicago, lots of bands on the bill with us. Brian May was one of them. I actually got there early just so I could watch Brian’s tech set-up that sound. The rig started to get uncased. I stood back and watched this guy wire things up and start to make noise. I moved in for a closer look. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I knew Brian used a VOX AC30. But the settings… Everything was on 10! I laughed so hard. I stood side-stage during Brian’s set. I couldn’t believe the guitar tone coming out of his fingers. His solos went right through me. The whole time I’m thinking, that’s Brian May! There he was 10 feet from me, playing his heart out. I was blown away. After his performance, we (Anthrax) all ran up to him. He was very gracious and kind, probably the nicest human being I’ve ever met. Still to this day, I haven’t met anybody with more loving light than that of Brian May.

2004

So, here we are 5 years later. It’s March, 2004. I’m in Australia playing lead guitar for Meat Loaf. John Miceli (drummer) tells me that they’re opening a “We Will Rock You” musical in Las Vegas and that the musicians are being hand picked by Brian May and Roger Taylor. I’m thinking, wow, I’d love to meet Roger and maybe I can play some guitar with Brian. We both send an email and get an audition date. Luckily the auditions take place 5 days after we get back from “down under”. Jack from GG Theatre Services sends me the charts for two songs: “One Vision” and “Who Wants To Live Forever”. I look them over a little and notice that a lot of the guitar parts aren’t on the charts. He sent me the “Seat 1” parts. The songs have been arranged into two guitar seats.

Finally, it’s Friday, March 26th. I’m at the audition getting ready to play for Jack and another gentleman named Sam. These guys were great. The energy in the room was fun and low-key. I plug-in my guitar and leave the charts in my bag. I wanted to approach the songs the way Brian would’ve played them in a live situation. Basically, I ignored the charts and attempted to play all the parts I heard on the original recordings at one time. Fortunately they liked what they heard and asked me to come back Monday to meet/ play for Brian and Roger. Now I’m really excited. The only real reason I’m there is just so I can “hang” in the same room with one of my guitar heroes. That alone is worth the money and time I spent getting out to Vegas. The fact that Roger Taylor is there makes it that much better. I’ve always loved and admired Roger’s work in Queen, awesome drummer/ singer with a great look. A true “Rock Star”. Anyway, before I leave the audition Jack gives me the “seat 2” charts and tells me that I will be playing with another guitarist on Monday. Okay, now I better stick to the charts. I spend the next two days casually going over the parts, taking into consideration the dynamics and “space” written on the papers. By the way, John Miceli is also called back for Monday.

It’s time… 8pm, Monday night. John and I head down for the 2nd round of auditions. We get put into a very large holding room full of musicians. There’s a lot of crazy energy flying around. Jack and Sam have put together 5 full line-ups so that Brian, Roger and the conductor (Mike) can get more of a band feel from us. John and I get called into the live room together. There’s Brian and Roger! I walk up to them and shake hands. I’m very excited and nervous. Okay, time to play. We start “One Vision”. It immediately feels good. It’s hard for a song not to groove when you have a drummer like Miceli driving it. I’m serious, the guy is special. His pocket is incredibly deep and he has a natural, heavy back beat. The other guitar player is this guy named Dave Hornbeck. I like what I’m hearing from him out of the gate, excellent hand tone and energy. The song ends. I felt okay on my end. John crushed and Dave played solid. Next is “Who Wants To Live Forever”. This song is brutal on my soul. This one and “Show Must Go On” have always hit me a little hard with Freddie gone and all. Mike counts us in. I messed it up pretty bad. I came in early on one part and late on another. The song ends. I didn’t feel good with my performance. Brian walks up and starts to compliment me. I honestly didn’t know what to do or say. I didn’t play all that well. I mentioned my timing issues. Brian responded, “Ah, I don’t care about that”. We talked a bit and that was it. I left the room with John. We headed for the bar. I needed a shot and something to eat. By the way, John was offered the gig even before he put his sticks away. He’s that good. While we were eating my phone rings, it’s Sam. He asks me if I can stay another day.

It’s now Tuesday night. John and I head down for the 3rd audition. John’s the only drummer in the room… There are 4 guitar players: Me, Dave, another Dave (from Australia) and Jim. Mike (the conductor) calls up the other two guitarists, real nice guys. They play both songs and sound damn good. Brian turns around and points to Dave Hornbeck and I. We go up. Mike counts off “One Vision”. There’s a 90 second keyboard intro. As it begins I notice, out of the corner of my eye, Brian stand up and start to walk over to me. He stands a few feet from me as I start to play. I’m thinking great, now I have to play the solo as he’s standing right in front of me, SH*T! Thankfully I hit the solo pretty good. The song ends. Brian says to me “I couldn’t hear you as good as I did last night.” I respond “sorry, I’ll turn it up for the next song”. Brian then stops me and says “I know what you two (Dave and I) can do. Have a seat”. He has the other two guitarists go up. Jim’s sound wasn’t working in the room. From a distance, I noticed Brian talking to him about it. I felt bad for the guy so I offered him my rig to use. They played both songs again. That line-up sounded solid to me. Brian, Roger and Mike leave the room. They come back about 10 minutes later. Mike says “I’m going to call some names. We’re going to play “One Vision” and call it a night”. Dave Hornbeck and I get called. We play “One Vision”. It sounded really good. Mike and Brian spoke, thanking all of the musicians in the room for our time and effort. That was it. As I was packing up my gear I noticed Brian and Roger talking with everyone. They made a point to walk up to every musician (including myself) in the room, individually, with undivided attention. I couldn’t believe it. We all left the room. I felt great because I played good and I got a chance to hang with Brian. I didn’t think I got the gig but I was very happy. It was an awesome and heavy learning experience. John and I fly back east the next morning.

While home, a couple of days later I receive a phone call from Jack. He says “So Paul, how do you feel about relocating to Vegas. Brian would like to offer you Seat 1?” I’m glowing with excitement. A few days go by; I’m still smiling though it really hasn’t hit me. I start my daily internet surf. I go to http://www.brianmay.com/ and there’s my name. Brian May mentions the band line-up in his “Soap Box”. He actually knows my name and is writing about me! I must have spent an hour just looking at my name on his site. I couldn’t believe it. Still don’t.

I’m relocating to Las Vegas.

Metal,
Paul

Yo Paul

All your friends at Ed Roman Guitars in Vegas are anxiously awaiting your relocation.....

Metal !!!

Ed