| Paul Crook | |
|---|---|
Paul, 2007, with his Brian May signature guitar |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Paul Matthew Crook |
| Born | February 12, 1966 Plainfield, New Jersey, USA |
| Genres | Hard rock, heavy metal, progressive rock |
| Occupations | Musician, Producer, Recording Engineer, Composer |
| Instruments | Guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Associated acts | Meat Loaf, Sebastian Bach, Anthrax |
| Website | paul-crook..com |
Paul Crook (born February 12, 1966 in Plainfield, New Jersey) is an American guitarist currently recording and performing with Meat Loaf. He has also recorded and toured with Anthrax, Sebastian Bach and Marya Roxx.
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Growing up in Green Brook Township, New Jersey, he started playing guitar at the age of 10 when his father, Dennis, bought him a cheap acoustic as a Christmas gift.[1] Crook took to the guitar quickly and found himself practicing hours-on-end. His father, after seeing this for a few years, then bought him his first "real" guitar: a black Gibson Les Paul Custom.
The 10th grade was when Paul found himself in "Triton", his first club band based in South Plainfield, New Jersey. A heavy metal cover band, members included Paul Crook (lead guitar), Mark Crook (bass guitar), Gary Columbus (drums), Andreas Weber (rhythm guitar) and Jack Scharniko (vocals). They rehearsed in Gary's basement, where most of Paul's gear remains. Currently Andreas's two sons are in a melodic death metal band of the same name.
A few years later Paul teamed up with Jack Secret (aka Tony Geranios), the keyboard tech for Rush. They wrote and recorded several songs together. Jack introduced Paul to the members of Blue Öyster Cult, who took Paul out on the road in 1986 as a keyboard/guitar tech. From there Paul met the guys in Anthrax.
In 1989 Crook became guitar tech for Dan Spitz, and, in 1995, replaced Spitz (although not an official member). Crook toured with ANTHRAX for the rest of the decade and performed on two records: Stomp 442 and Volume 8: The Threat Is Real which he also co-produced and engineered.
In 1999, Sebastian Bach of Skid Row fame asked Paul to join his band. They did shows together, touring around the world (until 2004). Their only recording was "Rock Bottom", a KISS tribute record.
In 2000 Paul teamed up with Scott Metaxas from Prophet and Nuclear Assault fame. The two of them started producing local talent out of Scott's home studio in Neshanic, New Jersey. Billy Milano's M.O.D. record The Rebel You Love to Hate was recorded at this location.
In 2001 Paul teamed up with Glenn Hughes. Together, they composed the ballad "Feels Like Home" for Glenn's solo record: "Building The Machine".
In 2003 Kasim Sulton asked Paul to join Meat Loaf's Neverland Express. Crook appeared in the music video "Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself" and then hit the road for a long world tour including television appearances.
A live DVD was filmed at the end of the tour (in Australia): "Bat out of Hell: Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra".
In 2004 Paul auditioned for the smash hit musical We Will Rock You, featuring the music of Queen. He had to audition for Brian May, one of his main influences. May trained Paul personally for the position. Paul relocated to Las Vegas to perform his favorite Queen songs. After a 16 month run the show moved to Toronto, Canada. To this day Paul remains in Las Vegas and still calls it his home.
In 2006 Paul hit the studio with Meat Loaf and the Neverland Express to record "Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose". The album was produced by Desmond Child.
While touring Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose a camera crew was called in to record every move the band made. This footage later became known as the documentary film: "Meat Loaf In Search Of Paradise".
In 2007 (while on a ML tour break) Crook received a text message from famed producer Kevin Shirley, who asked Paul to play on a heavy metal record for Marya Roxx. Kevin assembled a solid band: Paul (guitars), Scott Metaxas (bass), Derek Sherinian (keys) and Brian Tichy (drums). They re-wrote and recorded 12 songs in 10 days at The Document Room in Malibu, CA.
2008 brought Paul out on the road for Meat Loaf's CASA DE CARNE tour.
2009 was a very busy year. After a tour of Europe with Marya Roxx, Paul jumped back in the studio with Meat Loaf. This time Rob Cavallo was called in to produce. They began recording on June 1 in Calabasas, CA. Many stellar musicians were brought in to create the massive sound. Sharing guitar duties alongside Paul were Brian May, Steve Vai, Justin Hawkins, Randy Flowers and Tim Pierce.
While recording the Meat Loaf's Hang Cool, Teddy Bear album Paul was asked by Rob Cavallo to record on a song with Adam Lambert from American Idol fame. The song was "Time for Miracles". It was released and went to #9 on iTunes. "Time for Miracles" was a part of the motion picture soundtrack "2012".
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