Rocky George

Leonard F. George[1] (born January 9, 1965[2] in Culver City, California), best known by his stage name Rocky George, is an American guitarist who has been a member of several notable musical acts, including Suicidal Tendencies, where he was their lead guitarist from 1984 to their first breakup in 1995, and was the first African-American member of the band. After Suicidal Tendencies, George played with 40 Cycle Hum and Cro-Mags, and in 2003, he joined Fishbone. George was also a member of a local punk rock band called Pap Smear with Jeff Hanneman and Dave Lombardo. In 2019, George returned to the Cro-Mags lineup.

Rocky George
George, performing with Fishbone
in France, August 2005.
Background information
Birth nameLeonard F. George[1]
Born (1965-01-09) January 9, 1965 in
Culver City, California, U.S.
GenresHeavy metal, thrash metal, funk metal, punk rock, progressive metal
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1982–present
Associated actsSuicidal Tendencies, Fishbone, Cro-Mags, Harley's War, 40 Cycle Hum

Biography

During his tenure with Suicidal Tendencies, George joined a short-lived punk side project called "Pap Smear", formed by Slayer members Jeff Hanneman and Dave Lombardo. Although Pap Smear has never released any records, two of their songs were re-recorded on Slayer's 1996 covers album Undisputed Attitude. George joined Suicidal Tendencies in 1984, replacing Jon Nelson, who replaced the first album's guitarist Grant Estes. His debut with the band was Welcome to Venice on the song "Look Up...(The Boys Are Back)" written by Jon Nelson and Mike Muir. George is largely considered responsible for moving Suicidal Tendencies away from their hardcore punk roots into a more thrash oriented territory. He is also responsible for Robert Trujillo joining the band, who was a high school friend of his (at Culver City High School).

Rocky George joined Fishbone in 2003 and played on the 2006 studio album Still Stuck in Your Throat plus two EPs. In 2008, after thirteen years, George played with his former bandmates during an Infectious Grooves set.[3] He left Fishbone in 2017 when that band's classic lineup reunited.

Instruments

Rocky has used Ibanez guitars almost exclusively for years (particularly the RG series). He is still endorsed by Ibanez. Despite rumors, however, Rocky did not design the RG series (as "RG" stands for Roadstar Guitar, not for Rocky George). He is also a long time user of Mesa Boogie amplifiers.

Discography

Suicidal Tendencies

Cro-Mags

with Harley's War
  • Cro-Mag (2003)
  • Hardcore All-Stars (2009)
  • 2012 (2012)

Fishbone

References
  1. "BMI - Repertoire". repertoire.bmi.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-18. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
  2. "California Births, 1905 - 1995". familytreelegends.com. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
  3. "MIKE MUIR And ROCKY GEORGE Perform Together For First Time In 13 Years". Blabbermouth.net. May 19, 2008. Archived from the original on June 12, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
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