- Tony Rombola
Infobox Musical artist
Name = Tony Rombola
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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
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Born = birth date and age|1964|11|24Norwood, Massachusetts ,United States
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Instrument =Guitar ,backing vocals
Genre =Hard rock
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Years_active = 1995–present
Label =Universal Records
Associated_acts =Godsmack ,Another Animal
URL = [http://www.godsmack.com www.godsmack.com]
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Notable_instruments =Tony Rombola (born
November 24 ,1964 ) is a American musician who has been the lead guitarist for theBoston -based hard rock bandGodsmack since the mid-1990s. Tony Rombola has been cited as 'an extraodinaire' in the guitar world, byGuitar World magazine, and is cited to be the only guitarist to keep an 'original soloing style' during thenu metal period, earning him the respect of the guitar industry. He's also one of the most influential guitarists of the last decade. Rombola is also a guitarist for the band Another Animal, formed at the beginning of 2007 and just released their self-titled debut album in October.History
Born in
Norwood, Massachusetts , Rombola is a self-taught guitarist. He first picked up a guitar at age 11. According to his father, the first song Tony learned was a song by Black Sabbath. The first introduction to Rock Tony encountered was the albumsLed Zeppelin III ,2112 and of courseWe Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' Roll . He also never took guitar lessons, he learned everything he knows from guitar magazines, likeGuitar World . His first guitar was an SG copy, before moving to custom Les Pauls that he enjoys now. Before he was inGodsmack , he played cover bands, funk, rock, classic rock, and metal, before meeting up with Godsmack vocalist Sully Erna and bassist Robbie Merrill in the mid-90's. The two encountered Rombola playing the local circuit with some band playing covers of Alice in Chains and Rage Against the Machine. They knew they needed someone with Rombola's skill to reach the success they have with Godsmack. They recorded an EP in 1997 which later became their self-titled debut album in '98. Which went on to sell over 5 million copies (5* platinum) in just a couple of years. This was largely because of Tony's original sound in the album, relating to some of the world's most renowned guitarists likeJerry Cantrell andJimmy Page . The song 'Keep Away' was inducted into the top 100 greatest rock songs labelled under 'Guitar legends'. He was also a carpenter before he joinedGodsmack . Tony says if it was not for the band, he would still be working as a carpenter. Tony is married and has three step kids. Tony Rombola is seen by many guitarists as an icon, by guitarists such asKirk Hammet ofMetallica , andK.K. Downing andGlen Tipton ofJudas Priest . Tony also enjoys playingvideo games andgolf as hobbies.Tony recently worked with
Brian Coombes , ofTristan Park andRocking Horse Studio , on the Prospect Hill Album which was released in November 2007.Gear
*Les Paul Guitars
*McNaught Guitars
*Ovation Acoustic and Electric Guitars
*Takamine Acoustic Guitars
*Splawn Amplifiers
*Diezel Amplifiers
*Dunlop Picks
*GHS StringsReferences
* [http://www.Godsmack.com/bio/bio.asp?id=5287 Godsmack: Tony Rombola]
* [http://www.guitarworld.com Tony Rombola: Guitar World]External links
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* [http://www.gibson.com/Whatsnew/pressrelease/2000/nov30a.html Gibon Exclusive: Tony Rombola of Godsmack]
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