Greg Suran

Last updated

Greg Suran
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • composer
Instrument(s)
Years active1995–present

Greg Suran is an American musician who is the lead guitarist in the B-52s, a role he performed since 2013. [1] [2] [3] [4] He replaced Keith Strickland on the road after Strickland announced in December 2012 that he would no longer be touring with the B-52s but would continue as a member of the band. [5]

Contents

Before that, Suran had performed and toured with Joe Walsh, Mylene Farmer, Liz Phair, Jewel, Sunny Day Real Estate, and others.

He plays guitar and mandolin and sings backing vocals.

Education

Career

Greg Suran is a guitarist and composer from Chicago, Illinois, now residing in Los Angeles.

He majored in classical guitar performance while also studying composition and arranging at University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, near his birthplace.

Throughout his life, though, Suran had played in well-known rock bands, including Sunny Day Real Estate, The Goo Goo Dolls (2002–2007), [7] Machines of Loving Grace, Local H, Cupcakes (a band he formed), which released an album on Dreamworks Records. He has also recorded and/or toured with a diverse range of pop artists such as Avril Lavigne, Liz Phair, Five For Fighting, Colbie Caillat, and Jewel. He has recorded guitar on feature film scores/soundtracks such as Rent , Treasure Planet , and Biker Boyz . Suran had worked as a musician in theater for many years with the Blue Man Group and a production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch .

He toured with Joe Walsh from 2011 to 2013 on the "Analog Man" tour, then also for two tours with French pop star Mylene Farmer in 2009 and 2013, then also with Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles, from 2013–present.

He worked as a session player and touring musician in Los Angeles until he joined the B-52s in 2013, after Keith Strickland left, and remained with the band until their farewell tour in 2022. [8] He has also been a guitarist in the house band for the television show, American Idol, for four seasons since its reboot on ABC in 2018.

Personal life

For 6 years, by his own report, he has practiced a vegan diet. [ citation needed ]

Albums

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The B-52s</span> American rock band

The B-52s, originally presented as the B-52's, are an American new wave band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1976. The original lineup consisted of Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, Ricky Wilson (guitar), and Keith Strickland. Ricky Wilson died of AIDS-related illness in 1985, and Strickland switched from drums to lead guitar. The band has also added various members for albums and live performances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goo Goo Dolls</span> American rock band

The Goo Goo Dolls are an American rock band formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, currently consisting of guitarist/vocalist John Rzeznik and bassist/vocalist Robby Takac.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robby Takac</span> American rock bassist and vocalist

Robert Carl Takac Jr. is an American rock bassist and vocalist. Takac is one of the founding members of the Goo Goo Dolls, along with Johnny Rzeznik.

<i>Bouncing Off the Satellites</i> 1986 studio album by the B-52s

Bouncing off the Satellites is the fourth studio album by American new wave band the B-52's, released on September 8, 1986, by Warner Bros. Records. It was recorded in July 1985 and was produced by Tony Mansfield. Founding member and guitarist Ricky Wilson died of AIDS after most of the work on the album was completed, but a year prior to its release. The B-52's had gone on hiatus by the time Bouncing Off the Satellites was released, and it took three years for the band to recover from Wilson's death and release their next studio album, Cosmic Thing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Wilson (guitarist)</span> American guitarist (1953–1985)

Ricky Helton Wilson was an American musician best known as the original guitarist and founding member of rock band the B-52s. Born in Athens, Georgia, Wilson was the brother of fellow member Cindy Wilson. The B-52s were founded in 1976, when Ricky, Cindy, Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland and Fred Schneider shared a tropical flaming volcano drink at a Chinese restaurant and, after an impromptu music session at the home of their friend Owen Scott III, played for the first time at a Valentine's Day party for friends. Wilson's unusual guitar tunings were a large contribution to the band's quirky sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iris (song)</span> 1998 song by Goo Goo Dolls

"Iris" is a song by the American alternative rock band Goo Goo Dolls. Written for the soundtrack of the 1998 film City of Angels, it was included on the sixth Goo Goo Dolls album, Dizzy Up the Girl, and released as a single on April 1, 1998. No character named Iris appears in the film, and the title never appears in the lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devin Bronson</span> Musical artist

Devin Bronson is a guitarist, songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles, having worked with artists such as Avril Lavigne, David Cook and Sebastian Bach. Bronson's versatility on stage and in the studio has carried him to success in a variety of musical platforms, including musical director, spokesperson and business entrepreneur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KLLC</span> Hot adult contemporary radio station in San Francisco

KLLC is a commercial radio station located in San Francisco, California, broadcasting to the San Francisco Bay Area. The station is owned by Audacy, Inc. Its transmitter is off Wolfback Ridge Road on Mount Beacon in the Marin Headlands near Sausalito, California. The studios and offices are co-located with formerly co-owned KPIX-TV on Battery Street in downtown San Francisco.

Nathan December is an American rock guitarist, best known for his work as a side musician with R.E.M. and the Goo Goo Dolls during the 1990s. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Strickland</span> American drummer

Julian Keith Strickland is an American singer-songwriter, composer, musician, multi-instrumentalist, and one of the founding members of the B-52s. He was born in Athens, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Pulse (SiriusXM)</span> Sirius XM satellite radio channel

The Pulse is a Sirius XM Radio station that plays music from the 2010s to present-day on channel 5 and Dish Network channel 6005. Every half-hour The Pulse's Jim Ryan or Ron Ross reviews music news on tours, future albums, and other topics covered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gavin DeGraw</span> American singer

Gavin Shane DeGraw is an American singer-songwriter. DeGraw rose to fame with his song "I Don't Want to Be" from his debut album Chariot (2003); the song became the main theme song for The WB/CW drama series One Tree Hill. Other notable singles from his debut album were the title track and "Follow Through".

Jim McGorman, a native of Philadelphia, is an American musician, songwriter/producer and multi-instrumentalist: guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist and drummer. McGorman is best known for his work with the House Band on the CBS television shows Rockstar: INXS and Rockstar: Supernova. He has also performed with and produced American alternative rock band Goo Goo Dolls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colbie Caillat</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1985)

Colbie Marie Caillat is an American singer-songwriter. She rose to fame through social networking website Myspace. At that time, she was the number one unsigned artist of her genre.

<i>Coco</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Colbie Caillat

Coco is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat. The album was released on July 10, 2007, in the United States, debuting at number five on the US Billboard 200, selling 51,000 copies in its first week. It also became Caillat's best-selling album to date, selling 2,100,000 copies in the United States and over 3,000,000 copies around the world. Caillat supported the album with the Coco World Tour, as well as four singles. The lead single "Bubbly" was a huge international hit, while the following two singles "Realize" and "The Little Things" were minor hits. "Somethin' Special" was released as a promo support the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China and the 2009 film Bride Wars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Realize (Colbie Caillat song)</span> 2008 single by Colbie Caillat

"Realize" is a song by American singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat, taken from her debut album, Coco (2007). In the song, Caillat sings of having romantic feelings for a best friend. It was the follow-up to her worldwide debut hit, "Bubbly", and was officially released in January 2008 as the second single from the album, peaking at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming her second top-twenty hit in the US. The song also charted in Canada and the Netherlands, reaching the top 40 in both countries. It features uncredited harmony vocals by singer and songwriter Jason Reeves.

Solomon Walker, is an American bass guitarist. From 2007 to 2014 and again in 2021, he played with Morrissey and appears on his albums Years of Refusal and World Peace Is None of Your Business. Since 2018, he has been a member of the Bryan Adams band.

<i>Breakthrough</i> (Colbie Caillat album) 2009 studio album by Colbie Caillat

Breakthrough is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat. The album was released on August 19, 2009 through Universal Republic Records. The follow-up to her successful debut album, Coco (2007), Breakthrough was developed in late 2008 when Caillat returned to her home after two years on tour, with the singer setting up a "writing camp" with songwriters and producers in Hawaii and writing over 40 songs for the record.

Cupcakes were a Power pop band from Chicago who were signed to the DreamWorks record label and released one self-titled album in 2000. The band's drummer, Matt Walker, had previously played with the Smashing Pumpkins and Filter and would go on to play with Garbage and Morrissey. Guitarist Greg Suran would go on to tour with the Goo Goo Dolls and the B-52's.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion</span> Outdoor amphitheater, Rogers, Arkansas, USA

The Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion is an outdoor amphitheater located in Rogers, Arkansas. The venue opened in June 2005 as a semi-permanent venue, becoming a permanent venue in 2014. Its capacity is now 11,000 fans.

References

  1. Eldredge, Richard L. (January 4, 2013). "Barnstorming days at an end for one B-52's member". Atlanta . Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  2. Pierce, Tim (February 17, 2017). "Greg Suran – Guitarist for Joe Walsh – Don Felder – B 52's". gbase.com. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  3. Woodcheke, Diane (February 17, 2017). "The B-52S Rock the Space at Westbury, NY. 02-26-2016". crypticrock.com. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  4. Dailey, Hannah (April 26, 2022). "The B-52s Announce Farewell Tour: 'It's Time for One Last Blowout'". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  5. Sullivan, Jennifer Nicole (June 19, 2013). "From Rhode Island to 'Rock Lobster'". Newport Mercury . Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  6. Annual commencement program, University of Notre Dame"
  7. Kim, Jae-Ha (May 31, 2002). "Goo Goo Dolls not ready for shelf". Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  8. "Party with the B-52s and the Boston Pops!". Boston Pops Orchestra . Retrieved June 15, 2017.