Bill Abel

Guitars and vocals-

“I have been a musician for over 25 years. The first time I heard KISS, I knew I wanted to be a rock star. In 1981, I heard the album Blizzard of Ozz with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads and that was it…had to be a guitar player (mostly because I wanted to be Ozzy but I couldn’t sing). Started lessons, quit, taught myself for awhile, but mainly just jammed with friends. In 1985, I moved to LA to go to GIT. I finally got enough money together to attend and that is where I really developed a love for the guitar and when my playing really improved. I have been in a lot of bands, mostly heavy rock stuff, and still play today. My current band is Uncle Sam in Chicago and we play the local circuit pretty regularly on our own and opening for bands like Vince Neil, Slaughter, Firehouse, Skid Row, Bret Michaels, Cinderella…all those rockin’ bands from the 80’s…you don’t forget your roots, you know…and I actually have developed enough of a voice to sing Ozzy stuff, which totally makes my life awesome…Over the past couple of years I’ve been able to hang at the houses of some of my childhood hero’s, like Zakk Wylde and Mark Slaughter, traveling and sharing the stage with killer players like Nick Catanese, Bill Leverty, and Jeff Blando…ahh…nothing like being a musician. Since Larry and I started Uncle Sam with Rob a few years ago, I really have re-discovered just how much I love playing on stage and playing the songs I want to play…NOT the songs other want me to play. Long live rock and roll! Peace!”

Gear:

• Guitars-BoogieStreet Guitars Fallen Idol, BoogieStreet Guitars ET
• Amps- Randall MTS 100 watt heads and 4×12 XLX cabs
• Morley Tremonti Wah