Brad Whitford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brad Whitford
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Whitford performing with Aerosmith in 2010
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| Birth name | Bradley Ernest Whitford |
| Born | February 23, 1952 Winchester, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1965–present |
Bradley Ernest Whitford (born February 23, 1952) is an American musician and guitarist for the famous hard rock band Aerosmith. He is a talented songwriter and helped write some of the band's most popular songs, like "Last Child". In 2001, he was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the rest of Aerosmith.
Contents
Early Life and First Bands
Brad Whitford grew up in Massachusetts. He graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1970 and went on to study music at the Berklee College of Music.
Before joining Aerosmith, Whitford played in several local bands. He was a guitarist and sometimes a bassist in groups like Cymbals of Resistance, Teapot Dome, Earth, Inc., and Justin Thyme. These early experiences helped him become a skilled musician.
Career with Aerosmith
In 1971, Brad Whitford joined Aerosmith, replacing their original guitarist. With Whitford on board, Aerosmith became one of the biggest rock bands of the 1970s.
A Break and a Return
In 1981, Whitford decided to leave Aerosmith to start his own band with singer Derek St. Holmes. Their group was called Whitford/St. Holmes and they released one album together.
A few years later, in 1984, Whitford rejoined Aerosmith, along with fellow guitarist Joe Perry who had also left the band. In the late 1980s, all the band members decided to focus on their health to overcome some personal challenges. Whitford has been an active and healthy member of Aerosmith ever since.
21st Century Highlights
Whitford has continued to have an exciting career.
- 2007: Guitar World magazine named him and Joe Perry among the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.
- 2009: He had to miss the start of a tour after having surgery for a head injury, but he recovered and rejoined the tour a month later.
- 2010: He was part of the Experience Hendrix tour, where he played songs by the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix alongside other famous musicians.
Musical Style and Songwriting
While Joe Perry is often seen as Aerosmith's main guitarist, Whitford's contributions have been very important. He co-wrote the hit song "Last Child" and some of the band's heaviest rock tracks, like "Nobody's Fault".
He is also known for his amazing guitar solos on songs like "Back In the Saddle," "You See Me Crying," and "Lord of the Thighs."
Whitford once said he is more of a guitar player who comes up with great riffs and ideas than a full songwriter. He enjoys working with others to turn his ideas into complete songs.
What Other Musicians Say
Aerosmith's lead singer, Steven Tyler, described the difference between his two guitarists. He said, "Joe is self-taught and his playing comes from raw emotion. Not that Brad's doesn't, but his style is more schooled."
Slash, the famous guitarist from Guns N' Roses, said that Whitford was a huge influence on him. He explained that while he liked Joe Perry's style, Brad Whitford's guitar solos had a "direct influence on the way I play."
Guitars and Gear
Over the years, Brad Whitford has played many different guitars. In the 1970s, he and Joe Perry often used guitars from BC Rich. Today, he plays a wide variety of guitars, including models from Gretsch, Fender, and Gibson.
He even started his own company that makes guitar amplifiers, called 3 Monkeys Amplification, and uses them on tour.
Guest Appearances
Besides his work with Aerosmith, Brad Whitford has appeared in other projects.
- He is a playable character in the video game Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.
- He appeared on the TV show Storage Wars to help value some vintage guitars.
- In 2019, he was on an episode of American Pickers when the hosts found Aerosmith's original tour van from the 1970s.
See also
In Spanish: Brad Whitford para niños
