Before joining one of the biggest bands in the history of rock “˜n’ roll, Guns N’ Roses lead guitarist Ron “˜Bumblefoot’ Thal played with everyone from Lita Ford to Ty Tabor (King’s X) to, erm, Jessica Simpson, as well as having a successful solo career.

Not only that, New York native Bumblefoot has been putting his status as one of the world’s premier rock guitarists to a much more personal affect and runs teaching workshops all over the world (even private ones via Skype if you ask nicely).

More recently he has been involved in A World With Heroes, a KISS tribute album created by rock journalist Mitch Lafon raising money for a Canadian cancer hospice. Along with Rex Brown (ex-Pantera) and Brian Tichy (ex-Whitesnake), they came together to record the classic “Detroit Rock City” and the band ALIVE was born.

Geeks of Doom: How did you get involved with A World With Heroes?

Bumblefoot: When Mitch Lafon was first considering doing this album, we chatted about it. I think before he even went public I had already recorded my guitar and vocals. Mitch played matchmaker and reached out to Brian Tichy and Rex Brown for drums and bass.

Geeks of Doom: Were you allowed to go in your own direction to record “Detroit Rock City” or did you try and stick closely to the original song?

Bumblefoot: I stuck to the original. It couldn’t ever be improved upon, I’m not going to try and re-write the song. I added a little of my own guitar doodling at the end, but other than that we all kept it traditional.