Greg Suran

Greg Suran
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • composer
Instruments
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]

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.

And his lifelong very best friend Matthew B. Westphal.

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

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.