Matt Gonzo Roehr

Nicknamed after a Ted Nugent album, Matthias "Gonzo" Röhr was the lead guitarist of controversial punk outfit Böhse Onkelz, before becoming the first of its members to embark on a solo career. Born in Frankfurt in 1962 to a strict Catholic family, he first picked up the guitar at age 12, and after becoming enamored with his hometown's punk scene, joined Stephan Weidner, Kevin Russell, and Peter Schorowsky to form Böhse Onkelz. Originally Böhse Onkelz's bassist, he switched instruments before the release of their 1984 debut, Der Nette Mann, and went on to enjoy a hugely successful career with them, scoring four consecutive number one albums before the group disbanded in 2005. After standing in for the late Peter Wells during Rose Tattoo's set at Wacken Open Air, he traveled to Brazil and the U.S. to record his debut solo album, Barra da Tijuca, a surprising fusion of jazz, blues, funk, and hard rock. Released under the name of Matt Roehr in 2007, he followed it up with 2010's Out of the Great Depression and 2011's Blitz & Donner. ~ Jon O'Brien