Rocky George

Rocky George
George, performing with Fishbone in France, August 2005.
Background information
Birth name	Leonard F. George
Born	(1965-01-09) January 9, 1965 (age 52) in Culver City, California, U.S.
Genres	Heavy metal, thrash metal, funk metal, punk rock, progressive metal
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1982–present
Associated acts	Suicidal Tendencies, Fishbone, Cro-Mags, Harley's War, 40 Cycle Hum
Notable instruments
Ibanez RG Series Guitars

Leonard F. George (born January 9, 1965 in Culver City, California), best known by his stage name Rocky George, is an American guitarist who has been a member of several notable musical acts, including Suicidal Tendencies, where he was their lead guitarist from 1984 to their first breakup in 1995, and was the first African-American person to join the band. After Suicidal Tendencies, George played with 40 Cycle Hum and Cro-Mags, and in 2003, he joined Fishbone. George was also a member of a local punk rock band called Pap Smear.

During his tenure with Suicidal Tendencies, George joined a short-lived punk side project called "Pap Smear", formed by Slayer members Jeff Hanneman and Dave Lombardo. Although Pap Smear has never released any records, two of their songs were re-recorded on Slayer's 1996 covers album Undisputed Attitude. George joined Suicidal Tendencies in 1984, replacing Jon Nelson, who replaced the first album's guitarist Grant Estes. His debut with the band was Welcome to Venice on the song "Look Up..(The Boys Are Back)" written by Jon Nelson and Mike Muir. George is largely considered responsible for moving Suicidal Tendencies away from their hardcore punk roots into a more thrash oriented territory. He is also responsible for Robert Trujillo joining the band, who was a high school friend of his (at Culver City High School).