Chris Pitman

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Chris Pitman (born February 25, 1976) is a Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. He is currently the keyboardist and sound designer for the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with which he has worked since 1998. Prior to working with Guns N' Roses, he was a founding member of the bands Replicants, ZAUM, and Lusk.

[edit] History

Chris "Mother-Goose" Pitman was born in Independence, Missouri. He currently writes and records privately with Axl Rose, as they have collaborated on many songs for the upcoming Guns N' Roses album Chinese Democracy. He is reported to be a multi-instrumentalist on the album, contributing keyboards, guitar, bass, vocals, and programming. Pitman has not been announced as an Guns N' Roses member at present, contributing orchestration, synthesizers, and sound effects to the band's live sound.

One example of Chris Pitman's unique additions to Guns N' Roses music can be heard in the song "Madagascar." Whereas Slash-era Guns N' Roses songs would typically feature a guitar solo during an instrumental break, Pitman has added a spoken word montage, featuring famous quotes with reference to tolerance and understanding from (among others) slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, and Morgan Freeman's character in the film Se7en.

Outside of Guns N' Roses, Chris was co-founder of Los Angeles-based art coalition 'Priory of the North', which focuses on conceptual/public art, and whose installations have been commissioned in many place around the world, including Rio de Janeiro, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

He studied at the Art Institute of Kansas City, as well as at the University of Missouri-KC. He worked with the controversial and world-renowned artist Les Levine in 1993.

Pitman has also done sound design work for Arturia software synthesizers.

Chris Pitman is sometimes referred to as "Mother Goose" by members of Tool and Guns N' Roses. The origin of this nickname is unclear.

[edit] Collaborations

Dr. Dre (Aftermath) - In 1994 he worked in Dre's home studio.
Medicine - Played live shows with this Brad Laner project.
Replicants (BMG/Zoo) - In 1995, on this band's only release, Pitman played synths, piano, and guitars.
ZAUM - Was guitarist and lead vocalist with Danny Carey of Tool.
Tool (BMG/Zoo) - In 1994/95 Pitman toured with them and in 1996 played synths on the epic song "Third Eye", from Ænima.
Failure - Contributed sound effects and sound mixing.
Lusk (BMG/Zoo) - In 1996/97 Pitman recorded, co-produced, and was the lead singer and multi-instrumentalist in this Grammy-nominated band.
Sony Panic (DogFight) - In 1997 Pitman worked with this L.A. experimental/improvisational band. He played guitars and managed software live.
Blinker the Star (A&M & Dreamworks) - In 1996 Pitman contributed keyboards to the album Bourgeois Kitten. In 1998 he co-wrote the single "Below the Sliding Doors".
Savvy Soviets - In 2003, Pitman was a producer/collaborater in Rio de Janeiro.
Electric Company (Tigerbeat6) - In 2004, he played synthesizer on the album Creative Playthings and played live with this Brad Laner electronic music project.
The Source of Uncertainty - In 2005, he played with Danny Carey and others.
Rock a doodle doo - In 2002 - with Danny Glover and Vigo of Carpathia