Michael Angelo Batio, or “MAB,” as he is commonly known, was born in Chicago in 1956. Batio is a notable heavy metal guitarist, who also invented the “Quad Guitar”: a guitar with four necks. His guitar instructional DVD’s entitled, “Speed Kills” and “Speed Kills 2010,” are a must-have for any serious would-be shredder. Michael Angelo is also a frequent contributor to various guitar magazines, including Guitar World. At the age of five, Batio began studying piano; he was composing music at age ten, and at six, won the Chicago “All State Solo” Jazz Award. In college, Batio earned a degree in Music Theory and Composition, and upon graduating, began a career as a session player. Michael Angelo’s music can be heard on advertisements for such companies as McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and United Airlines, just to name a few.
In 1984, Batio switched gears and joined the band, Holland, which was put together by Steppenwolf’s Tommy Holland. The following year, Holland released their debut album, “Little Monsters,” and was able to garner some success in the United States, prior to disbanding. Michael Angelo’s career really began to take off in 1987, when he formed the band, Nitro. Within two years, MTV began playing the video for Nitro’s hit single, “Freight Train.” It was in this video that Batio showed off his impressive and astonishing skills on his “Quad Guitar. “ In fact, this feat was even voted “One of the Most Outrageous Moments in Rock,” by FHM Magazine. In 1993, Michael Angelo pioneered one of the first online record labels, MACE Music. Through this label, Batio has released six albums as a solo recording artist. All of his work has really paid off, for in 2008, Batio was named one of the “Top 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time,” by Guitar World Magazine. This same year, Total Guitar Magazine named him one of the “20 Greatest Shredders of All Time.” In 2009, Michael Angelo’s fans had their say, placing him at the top on the “Best Shredder” category in Guitar World Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards.
Prior to the “Quad Guitar,” Batio invented a very unique double guitar. Instead of the double-necks that consisted of one neck above another, such as those favored by artists like Jimmy Page, Batio’s design featured a twin-necked flying V with necks jutting out in both the right and left hand positions. With this guitar, Michael Angelo was able to show off his ambidextrous skills, playing both necks simultaneously! For an even greater challenge, Batio then went on to develop his “Quad Guitar.” The original version of this guitar was made by Gibson, and it featured two top necks with seven strings each, and two bottom necks with six strings each. The entire guitar is arranged as a star shape. In 2009, Dean Guitars, which also put out the phenomenal MAB-1 (Michael Angelo Batio Signature Guitar), began manufacturing the latest incarnation of the “Quad Guitar.” This incredible piece of equipment can be purchased through Batio’s MACE Music.