Brian Haner

Brian Elwin Haner, Sr. ( born April 7, 1958), also known as Guitar Guy or Papa Gates is an American guitarist, songwriter and singer. His eldest son, Brian Haner Jr, better known by his stage name Synyster Gates, is the guitarist for the metal band Avenged Sevenfold.

Life

Haner got his first guitar when he was only 5 years old, after he had seen the Beatles. He joined at age 10 in his first band, " The Plastic Mind", a.

During his high school years Haner played in night clubs. Later, he applied for a tour with Frank Zappa, but failed through the audition.

After several years with Motown star Norman Whitfield Haner signed his first recording contract with Polydor under the name " Brian West " and produced his first album "Do not Stop Now ". During the 1980s, Haner toured primarily by Europe. In the early 90s he expanded his compositional work out to movies. In 2003 he signed a contract with Nashville Music Publishers and the two CDs " My Old Guitar" and published " Carney Man".

In 2010, he took up guitar tracks for Avenged Sevenfolds song "So Far Away". The song was written by his son, Synyster Gates and Jimmy Sullivan, the late drummer of the band dedicated.