Rock supergroup ‘Sons of Apollo’ to play Tel Aviv

The progressive rock supergroup “Sons of Apollo” is to perform in Tel Aviv at the Barby Club on Wednesday, September 26, 2018.

The band is comprised of drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Winery Dogs), bassist Billy Sheehan (David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Winery Dogs), keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Planet X), vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen, Journey) and guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Guns N’ Roses).

Their debut album “Psychotic Symphony” was released in 2017 to critical acclaim.

The band is named after the Greek god of music. The five musicians say they have known each other and worked with each other for years, but were waiting for the right moment to form the band together.

Thal, known for his distinctive double-neck fretless and fretted guitar, was in Israel in 2012 touring with “Guns N’ Roses” and a couple of years ago he reworked his rendition of “Hatikva” — the national anthem of Israel — to a few fans in Las Vegas.

After the 52-second acoustic rendition of the tune had ended, Thal, who is Jewish, pulled out his hamsa amulet, which he wore around his neck.

The good-luck symbol was a present from Israel, he said, adding that he was “open to the possibility” that the amulet would bring him good fortune.

Ahead of the concert, Thal will also give a guitar master class on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Tel Aviv’s Gagarin Club. Tickets cost NIS 99.

Sons of Apollo play the Barby Club on September 26, 2018. Tickets cost NIS 229.