Joey Tafolla is an American guitarist known for his work with Jag Panzer and solo instrumental releases.[1]
Born in San Diego, California, Tafolla is the son of Rosie Hamlin and Noah Tafolla, the singer and guitarist respectively of Rosie and the Originals, who recorded the hit single "Angel Baby".[2] A member of the heavy metal band Jag Panzer from 1981 to 1985, Tafolla has rejoined the band several times over the years for albums and live concerts.[3]
He joined Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records label soon after leaving the band and released his debut album Out of the Sun in 1987, which included Tony MacAlpine, Paul Gilbert and Wally Voss.[3] His second release in 1991, Infra-Blue,[3] was a noticeable departure from the neoclassical metal stylings of his first album, and demonstrated an intense blues fusion feel instrumental rock-oriented sound. Tafolla returned to Jag Panzer in 1995, but left again after 1997's The Fourth Judgement and again later for The Deviant Chord. He released a third solo album Plastic in 2001.[1] In 2018 he joined the Graham Bonnet Band and featured on the album Meanwhile Back At The Garage.[4]
Tafolla has also toured or recorded with Quiet Riot, Michael Sweet, Wolf Pakk.
With Tyrese
