Paul Crook- Guitarist

Meat Loaf and Anthrax

Paul Crook is an American guitarist best known for recording and performing with Meat Loaf. He has also recorded and toured with Anthrax, Sebastian Bach and Marya Roxx. Since Meat Loaf’s passing on 2023, Paul leads the tribute band Bat (The Meat Loaf Band AKA Neverland Express) with Caleb Johnson from American Idol taking over vocal duties.

Crook met Jack Secret (aka Tony Geranios), the keyboard tech for Geddy Lee of Rush.  Secret introduced Crook to the members of Blue Öyster Cult (BOC), who took Crook out on the road in 1986 as a keyboard/guitar tech. When BOC was touring in 1989, Crook met Anthrax through Rick Downey and soon left BOC to work as the guitar tech for Dan Spitz, and, in 1995, replaced Spitz. Crook toured with Anthrax for the rest of the decade and performed on two records, Stomp 442 and Volume 8: The Threat Is Real. In 1999, Sebastian Bach of Skid Row called Paul to join his band. They toured together until 2004. Their only recording was “Rock Bottom”, on a KISS tribute record.

Meat Loaf and Queen

In 2003 Kasim Sulton, bassist for Meat Loaf‘s Neverland Express, asked Paul to audition for the band. After Paul played a few songs, Meat Loaf applauded and said he was hired. A live DVD was filmed at the end of the tour (in Australia): Bat out of Hell: Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

In 2004 Crook auditioned for the musical We Will Rock You, featuring the music of Queen. He auditioned for Brian May, one of his main influences. May trained Crook personally for the position. Crook relocated to Las Vegas to perform with the musical.

In 2006 Crook hit the studio with Meat Loaf and the Neverland Express to record Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose. The album was produced by Desmond Child. While touring Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose a camera crew was called in to record every move the band made. This footage later became known as the documentary film: Meat Loaf In Search Of Paradise.