Wearing his hamsa amulet around his neck, lead guitarist Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal plays an impromptu acoustic version of ‘Hatikva’ (Hope), Israel’s national anthem backstage for a few fans.

Daniel Koren

Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, the lead guitarist for memorable rock band Guns N’ Roses, was obviously touched during his visit to Israel two years ago, when the band played Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park to roughly 10,000 fans.

Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal of Guns N’ Roses plays ‘Hatikva’ backstage in Vegas – YouTube screenshot

As reported by blogger Darren Garnick, the guitarist now wears a hamsa amulet around his neck, which he said was a gift he received while in Israel.

Garnick was at Thal’s Las Vegas show last week and was invited backstage alongside a few other lucky fans and groupies who were invited to join in for an intellectually stimulating conversation.

According to Garnick, however, the major topic of conversation was burgers.

About the hamsa, Thal apparently said that he was “open to the possibility” that it would bring him good things in life, and that “the power of belief is something real. It’s a beautiful gift from a friend, and the kindness of this gift on its own is strength for the soul.”

Thal also, after strumming his guitar for a while, asked the fans if they were “up for some Hatikva?” and proceed to play the Israeli national anthem to them.

Garnick noted that many of those backstage with him “didn’t recognize the tune” save for a few people who may have been Jewish, before recalling how Thal mentioned his trip to Israel and visiting the Western Wall.

Needless to say, it seems like we really had an influence on him.

Reprinted  from Shalom Life

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