Billy Sheehan (born on 1953 March 19 in Buffalo, NY) is an American bassist known for his work with Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr Big, and Niacin.
Sheehan has won Guitar Player Magazine's "Best Rock Bass Player" readers' poll five times for his "lead bass" playing style. Guitar Player has likened his soloing on the four-string instrument to Eddie Van Halen's on the six-string guitar. Sheehan's repertoire includes the use of chording, two-handed tapping and controlled feedback. However, Sheehan is also noted as a steady "true" bassist, fulfilling the traditional supportive role of the electric bass in the rock idiom.
He has also been with the Church of Scientology since 1971 and appeared on the street offering to defend it during Project Chanology.
Billy Sheehan is a Gaelic football player from Laois in Ireland.
He usually plays at left half forward for Laois.
He began his career with the Austin Stacks club in Tralee, County Kerry and graduated to the Kerry senior football team, appearing in the NFL a few times in 2001 and again in 2003.
A UCD student, Billy transferred to the Emo club in 2004 and was called up to the Laois senior team by fellow Kerryman, Mick O'Dwyer.He is also a maths teacher in a Dublin School
