This guitarist, now 61 and born Robert Allen Deal, is the quiet strength in a collection of loud, rowdy and raucous rabble rousers. He has dealt with a chronic, inflammatory form of arthritis which affects his spine and has made life difficult for him, but still, he gets on stage and does his job while rarely complaining.

His illness has caused him to shrink in size and he has said he is a full three inches shorter than he was when in high school … aka the time this photo was taken.

He will spend his summer touring with another major rock band. There is no rest for this guitar warrior, even when his health is poor. He is a true inspiration. Despite dealing with debilitating spinal issues, he is a trooper! Two horns up for this guy!

And who is this guy?

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