Slash

Electric Guitar icon Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar

58 age

London, England, U.K. Birthplace

Social

Shows

About

Considered one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time, Slash rose to fame as the top-hatted lead guitarist for the rock band Guns N' Roses. Formed in 1985 in Los Angeles, GNR quickly became as notorious for their rowdy behavior as their music. The band's 1987 debut album "Appetite for Destruction" had multiple top 10 singles and became the best selling debut album of all time. However, there were tensions in the band and despite several additional successful albums, Slash left GNR in 1996. He went on to form several other groups including Slash's Snakepit and the super group Velvet Revolver, with Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland. In 2007 Slash released a solo album featuring vocals by artists including Ozzy Osbourne, Chris Cornell, Kid Rock and Fergie. For the tour in support of that album, he enlisted Myles Kennedy as the vocalist, leading to the formation of the band Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, with whom he has since released multiple albums. In 2016 Guns N' Roses reconciled and performed at the Coachella festival, followed by a world wide tour that lasted through 2018.

Trivia

Slash appeared at the 2024 Oscars where he performed "I'm just Ken" from Barbie with Ryan Gosling, Mark Ronson and the Kens. Slash has said British guitarist Jeff Beck is one of his greatest influences. Slash owns over 100 guitars and has said the Gibson Les Paul is his favorite model.

Early Life

Saul Hudson, known by his childhood nickname "Slash," was born in London, England in 1965 to an American mother and a British father, both of whom were connected to the entertainment industry. His mother worked as a costumer and fashion designer, while his father designed cover art for artists such as Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. When Saul was five years old, the family relocated to Los Angeles. In junior high, Slash and his friend Steven Adler, future drummer of GNR, decided to form a band and Slash began learning to play the guitar, falling in love with the instrument and practicing for up to 12 hours a day. In 1983, Slash and Adler formed the band Road Crew, hiring Duff McKagan as bassist. Although it disbanded after just a year, this experience laid the groundwork for something greater. In 1985 Slash, Adler, and McKagan joined Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin to form Guns N' Roses.

Slash Solos

1991

1988

1987