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Truly an inspiration to a generation of guitarists, a legend in his own right and an amazingly skilled guitarist. Slash has established himself as a guitar god, both for his heavy riffs and epic solos, along with a blues edged hard rock style based upon his biggest influences. But this six-string legend is not without his instantly recognisable image, or his rock n roll excessive lifestyle through time.
The story of this musical icon begins in 1965 in London. Slash was born by the name of Saul Hudson and raised in Stoke On Trent in England by his mother, an American clothes designer, and father, an English artist who worked on album covers. Slash moved to the USA when he was eleven years old. Living in L.A with his family and not quite fitting in at school, Slash lead a somewhat bohemian life at home.
The first real musical influences of Slash's life really began at this time, with his parents being involved in fashion and music their friends would visit them in L.A. Their guests often included musicians such as David Bowie and Iggy pop.
During the 70's Slash moved in with his grandmother when his parents separated. Slash was 15 years old when his grandmother gave him his first guitar as a gift. Playing along to his biggest influences and teaching himself to mimic the sounds of bands like Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin, guitar became a passion to Slash. Leaving his old hobby of BMX riding behind him and flunking out of school at the 11th grade Slash would devote 12 hours a day to playing guitar.
At this time Slash made two choices that changed his life, the first was to begin trying to piece together a way of making money from his guitar playing, the second to form a band called The Road Crew with a new friend, Steven Adler. While it became obvious they had potential they needed a singer. After meeting W. Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin Guns ⤘n' Roses was born (I won't go into much depth on this 1 because I already wrote an article about that).
During the unforgettable 6 or so years at the top with G'N'R Slash had a whole range of experiences. From the unforgettable anthems and sold out stadiums, he finally became recognised as the guitar legend he is today. But before Guns hit the big time and scored a record deal they were constantly involved in an endless 24-hour a day party. While this added to their reputation of the most dangerous band on earth it took a huge toll on all the band members.
Perhaps no other member felt the full effect of the drink and the drugs as much as Slash. Because of his drugged up condition, Axl once came close to ending G'N'R saying Slash needs to “stop dancing with Mr. brownstone”. And during the illusions tour Slash was once found in a hotel by an elevator passed out with no pulse. To this day slash still gives thanks to the paramedic who saved his life with a reviving adrenalin shot to the heart.
But the good times had in G'N'R fro Slash included playing to sold out arenas and venues across the whole world, this also helped to establish his iconic image. But the imagery of Guns and Slash really came across with their music videos. Particularly the over budget shoots for “November Rain” and “Estranged”. As usual slash had the recognisable black top hat, les paul guitar and curly black hair. But with this budget G'N'R were able to put an incredible look to their music, For example the solo's in November rain and estranged, how many other guitarists can say they stood on the ocean and played a solo at sunset.
After the illusions tour Slash and the Guns decided to take a break, during which time Slash became a United States citizen. But with the new G'N'R album taking a long time to get off the ground, Slash decided to start another band as a side project. The result was Slash's Snake Pit, the band released the album “its 5 o'clock somewhere” which achieved worldwide success. The new band also featured equally bored Gunners Matt Sourum and Gilby Clarke. The band hit the road for a tour of some small clubs and venues in support of the album. Slash was glad to finally get out of the commercial mega-budget Guns ⤘N' Roses tours and back to a close range with the audience.
While Axl took forever to re-kindle G'N'R and the Snake pit tour was over (though promised to return) Slash was asked to play a blues festival. He accepted the offer and saw it as a chance to return to the Aerosmith style blues routs in his playing. As with snake pit this started a new project for Slash. It was called blues ball and was for live shows only, the band were in popular demand even without releasing an album. They covered classic blues tracks, which were re-defined by Slash soulful guitar playing.
During both snake pit and blues ball Slash waited for the call from Axl, when it finally came G'N'R set about recording the spaghetti incident. This project was dubbed by critics as a way of making money from a band that couldn't stand their singer. This impression was given off when Axl had little at all to do with the album. The result was Slash taking the reigns and producing/directing this album himself.
When the time came for a follow up tour there was never any chance of Axl being interested. As a result Slash and the other members became frustrated. When work began on another album Slash could stand no more of Axl's dominance. Although critics dismissed this as a popularity stunt, Slash only had two things to say. “When Axl is ready to make a rock n' roll album I'll come back” and “I'll never walk onto a stage with a band pretending to be the original G'N'R”.
While Slash remained positive he could work with Rose, if they settled their differences. Axl was final in his decision, he said he couldn't work with Slash because Slash only wanted to make a rock album. Rose said G'N'R needed a new direction and Slash wasn't part of it. In my opinion that's the biggest mistake Axl will ever make.
Though Axl never managed to release anything after the departure of Slash, the guitar legend didn't just give up. As he had said in the past snake pit were back. And this time with a new group of undiscovered talent on his side Slash recorded the album aint life grand. The new snake pit group hit the road in support of ACDC and their album on a US tour. And while they did do smaller venues as well Slash still enjoyed the arena tour with ACDC, and never lost the incredible stage presence for a second.
After the snake pit reunion finished Slash was unsure of what to do next. He did consider a new snake pit album but then decided to accept an offer from long-term friend and fellow rocker Alice Cooper. Slash hit the road with Alice on a tour as a stage guest, during the tour he would come onto the stage for re-written and guitar loaded versions of Cooper classics. The songs Slash played included “Hey Stoopid”, “Poison”, “Only Women Bleed” and “Under My Wheels”. Slash also did guest tracks on a couple of Alice Cooper albums. This included the track “Lost In America” on the album “The Last Temptation” and also the “Raise Your Fist And Yell” album's single “Freedom”.
For his next solo project Slash wanted to do something different. His original idea was to write music for an album and use guest musicians to fill in the gaps, different people from all over the world playing with Slash. For this album he wanted t do a track with former band mates Duff and Matt. This was what led to the beginning of the new super group for the ex-G'N'R members.
The project soon became known as Velvet Revolver. The chemistry was still strong between Slash, Matt and Duff, but they needed more band members one of which had to be a unique front man. While the musical side of the tracks were strong, Slash decided he would want to play with a rhythm guitarist. He soon found the perfect guitarist in the form of an old friend from junior high, Dave Knusher.
With Dave on board, Slash's search for a singer took an “old style” turn. He decided to throw the coveted band membership open for audition and demos from anyone. The result was a time consuming closed session of song writing and listening to demo discs. In total this search took 6 months at least. Finally Duff came across a CD that showed enough promise to warrant a live audition. With the call made the un-known English singer did some work with the music VR already had recorded writing his own lyrics to the tracks.
The result got mixed responses from the band, Duff was more forgiving where as Matt was unimpressed. Slash decided to make the call and inform the singer that VR was going to carry on looking for a front man. After endless auditions and poor demo tapes they got a second hope in the form of an American singer, also un-known to the music industry.
While this new singer had more writing experience Slash and VR were still not happy with the work he did, so once again the call was made and they continued looking. Slash then discovered that Scott Weiland was taking an extended break from the Stone Temple Pilots.
“When Scott came in for the audition it just seemed to fit” satisfied with Weiland's performance, Slash decided to see if Scott and VR could work together creatively. The result was a showcase to the “industry” which convinced Scott to leave the Stone Temple Pilots permanently and commit to VR. This session also landed the group with the sound track to the movie “The Hulk”.
Scott decided after the “Song Set Me Free” was recorded to enter rehab. Slash and VR decided to back Weiland up on his decision having been there themselves. When Scott was released from rehab VR made their public debut at a press conference. Critics were fast to throw Scott to the fire with headlines like “use your delusion”. However Scott's newfound self-belief led to him coming to terms with his past and writing a few songs about it with Slash. The result of this was an incredible anthem track on the album called “Fall To Pieces”.
When contraband was finished and recorded Slash decided the band needed to do one more thing, which was of course to play live together. And when they hit the stage with Scott for the first time Slash could see the chemistry was complete. “We have been waiting a long time to unleash this animal, everyone may be waiting for Scott to fail but we know he will pull through, this will be one hell of an album”.
Slash wasn't far wrong, contraband and the first single “Slither” achieved critical acclaim and worldwide success. For fans of the guitar god it was great to hear that solo in “slither” the great soloist was truly back. VR erupted into a frenzy of an American tour with fans embracing the new and true gritty hard rock band they were so short of before.
The second single chosen by Slash and Scott was “fall to pieces”. Even though the video had to fight off a band because of its graphic nature with Scott's former drug habit the singe was a huge success. Slash and the Band hit the road for a world tour that has seemingly never ended since. As soon as they finished their own tour they snapped up another film soundtrack for the “Fantastic 4”, shot a video for their 2 singles “Come On Come In” and “Dirty Little Thing”, then they joined the 2005 Ozzfest.
Slash has recently said the band is writing material every spare moment they get, it has been rumoured that they have enough material for 6 albums! They are currently waiting for their tour to end and the album, yet to be titled, is expected to be released in March 2006.
With all the records and all the legendry solos he has put out there Slash is one guitarist who has earned worldwide respect. But with all his friends in the music industry and his in demand playing you never know what he will do next. But with all that's past Slash will defiantly go down in history.
So that's it lol my second article let me know what you think
Peace Out
