Slash (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Slash
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Slash in 2023
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| Born |
Saul Hudson
July 23, 1965 London, England
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| Occupation | Musician |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Renée Suran
(m. 1992; div. 1997)Perla Ferrar
(m. 2001; div. 2013) |
| Children | 2 |
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| Musical career | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres |
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| Instruments | Guitar |
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Saul Hudson (born July 23, 1965), known as Slash, is a famous British-American musician. He is best known as the lead guitarist for the hard rock band Guns N' Roses. He became very successful with them in the late 1980s and mid-1990s. Many people consider Slash to be one of the greatest guitarists ever.
Slash was born in Hampstead, London. He moved to Los Angeles with his father when he was six years old. His parents both worked in the entertainment business. Actor Seymour Cassel gave him the nickname "Slash" when he was a child. In 1983, he joined the band Hollywood Rose. Then, in 1985, he joined Guns N' Roses. This band was made up of former members of Hollywood Rose and L.A. Guns. He replaced the original guitarist, Tracii Guns.
In 1994, Slash started a new band called Slash's Snakepit. He left Guns N' Roses in 1996. In 2002, he helped start another band called Velvet Revolver. This band brought Slash back into the spotlight in the 2000s. Slash has released two solo albums, Slash (2010) and ... of the Damned (2024), which featured many guest singers. He also released Apocalyptic Love (2012), World on Fire (2014), Living the Dream (2018), and 4 (2022) with his band, Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. He rejoined Guns N' Roses in 2016.
Time magazine ranked him second (after Jimi Hendrix) on their list of "The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players" in 2009. Rolling Stone put him at number 65 on their list of "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" in 2011. Guitar World ranked his guitar solo in "November Rain" number 6 on their list of "The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos" in 2008. Total Guitar placed his riff in "Sweet Child o' Mine" at number 1 on their list of "The 100 Greatest Riffs" in 2004. In 2012, he was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Guns N' Roses.
Contents
Slash's Early Life
Saul Hudson was born in Hampstead, London, on July 23, 1965. He grew up in Blurton, England, until he was six. Then, his family moved to Los Angeles. His mother, Ola Hudson, was a fashion designer. She made clothes for stars like David Bowie. His father, Anthony Hudson, was an artist who designed album covers for musicians like Neil Young. Slash has said he finds it interesting that he is both British and Black.
When he was young, Slash lived with his father and grandparents in England. His mother moved to the United States for work. Around age five, he and his father joined his mother in Los Angeles. His brother, Albion "Ash" Hudson, was born in 1972. After his parents separated in 1974, Slash spent time with his grandmother. He sometimes went to work with his mother and met many famous people. Actor Seymour Cassel nicknamed him "Slash" because he was "always in a hurry."
In 1979, Slash wanted to start a band with his friend Steven Adler. This made Slash want to learn an instrument. Adler wanted to play guitar, so Slash decided to learn bass. But during his first lesson, he heard his teacher play "Brown Sugar" by the Rolling Stones. This made him switch to guitar. Another teacher who played songs by Cream and Led Zeppelin also inspired him. Slash got a one-string flamenco guitar from his grandmother and started lessons. He loved learning songs by Jeff Beck, who was a big influence on him.
Slash was a great BMX rider, but he stopped to focus on guitar. He practiced up to 12 hours a day. He went to Beverly Hills High School with musicians like Lenny Kravitz.
Music Career
Starting Out (1981–1985)
Slash joined his first band, Tidus Sloan, in 1981. In 1983, he formed Road Crew with his childhood friend Steven Adler, who played drums. They looked for a bassist and found Duff McKagan. They tried out many singers and worked on songs, including a riff that became "Rocket Queen" for Guns N' Roses. Slash ended the band because they couldn't find a singer. He and Adler then joined Hollywood Rose with singer Axl Rose. After that, Slash played in a band called Black Sheep.
First Time with Guns N' Roses (1985–1996)
In June 1985, Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin asked Slash to join their new band, Guns N' Roses. Duff McKagan and Steven Adler also joined. They played in Los Angeles clubs like the Whisky a Go Go. They opened for bigger bands in 1985 and 1986. Before one show in 1985, Slash got his famous black felt top hat and a silver concho belt. He combined them to make his unique hat, which became his trademark. During 1985–1986, the band wrote many classic songs like "Welcome to the Jungle," "Sweet Child o' Mine," and "Paradise City." Because of their wild behavior, they were called the "Most Dangerous Band in the World." They signed with Geffen Records in March 1986.
In July 1987, Guns N' Roses released their first album, Appetite for Destruction. It has sold over 28 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling debut albums ever. In 1988, the band had their only No. 1 hit in the U.S. with "Sweet Child O' Mine," which featured Slash's guitar riff and solo. In November 1988, they released G N' R Lies, which also sold millions of copies. As they became more famous, there were problems within the band. Adler was later replaced by Matt Sorum.
In May 1991, the band started the long Use Your Illusion Tour. In September, they released Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II. These albums debuted at No. 2 and No. 1 on the U.S. chart. Stradlin left the band in November and was replaced by Gilby Clarke. Slash finished the tour in July 1993. In November, the band released "The Spaghetti Incident?", an album of cover songs. Slash wrote new songs for another album, but Rose and Duff did not use them.
Because the band could not work together, Slash announced in October 1996 that he was leaving Guns N' Roses. He said he and Axl Rose could not agree on things. In his 2007 book, Slash said he left because Rose was often late for concerts. He also mentioned that Rose tried to control the band and that Adler and Stradlin had left.
Slash's Snakepit (1994–2002)
In 1994, Slash started a side project called Slash's Snakepit. It included his Guns N' Roses bandmates Matt Sorum and Gilby Clarke. They recorded songs Slash had written for Guns N' Roses. Their album, It's Five O'Clock Somewhere, came out in February 1995. The album was well-liked and sold over a million copies in the U.S. Slash's Snakepit toured to support the album, then broke up in 1996. Slash then toured for two years with a blues rock cover band called Slash's Blues Ball.
In 1999, Slash brought Slash's Snakepit back together with new members. Their second album, Ain't Life Grand, was released in October 2000. It did not sell as well as the first album. The band toured with AC/DC to promote the album. Slash ended Snakepit in 2002.
Velvet Revolver (2002–2008)
In 2002, Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum played together at a tribute concert. They realized they still had great chemistry, like in Guns N' Roses. They decided to form a new band. Dave Kushner joined on rhythm guitar. After a long search, Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland joined the band.
In 2003, Velvet Revolver played concerts and released their first song, "Set Me Free". In June 2004, they released their first album, Contraband. It debuted at No. 1 in the U.S. and sold two million copies. This made Slash a popular musician again. They toured for a year and a half. In 2005, the band won a Grammy Award for their song "Slither". In July 2007, Velvet Revolver released their second album, Libertad. Weiland left the band in April 2008. Slash said it was due to "chemical issues." Velvet Revolver went on a break.
Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators (2009–Present)
In September 2008, Slash started making his first solo album. He said it was good to take a break from being in a band and do his own thing. His wife said many different artists would be on the album, like Ozzy Osbourne and Fergie. The album, called Slash, came out in April 2010. It had many famous guest musicians. Slash toured the world to promote the album with Myles Kennedy on vocals, Todd Kerns on bass, and Brent Fitz on drums.
Slash started working on his second solo album in June 2011. He worked with his touring bandmates, and the album was called "Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators." The album, Apocalyptic Love, was released on May 22, 2012. In 2013, Slash won "Best Guitarist of the Year 2012" from Loudwire.
In May 2014, Slash announced his third solo album, World on Fire. It was also with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. It came out on September 10, 2014. In March 2018, Slash said a new album with the Conspirators would be released. In June 2018, he announced the album was called Living the Dream, released on September 21, 2018. The band toured for the album. In 2021, it was confirmed that a new album, 4, would be released in February 2022.
Return to Guns N' Roses (2016–Present)
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On December 29, 2015, news spread that Slash would rejoin Guns N' Roses. They were announced as headliners for the Coachella festival in 2016. Slash played with Guns N' Roses for the first time in 23 years on April 1, 2016. The band then started the Not in This Lifetime... Tour, which was very successful. In 2021, Slash played on new Guns N' Roses songs, "Absurd" and "Hard Skool". In 2023, the band toured again and released a new song, "Perhaps".
Other Music Work
Slash has played guitar for many other artists. In 1991, he played on "Give In to Me" from Michael Jackson's album Dangerous. He also appeared in the video for "Black or White". He played with Michael Jackson on stage several times, including at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards.
He played on Bob Dylan's 1990 album Under the Red Sky. In 1991, he worked with Lenny Kravitz on "Always on the Run". In 1993, he played on a Jimi Hendrix tribute album. He also played with Alice Cooper in 1996. In 2009, he was featured on Rihanna's song "Rockstar 101". In 2011, he contributed a song to the Disney Channel show Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension.
Other Activities
Slash loves movies and has appeared in a few films and TV shows. In 1988, he was in the film The Dead Pool with his Guns N' Roses bandmates. He played a radio DJ in a 1994 episode of Tales from the Crypt. He also voiced a character in the animated TV series Kid Notorious. In 2010, Slash started a horror film company called Slasher Films. Its first movie, Nothing Left to Fear, came out in 2013.
Slash's autobiography, Slash, was published in 2007. He wrote it with Anthony Bozza.
Slash enjoys pinball and has helped design two pinball machines. He is also a playable character in the video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. His movements were recorded to make his character look real in the game.
Slash is also an artist. He designed logos and artwork for some of his early bands and the famous circular Guns N' Roses logo. He also drew a picture of Aerosmith for their 2012 album.
Slash is a fan of the Angry Birds video games. He created a hard rock version of the Angry Birds Space theme song. He even has an Angry Birds character in the game.
Personal Life
Slash is a citizen of both the United Kingdom and the United States. He has lived in Los Angeles since 1971 but became an American citizen in 1996. He still feels very connected to his British background.
In 2001, at age 35, Slash was diagnosed with a heart condition. He recovered with treatment and a special device placed in his body.
Slash's friendship with Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose had problems after he left the band. They had not spoken in person for many years. However, in 2015, Slash said that he and Rose had become friends again. He later rejoined Guns N' Roses in 2016.
Family Life
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On October 10, 1992, Slash married model-actress Renée Suran. They divorced in 1997.
Slash married Perla Ferrar on October 15, 2001. They have two sons. Slash filed for divorce in 2010, but they got back together. In 2014, he filed for divorce again. His son London started a band called Suspect208 in 2020. Slash is currently in a relationship with Meegan Hodges.
Giving Back
Slash is on the board of Little Kids Rock. This group helps bring music education programs to schools that need them. He has visited students, played music with them, and given them instruments. Slash believes music teaches discipline and is a great way to be creative.
Slash also supports environmental programs. He is a trustee for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association. He loves animals and used to have many snakes. He found new homes for his snake collection after his first son was born in 2002.
Awards and Recognition
Slash is highly praised as a guitarist. In 2005, Esquire named him "Best Guitarist." In 2007, he won the "Riff Lord" award at the Golden Gods awards. In 2009, Time magazine called him "a remarkably precise player." In 2011, Rolling Stone placed him at No. 65 on their list of "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."
In 2007, Slash received a star on the Rock Walk of Fame. His name is next to guitar legends like Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix. In 2010, August 26 was declared "Slash Day" in West Hollywood. In 2012, Slash was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Guns N' Roses. He performed three songs with other band members. Later that year, Slash received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2004, readers of Total Guitar voted Slash's opening riff in "Sweet Child o' Mine" as the No. 1 "Greatest Riff." His riffs in "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Paradise City" also made the list. In 2008, Guitar World ranked his solo in "November Rain" at No. 6 on their list of "The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos." In 2015, Slash received the Les Paul award.
Guitar Gear
Slash owns over 100 guitars. He prefers the Gibson Les Paul, calling it "the best all-around guitar for me." Gibson says he helped make the Les Paul popular again in the late 1980s. His main studio guitar is a 1959 Gibson Les Paul replica. He used this guitar on every album he recorded with Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver.
Since 1997, Slash has worked with Gibson to create many signature Les Paul models. He also plays other Gibson guitars like Firebirds. He has also worked with other companies on signature gear. In 1996, Marshall created the Marshall Slash Signature JCM 2555, the first signature amp ever made by Marshall. In 2007, Jim Dunlop introduced the Crybaby SW-95 Slash Signature Wah pedal. In 2010, Seymour Duncan made the Alnico II Pro Slash APH-2 pickups to match the sound of his main studio guitar.
On stage, Slash prefers Marshall amplifiers, especially the Marshall "Silver Jubilee" JCM 2555 amp. He used a rented Marshall 1959 amp for recording Appetite for Destruction. For Velvet Revolver's first album, Contraband, he used a Vox AC30 amp. On his solo album, he used a Marshall JCM 800.
Music Albums
With Guns N' Roses
- Appetite for Destruction (1987)
- G N' R Lies (1988)
- Use Your Illusion I (1991)
- Use Your Illusion II (1991)
- "The Spaghetti Incident?" (1993)
With Slash's Snakepit
- It's Five O'Clock Somewhere (1995)
- Ain't Life Grand (2000)
With Velvet Revolver
- Contraband (2004)
- Libertad (2007)
Solo albums
- Slash (2010)
- ... of the Damned (2024)
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators
- Apocalyptic Love (2012)
- World on Fire (2014)
- Living the Dream (2018)
- 4 (2022)
See also
In Spanish: Slash (músico) para niños
