Slash began playing guitar at the age of 13. After learning the basics of guitar, he went on to form a band with his school friends called Tidus Sloan and later changed it to Road Crew. He also formed another band named Black Sheep during this period. During his teenage years, Slash became heavily influenced by blues music and rock bands such as Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple which helped him become the renowned guitarist he is today.
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Slash’s Early Years
Slash has earned a reputation as one of the greatest guitarists in rock and roll history. But few know about his early years before he made it big. Slash, born Saul Hudson, grew up in Stoke-on-Trent, England and later moved to Los Angeles with his mother when he was 11. Although music was an interest of Slash’s from a young age, he had no formal training until later in life.
During his teenage years, Slash would go to concerts and learn by watching some of the greats like Eddie Van Halen and Jeff Beck perform on stage. With no access to lessons or fancy equipment, Slash became incredibly self-taught by taking apart any instruments that came into his possession and putting them back together again. He also drew inspiration from classic blues players such as Eric Clapton and B.B King while teaching himself how to play guitar solos through trial and error.
At age 17, once Slash had honed his skills sufficiently, he started playing with local bands including Tidus Sloan which featured future Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler on drums at the time. It wasn’t long until Slash joined Guns N’ Roses permanently after attending just one rehearsal session for their debut album Appetite for Destruction in 1985 which catapulted him into superstardom.
Discovering the Guitar
Many music fans know the name Slash for his iconic and creative lead guitar work with Guns N’ Roses. But, before he was an international rock star, Slash had to first discover the instrument that would launch his career.
As a young child living in California, Slash remembers being fascinated by his father’s collection of blues records – specifically some of the greats like B.B King and Howlin’ Wolf – as well as seeing live performances from Elvin Bishop Band at local shows. It was here where he felt the pull of rock and roll music stirring within him; wanting to learn how to play this mesmerizing sound himself.
His journey started when his grandmother gifted him a one-quarter sized plastic ukulele which piqued his interest in stringed instruments even further. Not long after receiving it, Slash picked up a real electric guitar and began teaching himself chords and riffs while imitating sounds off his parents records by ear. It wasn’t too long until he found success in playing on stage with bands around Los Angeles in 1984; eventually leading him on a path to becoming one of the world’s greatest hard rock guitarists alongside Axl Rose, Duff McKagan and Izzy Stradlin in Guns N’ Roses soon after.
Forming Bands and Making Music
When it comes to making music, Slash has been involved in a plethora of projects throughout his career. Born Saul Hudson on July 23rd 1965 in Stoke-on-Trent, England and raised primarily in Los Angeles, California; Slash first started out as a part of the band Road Crew with Duff McKagan, who would later become Guns N’ Roses’ bassist. After that group disbanded in 1983 due to musical differences, Slash eventually joined up with Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin and Steven Adler who were looking for new members to form a rock ‘n roll band.
It was at this point that Slash began playing an electric guitar and began seriously pursuing a life as a musician. During the early years of forming Guns N’ Roses (1985–86), he collaborated closely with McKagan and Stradlin to refine their sound together, utilizing riffs from the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin along with rhythm techniques from punk bands such as The Ramones. All four members had developed their own unique styles which came together perfectly when they all jammed together during practice sessions or shows.
Slash has remained active ever since then; having formed successful bands such as Velvet Revolver and slash’s Snakepit over the course of decades; even going solo for several tours around North America between 2008–2010 before returning back to GNR after their reunion show in 2016 at Coachella Valley Music Festival alongside former founding members Axl Rose and Duff McKagan. It is through these collaborations that we have seen some truly remarkable moments in hard rock history; something which could never be replicated without these influential musicians coming together like they did so many years ago.
Joining Guns N’ Roses
The early ’80s saw the rise of Slash, who soon made his mark on rock music as a part of Guns N’ Roses. This iconic band was formed in Los Angeles by Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin in 1985 and quickly established themselves as one of the greatest rock bands ever. Though other members such as Duff McKagan and Steven Adler had played with Slash before, it wasn’t until he joined the group that their trademark sound truly emerged.
Slash’s guitar playing immediately brought an intensity to GNR’s sound that no other musician could provide. His ability to seamlessly blend blues-rock licks into hard-hitting riffs and solos provided an impressive backdrop for Rose’s instantly recognizable vocals. Every time he took the stage with GNR, Slash would captivate audiences around the world with his guitar wizardry and passionate showmanship, becoming known for wearing his signature top hat and sunglasses while performing.
Apart from making GNR one of the biggest groups in music history, Slash also served as an inspiration to many aspiring musicians who wished to emulate his unique style of playing. Even today, over 30 years after joining Guns N’ Roses, fans all across the globe continue to be mesmerized by this legendary guitarist whenever they hear him play live or on record.
Legacy as a Guitar Legend
Slash has left an indelible mark on the rock and metal genres. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists to ever live, with his innovative lead playing being considered a revolutionary breakthrough in popular music.
At just 17 years old, Slash began performing with heavy metal bands such as Black Sheep and London in 1985. His incendiary playing attracted attention from some of the biggest names in the music industry and eventually led him to joining Guns N’ Roses in 1985. It was during this time that Slash developed his signature style, characterized by its blazing riffs and solos that were often overdriven or distorted for maximum impact.
Throughout his career, Slash has released five studio albums with Guns N’ Roses; Appetite for Destruction (1987), G N’ R Lies (1988), Use Your Illusion I & II (1991) and The Spaghetti Incident? (1993). All these records contain some of his most memorable work, including classics like “Welcome to the Jungle”, “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “November Rain” which all feature iconic lead lines from Slash himself. Outside of this band he has collaborated on albums with artists such as Velvet Revolver, Michael Jackson and even classical violinist Vanessa Mae.
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