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Biography
SLASH was born in Hampstead (London), England on July 23, 1965, and he was raised in Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, England. His given name is Saul Hudson. His mother is a Black American, and his father is a white Englishman. Both parents are artistic and work in the entertainment field. His mother is a clothing designer for entertainers. She designed some of David Bowie's unforgettable costumes. His father provides art direction for record albums. Two notable clients are Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. Anyway enough about his parents on to the man himself .
At age 11 SLASH moved to Los Angeles with his mother while his father remained based in England. Born in the UK, SLASH was an immigrant in the United States and was to remain one for many years. The family eventually lived together again in L.A. where SLASH had a rough transition to conservative Southern California. The long hair, jeans and t-shirts that he wore even then didn't exactly fit with the other kids. An outsider at school, he lived a bohemian life at home. Surrounded by artistic friends of his parents, SLASH grew accustomed to the moods and eccentricities of those in the music world. Frequent visitors at the Hudson household included Joni Mitchell, David Geffen, David Bowie, Ron Wood and Iggy Pop. SLASH has said that these surroundings prepared him for coping with the stress of the music industry, the conflict between artistry and business.
In the mid-1970's, his parents separated. SLASH moved in with his beloved grandmother until he could sort out the situation at home. About this time SLASH discovered BMX (bicycle motorcrossing), joined up with a group of kids, and rode with a passion. It's not surprising to hear that SLASH would ride without brakes! SLASH eventually became a professional BMX biker winning awards and money for his great riding.
While in junior high school (age 15), SLASH's grandmother gave him his first guitar. Although it had just one string, SLASH was able to learn to play. SLASH's early musical influences were Led Zep, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith,Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Neil Young. He credits the Aerosmith album ROCKS with changing his life. The story of this he has said in the Aerosmith autoboigraphy walk this way . The story goes like this . Slash was on a date with some woman and as he put's in a nice way was pretty much gonna get laid . He arrived at her house where the Aerosmith album rocks was then put on and Slash just sat there pretty much taken aback at what he was listening to after listening to it all he then got up left and went home still thinking about the album and with an even bigger passion to play guitar.
Getting to play with the musical idols of his life means a lot to him. Standing on a stage in Paris with Jeff Beck and Joe Perry was overwhelming. SLASH also has gotten to play with guitarist "god" Eric Clapton. He has played with many other artists including Lenny Kravitz, Paul Rogers, Iggy Pop, Michael Jackson, Brian May to name just a few.
Soon the bike was put aside. SLASH devoted at least 12 hours a day to playing guitar. His schoolwork suffered when he skipped classes and sat in the bleachers all day playing guitar. School may have suffered, but his social life got better! The other kids now thought SLASH was cool, and he was no longer a social outcast. SLASH joined band after band jamming with other young musicians. Eventually, SLASH gave up on school and dropped out in eleventh grade. Another education was waiting for him in the L.A. band scene. SLASH met Steven Adler, formed the band Road Crew, and was looking for a good singer. Then he met Izzy Stradlin who played him a tape of W. Axl Rose singing. SLASH went to see Axl perform and immediately wanted to steal him from Izzy, but the two Indiana natives were fast friends. SLASH found his bass player in Duff McKagan when Duff answered an ad SLASH had placed in the paper. All the players changed combinations, but the result was Guns N'Roses! With a lot of talent and a lot of drive, the band became an international success story.
After the Illusions tours, Guns N'Roses went on a well-deserved hiatus, and SLASH became a U.S citizen. He decided that immigration hassles, lost green cards, etc. were just too timeconsuming for his lifestyle. So SLASH became a citizen of the United States. About this time, SLASH became restless and decided to form a new band as a side project to his GNR work which seemed to be taking forever to get started. Matt Sorum, Gilby Clarke, Mike Inez, Eric Dover, and SLASH formed SLASH's Snakepit and recorded the album IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE. Never content to stay home and smell the roses, SLASH went on the road with his touring band: Gilby Clarke, Brian Tichy, James Lomenso, Eric Dover. Playing to small venues, SLASH was able to get back to playing in clubs and being toe-to-toe with the audience. IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE went platinum worldwide, and SLASH promised that Snakepit would be back again.
In the summer of 1996, SLASH was invited to play at a blues concert in Budapest, Hungary. He got together some musicians and headed for Europe. From this beginning came a terrific band called SLASH's Blues Ball. And though this band never recorded an album, it was in big demand by promoters and fans.
While this was going on, SLASH was waiting for Axl Rose to get Guns N'Roses together. SLASH and Axl had talks about the musical direction of the band. SLASH saw GNR as a rock band while Axl Rose wanted to go in a more techno/industrial direction with GNR. After many, many meetings and heated discussions, SLASH resigned from GNR in October 1996 with Rose retaining the rights to the band name. SLASH didn't sit at home with his head in his hands. He got busy with Blues Ball! Blues Ball played blues covers, so they could start playing gigs right away. Throughout the end of 1996 till the fall of 1997, SLASH's Blues Ball played at clubs throughout California, into the southwest and the northeast. !
When SLASH left Guns N'Roses, his many fans wondered what he might be going do with all that talent and personality. The media were wondering, too. At first, there was speculation that the Axl - SLASH rift would be of short duration and a reconciliation was inevitable. SLASH had been quoted as saying that when Axl Rose was ready to make a rock and roll album, he would be back. As Rose filled GNR with hired guns and unknowns, SLASH made it clear that Snakepit will be his permanent band. He says he could do a one off or a short tour with the original band, but he would never walk on stage with a band pretending to be the Guns N'Roses band.
As promised, SLASH brought back Snakepit! He had 300 demo tapes from musicians who wanted to be in his band. He settled on drummer Matt Laug (formerly with Venice) and bassist Johnny Griparic (formerly with SLASH's Blues Ball). Rhythm guitarist was at first Ryan Roxie. Ryan was in Dad's Porno Magazine and Alice Cooper's band. Ryan did the pre-album tour and the recording, but then decided to stick with his many other bands. SLASH was able to enlist the wonderful Keri Kelli as the band's second guitarist. Snakepit's vocalist is a newcomer, Rod Jackson, from Virginia and the band Ragdoll there. The new album was released October 10, 2000 in the US with the upbeat title Ain't Life Grand. Elsewhere in this website, you will find some song clips, lyrics and reviews. SLASH's Snakepit began their tour by opening for AC/DC on the North American leg of their tour. This gave the band huge exposure. The band toured the Far East with great results and and then did a European tour in December. In February 2001, the 'pit launched a club show in the US. The tour did very well, but on March 11, SLASH came down with the flu and the rest of this tour was cancelled. The band was also to open for AC/DC again in March in the US until SLASH's flu turned into pneumonia. It's hard to imagine this dynamo stopped by illness, and he won't be for long. May 2001 finds SLASH recuperating and planning the next leg of the tour. Snakepit gave its last performance in July 2001. The band went home for some rest before recording the next album. The rest time was getting long, so Snakepit (minus SLASH) got together to write some songs. Sadly, SLASH announced publicly that Snakepit was no more. SLASH was breaking up the band in order to do some solo projects of his own. He said that he had been through all that excitement of touring and arranging gigs when he was starting out. He was glad the guys had a good time, but he was not interested in repeating what they had done. So, Snakepit band members disappeared to other bands.
SLASH then decided he would do a solo project involving music from different countries. He would use guest musicians, but he would write all the music. At the same time, he started jamming with Duff and Matt. Soon, this project went from "not a high priority" to the sole focus of SLASH. Izzy has been in and out, and The Project (this is used in lieu of a name) now has about 40 songs written. In case Izzy is not touring, they picked up the guitarist from Duff's Loaded band, Dave Kushner. At this time in early 2003, The Project is auditioning vocalists. When the band is together, they will cut an album. SLASH says that when it is released (after finding the right label for it), the band will tour in support of the album. SLASH has checked out over 500 singers. There is a group that SLASH calls his finalists, but no one has been selected as yet. They have to be able to sing rock, perform and help out with the lyrics. SLASH is being very patient in the selection process, so it may be awhile. He wants just the right style to complement the band and someone they can get along with! It will be a very cool band, and hopefully the album will be out this summer.
SLASH's life once seemed a symbol of rock and roll decadence, but things have calmed down with him in some ways. Once a heroin addict, SLASH has been off drugs for several years. His astounding drinking habits are sometimes in evidence, and he still smokes his Marlboros and Galitanos. A major change occurred when SLASH fell in love with Renee Suran. They were married October 10, 1992 in Marina Del Ray, California. Renee stayed out of the rock spotlight but was described as beautiful, sweet, and very much in love with SLASH. She pursued her own career as model and actress. Renee and SLASH both appeared in Howard Stern's movie "Private Parts". The two separated and divorced in the fall of 1997. They remain friends. After his divorce, SLASH was in Las Vegas when he ran into a young woman he had known for many years. Her name was Perla Ferrer, and the couple soon began dating seriously. Perla and SLASH eventually started living together, and fans started seeing Perla on the SLASH's Snakepit tours and his appearances in clubs or on TV. It became clear that Perla was someone very special to SLASH, and in 2000, the two became engaged to be married. Perla's beautiful, sparkling diamond ring was designed by SLASH himself. On October 15, Saul Hudson married Perla Ferrar in Maui in a solemn relgious service there. The bride wore a strapless, pleated white wedding gown and carried a beautiful floral bouquet that matched those in her long brown hair. SLASH wore new black leather pants, a white shirt, his faithful black leather jacket and a floral lei matching Perla's flowers. All their fans and friends and families wish Mr. and Mrs. Hudson a wonderful married life. The Hudsons returned to Los Angeles where they will buy a new home. In February 2002, SLASH and Perla announced that they are expecting their first child in September! On August 28, 2002 little London Hudson made his appearance! Despite some problems Perla had with the pregnancy, London was in excellent condition.
SLASH's lifestyle has changed over the years. From being a wild rocker, SLASH has settled into a role of husband and father. Some things about SLASH don't change - his love for his music, his wife, his fans and his friends as well as the California climate and the Los Angeles setting. If you are in the Sunset Boulevard area, you might run into SLASH hanging out with Perla and his friends or jamming with a band on the Strip.
Discography
With Guns N Roses
Guns N' Roses - Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide
Released: December 1986
Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction
Guns N' Roses - GN'R Lies
Released: November 30, 1988
Movie Soundtrack - Lean on Me
Released: March 14, 1989
Charity Album - Nobody's Child: The Romanian Angel Appeal
Released: 1990
Movie Soundtrack - Days of Thunder
Released: 1991
Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion I
Released: September 17, 1991
Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion II
Released: September 17, 1991
Guns N' Roses - The Spaghetti Incident?
Released: November 23, 1993
Movie Soundtrack - Interview with the Vampire
Released: December 13, 1994
Grosse Pointe Blank Movie Soundtrack
Released: March 13, 1997
Movie Soundtrack - Can't Hardly Wait
Released: May 26, 1998
Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion (rack version)
Released: October 25, 1998
Movie Soundtrack - End of Days
Released: November 2, 1999
Guns N' Roses - Live Era '87-'93
Released: November 23, 1999
Sales
Appetite For Destruction - #1 on The Billboard 200 in 1988
GN'R Lies - #1 on The Billboard 200 in 1989
Use Your Illusion I - #2 on The Billboard 200 in 1991
Use Your Illusion II - #1 on The Billboard 200 in 1991
The Spaghetti Incident? - #4 on The Billboard 200 in 1993
Live Era '87-'93 - #45 on The Billboard 200 in 1999
Singles
1988: Sweet Child O' Mine - #1 on The Billboard Hot 100
1988: Welcome To The Jungle - #7 on The Billboard Hot 100
1988: Sweet Child O Mine - #7 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1988: Welcome To The Jungle - #37 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1989: Nightrain - #93 on The Billboard Hot 100
1989: Paradise City - #5 on The Billboard Hot 100
1989: Patience - #4 on The Billboard Hot 100
1989: Nightrain - #26 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1989: Paradise City - #14 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1989: Patience - #7 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1990: Civil War - #4 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1990: Knockin' On Heaven s Door - #18 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1991: Don't Cry - #10 on The Billboard Hot 100
1991: You Could Be Mine - #29 on The Billboard Hot 100
1991: Don't Cry - #3 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1991: Live And Let Die - #20 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1991: You Could Be Mine - #3 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1992: Live And Let Die - #33 on The Billboard Hot 100
1992: November Rain - #3 on The Billboard Hot 100
1992: Yesterdays - #72 on The Billboard Hot 100
1992: November Rain - #15 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1992: Pretty Tied Up - #35 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1992: Yesterdays - #13 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1992: November Rain - #19 on Top 40 Mainstream
1993: Ain't It Fun - #8 onMainstream Rock Tracks
1993: Estranged - #24 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1993: Hair Of The Dog - #19 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1994: Since I Don't Have You - #69 on The Billboard Hot 100
1994: Sympathy For The Devil ("Interview With The Vampire") - #62 on The Billboard Hot 100
1994: Estranged - #16 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1994: Hair Of The Dog - #11 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1994: Sympathy For The Devil - #10 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1995: Sympathy For The Devil ("Interview With The Vampire") - #55 on The Billboard Hot 100
1995: Sympathy For The Devil - #36 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
1999: Oh My God - #26 on Mainstream Rock Tracks
I wont include Slash solo work because of the vast amount of solo work he has done i think over 100 different appearances etc on different albums .
And there you have it the second legend concluded i hope you have found it interesting and found out some stuff you didn't know about the top hatted man one of the coolest guitarists of the rock and roll world . Well next week hopefully shall be just as good :smile: and Thank you for reading .
Z :smile:
Edit:They edited out fag
Z :smile:
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