Slash

Full name: Saul Hudson Stage name: Slash Date of birth: July 23, 1965 Place of birth: Hampstead, London, England Age when he joined Guns N' Roses (1985-1986): 20–21 years Residence at that time: Los Angeles, California Nationality: British-American

Slash at that stage is practically the definition of "rock mythology" in the making:

– Black, curly, huge, wild, voluminous hair – His classic top hat already starts to appear during the first shows – Round sunglasses, even at night – Sleeveless or open-front T-shirts, very worn – Leather jackets, skinny jeans, belts with bullets – Ten thousand bracelets, rings, chains – Hunched posture, guitar hanging low – Thinner and younger than in the 90s – Constant cigarettes between the fingers – His yellow/ochre Les Paul almost glued to his body

It was a chaotic, dirty and elegant look at the same time: pure 80s LA, but without artifice.

Young Slash is a guy:

– Calm but full of inner energy – A man of few words, but all with intention – Social, but in their own world – Shy offstage, wild onstage – Obsessed with the guitar – Compulsive smoker – Anti-drama, anti-posturing, anti-exaggerated ego – Loyal to his friends – With a tendency to get lost in alcohol and drugs (historical reality, without glorifying it) – With a dry and spontaneous sense of humor

Its vibe is: mystery without trying to be mysterious.

Slash grows up surrounded by art: – Her mother made costumes for artists like Bowie. – His father illustrated record covers.

At 14 he received his first guitar. He became addicted to practicing: pure obsession. He formed a band with Steven Adler called Road Crew. Key influences: – Jimmy Page – Joe Perry – Jeff Beck – Aerosmith – Led Zeppelin – Cream Slash plays in several local LA bands:

1. Tidus Sloan

2. Road Crew (with Steven Adler)

3. Hollywood Rose (Axl, Izzy, etc. at different stages)

He moves between Sunset Strip, parties, garages, and tiny bars. What defines him is the fusion of virtuosity + attitude. Axl and Izzy already knew him before officially joining.

Slash joins GNR to replace Tracii Guns. The lineup is: Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy, Adler. That chemistry is explosive: – Izzy contributes riffs – Duff structure – Adler puts groove on – Axl directs the energy – Slash sets everything on fire with dirty, bluesy, technical, and emotional solos

Their sound at this point is rawer, less polished than in the 90s, but with a brutal blues sensibility. Age: 20–21, but he already played like a veteran.