Saul Hudson, widely recognized as Slash, was born on July 23, 1965, and spent his early years in Stoke-on-Trent, where both his parents worked in the entertainment industry. His mother, a clothing designer, had previously collaborated with David Bowie, while his father, an art director, worked for a record company.
At the age of 11, Slash relocated to Los Angeles with his mother, leaving his father behind in England. Although his father eventually joined them in L.A., Slash struggled to fit in at school, and his parents' separation when he was 15 only added to his difficulties.
During this time, Slash developed an interest in BMX riding, which led him to compete in various events and win awards and prizes. However, his newfound passion was short-lived, as he soon became enthralled with the guitar.
Slash's introduction to the instrument came when he was 15, and he quickly became consumed by playing, often skipping school to indulge in his newfound hobby. His academic performance suffered as a result, and he eventually dropped out of school in the 11th grade.
Living in Los Angeles, a city teeming with new and emerging rock bands, Slash began to network and find like-minded musicians. He formed a band called Road Crew with Steven Adler, and later met Izzy Stradlin, who played with Axl Rose. After witnessing Axl's live performance, Slash was determined to recruit him for his band.
The addition of Duff McKagan on bass completed the lineup, and Guns N' Roses was officially formed in 1986. The band's rapid success led to widespread recognition, and they became known as the new rock 'n' roll sensation. Slash's guitar work was a key factor in their success, and he also collaborated with artists such as Michael Jackson and Lenny Kravitz during this period.
After the Use Your Illusion tour, Guns N' Roses took a hiatus, and Slash formed his own band, Slash's Snakepit. Although the album It's Five O'Clock Somewhere (1995) was successful, the band's output was eventually discontinued.
The years that followed were marked by tension between Slash and Axl Rose, ultimately leading to Slash's departure from Guns N' Roses. He handed over the rights to the band name to Axl and went on to form various other bands, including Blues Ball, which focused on blues covers.
In 2000, Slash met Perla Ferrar, and they married in 2001. Despite his new status as a married man, Slash continued to work on his music, eventually forming Velvet Revolver with former Guns N' Roses members Duff and Matt, as well as Scott Weiland and Dave Kushner.
Velvet Revolver's debut album, Contraband (2004),was a commercial success, and the band went on to perform at the second Live Aid concert in London. With plans to become a major rock band, Slash has solidified his reputation as one of the greatest rock 'n' roll guitar players in history.
