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Slash was born in Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, England on July 23, 1965.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.
At age 11 Slash moved to Los Angeles with his mother while his father remained based in England. Born in the UK, he 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, 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!
While in junior high school, Slash's grandmother gave him his first guitar. Although it had just one string, Slash was able to learn to play. Slash 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. Getting to play with his musical idols 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 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 had met Steven Adler, formed Road Crew, and was looking for a good singer. Then he met Izzy Stradlin who played him a tape with 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. Welcome, Slash! After this occasion, Slash became restless and decided to form a new band as a side project. 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 promises that Snakepit will 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 GN'R as a rock band while Axl Rose wanted to go in a more techno/industrial direction with GN'R. After many, many meetings and heated discussions, Slash resigned from GN'R 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 and into the southwest, and the northeast. Blues Ball has rolled away for the time being but may play some one-offs.
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 has been quoted as saying that when Axl Rose is ready to make a rock and roll album, he will be back. Recently he said that Slash's Snakepit will be his permanent band. Until some agreement is reached with Rose (if ever), Slash is very busy with a number of projects.
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 is Ryan Roxie. Ryan was in Dad's Porno Magazine and Alice Cooper's band. Snakepit's vocalist is a newcomer, Rod Jackson. The new album is underway and should be released in the fall of 1999 followed by a world tour. Slash is treating this band and this album a little differently than his first Snakepit. Where the 1995 version was more of a pickup band that did an album and tour as a way to relax and fill in time, this band and album are being planned and put together more carefully. Slash will still have that raw, hard rock sound his fans love! Slither on out here, Slash!
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. 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". Sadly, the two separated and divorced in the fall of 1997. They remain friends. About his small tv and movie parts, Slash says that he is not looking to become an actor. He loves music and plays with a lot of artists. He seems not to have changed from the young musician who formed band after band, always looking for another chance to play. It was a family friend who nicknamed Saul Hudson "Slash". He said Slash was always in a hurry, zipping around from one thing to another. He named Slash well!
