Slash

About Slash

Slash is a British-American musician and songwriter, best known as the co-founder and lead guitarist of Guns N' Roses. Widely regarded as one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time, Slash is celebrated for his bluesy, hard-driving tone, iconic top hat, and instantly recognizable playing style.

Early Life

Born in London and raised in Los Angeles, Slash discovered the guitar at age fourteen and quickly became obsessed with the instrument. Influenced by Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and the blues masters, he developed a raw, expressive style that would define a generation of rock guitar. He briefly attended Fairfax High School in Hollywood before dropping out to pursue music full time.

Career Highlights

Slash co-founded Guns N' Roses in 1985, and the band's debut album Appetite for Destruction (1987) became the best-selling debut album in US history, featuring iconic tracks such as "Welcome to the Jungle," "Paradise City," and "Sweet Child O' Mine." The band followed with the landmark double album Use Your Illusion I & II (1991).

After departing Guns N' Roses in 1996, Slash formed Slash's Snakepit and later co-founded Velvet Revolver with former GN'R bandmates, winning a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2005 for "Slither." He rejoined Guns N' Roses in 2016 for the massively successful Not in This Lifetime… Tour, one of the highest-grossing concert tours in history.

As a solo artist, Slash has released multiple acclaimed albums featuring collaborations with Myles Kennedy, Ozzy Osbourne, Fergie, and many others. He has performed on records by Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, and Iggy Pop, among countless others.

Endorsements

Slash is endorsed by Gibson Guitars (signature Les Paul models), Marshall Amplification, Dunlop Manufacturing (signature wah pedal and picks), Seymour Duncan pickups, and Ernie Ball strings.

BENADO Partnership

Slash plays through a handmade BENADO unit, engineered to deliver the raw, singing sustain and dynamic response his legendary tone demands.

When one of the world's greatest guitarists goes searching for a specific, world-class response for his latest musical journey — and finds it here — you know you're doing something right.