Slash (Saul Hudson)

Guns N Roses (http://www.critical-solution.com/ ())

"Sex, Drugs, and Rock&Roll" was the way of life for most of the best rock and roll bands. This unhealthy lifestyle gave near death experience to ex-Guns N' Roses lead guitarist Slash, whose addiction to alcohol and hard drugs nearly killed him numerous times. He came to a point where he concluded that if he continued like this he would not even see the age of forty. He has now even quit smoking and is setting the example after years of being a good/bad influence. He is one of the best musicians in history and has become one of the most charitable in the industry. 

Slash as a child (http://danwater-danwater.buzznet.com/user/photos/young-slash/?id=24789041)

Saul Hudson commonly known "Slash" was born in The Hampstead area of London, England, on July 23, 1965. He lived in London until he was eleven. He and his mother moved to the city of Los Angeles, California; his dad would later catch up with him. His parents then split up and he had to go live with his grandmother for a while. He struggled to fit in but then he joined the BMX biking craze where he became very good and even won many competitions. Slash eventually decided to buy a guitar with some money he had won in these competitions. He became obsessed with playing the guitar;  he even ditched school to practice, and by his junior year in high school he had dropped out and began searching for people to jam with. Slash made his first band with bassist Duff McKagan and eventually added more people to form the infamous band Guns N' Roses with front man Axl Rose, "Slash dropped out of high school during his junior year. Soon Guns N' Roses released their debut album, Appetite for Destruction" ("Slash"). It was obvious that the young reckless group was more than just a fad, they were on the road to world fame.

Young Adult Slash (http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2010/06/slash_recently.html)

Slash describes himself as being a "productive junkie" in his Guns N' Roses day;  he would produce masterpieces while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.  His heroism is not because of his drug and alcohol use while working, yet it is because of his love and passion for music which let him manage his problems. After a while, he checked himself in a rehabilitation center where he pondered his life decisions and how it affected him negatively.  Slash is a very humble person who appreciates, but doesn't really like it when people call him one of the best guitarists of all time. According to an article of Time Magazine, he was voted the second best guitarist off all time (right behind Jimi Hendrix). Guns N' Roses (Slash's old band) was recently inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He makes many charitable efforts for children in need, he is even the president of "Little Children's Rock" charity that's helps under privileged children. In 2004 Slash joined forces with Sir. Elton John, and many other artists including Steven Tyler from Aerosmith; they recorded a cover of "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton, "Following the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in December of 2004, Slash joined singer Elton John and other stars to record a version of the well-known rock song "Tears in Heaven." Sales of the recording raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for relief efforts"("Slash"). Slash, Sir Elton John, and a group of well known musicians proceeded to do this in order to raise money as relief for the victims of the Indian Ocean Tsunami that affected at least 11 different countries.

Slash with signature Les Paul (http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/images/artists/slash-20111126165757.jpg)

Slash is admirable because of his ability to overcome what many cannot, and for his superior character.

Slash fell victim of hard drug in alcohol use during his stint with Guns N' Roses. The band had a heavy heroine problem, they even wrote a song about it called Mr. Brownstone which is a rundown of their day on heroine. But even when under the influence of this drug Slash was able to in a way work around it; his strong passion for music drove him and gave him the edge for creating master pieces.

Slash had the strength to fight off his addictions, his perseverance made the process of being drug and alcohol free much easier than it would have been. The average life span of the normal American is of about 77.8 years; the average life span of the average rock star is of about 40 years. With pace of alcohol binges he wouldn't even had made it to 35, "His pulse once stopped after a drug overdose at a hotel. Doctors were able to revive him with a shot of adrenaline into his chest"(Newman).  But know drug and alcohol free (he even quite smoking) he has picked up great success and continues making legendary works. He does a lot for charities; he does concerts where the proceeds go completely to foundations for under privileged children.

Slash had the strength to fight off his addictions, his perseverance made the process of being drug and alcohol free much easier than it would have been. The average life span of the normal American is of about 77.8 years; the average life span of the average rock star is of about 40 years. With pace of alcohol binges he wouldn't even had made it to 35, "His pulse once stopped after a drug overdose at a hotel. Doctors were able to revive him with a shot of adrenaline into his chest"(Newman).  But know drug and alcohol free (he even quite smoking) he has picked up great success and continues making legendary works. He does a lot for charities; he does concerts where the proceeds go completely to foundations for under privileged children.

It is unlikely that the world will ever encounter someone as influential (in a musical sense) as Slash. He has caused generations to feel far beyond emotion through his music. He has used his fame, fortune, and influential power for the most positive reasons towards humanity.

Works Consulted

Newman, Melinda. "Slash's worldwide web: global network of distribution deals gives guitarist international clout." Billboard 18 June 2011: 34. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 11 May 2012.

"Slash Biography." IMDb. IMDb.com. Web. 11 May 2012. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0805298/bio>.

"Slash Charity Work, Events and Causes." Slash's Charity Work, Events and Causes. Web. 11 May 2012. 

<http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/999-slash>.

"Slash." Contemporary Musicians. Vol. 70. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 3 May 2012.

"Slash." Contemporary Black Biography. Vol. 75. Detroit: Gale, 2009. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 10 May 2012.