Born Saul Hudson in London in 1965, Slash (a nickname given to him by actor Seymour Cassel because he was always in a hurry) spent his early years in England before moving to Los Angeles with his mother at age five. By 1979, inspired by hearing “Brown Sugar” by The Rolling Stones and further influenced by his schoolteacher playing Cream and Led Zeppelin, Slash began taking guitar lessons and was set on mastering the instrument.

In the ‘80s, Slash played in various bands and met bassist Duff McKagan. In 1985, he was invited by Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin to join their band Guns N’ Roses, who were then performing in LA nightclubs. Before one show, Slash bought a black felt top hat and Native American poncho belt from Melrose Avenue; the hat became his trademark, while the belt became synonymous with Axl, who has worn variations on stage ever since. 

Between 1985 and 1986, the band wrote some of their most iconic tracks, including “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” and “Paradise City.” These songs would form the backbone of their debut album, Appetite for Destruction (1987), which went on to sell over 28 million copies worldwide. They followed it with G N’ R Lies in 1988, and then the ambitious double albums Use Your Illusion I and II in 1991, both supported by an extensive world tour that lasted nearly two and a half years. Their final release of this era was the 1993 covers album “The Spaghetti Incident?”, before Slash departed in 1996, following ongoing creative and personal differences with Axl Rose.

After leaving Guns N’ Roses, Slash toured with his blues-focused collective, Slash’s Blues Ball, and formed the supergroup Slash’s Snakepit in the late ’90s. He later founded Velvet Revolver with Scott Weiland (formerly of Stone Temple Pilots), Dave Kushner (Wasted Youth), and former Guns N’ Roses members Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum. Velvet Revolver released two albums before Weiland’s departure in 2008, prompting Slash to begin working on his first solo album.

Slash launched his solo career in 2010 with his self-titled album featuring collaborations with Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, Chris Cornell, Lemmy Kilmister, and more. His follow-up, Apocalyptic Love (2012), cemented his solo presence. In 2016, Slash reunited with Guns N’ Roses for the massively successful Not In This Lifetime tour, which spanned over 175 shows globally. Continuing his solo work, Slash released The Call of the Wild in 2023 with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators. In 2024, he followed it with Orgy of the Damned, a blues covers album featuring a star-studded lineup. He supported the release with the 2024 S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival Tour, which also promoted several charitable causes. 

When talking about equipment, Slash has used various Marshall amps throughout his career. He frequently used Silver Jubilee heads and had several signature models released over the years, the first being the 2555SL. Produced between 1995 and 1997, this amp was a Jubilee reissue with a classic JCM appearance, delivering 100 watts of power through three 12AX7 preamp valves and four EL34 power amp valves.

In 2010, the Slash Signature AFD (Appetite for Destruction) amplifier was introduced. It was designed to recreate the tones heard on the Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction album, featuring a single channel that could switch between JCM800 and 1959-style voicings via footswitch. It also included a built-in attenuator and self-biasing functionality, making it a favourite among players chasing Slash’s iconic tone. 

For live performances, Slash has used original 1987 heads with EL34s for his dirty tone, running into straight 4x12 cabs loaded with Celestion Vintage 30s that were typically miked off-stage, with an additional cab used for feedback control by his guitar tech. For his clean tone, Slash often turned to Jubilee heads modified with KT88 output valves and a 12AT7 phase inverter. Depending on the setup, he also used his signature JCM Slash 2555 and the Signature AFD amp. His touring rig has, at times, included up to six Marshall heads running simultaneously.

In terms of guitars, Slash is well known for his vast collection of Gibson Les Pauls, including multiple signature models. He typically uses Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups, 1.14 mm Dunlop Tortex picks, and .11–.48 gauge strings tuned to E flat. He’s also been known to play a Gibson EDS 1275 Doubleneck SG and vintage B.C. Rich models, such as the Mockingbird and Warlock. Pedals in his setup have included a Dunlop Crybaby Wah system, CAE boosters, Boss DD-3 and DD-500 delays, and his signature MXR Octave Fuzz.

There are a few characteristics that make Slash’s playing style distinctive, firstly his use of the pentatonic scale in solos, often enhanced by notes from the blues and natural minor scales to give it a unique edge. He also utilises hammer-ons and pull-offs over alternate picking and uses many double stops in heavier solos. Slash is brilliant at controlling bends, delivering great, balanced vibrato once the bend reaches pitch. Combined with his expressive phrasing, these elements come together to create a style that’s instantly recognisable and has left a lasting impression on guitarists worldwide.