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Self-Destructive Rock Star Reveals Nothing Special

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By MARY PATRICK

Published: December 16, 2007

"Slash," by Slash with Anthony Bozza (Harper Entertainment, $28)
Saul Hudson rose to one-name fame in the late 1980s as Slash, lead guitarist for Guns N' Roses, where his long hair and top hat were as famous as the band's hard rock. Born in England, Slash grew up in California - although after reading this book you realize he never really grew up.

This memoir tells the story of how Guns N' Roses came together, rose to fame and then fell apart, and how Slash later dealt with his addictions.

Let's face it: all rock 'n' roll memoirs are judged by how racy they are, and this one hits the expected notes. There's the Keith Moon-style trashing of hotel rooms, shoplifting (including his trademark hat), marriage-divorce-remarriage, lawsuits, porn-star girlfriends, abuse of alcohol and a variety of drugs (heroin, cocaine, Vicodin, OxyContin) and overdoses. And, of course, rehab. Slash went on July 3, 2006.

Slash spends many pages offering an insider's account of Guns N' Roses. It is not a pretty picture. Calling the band a "self-destructive mutation," Slash writes about visiting European venereal disease clinics and his realization that "everybody that hung around a lot with Guns N' Roses ended up becoming a junkie."

He lays blame for the band's break-up on lead singer Axl Rose, who he claims wanted "control to the point that the rest of us were strangled."

Fans of the band will find this book essential as will those who enjoy celebrity confessionals. For all others, it's just another book about sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. Who knew that could get so boring?

Mary Patrick of Tampa is a freelance writer.

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