Slash’s musical journey is deeply rooted in both British and American influences, a reflection of his unique upbringing. Born in London to an English father and an African-American mother, Saul Hudson, better known as Slash, was exposed to a wide array of musical styles from an early age. His father, a fan of classic British rock, filled the house with albums from The Kinks, Cream, The Yardbirds, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles. Meanwhile, his mother, Ola J Hudson, was a well-known clothes designer who collaborated with legendary singers like as Ringo Starr, John Lennon, and David Bowie.
When Slash moved to California in his teens, his tastes expanded to include the American rock scene. Aerosmith, with their album Rocks, made a significant impact, but his musical roots remained firmly planted in British rock. Throughout the 1980s, Guns N’ Roses became the face of the classic rock revival, leading the charge against the rise of synth-pop acts like Depeche Mode and Ultravox. Slash’s sound was heavily influenced by the guitar-driven music of the 1970s, with Robert Plant’s soaring vocals and Jimmy Page’s iconic guitar work shaping his own playing style.
Slash’s obsession with Page began at age seven when he first heard Led Zeppelin II. The album, with its signature riffs and timeless tracks like “Ramble On” and “Moby Dick,” struck a chord with the young guitarist. However, it was “Whole Lotta Love,” the album’s centerpiece, that truly left its mark on him. “That song had such an impact on me,” Slash reflected. It didn’t just inspire his musical aspirations but ignited his desire to emulate Page’s legendary guitar tone, specifically the sound of the Les Paul.
For Slash, Led Zeppelin II became more than just an album—it was a blueprint for his future. The album’s raw, guitar-driven energy became the foundation for his own approach to music. “Whole Lotta Love” was particularly influential, a track that introduced Slash to the world of distortion and the raw power of the Les Paul. “It was just such a great introduction to the 70s,” he said. “That really ended up being the catalyst for my first experimentation with distortion.”
Slash’s musical inspirations didn’t end with Zeppelin. He absorbed a broad spectrum of guitar techniques and styles, from the blues rock mastery of Jeff Beck and Rory Gallagher to the melodic precision of Elliot Easton and the emotional depth of David Gilmour. These diverse influences come together to shape the unique sound that Slash continues to craft, both in his work with Guns N’ Roses and through countless collaborations.
Today, Slash remains one of the most celebrated rock guitarists, revered for his contributions to the evolution of heavy rock and his role in continuing the legacy of guitar royalty. His passion for rock’s golden age remains ever-present, and his own place in that legacy is firmly secured
