GUITARIST D.J. ASHBA LEAVES GUNS N’ ROSES
Guns N’ Roses guitarist D.J. Ashba has made the following announcement:
“Six years ago, I received a call that changed my life forever. The call was from a dear friend of mine (Katie McNeil-Diamond) who was working with Guns N’ Roses. It was an offer to audition for Axl Rose and earn a role in arguably the biggest rock band of my time. While I thought it was a complete long shot, I decided to go ahead and give it a try. Much to my shock and surprise, I got the gig. And so began the most incredible journey I could have possibly imagined. I was blessed with the opportunity to not only work with one of the most talented bands, but also to share the stage with a living legend and a truly gifted human being, Axl Rose. The amount of confidence and trust that Axl placed in me was genuinely heartwarming and truly career-defining. In the years that followed, I traveled the world many times over and played these incredible songs night after night to the most enthusiastic and loving crowds. As you can imagine, the friendships that were forged during that time were deep and long lasting. But the most beautiful surprise of all was YOU… the fans. You welcomed me into your lives with open arms and showed me love and support that I could only have dreamed of. From the very first time I stepped on stage and started playing Welcome To The Jungle and felt the crowd erupt, I knew my life would never be the same. I’m not gonna lie…I was terrified!! But you were so accepting. You immediately turned my fear into pride. For that, I am truly grateful.
So now it is with a very heavy heart and yet great pride that I announce that I’ve decided to close this chapter of my life and encapsulate the wonderful times that I’ve shared with GUNS N’ ROSES into fond memories. I have reached a point in my life where I feel its time to dedicate myself to my band Sixx: A.M., my adoring wife and family, and to the many new adventures that the future holds for me.
….As I sit here writing this letter, I want to take a moment to thank Axl from the bottom of my heart for not only the most incredible experience of my life, but for truly believing in me. You are a true friend and a champion of mine and I am forever grateful. And even as I move on to pursue other endeavors, I will always remain one of your biggest fans. I also would like to thank each and every one of you fans for your love and support throughout the years. Without you, I am nothing. Please know that I do not take one minute of this amazing life for granted.
I hope that you all join me as I forge ahead. Let’s conquer the world together!”
Ashba joined Guns N’ Roses in March 2009 following the departure of guitarist Robin Finck.
Well, Chinese Democracy was a strange release, but what else to expect from Axl Rose, I suppose. It certainly wasn’t Guns and Roses, and the traveling circus of performers Axl calls Guns and Roses, isn’t Gun’s either, but oh well. Robin Finck was always one of my favorite guitarists, but am glad he stepped away from Axl.
I’ve tried to give Sixx AM a chance, but I just don’t get it, but hey, good luck dude.
I wonder if eventually this will turn into a Whitesnake type of arrangement, where Axl will keep bringing in the hottest young guitarists (preferably from Indiana, his home state) as needed to do a stint with him, and in turn they can then add G&R to their resume’. I wonder if Yngwie and Axl would clash? Nah, two humble guys that I’m sure would get along just fine.
I would like to announce my return fron retirement as the new axe slinger for Guns and Roses. You saw what I did in my short run with Kiss, Wait to you hear the stuff Axl and I have been working on! New record and tour this fall- back in the saddle and the boys will rock-Vinnie
Writing as not even a Guns N Roses fan. Never even heard of this guy, but it is a very well written resignation letter. I admire him for that. He’s now on my radar.
He played on the first BEAUTIFUL CREATURES release around 1999. Killer band with Joe Leste on vocals of Bang Tango fame. Well worth checking out.
YES!!!
That first Beautiful Creatures album was awesome. Came out in the summer of 2001, and was a breath of fresh air when nu metal and rap metal was ruling the hard rock world back then.
A friend and I saw them at Ozzfest 2001. Given the climate of metal at the time, we did not expect a band to provide a harder take on late 80s hard rock with a killer guitar player, but there was DJ on songs like “1AM” and “Wasted.”
Great melodic hard rock album. I think if it had come out later, after the nu metal thing died off when guitar solos became somewhat fashionable again, it would’ve done a lot better.
Well, I totally get SIXX; A.M. Great band; check out their fantastic second album.