Real name Saul Hudson, but Slash is way cooler. British-born, African-American mother, white father, both artists. Saul Hudson’s life was changed when he heard Aerosmith’s Rocks. That set him on a path that lead to learning bass first, then guitar and fate teamed him with Duff McKagan, Izzy Stradlin, Steven Adler and Axl Rose as the lead guitarist for Guns N' Roses.