The hardest working guitarist/writer/producer/entrepreneur in rock, DJ Ashba has linked up with Axl Rose, landing a spot as Guns n’ Roses’ lead guitarist on the band’s upcoming tour.
Replacing Robin Finck (who was one of the many guitarists to play lead on GNR’s latest album, Chinese Democracy), Ashba received nothing but the highest level of praise from Axl Rose himself: “We’re very excited to have the opportunity to work together. Guns’ radar has silently been aware of DJ’s presence for quite some time! He brings a fresh approach to our particular brand of mayhem expanding the tapestry of Guns N’ Roses live. Once DJ’s name was in the hat, the hat disappeared!!”
This isn’t the first time that DJ Ashba has found himself standing beside rock legends. He first gained prominence as lead guitarist for the band, Beautiful Creatures, led by former Bang Tango frontman, Joe LeSte. He left that band to focus on his solo efforts, including forming not one, but two companies: Ashba Media, Inc. and Ashbaland, Inc., each of which handles arts, promotion, and production of music.
In 2006, Ashba began collaborating with Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx and vocalist James Michael with Sixx’s side project, Sixx:A.M. Soon after, he worked with Sixx on the Crue’s latest album, the Grammy-nominated Saints of Los Angeles as a co-writer and co-producer.
His most high-profile gig to date, Ashba has some mighty tall boots to fill, standing in for reknowned riff-meisters like GNR’s original guitarist, Slash and (one of) Slash’s replacement, NIN’s Robin Finck. Crowds who caught DJ’s live performances with Sixx:A.M. on the first Cruefest outing last summer will attest to Ashba’s prowess as a guitarist and a dynamic stage presence who is as much about crowd as he is the music.
Check back for more info as soon as tour dates for Guns n’ Roses latest 2009 tour are announced. This latest collaboration should definitely be something to look forward to!
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