Izzy Stradlin

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Stradlin's musical journey began in Lafayette, Indiana, where he grew up riding bikes and smoking pot with friends like future vocalist William Bailey (Axl Rose). Inspired by his grandmother, who played drums in a swing jazz band, Stradlin convinced his parents to buy him a drum kit at age eight. By high school, he favored Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, and Led Zeppelin. After graduating in 1980 with a D average—the only original Guns N' Roses member with a diploma—he moved to Los Angeles. There, he navigated the punk scene with Naughty Women and The Atoms before switching to bass and then rhythm guitar with Shire. In 1983, he formed Hollywood Rose with Axl Rose, recording demos that would later appear on 'The Roots of Guns N' Roses.' His early days in L.A. were gritty; Stradlin admitted to working as a pimp and drug dealer to fund the band, recalling how they would 'ransack a girl's purse while one of the guys was with her' at parties.

In Their Own Story

In March 1985, Stradlin founded Guns N' Roses alongside Axl Rose and members of L.A. Guns. By June, the classic lineup formed: Rose, Slash, Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Steven Adler. They conquered nightclubs like the Whisky a Go Go and The Roxy while writing their classic material. In July 1987, they released 'Appetite for Destruction,' which sold over 28 million copies worldwide, including 18 million in the US. Stradlin co-wrote hits like 'Sweet Child o' Mine' and 'Paradise City.' As success grew, so did tension. In 1989, after Axl Rose threatened to leave unless Slash and Adler stopped using heroin, Stradlin—nicknamed 'Whizzy' for a public urination incident on a plane—decided to get sober. He returned to Indiana to detox. By September 1991, the band released 'Use Your Illusion I' and 'II,' debuting at No. 2 and No. 1 respectively. Stradlin co-wrote 'Don't Cry' and 'You Could Be Mine' but grew dissatisfied with the daily complications, Axl's lateness, and a contract attempt to demote him. On November 7, 1991, he announced his departure after playing his final show on August 31 at Wembley Stadium.

Reader's Guide

After leaving Guns N' Roses, Stradlin returned to Lafayette, Indiana, forming Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds with Rick Richards, Jimmy Ashhurst, and Charlie Quintana. Their self-titled debut dropped in October 1992, praised by Rolling Stone as 'a ragged, blues-drenched, and thoroughly winning solo debut.' In May 1993, he briefly reunited with Guns N' Roses for five shows in Europe and the Middle East to fill in for Gilby Clarke. Following a Japan tour that ended at Shibuya Public Hall, Stradlin vanished from music, traveling to the Bahamas and focusing on motor racing and skateboarding. In 1995, he began recording his first solo album, '117°,' released in March 1998 with Duff McKagan and Taz Bentley. He dropped few interviews and played no live shows for this release. Later, with Ian McLagan, he recorded the album 'River.'

Did You Know?

• Stradlin is the only original member of Guns N' Roses to graduate high school, earning a diploma in 1980 with a D average.
• He worked as a pimp and drug dealer in his early days to raise money for the band, famously describing how they would 'ransack a girl's purse' during parties.
• Stradlin was uncredited on Guns N' Roses' 1993 covers album 'The Spaghetti Incident?', though some of his guitar playing from the Illusion sessions appears on it.
• He briefly rejoined Guns N' Roses in May 1993 for five shows after replacement Gilby Clarke broke his wrist in a motorcycle accident.
• Stradlin's preferred guitar during recording sessions was a Gibson ES-175.