Slash

Met future Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler in junior high, and the two formed a band called Road Crew. High-school classmates included Lenny Kravitz and future Lone Justice singer Maria McKee. Knew such rock-and-roll luminaries as David Bowie and Joni Mitchell as a child due to his parents: his mom was a costume designer and his dad created album covers. Left Guns N' Roses in 1996 due to creative differences with lead singer Axl Rose. Has sold more than 100 million albums with Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver and other musical acts. Formed Velvet Revolver in 2003 with former Guns N' Roses bandmates Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum. Served as musical director for the 2005 Grammy Awards telecast, during which he led a rendition of the Beatles' "Across the Universe" that featured Bono, Steven Tyler, Brian Wilson and Stevie Wonder. Published a self-titled autobiography in 2007. Scored the music for the "Viper" pinball machine as well as a Guns N' Roses-themed pinball machine. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of Guns N' Roses) in 2012.