"We had a really vast music collection and I was raised around rock'n'roll, it's just the way it was"

Growing up surrounded by an extensive music collection can profoundly shape a child’s identity, worldview, and emotional connection to sound. For Slash, the iconic guitarist known for his work with Guns N' Roses among other projects, immersion in music from an early age was not a deliberate choice, but a natural condition of his upbringing. Having a “really vast music collection” implies exposure not only to the radio hits of the day, but to a deep reservoir of classic albums, lesser-known B-sides, live performances, and genres spanning generations. This kind of environment fosters a genuine curiosity and an instinctive understanding of music’s diversity and history.

Being “raised around rock’n’roll” speaks to a cultural inheritance rather than a hobby. Rock’n’roll stands for more than a style of music, it’s a movement, a rebellion, a set of aesthetics and values that challenge norms and embrace raw expression. Its history is full of innovation and boundary-pushing, and growing up in its milieu is more than listening to loud guitars; it’s witnessing an artistic lifestyle, possibly seeing musicians come and go, gear being hauled, and friends exchanging playlists and stories about gigs. This constant presence of rock music becomes embedded in one’s sense of self, acting as both a soundtrack and a teacher.

Slash’s phrase “it’s just the way it was” dismisses any notion of deliberate cultivation or intention. Music wasn’t a pursuit forced upon him or chosen out of rebellion; it was simply part of his daily life, as ordinary and omnipresent as family dinners or weekend traditions. This normalization of music, and especially rock’n’roll, removed any distance between musician and music lover. By the time he picked up a guitar, it was less an act of discovery than a continuation of a lifelong conversation. In such a household, the barrier between audience and artistry dissolves, making creativity a natural and viable path.