Photo: Wenn
After six years working with Guns N'Roses, guitarist DJ Ashba has split with the Axl Rose fronted band to focus on other projects.
Posting a handwritten note on his website, Ashba writes: "It is with a very heavy heart and yet great pride that I announce that I've decided to close this chapter of my life and encapsulate the wonderful times that I've shared with Guns N'Roses into fond memories".
The note was translated to Japanese, Spanish, French and Portuguese.
Recently speaking about the future of the band, guitarist Richard Fortus said that the band's next move was very much "up in the air".
With no tour dates planned and no concrete plans to follow up 2008's Chinese Democracy, Ashba writes that he hopes to focus on his side project with Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx and spend more time with his family: "I have reached a point in my life where I feel it's time to dedicate myself to my band Sixx:A.M., my adoring wife and family, and to the many new adventures that the future holds for me".
DJ Ashba (real name Daren Ashba) joined the band in 2009 to replace guitarist Robin Finck, who deprarted to rejoin Nine Inch Nails. Ashba has been the band's touring guitarist since then.
Watch Guns and Roses perform with DJ Ashba in 2010
It's not an easy job replacing members of one of the greatest rock bands of all time, especially since Axl Rose broke up with the remaining members, Slash, Matt Sorum and Steven Adler under such volatile circumstances.
Ashba understands the gravity of his role within the band concluding his note with a thanks to Axl: "You are a true friend and a champion of mine and I am forever grateful. And even as I move on to pursue other endeavours, I will always remain one of your biggest fans."
