Meet Slash's rocker son who is trying to step out of his father's 'shadow'

With his curly mane, signature black top hat and rockstar shades, Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash is easily one of the most recognisable musicians. From a Grammy award to his legendary riff in Sweet Child O' Mine, the 61-year-old rocker is often grouped with the best guitarists of all time. 

But did you know he has a grown-up son who has followed in his famous rock star footsteps? The musician has two sons with his ex-wife Perla Ferrar: London Emilio Hudson, 23, and Cash Anthony Hudson, 22. His eldest son London, born in 2002, has inherited his dad's musical talents, but won't play guitar for one key reason.

Read on for all you need to know about Slash's rock star son who is in a band of his own. 

© Instagram/ @londonhvdson

He's a musician like his dad

While London played the guitar and bass growing up, he's since pivoted to become a drummer.

During a 2018 interview, Slash said his son was "totally into rock 'n' roll and metal so we listen to the same stuff". He added: "He plays drums. He's really analytical so he really listens to stuff. It's a trip for me. All of a sudden he just became this guy and I can relate back to when I was 15 and 16 years old."

© Getty Images

The now 23-year-old has previously opened up about playing the drums to set himself apart from his legendary father. "I do play a little guitar but drums is my main passion," he told the publication Consequence of Sound.

"I would say it really called me just 'cause I didn’t want to [expletive] live in my dad's shadow. I don’t think I can get better than him if I played guitar. I’m not trying to. I’m just trying to [expletive] do my own thing, have fun, and hopefully people gel with what I do."

London is in a band

London was just 15 years old when he started his first band called Classless Act in 2016. He then played in the supergroup Suspect208 alongside Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo's son, Tye Trujillo, and Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland's son, Noah Weiland. 

He currently plays drums in the American rock band Return to Dust, formed in 2022 in Los Angeles.

© Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag

The group is now on the road as a support act for Theory of Deadman's Dead/Seven Tour, which kicked off earlier this month. While London's younger brother Cash isn't in a band, Slash previously revealed his second son is also musically inclined and plays the piano. 

Slash now cheers on his son

Slash has supported his son's musical journey from the sidelines, cheering London on at his shows – an experience he once called "surreal". 

"It's very surreal to see him doing gigs and playing the way he is," he told Wall of Sound in a 2022 interview. "It's mind-blowing to see your little one up there doing that."

"As far as navigating this industry, it's changed so much since I did it it's almost like it's a different business and there's not really a lot that I can do," he said, adding that he was "learning as much from him". 

"I encourage him and, you know, but he's very independent and he does it all pretty much on his own."