Slash is sharing some of the guitarists he looked up to the most when he was younger.

In a new interview, the Guns N’ Roses guitarist said he was inspired to pick up the Les Paul after seeing Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards playing the instrument.

He explained, “There were a few guys who influenced me when it came to playing Les Pauls. I’d seen Eric Clapton holding one, as well as Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Billy Gibbons…A lot of players who had a great sound using those guitars.”

“I specifically remember hearing Whole Lotta Love from Led Zeppelin II when I was seven years old. And I attributed that sound – from what I felt was the coolest record I’d ever heard at that point in my life – to the Les Paul.” Slash contiuned, “Still, to this day, I’d say it’s one of the coolest records ever made. And I knew it was a Les Paul making those guitar tones because I saw pictures of Jimmy Page holding one – so that’s what made me associate the Les Paul with that kind of sound. Looking back now, I think that connection was pretty accurate!”

Watch Slash perform with Guns N’ Roses at Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, California, on October 8, 2023.