Biography
Guitarist Gilby Clarke, who entered the world on August 17, 1962, in Cleveland, Ohio, eventually moved to Los Angeles and immersed himself in the city’s underground circuit by performing with the short-lived ’80s bands Candy and Kill for Thrills. Candy released just one album, Whatever Happened to Fun?, while Kill for Thrills managed only Dynamite from Nightmareland before both groups dissolved. During those years Clarke developed friendships with the members of Guns N’ Roses, whose sudden ascent to fame had already proven both spectacular and turbulent. When founding guitarist Izzy Stradlin walked away in late 1991, shortly after the lengthy Use Your Illusion world tour began, Clarke was among the players auditioned and was promptly brought into the lineup. He stayed through the remainder of the trek, which concluded in 1993, and contributed to the band’s all-covers collection The Spaghetti Incident?
Once the roadwork ended, vocalist Axl Rose expressed interest in exploring new musical directions that he felt Clarke’s straightforward, hard-edged approach did not match, resulting in Clarke’s departure; most of the other members soon followed. Clarke responded by starting a solo career that yielded Pawnshop Guitars in 1994—home to the rock-radio track “Cure Me…or Kill Me”—followed by Hangover in 1997, Rubber in 1998, 99 Live in 2000, and Swag in 2002. He also took on production duties for a pair of albums by the late-’90s power-pop group Beat Angels and for the ’80s glam veterans L.A. Guns. In addition, he maintained ties with his former Guns N’ Roses colleagues, appearing on Duff McKagan’s 1993 solo effort Believe in Me and joining Slash’s Snakepit for live dates. In 2001 Clarke teamed with ex-Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom to form Col. Parker, which issued the album Rock n Roll Music that same year. Early 2007 saw the arrival of another solo release, the self-titled Gilby Clarke.
Once the roadwork ended, vocalist Axl Rose expressed interest in exploring new musical directions that he felt Clarke’s straightforward, hard-edged approach did not match, resulting in Clarke’s departure; most of the other members soon followed. Clarke responded by starting a solo career that yielded Pawnshop Guitars in 1994—home to the rock-radio track “Cure Me…or Kill Me”—followed by Hangover in 1997, Rubber in 1998, 99 Live in 2000, and Swag in 2002. He also took on production duties for a pair of albums by the late-’90s power-pop group Beat Angels and for the ’80s glam veterans L.A. Guns. In addition, he maintained ties with his former Guns N’ Roses colleagues, appearing on Duff McKagan’s 1993 solo effort Believe in Me and joining Slash’s Snakepit for live dates. In 2001 Clarke teamed with ex-Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom to form Col. Parker, which issued the album Rock n Roll Music that same year. Early 2007 saw the arrival of another solo release, the self-titled Gilby Clarke.
Albums
Singles
