Ole Beich

Ole Beich

Beich, circa 1982
Background information
Born January 1, 1955
Esbjerg, Denmark
Origin Los Angeles
Died October 16, 1991 (aged 36)
Copenhagen, Denmark
Genres Hard rock, heavy metal
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Bass, Guitar
Years active 1979–1985
Labels Deadline
Associated acts Guns N' Roses
L.A. Guns
Mercyful Fate

Ole Beich (January 1, 1955 – October 16, 1991) was a Danish musician best known as the bass guitarist for the original lineups of L.A. Guns and Guns N' Roses.[1]

Early life

Born in the city of Esbjerg, Beich, in his youth, achieved a degree of fame amongst local musicians and fans.[1] He played guitar with several Danish bands, and recorded an album in 1979 with a band called Rock Nalle & The Flames.[2][3] He was also a member of Mercyful Fate for a brief time, before deciding to move to Los Angeles in pursuit of a career in music.[1]

Career

L.A. Guns (1983–1985)

Main article: L.A. Guns

L.A. Guns were first formed in 1983[4] by guitarist Tracii Guns.[4][5] The first lineup included singer William Bailey[4] (who would later change his name to Axl Rose[6][7]), Beich and drummer Rob Gardner. Bailey would leave the group to front Rapidfire before going on to form Hollywood Rose with Izzy Stradlin and Chris Weber.[8][9] Singer Michael Jagosz was brought in to replace Rose with the group recording the only material by the current incarnation of L.A. Guns. The material would be released as a bonus disc, titled Collector's Edition No. 1, with the compilation album Hollywood Raw in 2004.

Guns N' Roses (1985)

Main article: Guns N' Roses

Following Tracii Guns' decision to put L.A. Guns on hold to join recently reunited Hollywood Rose (who had disbanded the previous year), replacing Weber,[8][9][10] Hollywood Rose eventually changed their name to Guns N' Roses (combining the names of L.A. Guns and Hollywood Rose) with the lineup composed of Axl Rose, Tracii Guns, Izzy Stradlin, Ole Beich[11] and Rob Gardner.[12][13]

Beich played one show in early 1985 before quitting the group[1] and was eventually replaced by Duff McKagan[14][15] while Guns left the group[4] being replaced by Slash.[14] McKagan went on to book shows taking place between Sacramento and Seattle, which was dubbed "The Hell Tour". During this time, Gardner quit the group and was replaced by Steven Adler[9] with this lineup becoming known as the "classic lineup" of Guns N' Roses.[9][16][17]

Death

Beich died on October 16, 1991, drowning in Sankt Jørgens Lake in the center of Copenhagen.[1] Not long before, on August 19, Guns N' Roses had performed in the city. His family believe that he became depressed after leaving Guns N' Roses in 1985 and was heavily abusing drugs before returning to Denmark in 1988. Heroin, and a blood alcohol content of .148, are thought to have contributed to his drowning, but his family still believes it was suicide.

Beich was buried in Esbjerg next to his father Aksel, who died in 1995.

Discography

with Rock Nalle & The Flames
with L.A. Guns

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Lerch, Otto. "Historien om Ole fra Guns N' Roses". Politiken. Retrieved September 20, 2010.
  2. ↑ http://gunsnroses.com.pl/forum/projekty-solowe/plyta-ku-czci-deep-purple/?action=printpage
  3. ↑ http://www.mercyfulfate.org/privatecollection/related/related.html
  4. 1 2 3 4 Stephen Thomas Erlewine; Andrew Leahey. "L.A. Guns Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved September 20, 2010.
  5. ↑ Thore, Kim (June 17, 2010). "Tracii Guns Interview". Uberrock.co.uk.
  6. ↑ Prato, Greg. "Axl Rose Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved September 16, 2004.
  7. ↑ Danny Sugerman (1991). Appetite for Destruction: The Days of Guns N' Roses. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-07634-7.
  8. 1 2 The Roots of Guns N' Roses (booklet). Hollywood Rose. Cleopatra Records. 2004.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Hollywood Rose Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved September 16, 2004.
  10. ↑ "Ex-HOLLYWOOD ROSE Guitarist: AXL ROSE Was 'Very Ego Motivated'". Blabbermouth.net. November 19, 2004.
  11. ↑ Wall, Mick (January 20, 2009). W.A.R.: The Unauthorized Biography of William Axl Rose. Macmillan. p. 65. ISBN 978-0-312-54148-4. Retrieved September 16, 2004.
  12. ↑ Slash; Anthony Bozza (2007). Slash. HarperCollins. p. 97. ISBN 978-0-00-725775-1.
  13. ↑ Berelian (2005). The Rough Guides to Heavy Metal. Rough Guides. p. 143. ISBN 1-84353-415-0.
  14. 1 2 Slash; Anthony Bozza (2007). Slash. HarperCollins. p. 98. ISBN 978-0-00-725775-1.
  15. ↑ Torreano, Bradley. "Duff McKagan Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved September 16, 2004.
  16. ↑ Stephen Thomas Erlewine; Greg Prato. "Guns N' Roses Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
  17. ↑ Slash; Anthony Bozza (2007). Slash. HarperCollins. p. 105. ISBN 978-0-00-725775-1.
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