Ole Beich

Ole Beich (1955 – October 16, 1991) was a Danish musician best known as the bassist 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 both guitar and bass with several Danish bands, including a short stint in an early version of Mercyful Fate and a 1979 album with a band called Rock Nalle ^[2][3] before he decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue his music career.^[1]

Career

L.A. Guns (1983–1985)

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)

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 a suicide.

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

Discography

with L.A. Guns

• Collector's Edition No. 1 (1985)

with Nalle & The Flames^[18]

• Rock 'N'alle Roll (1979)

References

External links

• Ole Beich biography