Happy Birthday Izzy Stradlin…
Cherrybomb’s favorite G’N’ Roller, Izzy Stradlin…
Former G ‘N’ R rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin turns 46 today. Cherrybomb’s High School boyfriend looked like Izzy and wore a size 13 shoe. Those were good times. Anyways, Izzy Stradlin wrote Mr. Brownstone, Patience (which went to #4 on Billbored) and the awesome Used to Love Her, (from Lies) which everyone seemed to assume was penned by Axl Rose. In 1989, after taking a piss on an airplane nowhere near the bathroom, Izzy decided to get sober. In ‘91 he officially walked away from Guns. The video for Don’t Cry (from Use Your Illusion) takes a jab at Stradlin’s departure when an image of Stradlin on the back of a milk carton that says “Where’s Izzy?”, flies randomly across the screen.
Ju Ju Hounds play “Where’s Izzy”…
Stradlin formed the Ju Ju Hounds in 1992. The Hounds had a sweet Stones sway and Ron Wood even played on the eponymous release. Stradlin also appeared on Mark Lanegan’s 2004 record, Bubblegum with Gun’s ex-bassist and sometimes Seattlite, Duff McKagen. Izzy released his 8th solo record, Fire in 2007 with former Rev. Horton Heat drummer Taz Bentley directly through iTunes. And unlike most of his former band mates, Izzy’s aged pretty well. Score one for sobriety. Dammit.
Izzy channels his inner Al Pachino
Even though his crazy-excellent Keith Richards hair is gone, I still love my Izzy. Stradlin has also managed to maintain relationships with all the original Gunner’s including the musically reclusive Axl. And while rumors of Rose’s Chinese Democracy are being fueled by Dr. Pepper, the possibility of a G ‘N’ R reunion just might happen. But don’t hold your breath.
Cherrybomb’s ex-boyfriend or Izzy Stradlin? Could they be the same person…?
Happy Birthday Izzy…wherever you are.
