In the world of rock ‘n’ roll, few names carry the raw, rebellious energy quite like Saul Hudson—better known to millions as Slash, the legendary guitarist for Guns N’ Roses. With his signature top hat, unruly curls, and iconic Les Paul slung low, Slash became the embodiment of rock guitar cool in the late ‘80s and ‘90s. But long before “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “Welcome to the Jungle” ruled the airwaves, Slash was just a shy, artistic kid roaming the halls of Bancroft Junior High School in Los Angeles.
And now, a RARE, never-before-seen photograph from 1978 has surfaced online—showing a 12-year-old Saul Hudson, years before his rock stardom, posing arm-in-arm with his first girlfriend, Melissa Fisher Fink, in front of Bancroft’s faded brick walls. The photo has sent fans into a frenzy, offering a raw, innocent glimpse into the early life of the man who would redefine hard rock.
A Glimpse Into Slash’s Humble Beginnings
Born in Hampstead, London, in 1965, Saul Hudson moved to Los Angeles at the age of six when his African-American mother, Ola Hudson—a prominent costume designer—decided to pursue her career in the heart of Hollywood. His father, Anthony Hudson, was a British artist who also worked in the entertainment industry. Despite the glitz surrounding his parents’ professions, young Saul’s life was far from glamorous.
By 1978, Saul was a quiet, curly-haired pre-teen navigating the awkward world of junior high. It was at Bancroft Junior High, nestled near the bustling streets of Hollywood, that Saul’s love for music, drawing, and girls first began to blossom. It was also there that he met Melissa Fisher Fink, a fellow 12-year-old whose name until now had never been connected to the rock legend.
The Innocence Before the Storm
The photo, reportedly snapped during a school event in the spring of ’78, shows Saul Hudson dressed in faded jeans and a plain T-shirt, his now-iconic curly hair already wild and untamed. Standing beside him, Melissa Fisher Fink, with her feathered ’70s hairstyle and shy smile, looks every bit the picture of young puppy love.
Sources close to the Hudson family confirm that Melissa was Saul’s first girlfriend, and though their relationship was sweet and innocent, it marked the first time the future rock star experienced the dizzying rush of young love.
“They were inseparable for a while,” a former classmate, who asked to remain anonymous, shared. “We all knew Saul was different—artsy, quiet, kind of mysterious—but with Melissa, he just lit up. You could tell even back then, he had that rockstar energy brewing.”
Fans Go Wild Over the Rare Find
The photo, leaked by an anonymous collector and quickly shared across Reddit, Instagram, and several Guns N’ Roses fan pages, has already racked up hundreds of thousands of views. Die-hard fans are obsessing over every detail, from Saul’s recognizable curls to the school setting that grounds the myth in reality.
“This is UNREAL,” commented one fan on Instagram. “To see Slash before the fame, before the chaos, just a regular kid with his first crush? It’s humbling and beautiful.”
Others pointed out how the shy, pre-teen Slash bears little resemblance to the leather-clad guitar god he would soon become.
“It’s hard to imagine that wide-eyed kid would one day rip through the solos on Paradise City,” another fan posted. “But hey, we all start somewhere.”
Bancroft Junior High: A Breeding Ground for Legends
Interestingly, Bancroft Junior High School, located near Hollywood Boulevard, has been the early stomping ground for several future stars. Along with Slash, the school has seen the likes of Lenny Kravitz and other entertainment industry kids walk its halls.
The area, saturated with music studios, artist enclaves, and Hollywood energy, undoubtedly helped shape the young Saul Hudson. Though music wasn’t yet his central focus—Slash originally aspired to be a BMX bike champion—the cultural melting pot of Bancroft exposed him to the rhythm, soul, and attitude that would eventually define his career.
Melissa Fisher Fink: Where Is She Now?
With the sudden resurfacing of this photo, many fans are now asking: Whatever happened to Melissa Fisher Fink? While little is publicly known about Melissa’s life post-junior high, sources suggest she did not pursue a career in entertainment and prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
However, some insiders hint that Melissa remained connected to the LA music scene during the early ’80s, frequently attending gigs and supporting local bands—perhaps quietly cheering on the boy she once held hands with as he transformed into one of rock’s most revered guitarists.
Slash’s Journey From Hollywood Kid to Rock Icon
Only a few years after the now-viral photo was taken, Saul Hudson would pick up the guitar in earnest, eventually earning the nickname “Slash” from actor Seymour Cassel for his energetic, never-still personality. By 1985, Slash had joined forces with Axl Rose, Duff McKagan, Izzy Stradlin, and Steven Adler to form Guns N’ Roses—a band that would go on to sell over 100 million records worldwide and change the face of rock forever.
But long before the sold-out stadiums, the Top Hat, and the wild life of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll, Slash was just a 12-year-old kid nervously smiling next to his first crush at Bancroft Junior High.
And thanks to this rare photo, the world finally gets to see that side of him.
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