GnR bassist comes to campus

From rock and roll to the business track, Duff McKagan of Guns n' Roses fame is now returning to Seattle University to promote his first novel "It's So Easy (And Other Lies)."

McKagan will be interviewed Friday, Oct. 21 and available for a moderated Q&A, as well as a book signing at the Pigott Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

McKagan, a Seattle native, played bass in Guns n' Roses for 12 years and co-wrote songs on the now classic album "Appetite For Destruction." He went on to play bass in Velvet Revolver, a hard rock supergroup that boasted Guns n' Roses bandmates Slash and Matt Sorum. For a brief stint, he acted as bassist for the classic alternative band Jane's Addiction in 2010. He now serves as frontman of his own band, Loaded. McKagan's music has earned Grammy's and landed him in the Billboard charts numerous times.

McKagan's new book is not his first time writing by any means—he has written weekly columns for Seattle Weekly, ESPN and Playboy.

According to Susan R. Woerdehoff, assistant vice president of alumni relations, this will be an opportunity for students to not only meet an important alumnus, but to learn from McKagan's successes and pitfalls along the way.

"I think that students can learn about passion from him...if you follow your passions you can do anything," said Woerdehoff. "If you follow what you love the rest will follow suit."

Woerdehoff coordinated the book promotion with McKagan personally.

McKagan had informally arrived on campus earlier in the fall and was impressed by the changes made since his enrollment as an undergraduate in the Albers School of Business and Economics. He then called Woerdehoff later to set up the book promotion.

"It all serendipitously came together," Woerdehoff said. "It was amazing, kind of meant to be."

McKagan's novel shares his experience at Seattle U as well as "his to rise to the pinnacle of fame and fortune, his struggles with alcoholism, and his phoenix-like transformation via a unique path to sobriety," as Elliott Bay Bookstore said of his novel. McKagan developed pancreatitis and, in his "road to sobriety" he attended Seattle U. He left before completing his last course for his master's degree to commit himself to his financial advising company Meridian Rock.

Meridian Rock helps rock stars keep their finances in check, something McKagan had a hard time with himself.

Sharon Cumberland of the English department plans to ask him about his experience growing up Seattle, connections he made here, how he got into music, what drew him into the academic life and to Seattle U, as well as when he will be possibly returning to finish his last course required for his master's degree.

Katie may be reached at kgilbert@su-spectator.com