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Guns N’ Roses have announced the departure of drummer Frank Ferrer after nearly two decades with the band.
The split was described as “amicable” in a statement shared by Guns N’ Roses, who said, “The band thanks Frank for his friendship, creativity, and sturdy presence over the past 19 years, and they wish him success in the next chapter of his musical journey.”
On Thursday, the band revealed that Isaac Carpenter, a veteran of Awolnation, A Perfect Circle, and Duff McKagan’s Loaded, who replace Ferrer on GNR’s upcoming 2025 tour. “Carpenter has made a name for himself by uniquely blending versatility and groove with crushing force and technical skill, cementing his reputation as a multifaceted drummer in the industry,” the band added.
Ferrer has the distinction of being the longest-serving drummer in Guns N’ Roses history. He first joined the band at a show in June 2006, and went on to help “anchor the rhythm section during subsequent tours, including [GN’R’s] recent outings featuring the reunited trio of Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan.” Ferrer’s last show with the band was the final night of that run, Nov. 5, 2023 in Mexico.
Along with playing with Guns N’ Roses live, Ferrer also drummed on several tracks on the band’s long-awaited 2008 album, Chinese Democracy. He can also heard on the live tracks from GN’R’s 2022 EP, Hard Skool.
The announcement of Ferrer’s departure comes as Guns N’ Roses prepare to kick off their first tour in two years (officially dubbed the Because What You Want and What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things Tour). The run kicks off May 1 in Incheon, South Korea and continues through July, with dates in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
During his tenure with Guns N’ Roses, Ferrer stayed busy with a handful of other projects, most notably co-founding the band PSSR in 2019.
This story was updated Thursday, March 20 with news of Isaac Carpenter’s hiring.
