Korn Guitarist Finds God, Leaves Band

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Korn Guitarist Finds God, Leaves Band

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch has parted ways with the hard rock act, citing a recent religious awakening.

Welch broke the news Sunday on Bakersfield, Calif., station KRAB-FM.

"I had it in my heart to come here and explain to you," Welch said. "I'm good friends with Korn. I love those guys, and they love me, and they're very happy for me."

Addressing the aggressive tone of the music he made with Korn, Welch said, "Anger is a good thing, and if kids want to listen to Korn, good, but there's happiness after the anger. I'm going to show it through my actions how much I love my fans."

Welch added that he would be appearing at a local church on Feb. 27, during which time he would "speak (about) how I got to this place in my life, and I'll answer all your questions."

On its official Web site (http://www.korn.com), Korn's remaining members said they respect Welch's wishes and hope "he finds the happiness he is searching for." The group is in the studio working on a new album, due in September, which will be its first since fulfilling its contract with Epic last year.

For now, no replacement for Welch has been named, nor has a new label home for the band.

- Reuters

Oh wow.... I'm a KoRn fan, as is my Lady (one of her all time fav bands) and I have to say that this is a shock. I wonder who they will find to replace Brian.

Ex-Korn Guitarist Quits For His Kid

Former Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch said that one of the reasons he left the band was to set a better example for his six-year-old daughter, according to the Bakersfield Californian. Welch said, "I just grew up a little bit...I've got to think of my kid. I just want to do the right thing."

Although Korn's management offered to let Welch bring his daughter on tour with him, the guitarist was not interested: "What parents would want their kids to go on a rock 'n' roll tour, a heavy metal tour?"

Welch's departure from the band was made official on Tuesday (February 22) when Korn issued a statement that read in part, "[Welch] has chosen the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior, and will be dedicating his musical pursuits to that end. Korn respects Brian's wishes, and hopes he finds the happiness he's searching for."

A founding member of Korn for thirteen years, Welch told the Californian that he's not surprised by the reactions to his departure: "My old friend called today and said he was called up by another friend of mine who said, 'Who brainwashed Brian?' Man, you guys don't even know...A lot of people think I'm crazy. I don't care."

Welch admitted he was increasingly disturbed by the dark image that Korn projected. "Those guys in the band, they're not bad guys. They're just a bunch of kids getting marketed how these guys in the big corporate firms want to do. It makes us look like bad people, but we're really just a bunch of kids who never had a chance to grow up."

Welch will discuss his reasons for leaving this Sunday (February 27), when he addresses the congregation at the Valley Bible Fellowship in Bakersfield, California, where he recently began attending services.

Korn is currently in the studio, working on their seventh album, and have no immediate plans to replace Welch.

- Yahoo Music