Guns N’ Roses part ways with longtime drummer Frank Ferrer after 19 years

The rock legends confirm an “amicable” split with Ferrer, marking a major lineup change ahead of their 2025 tour.

Guns N’ Roses have officially parted ways with drummer Frank Ferrer after nearly two decades together. The band confirmed the lineup change in a statement released on Wednesday (March 19), calling the departure amicable.

“Guns N’ Roses announce the amicable exit of Frank Ferrer, the longest-serving drummer in their storied run,” the statement read. “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.”

Ferrer joined the band in 2006, replacing Bryan “Brain” Mantia, who had been with the group since 2000. His tenure made him the longest-serving drummer in Guns N’ Roses history, surpassing Steven Adler, who was behind the kit from 1990 to 1997.

His recording contributions began with five tracks on Chinese Democracy, the band’s long-awaited 2008 album. He also appeared on the live portion of 2022’s Hard Skool EP, while former drummer Brain played on the studio tracks, as well as Guns N’ Roses’ 2023 singles “Perhaps” and “The General.”

Ferrer’s final performance with the band took place at Mexico’s Hell & Heaven Metal Fest in November 2023, which remains Guns N’ Roses’ most recent live show.

The group is set to resume touring soon, kicking off their Because What You Want & What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things Tour in South Korea on May 1. The tour will continue through the Middle East and Europe, wrapping up with a July 31 show in Germany. No replacement for Ferrer has been announced.

Beyond his time with Guns N’ Roses, Ferrer performed with The Beautiful and later joined future GNR bandmate Richard Fortus in both Love Spit Love and The Psychedelic Furs. In 2019, he co-founded the rock band PSSR, which has released several singles in recent years.