Updated 04:40 pm.EST, Sat November 21, 2009

Opinion|Fri, Jul. 06 2007 09:59 AM EDT

Interview: Former Lead Guitarist, Founder of Korn Reflects on Conversion, Freedom from Drugs

By Jeremiah Gregier|Christian Post Correspondent

Money, fame, success; you’ve got it all, right? Not according to Brian “Head” Welch, the former lead guitarist and founder of multi-Grammy nu-metal rock band Korn.

  • Brian Welch Save Myself from Me
    Brian 'Head' Welch is seen with his daughter Jennea Marie. His new book, 'Save Me From Myself: How I found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story' was released into stores July 3.
  • Brian Welch Save Myself from Me
    Brian 'Head' Welch's new book, 'Save Me From Myself: How I found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story' was released into stores July 7.
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The mega rock star details his life story in his new book, Save Me From Myself: How I found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story, that will be released July 7 (07-07-07). The biography explains the freedom he received from a life devastated by drugs and caught up in the negative lifestyle that comes with being in an out-of-control band. His testimony is a life that hit rock bottom, but was lifted up by Christ.

The Christian Post was able to catch up with the musician at his hotel in New York. His appearance may not have looked like the typical Christian (long pony tails, a divided and braided goatee, tattooes), but his witness was a heartfelt and sincere plea of what God has done in his life.

The following are excerpts from the interview:

CP: You have a new book that is going to be released on July 7, called Save Me From Myself: How I found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story. In it, you talk about your life as the lead guitarist in Korn and your conversion to Christianity following that. As part of that band, you garnered huge fame and wealth, but your book talks about the struggles that came with that kind of lifestyle. Can you explain some of the problems you had to deal with?.

Welch: That lifestyle, going in, before even we got Korn, it was like partying. Partying was the thing. It went along with the music. You know, drugs and drinking, drinking especially, went along with the music and stuff. When we got into Korn, the drugs crept in from the get-go. We wrote the first Korn songs on drugs, on speed, up for days. So that was a big impact on the band, you know.

It leveled out. The drug use kind of went away when we started touring. And then it started to come back as we got bigger, you know. It’s like more people were experimenting, and we got wrapped up in it a little too much. Everybody went through some kind of turning point in their lives, not just me, but mine was more drastic.

CP: So how was it that you came back to Christ? Was it a single moment – like one night where you were thinking “Oh, I just can’t do this anymore” – or was it more of a drawn out process?

Welch: You know, it seemed that the more successful Korn got, the traumas in my personal life increased. It’s like the more famous you got, the more problems you got and stuff.

I got hooked on meth. That was the worst part of my drug addiction. I got hooked on methamphetamines the last two years I was in Korn, and I did meth everyday. I couldn’t get out of bed without it. I wanted it, but I wanted to quit. I couldn’t quit. I tried to quit. I went to rehab, and I just couldn’t quit.

I didn’t even know I was going back to Christ. I didn’t know I had Christ. I didn’t know Christ was real. I knew they said he was real, but I never experienced him. So when I went to rehab I couldn’t quit the dang drug. I got invited to church by a friend, and they took me in. The preacher was talking about how you can just go … all you got to do is talk to God in your everyday life and He’ll be involved. If you just hang out with Him, all the bad things will just fall out of your life. Continue »

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  • Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:12 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 4

    All you Bible Bangers suck. Head can go to hell. It's time to let go of your crutches. Face it, money and drugs will always rule America. Losers

  • Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:14 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

    This is the most amazing story I've heard in awhile. The fact that he was so famous in the world of metal is a gigantic testimony in a place most seldom reach. God is awesome, he knew what he was doing with Brian, and what would come of all of this, the entire time. I think God's purpose for Brian was a reason Korn got so big. Head can come jam with my band anytime. Our prayers are with him.

  • Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:43 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

    What a wonderful testimony, I have a friend as he was and I am praying that he can become as he is now. I know God can turn his life around when he surrenders all to him, pls keep this man in prayer time is running out for him, his name is Rusty. Gods Blessings

  • Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:50 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 3

    wow what an awesome testimony! I too was a meth adict for 10 yrs, and Jesus delivered me from death and destruction! we serve a powerfull and great GOD. I plead the Blood of Jesus over you and your family. And I cant wait to hear your album! God Bless you!

  • Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:51 pm Agree: 5   Disagree: 0

    Prraise God for Brians convertion. It just goes to show what a big God we serve. And like the scriptures say with men it is impossible but with God ALL things are possible.I'll continue to lift you up in prayer.

  • Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:24 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

    That's a great pic of Brian and his daughter. Praise God for how He's helped Brian change his life around, and for using him in such a great way!

  • Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:18 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

    What a great story. Lord be with Brian and let many people come to Christ through reading his book.

  • Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:02 am Agree: 13   Disagree: 6

    Good for him. He seems really sincere about his faith. I hope that a lot of the people that listened to Korn could be led through his example. What a great story.

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