Updated 03:31 pm.EST, Tue November 24, 2009

Entertainment|Sun, Jul. 15 2007 12:31 PM EDT

Brian 'Head' Welch Hits NY Times Bestseller List with Conversion Story

By Kevin Jackson|Christian Post Reporter

After only one week, a new biography written by the former lead guitarist of Korn, Brian “Head” Welch, has become one of the top 20 books on the New York Times Bestsellers list.

  • 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.

Save Me From Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story, released on July 7 (7/7/07), is a reflection of the ex-band member’s amazing conversion story. In it, he shows how God can work inside even a hardcore rocker.

"The enthusiasm from Korn's early days was gone. I just sat there in so much dark depression,” writes Welch in his new book. “How did I get here?...Why is my life such a nightmare?...It felt like I was under a curse, honestly. I was stuck. And it didn't look like I was ever going to get out."

For more than a decade, the founder of Korn played as lead guitarist and garnered huge success in mainstream music. His CD’s went platinum, he won multiple Grammys, and he obtained incredible wealth. Under that, however, the musician felt trapped.

In 2005 at a 10,000-person concert people in Bakersfield, Calif., he shocked millions of his fans around the world by telling them he had found God and that he was leaving the band.

As part of his newly released book, Welch explains the evolution of Korn and how his life ended up in so much pain. He relives his biggest problem as well: an addiction to meth that he could not break, even with the birth of his first daughter.

Only through God, was he able to kick the habit, which he says proved the Lord’s true existence to him.

“I got hooked on methamphetamines the last two years I was in Korn, and I did meth everyday,” explained the guitarist in an interview this month with The Christian Post. “I wanted to quit [but] I couldn’t quit. I tried to quit. I went to rehab, and I just couldn’t quit.

“[One night I prayed] ‘Lord, if You’re real … please take these drugs from me. Make them go away. Reveal Yourself to me and all that.’ I think in a week or two, I got the urge to throw away all my drugs with the help of a friend. I was done.”

Among the main highlights of the book, Welch reveals the untold history of Korn, what a lifestyle of touring and addiction can create, the difficulties that come with walking away from fame, and the doubts that he has had to deal with the past two years since his departure but also how his faith has created more meaning his life.

The musician hopes that the book can stir up a passion inside of its readers, both Christian and secular, and that it could especially touch those in similar situation to his past.

“So I just want people to know God. I just pray that it imparts a hunger, even Christians, to know God more. You know, deeper,” the ex-Korn member told The Christian Post. “And if tons of drug addicts get set free from their drugs by the book, that’s awesome.”

Welch is currently on a book signing tour around the United States. He has three more cities left that he will visit: Phoenix (July 16), Los Angeles (July 17, 18), and Chicago (July 25).

He also plans on releasing a currently unnamed CD in the near future, much of which is devoted to his testimony.

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  • Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:13 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

    it is awesome to hear such an amazing testimony. i could not believe it when my friend told me that a former korn guitarrist had decided to leave drugs and alcohol to serve the lord. all i know is that if jesus could heal a succesful artist than he can certainly reach those fans looking for a way for happiness. all right bro.

  • Wed Aug 08, 2007 3:26 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

    I heard an excerpt from the interview with Brian "Head" Welch on my way to work the other day.. I can not express how much it means to hear his testimony.. You see, I am also a recvoering addict (sober for 8 years) :o) Korn was my favorite band during my "party days"..or dark days.. I remember once partying and headbanging to one of their songs so hard I almost got whiplash.
    My husband has helped me so much in the past 8 years. He "re-introduced" me to Jesus. My parents always made me go to church, but to be honest, I thought a lot about church itself was cheesy. My husband gave me a CD of P.O.D, and a few other christian rock bands, along with praying with me, going with me to church, and lifting me up. Praise GOD, I am now completely healed of drug addiction! I am left with emotional scars, but I am thankful to God for sending me "an angel" to help rescue me. Never give up on anyone- EVERYONE without Christ is hurting, and looking for something to fill their own "God-shaped hole", and no one but Christ will fill it.
    Our church is in the process of starting a Celebrate Recovery minisrty, and I am so excited about it. I will definately be buying "Save Me From Myself". Thanks so much for airing his testimony, and getting the word out- it made my heart jump when I heard!! God bless!

  • Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:38 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

    Korn off Da Kob: New song chronicles conversion of Brian "Head" Welch
    For those who may be interested, I've been following the career and life changes of ex-Korn lead guitarist, Brian "Head" Welch, have an interview arranged with him for a magazine article, and have also written two previous songs that chronicle his recent history. I have just released the following rap song that is steadily gaining momentum on the internet:

    Korn on da Kob
    Dr BLT
    Words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2007 Shrink Rapped Records
    http://www.drblt.net/music/KORNoffDA.mp3

    For those who don't know who I am, I'm a nobody (just kidding). Actually, coming to think of it, that's not far from the truth (from a purely superficial understanding of the term), but I gained initial exposure via his cameo participation in Cake's music video for Short Skirt/Long Jacket, a top hit music video that would later be nominated for Groundbreaking Music Video of the Year at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.



    Previous Dr BLTunes have registered just under the Billboard radar, but have become popular enough to register on other internet download charts, and a song of his called Neil Young (Have you Forgotten) was named the 8th best record of 2006 by Blog Critics writer, Al Barger.

    Dr BLT (his formal title combined with his initials) has, as his day job, the job of psychologist, is also a writer and hopes that an upcoming interview with Head will give him lots of great material to reflect upon for the purposes of his Phantom Tollbooth article.

  • Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:49 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

    Brian, I heard about your book this am on KLOVE going to work. I am searching for your book for my daughter, who says she is not a meth addict, but has had problems using in the past. I pray daily for God to give her the strength to keep up this fight, and moreover, to give her life to God to change forevermore. I think your book will bring it all into focus for her in a way that I cannot. I pray for your continued drug-free , God-filled life. I know you will be blessed for sharing your message of salvation!!

  • Thu Jul 26, 2007 6:26 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

    If there is anything truly evil, it's meth. It's the hardest thing I've ever had to face down. I gave my life to the Lord in 2002, in county jail where I was awaiting trial on meth charges. I prayed that if there was a God, if he would deliver me from my addication and imprisonment, I would dedicate my life to Him. He did His part and now I'm doing mine. The point I want to make is this, pray for your loved ones who are battling this addiction. And keep in mind, getting off of meth will be the single hardest thing they've ever done. My wife of 22 years constantly prayed for me and I know that it was the prayers of her and others that opened the door for my salvation. Thanks and God bless you all.

  • Fri Jul 20, 2007 11:11 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

    I am also going to buy this book for my ex-husband, a meth addict, whom I divorced in 2003 Currently, he is serving jail time for not staying clean. Although, just like Welch my ex wanted to stop but couldn't, maybe with Welch's story it will impact his life forever. I hope through this book he can now believe the miracles God can do, if you only really believe and trust in Jesus. I have always believed in my ex-husband b/c I have a personally relationship with Jesus and I know how he can deliver us from our troubles. " Welch, Jesus be with you forever"

  • Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:38 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 4

    I AM GOING TO BUY THIS BOOK TODAY IF I CAN FIND IT! MY HUSBAND TRYS TO SAY THAT GOD DOESN'T EXIST ; BUT WE ALL KNOW DIFFERENTLY. KORN HAS BEEN HIS #1 FAVORITE BAND FOR MANY YEARS NOW. I WAS SO EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT THIS BOOK. I AM BUYING IT FOR MY HUSBAND; THIS MIGHT BE THE MISSING LINK IN HIM FINALLY ADMITTING WHAT WE ALL ALREADY KNOW! THAT GOD IS THE #1 MOST AMAZING THING IN THIS WORLD!

  • Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:28 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 6

    I haven't read it, but look foward to it. I just heard about it online today. I am going to look for it though! Can't wait to read it :)

  • koko »
    Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:22 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 6

    Anyone read it yet?
    I think i will buy this book as a gift for a close friend who doesn't know Jesus but is into Korn.

  • Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:58 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

    This sounds like a great book! I can't wait for it to come out. I hope this book will go out to people who are walking down a dark path right now or just about to, and after reading Brian's experiences and testimonies will come to realize the consequences of their future life decisions.

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