So when I got to be about 13 or 14, I started listening - even though my parents music was way cool - to contemporary hard rock at that time, which was Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Ted Nugent and all that, and that's just where I came from.

In this quote, Slash, the legendary guitarist of Guns N' Roses, reflects on the formative years of his musical journey. He describes how, at around the age of 13 or 14, he began to shift from the music of his parents to more contemporary hard rock bands of the time. Although he acknowledges that his parents' music was "way cool," Slash was drawn to the high-energy and rebellious sound of bands like Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, and Ted Nugent. These bands played a significant role in shaping his musical tastes and influencing his career as a guitarist.

Slash's transition from his parents' music to the hard rock scene highlights the way in which youth culture often rebels against previous generations' tastes, seeking a new identity through the music they listen to. The artists he mentions are known for their gritty, powerful sounds, which resonated with Slash during his adolescence. The quote illustrates how hard rock became a vital part of Slash's musical upbringing, forming the foundation for his later success in rock music.

The reference to bands like Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, and AC/DC is also a nod to the classic rock era, which was marked by its influence on later generations of musicians. Slash’s love for these bands reflects the way in which rock music from the 1970s and 1980s shaped the trajectory of rock and metal throughout the years. His mention of these iconic acts emphasizes his deep connection to the genre and its impact on his own music and style.

Ultimately, Slash’s words reveal a key moment in his development as an artist, where his early exposure to hard rock music helped define his musical path. It highlights how certain genres and artists serve as a source of inspiration, not just for creating music, but also for shaping the identity and culture of future generations of musicians.