Brian "Head" Welch - Save Me From Myself

When Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch announced in 2005 that he had found religion and was quitting the band, everyone was shocked. It blindsided his bandmates, and fans couldn't understand how someone could walk away from one of the most successful and financially lucrative bands in the world. There was a war of words in the press between Welch and frontman Jonathan Davis, and Welch took a barrage of criticism.

Last fall he got the chance to tell his story when Save Me From Myself was published. It's now available in trade paperback. After reading the book, it is crystal clear that Welch had two choices. He could stay in Korn and eventually die from his massive drug addiction, or he could quit and try to save his life. Welch chose life.

Save Me From Myself tells Welch's life story, from his sometimes rocky childhood to his immersion in music and eventual success with Korn. He lived the typical rock star lifestyle with lots of drinking and drugs. Eventually things started to spiral out of control and he had a meth addiction that he kept hidden from his bandmates and most everyone else.

Welch doesn't pull any punches as he recounts his story. He reveals some reprehensible behavior he engaged in while locked in the grip of drug addiction, but also balances it with some lighter moments and tales of life in Korn.

The turning point for Welch was in 2005 when he rediscovered Jesus and returned to the faith that he had been a member of as a child. That, along with the love of his daughter helped Welch dig himself out of the depths to which he had fallen. There were some relapses and stumbles along the way, but he continues to try to walk the straight and narrow.

These days Welch has made peace with his former Korn bandmates, and has embarked on a solo career. He's doing a lot of speaking at religious events, and his first solo album, which is also called Save Me From Myself, will be released in September, 2008. In conjunction with the paperback publication of his autobiography, there's another version called Washed By Blood. It also tells his story, but is a more sanitized version aimed at younger readers.

Save Me From Myself is an inspirational story of someone who was able to turn their life around. Some still think Brian "Head" Welch made a huge mistake by leaving Korn and trying to make it on his own, but he is comfortable with that choice and has fully embraced his new life and lifestyle.