Brian Welch (born June 19, 1970 in Torrance, CA), better known around the world as "Head," was a member of the band Korn, which is said to have revolutionized the genre of nu metal. Welch played rhythm and lead guitar with the act as well as providing backup vocals.
Before the formation of Korn, Welch was friends with James "Munky" Shaffer. The two jammed together on guitar. When Shaffer's band, LAPD, was looking for another guitarist, he joined and the two would become one of rock's most revered guitar-tandems. Eventually, the band found a singer in Jonathan Davis, and they released their album KoЯn in 1994 which would be the first of many successful albums, including Life Is Peachy, Follow the Leader, Issues, Untouchables, and Take A Look In The Mirror.
Welch's main — if not exclusive — guitar is an Ibanez 7-string. Along with that, he mainly uses Mesa Boogie amps (specifically, a Triple Rectifier). Favored effects include the Digitech Whammy and the Dunlop Uni-Vibe.
In 1998, while the band was on the prestigious Ozzfest tour, Welch's first daughter was born. The band left the tour so that Welch could be by his then-wife's side.
On how he got his four-letter moniker, Welch says, "I got a big head... go get me any hat, and it won't fit."
On February 22, 2005, KoЯn's management announced that Welch had parted ways with the band, citing that he had "...chosen the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior, and will be dedicating his musical pursuits to that end." [1]
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