Save Me from Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story (Hardcover)

~ Brian "Head" Welch (Author)
Key Phrases: doing speed, Ball Tongue, Huntington Beach, Holy Spirit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Welch starts his memoir with a bang: sex, drugs, rock ‘n roll, and hitting bottom are all packed into his short prologue, launching the story of the rock star’s rise, fall, and subsequent conversion to Christianity. Unfortunately, Welch, the former lead guitarist of the hardcore metal band Korn, never quite gets back to the punchy, dramatic style that so vividly sets in motion what could be a fascinating read, but at times is more like a casual chronology of events—despite his willingness to curse and his rocker tone. The book’s first section is a catalogue of teenage rebellion (tormenting his brother, watching horror flicks, smoking pot), yet somehow lacks drama, and Welch can’t resist listing every single band he formed, played with, and left before finally making it with Korn. It’s not until Welch tells of a visionary experience —one that eventually leads him to Jesus—that this story gains momentum as a spiritual memoir. Fans of Noah Levine (Dharma Punx) may enjoy Welch’s hard-core tone, though be warned: Welch is now hard-core on Jesus, and he hopes this story "might save a lot of people from going down the roads of destruction that [he] traveled on."

Product Description

The amazing true story of an out-of-control rock star, his devastating addiction to drugs, and his miraculous redemption through Jesus Christ.

In February 2005, more than ten thousand people in Bakersfield, California, watched as Brian "Head" Welch—the former lead guitarist of the controversial rock band Korn—was saved by Jesus Christ. The event set off a media frenzy as observers from around the world sought to understand what led this rock star out of the darkness and into the light.

Now, in this courageous memoir, Head talks for the first time about his shocking embrace of God and the tumultuous decade that led him into the arms of Jesus Christ. Offering a backstage pass to his time with Korn, Head tells the inside story of his years in the band and explains how his rock star lifestyle resulted in an all-consuming addiction to methamphetamines. Writing openly about the tour bus mayhem of Ozzfest and The Family Values tour, he provides a candid look at how the routine of recording, traveling, and partying placed him in a cycle of addiction that he could not break on his own.

Speaking honestly about his addiction, Head details his struggles with the drug that ultimately led him to seek a higher power. Despite his numerous attempts to free himself from meth, nothing—not even the birth of his daughter—could spur him to kick it for good. Here Head addresses how, with the help of God, he emerged from his dangerous lifestyle and found a path that was not only right for his daughter, it was right for him.

Discussing the chaotic end to his time in Korn and how his newfound faith has influenced his relationship with his daughter, his life, and his music, Head describes the challenging but rewarding events of the last two years, exposing the truth about how his moments of doubt and his hardships have only deepened his faith.

Candid, compelling, and inspirational, Save Me from Myself is a rock 'n' roll journey unlike any other.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (July 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061251844
• ISBN-13: 978-0061251849
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (125 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,052 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #29 in	Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Composers & Musicians > Rock
  #56 in	Books > Entertainment > Music > Musical Genres > Rock
  #73 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Recovery > Substance Abuse

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now I understand, July 5, 2007

By	William M. Sweet "korngames" (Marietta, Ga. USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I now understand why Head left the band. All this time, we had nothing to go on but what the media had to say, and a few interviews. They still left me feeling a little discouraged as to why one of my idols would just drop off the face of the planet. This book definitely puts Head's Korn experience into perspective. Although I'd like to see him reunite with the band, sober of course, this confirms it will never happen. The book becomes very hard to put down once you've started, especially since I'm a Korn fan. I recommend this book not only to Korn fans, but to people who want to see real life experiences that prove there is always something more out there.

59 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brian Welch - A Rockers Real Inspiration to Transform Addiction & Misery, July 6, 2007

By	Barbara Rose (BornToInspire.com) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In Save Me from Myself, Brian Welch former rock lead guitarist of the band Korn shares so openly, humbly and completely honestly about his life, growing up in "Bako" (Bakersfield, CA), his family life and the living hell he experienced, to finding his way to a sane stable life, free of drug addiction, with his connection to Jesus Christ.

Brian is a real hero for the millions of fans of his former rock group. The teens who also feel isolated, hurt, misunderstood and angry can now (finally) learn the real truth about the downward spiral of drug addiction, and how they can turn it around to have a much happier life.

The book reads as if you're listening to a real, down-to-earth friend, who just tells it like it is. Brian isn't looking for glory here, he's sharing from his heart. By the courageous example he sets, this book should be a MUST READ for anyone who can relate to the life Brian used to have, and how to positively turn that around.

54 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Believer with an Awesome Testimony, August 6, 2007

By	Evonne Landwehr (Duluth, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased this book for my 19 year old son but after meeting Brian at a book signing decided to read it for myself before sending it to my son. I could not put it down. I read the book cover to cover in a matter of hours. Brian has the sweetest spirit and writes from his heart. While he is honest about his choices he does not condemn or judge others. I also appreciated that he was modest in describing his former lifestyle and didn't get overly detailed or graphic. You get the picture without being grossed out with unnecessary detail. My only concern is that Christian fundamentalists will freak out when he challenges the effectiveness of organized religion in reaching souls for Christ, however, I completely AGREE with him that FIRST you get right with God by asking Jesus to come into your heart and life and save you from your(self) and your sins in order to have a right relationship with God. Church is part of learning and growing in fellowship and in understanding God's Word but it is NOT essential in saving grace. I loved this book and I am praying for the success of Brian's ministry. Furthermore, my 19 year old son, who is a heavy metal guitar player and a born again Christian, told me that he feels closer to God as a result of reading Brian's story. I believe it will also really be an inspiration to him as he navigates some of the trappings of the music industry. The world needs this man's perspective on Jesus and I am grateful to him for sharing his story.