Editing Richard Fortus

{{short description|American guitarist (born 1966)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Richard Fortus
| image            = Richard Fortus (8056234364).jpg
| caption          = Fortus in 2012
| image_size       = 
| background       = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|1966|11|17}}
| birth_place      = [[St. Louis, Missouri]], U.S.
| occupation       = {{hlist|Musician|songwriter|producer}}
| instrument       = {{hlist|Guitar|vocals}}
| years_active     = 1984–present
| genre            = {{hlist|[[Rock music|Rock]]|[[post-punk]]|[[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]|[[New wave music|new wave]]}}
| label            = {{hlist|[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]|[[Geffen Records|Geffen]]}}
| current_member_of = {{flatlist|
<!-- Associated acts are listed in alphabetical order per guidelines -->
* [[Guns N' Roses]]
}}
| past_member_of   = {{hlist|[[The Dead Daisies]]|[[Love Spit Love]]|[[The Psychedelic Furs]]|[[Thin Lizzy]]|The Eyes}}
| website          = [http://www.richardfortus.com/ Official website]
| spouse           = {{marriage|Stephanie Howlett|2016}}
| module           = {{Infobox person|embed=yes
| children         = 2
}}
}}

'''Richard Fortus''' (born November 17, 1966) is an American guitarist. He is a member of the [[hard rock]] band [[Guns N' Roses]], with whom he has recorded one studio album, since 2002.<ref name="Richard Fortus official biography">{{cite web|url=http://www.richardfortus.com/bio.php|title=Biography|year=2012|work=Official website|publisher=Richard Fortus|access-date=July 16, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806190242/http://www.richardfortus.com/bio.php|archive-date=August 6, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-guitarist-richard-fortus-says-he-clicked-with-slash-and-duff-mckagan-instantly/|title=GUNS N' ROSES Guitarist RICHARD FORTUS Says He 'Clicked' With SLASH And DUFF MCKAGAN 'Instantly'|date=2017-05-07|publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=2017-06-06}}</ref> Fortus has also collaborated extensively with [[The Psychedelic Furs]] frontman [[Richard Butler (singer)|Richard Butler]] and fellow Guns N' Roses bandmate [[Frank Ferrer]]. Aside from lead singer [[Axl Rose]] and keyboardist [[Dizzy Reed]], Fortus is the longest-tenured member of Guns N' Roses, having been with the band continuously since 2002.

Alongside his work in Guns N' Roses, Fortus is a former member of [[Love Spit Love]], [[Thin Lizzy]], and [[The Dead Daisies]].<ref name="Richard Fortus official biography"/>

==Career==

===Early life and beginning career===
Fortus was born in [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]], Missouri.<ref name="Richard Fortus official biography"/> He began learning [[violin]] at 4 years old and the drums a year later.

Fortus studied at the Conservatory of the Arts in St. Louis and [[Southern Illinois University]] and also played in several youth symphonies in the St. Louis area.

===The Eyes/Pale Divine (1984–91)===
Fortus founded the band The Eyes in 1984. The four-piece alternative band independently released ''Freedom in a Cage'', which was produced by David Probst. After signing with [[Atlantic Records]], they changed their name to Pale Divine. They subsequently toured the U.S. in support of their only album, ''Straight to Goodbye'', opening for [[The Psychedelic Furs]].

===Love Spit Love and the Psychedelic Furs (1992–2000)===

After the Psychedelic Furs split up, Fortus formed [[Love Spit Love]] with [[Richard Butler (singer)|Richard Butler]] and [[Frank Ferrer]] in 1992.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Appleford |first1=Steve |title=Pop Music Review : With Love Spit Love, Butler Leaves Furs for a New Style |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-27-ca-43476-story.html |website=L.A. Times |access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref> When the Furs re-formed in 2000, Fortus joined the group as second guitarist and played on the live album ''Beautiful Chaos: Greatest Hits Live''. Love Spit Love went on an indefinite hiatus soon after.

'''<big>Loup Garou  (1995–98)</big>'''

Fortus joined this NYC outfit for club dates and festivals over a three-year hitch that included dates in Europe and culminated with the recording of the band's third CD, ''Ten Wines from Job's Vineyard''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Richard Fortus of Guns N' Roses |url=https://glidemagazine.com/20543/richard-fortus-of-guns-n-roses/ |website=Glide Magazine |access-date=9 January 2020}}</ref>

===Guns N' Roses (2002–present)===
[[File:Guns N' Roses en Chile 2011 (6216465719).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Fortus playing with Guns N' Roses in 2011]]
In 1999, Fortus was contacted by [[Guns N' Roses]] to audition as a potential replacement for the departing [[Robin Finck]]. However, the spot was ultimately filled by [[Buckethead]]. In 2002, guitarist [[Paul Tobias]] left Guns N' Roses, citing stress with touring. Fortus was touring Europe as guitarist for [[Enrique Iglesias]] in May 2002 when he got a call from his friend (and [[Guns N' Roses]] bassist) [[Tommy Stinson]] asking him to fly out to audition for the band.<ref>[http://www.gnrevolution.com/viewtopic.php?id=3543 Chinese Whispers - The Secret History of the New Studio Album]</ref> Fortus joined Guns N' Roses officially in July 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=470|title=Guns N' Roses Trade Paul Huge For Psychedelic Furs' Guitarist|first=Sorelle|last=Saidman|date=July 17, 2002|work=cdnow.com|access-date=April 24, 2015}}</ref>

In Guns N' Roses, Fortus plays both rhythm guitar and occasional lead guitar. Lead singer [[Axl Rose]] is very pleased with Fortus's work and has said, "He's an amazing lead player and very technically skilled. He really likes the pocket that [[Bryan Mantia|Brain]] sets and the two of them click with Tommy so we finally have the real deal rhythm section, as Richard is a proven professional. Basically, Richard's the guy that we always were looking for."<ref>[http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=490 GN'R press release with Axl interview]</ref>

Fortus recorded guitars for the band's 2008 album ''[[Chinese Democracy]]'' and appears on the live release ''[[Appetite for Democracy 3D]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Long Wait for Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-long-wait/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Guns N' Roses to release 3D concert film 'Appetite For Democracy' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/guns-n-roses-79-1235075 |website=NME |access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref>

Fortus has been present at every tour since 2002, most recently at the [[Not in This Lifetime... Tour]], playing alongside classic-era members [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] and [[Duff McKagan]].

===The Dead Daisies (2013–16)===
[[file:Dead Daisies (cropped)2.jpg|thumb|upright|Fortus playing with the Dead Daisies in 2013]]
In 2013, Fortus joined [[the Dead Daisies]] with the likes of [[Jon Stevens]] and Dave Lowy as well as Guns N' Roses bandmates [[Frank Ferrer]] and [[Dizzy Reed]]. Their eponymous debut album was released on August 9, 2013. A second album, ''Revolucion,'' was released in 2015. Fortus left the Dead Daisies in 2016 to focus on Guns N' Roses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/richard-fortus-dizzy-reed-exit-dead-daisies-add-doug-aldrich/|title=Richard Fortus + Dizzy Reed Exit Dead Daisies|work=loudwire.com|access-date=December 15, 2016}}</ref>

===Other projects===
Fortus was in a group called Honky Toast with Frank Ferrer, singer Eric J. Toast, and bassist E.Z. Bake. The group released one album, 1999's ''Watcha Gonna Do Honky?''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/honky-toast-mn0000213334|title=Honky Toast - Biography & History - AllMusic|work=allmusic.com|access-date=December 15, 2016}}</ref>

Fortus has collaborated with techno-rock musician [[BT (musician)|BT]] on several occasions, including touring with him in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1123605/bt-to-tour-north-america-with-full-live-band/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809053135/http://www.mtv.com/news/1123605/bt-to-tour-north-america-with-full-live-band/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 9, 2016|title=BT To Tour North America With Full Live Band|work=mtv.com|access-date=December 15, 2016}}</ref>

In March 2008, Fortus was one of the guest guitarists for the reunion shows of [[X Japan]] at the [[Tokyo Dome]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.richardfortusonline.com/rfo2/ontour.htm |title=on tour |publisher=Richardfortusonline.com |access-date=2011-04-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215160714/http://www.richardfortusonline.com/rfo2/ontour.htm |archive-date=December 15, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He played with them three more times in 2018: on April 10 and 11 at [[Zepp|Zepp Divercity]] and on April 14 at [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000152649|title=X JAPAN、Zepp DiverCityで復活10周年記念ライブ開催|date=2018-03-08|access-date=2018-07-15|publisher=Barks |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/marilyn-manson-to-join-x-japan-on-stage-at-coachella/|title=MARILYN MANSON To Join X JAPAN On Stage At COACHELLA|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=2018-07-15}}</ref>

In 2008, he joined the Danish rock/pop band the Storm on their tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ekstrabladet.dk/musik/dkmusiknyt/article4340379.ece|title=The Storm med Guns N' Roses-guitarist|work=ekstrabladet.dk|access-date=December 15, 2016}}</ref> Fortus played guitar on their first record, ''Where the Storm Meets the Ground'', and is a personal friend of lead singer Pernille Rosendahl and lead guitarist Johan Wohlert.

Fortus provided guitar for former [[The Replacements (band)|The Replacements]] and Guns N' Roses bassist [[Tommy Stinson]]'s two solo albums. Fortus also recorded a cover of the "[[James Bond Theme]]" for [[Guitar Hero World Tour]] and later played the song live as a solo spot during Guns N' Roses's 2012 tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Guns N' Roses Guitarist Richard Fortus Featured On Pagan Single |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-guitarist-richard-fortus-featured-on-pagan-single/ |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref>

He has collaborated with singer-songwriter Lásse Kvernmo in a project called Sáivu.<ref>{{cite web |title=Guns N' Roses Guitarist Richard Fortus Releases Collaboration With Norwegian Musician |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-guitarist-richard-fortus-releases-collaboration-with-norwegian-musician/ |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref> Fortus has also recorded or toured with acts such as [[Rihanna]], [[N*SYNC]], [[Nena]], and [[Ben Folds]], among others.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Kevin |title=Back to the jungle: Guns N' Roses returns with St. Louis guitarist Richard Fortus |url=https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/kevin-johnson/back-to-the-jungle-guns-n-roses-returns-with-st/article_0920ee4e-f067-5ac7-ac2f-6c3fd48c4196.html |website=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=GUNS N' ROSES' Richard Fortus To Host Master Class At University of Central Oklahoma |url=http://bravewords.com/news/guns-n-roses-richard-fortus-to-host-master-class-at-university-of-central-oklahoma |website=Brave Words |access-date=5 January 2020}}</ref>

Fortus is a member (alongside Ferrer) of New York–based band The Compulsions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecompulsionsnyc.com/#!bio/c10fk|title=The Compulsions - New York City Rock 'N' Roll Band|work=thecompulsionsnyc.com|access-date=December 15, 2016}}</ref>

Fortus briefly joined [[Thin Lizzy]] as lead guitarist in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/thin-lizzy-with-guns-n-roses-guitarist-richard-fortus-first-band-photo-released/|title=THIN LIZZY With GUNS N' ROSES Guitarist RICHARD FORTUS: First Band Photo Released|date=April 14, 2011|work=blabbermouth.net|access-date=December 15, 2016}}</ref>

==Equipment==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=June 2023}}
Guitars: Paoletti Richard Fortus Signature #2 Guitar in White Leather. Gibson '73 Les Paul Signature, Gretsch White Falcon, Leo Scala <!-- Also appears to play a Telecaster as seen in the above photo. --><br>
Effects: Hiwatt Tape Echo, Lexicon PCM80<br>
Pedals: Klon Centaur, Hermida Mosferatu<br>
Amps: 2 channel Cornford, '73 Jose-modded Marshall 100, Plexi Marshalls (modified), Diezel

==Personal life==
On November 5, 2005, Fortus's partner gave birth to a daughter, Paisley Piper Fortus. She gave birth to a second child, Clover Blue Fortus, on January 6, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/bios/richard.html|title=Here Today... Gone To Hell! - Richard Fortus Facts|work=heretodaygonetohell.com|access-date=December 15, 2016}}</ref>

In September 2015, he was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash, causing him to miss dates with the Dead Daisies. Fortus suffered a broken shoulder blade, a broken collarbone, six broken ribs, a broken toe, a bruised lung, a lacerated liver, and a concussion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/guns-n-roses-guitarist-richard-fortus-serious-injuries-motorcycle-accident/|title=Guns N' Roses' Richard Fortus Injured in Motorcycle Accident|work=loudwire.com|access-date=December 15, 2016}}</ref>

On December 10, 2016, Fortus married Stephanie Howlett, a St. Louis–based attorney.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/columns/joe-holleman/stl-lawyer-weds-guns-n-roses-axeman/article_7641b491-4eb6-577c-9ef1-c5cf4c6cb6f3.html|title=STL lawyer weds Guns N' Roses axeman|first=Joe|last=Holleman|work=stltoday.com|access-date=December 15, 2016}}</ref> The couple resides in [[St. Louis County, Missouri]], with their two daughters.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/kevin-johnson/back-to-the-jungle-guns-n-roses-returns-with-st/article_0920ee4e-f067-5ac7-ac2f-6c3fd48c4196.html |title=Back to the jungle: Guns N' Roses returns with St. Louis guitarist Richard Fortus |last=Johnson |first=Kevin C. |date=July 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722121653/http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/kevin-johnson/back-to-the-jungle-guns-n-roses-returns-with-st/article_0920ee4e-f067-5ac7-ac2f-6c3fd48c4196.html |archive-date=July 22, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref>

[[file:Guns N' Roses en Chile 2011 (6217893767).jpg|thumb|Fortus (left) with Guns N' Roses singer [[Axl Rose]] and guitarist [[DJ Ashba]] in 2011]]

== Discography ==
[[file: Guns n'Roses (52968788779) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Fortus in 2023.]]
'''With The Eyes/Pale Divine'''
*''Freedom in a Cage'' (1990)
*''Straight to Goodbye'' (1991)

'''With [[Love Spit Love]]'''
*''[[Love Spit Love (album)|Love Spit Love]]'' (1994)
*''[[Trysome Eatone]]'' (1997)

'''With [[Tommy Stinson]]'''
*''[[Village Gorilla Head]]'' (2004)
*''One Man Mutiny'' (2011)

'''With [[BT (musician)|BT]]'''
*''[[Movement in Still Life]]'' (1999)
*''[[Emotional Technology]]'' (2003)

'''With Loup Garou:'''
*''Ten Wines from Job's Vineyard'' (1996)

'''With [[Guns N' Roses]]:'''
*''[[Chinese Democracy]]'' (2008)
*''[[Appetite for Democracy 3D]]'' (2014)
*"[[Absurd (song)|Absurd]]" (2021)
* "[[Hard Skool]]" (2021)
*''Hard Skool EP'' (2022)
*"[[Perhaps (song)|Perhaps]]" / "The General" (2023)

'''With [[Michael Monroe]]:'''
*''[[Sensory Overdrive]]'' (2011)

'''With [[The Dead Daisies]]:'''
*''[[The Dead Daisies (album)|The Dead Daisies]]'' (2013)
*''[[Revolución (The Dead Daisies album)|Revolución]]'' (2015)

'''With The Compulsions:'''
*''Dirty Fun'' (2015)

'''With [[The Psychedelic Furs]]:'''
*''Beautiful Chaos: Greatest Hits Live'' (2001)
*''Made of Rain'' (2020)

'''With [[Thin Lizzy]]:'''
*''High Voltage Recorded Live: July 23rd 2011'' (2011)

'''With The Feckers:'''
*''Courage Of Conviction Part II: Live And Learn'' (2025)
*''Courage Of Conviction Part III: In The Face Of Adversity'' (2027)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Richard Fortus}}
* [http://www.richardfortus.com/ 4tus.com – Official Website of Richard Fortus]

{{Guns N' Roses}}
{{The Dead Daisies}}
{{ThinLizzy}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fortus, Richard}}
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:American heavy metal guitarists]]
[[Category:American rhythm guitarists]]
[[Category:Guns N' Roses members]]
[[Category:The Dead Daisies members]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Love Spit Love members]]
[[Category:Musicians from St. Louis]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Missouri]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:Thin Lizzy members]]
[[Category:Southern Illinois University alumni]]