Guns N' Roses parts ways with drummer Frank Ferrer after 19 years

(KTLA) – Guns N' Roses member Frank Ferrer, the longest-tenured drummer in the history of the group, is leaving the band.

Guns N' Roses announced the news Wednesday on Instagram, assuring fans that it was an "amicable exit."

"The band thanks Frank for his friendship, creativity, and sturdy presence over the past 19 years and wish him success in the next chapter of his musical journey," reads a statement attributed to the band.

Ferrer joined the group in 2006 as a temporary replacement for then-drummer Bryan Mantia, who left the group's European tour to be home with his wife and new child, Ferrer explained in a 2025 interview with MyGlobalMind.com.

"Axl [Rose] and the band were happy with what I was doing," said Ferrer, adding that Mantia was even supportive of Ferrer after he was given the full-time gig.

"He’s still, to this day, tremendously supportive," Ferrer said. "We talk all the time. He’s tremendously gracious."

Ferrer also referenced the band's upcoming tour of Europe, Asia and the Middle East, but did not indicate any immediate plans to depart the group.

Ferrer, originally from New York, was with Guns N' Roses for nearly 19 years. He was the latest of several former GNR drummers, including Mantia, Josh Freese (now with Foo Fighters), Matt Sorum and Steven Adler.

In their Instagram post, Guns N' Roses thanked Ferrer for "helping anchor the rhythm section" during his tenure, which included a tour that reunited Axl Rose (the band's only constant member) with core GNR members Slash and Duff McKagan.

The band's current lineup now consists of Rose, Slash, McKagan, Dizzy Reed, Richard Fortus and Melissa Reese. The band had not publicly named a new drummer as of Thursday.