Guns N’ Roses drummer Frank Ferrer has departed the legendary band after nearly two decades rocking with the group. 

The group called his exit ‘amicable’ in a statement announcing the move on Instagram on Wednesday. 

Ferrer, 56, joined the group in 2006 and is the longest-serving drummer for the band, which has cycled through total of six drummers since it’s inception in 1985. 

‘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,’ the statement began in the post. 

‘Frank first joined GNR during a show in June 2006 helping anchor the rhythm section during subsequent tours, including their recent outings featuring the reunited trio of Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan. His last show with the band took place November 5, 2023 in Mexico.’

The post contained pH๏τos of Frank with the band standing before a stadium audience, followed by one of him behind his drum kit on stage.

Guns N’ Roses drummer Frank Ferrer has departed the legendary band after nearly two decades rocking with the group

Ferrer pictured drumming beside singer Axl Rose back in 2011 

‘Thank you, Frank. For the friendship, creativity and sturdy presence over the last 19 years,’ the post was captioned.

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Ferrer is the sixth drummer to serve the band.

Rob Gardner, Steven Adler, Matt Sorum, Josh Freese, and Bryan Mantia have all previously played drums for the band. 

The group now currently consists Slash, Duff McKagan, Dizzy Reed, Richard Fortus, and Melissa Reese 

Ferrer initially joined Guns N’ Roses in 2006 after Mantia left the group. 

Although the performer was initially expected to play with the band as a touring member, he eventually was invited to stay with the group.

The drummer, who has also played with acts including The Psychedelic Furs and and Tool, took part in multiple tours with the band, including the Not In This Lifetime… Tour and the Guns N’Roses 2023 Tour.

Ferrer spoke about working with the band during an interview with KKDM, during which he expressed that he wanted to be able to replicate the sounds of the group’s former drummers.

The post contained this pH๏τo of the band standing before a stadium audience

Ferrer seen with the band in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2019

His departure was described as ‘amicable’ in a statement posted to Instagram on Wednesday

‘I really had to work hard to make sure I was able to represent [Steven] Adler’s feel, Matt Sorum’s feel and and [Bryan Mantia’s] feel of the Chinese Democracy [era],’ he stated.

The musician then remarked that, although the task was daunting, he was happy to have been able to join the band.

‘That was the toughest challenge — finding all three eras of Guns N’ Roses and bringing them together to one cohesive way of playing their material,’ he said.

The band are now set to embark on a 24-date stadium tour in 2025, including their first-ever show in Saudi Arabia.

Ferrer is the sixth drummer to serve the band; pictured 2012

The drummer, who has also played with acts including The Psychedelic Furs and and Tool, took part in multiple tours with the band, including the Not In This Lifetime… Tour and the Guns N’Roses 2023 Tour; pictured 2014

Axl Rose and co will kick off the jaunt – which follows their 2023 run – at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena on May 23, and after playing in the Middle East, they will head to Europe and the UK throughout June.

The UK leg includes London’s Wembley Stadium on June 26, their first headline gig there since 1992, and Birmingham’s Villa Park on June 23.

The Welcome to the Jungle rockers will also play Turkey, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic.

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Austria and Luxembourg are also on the list.

The run wraps at Germany’s Wacken Festival on July 31.