Richard Fortus is a professional guitarist who gained acclaim as one of the guitarists in Guns N' Roses. He has also played in bands of his own, performed solo, and as both a member or a session musician with other hard rock ventures, the most recent of these is as the new lead guitarist for Thin Lizzy. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Fortus played throughout the Midwest with his band, The Eyes. 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. After The Psychedelic Furs split up, Fortus formed Love Spit Love with Richard and Tim Butler. When The Furs reformed in 2000, Fortus joined the group as second guitarist and played on the live album Beautiful Chaos: Greatest Hits Live. 

November 17th, 1966 in St. Louis (Age 57)