1997.06.03 - AP/The Sacramento Bee - Aaron West Arkeen

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Aaron West Arkeen

Guns N' Roses songwriter who died of overdose used his own struggle with drugs in his songs

LOS ANGELES - Aaron West Arkeen, a songwriter and musician known as an honorary member of Guns N' Roses, has died. He was 36.

Mr. Arkeen died of an opiate overdose at his home in Studio City on Friday, said his manager, Dan McConomy.

Mr. Arkeen was recovering from an accident in which his indoor barbecue exploded, leaving him with second- and third-degree burns over two-thirds of his body.

“He opted to use opiates to deal with the pain and he misjudged the amount," McConomy said.

Mr. Arkeen was born in Paris and grew up in San Diego.

A Virgin Records music writer for 10 years, he was "an icon of the Hollywood scene” who wrote many songs about his own struggle with drugs, McConomy said.

"He was one of the most prominent writers about the drug culture," he said.

Mr. Arkeen wrote and played on numerous hits with Guns N' Roses, Brother Cane, Sly Stone, Cycle Sluts From Hell. Phantom Blue, Izzy Stradlin, Femme Fatale and Johnny Winter.

"He was like the secret member of Guns N' Roses, like an honorary member of the band," McConomy said.

Mr. Arkeen's band The Outpati-ence recently released an autobiographical album. “Anxious Disease," which was successful in Japan, McConomy said.

A memorial at Mr Arkeen's house June 16 is open to the public. Burial services are pending.

Associated Press