The Beautiful (band)
American rock band from New York City, active 1990–1993.
The Beautiful were a short-lived American rock band based in New York City. Their lineup featured Jonathan Lacey on vocals and guitar, Perry Bottke on bass, and Frank Ferrer on drums. Signed to Giant Records, a Warner Bros. subsidiary, they put out two releases: a five-song self-titled EP in September 1990, and a full-length album called *Storybook* in May 1992, which was produced by John Fryer. The band got some press, including a feature in *Rip Magazine*, and their music video for "John Doe" aired on MTV’s *Headbangers Ball*. They split up in 1993.
After the band ended, drummer Frank Ferrer played with acts like The Psychedelic Furs, Perry Farrell, Wyclef Jean, and Tool. In 2006, he joined Guns N’ Roses, replacing Bryan Mantia, and contributed drums to several tracks on their 2008 album *Chinese Democracy*, including "Chinese Democracy," "Better," "If the World," "There Was a Time," and "I.R.S." He toured worldwide with the group and remained a member through 2025, including the *Not in This Lifetime...* tour that reunited Axl Rose with Slash and Duff McKagan.
In 2012, Lacey posted a YouTube update about the former bandmates: he said they all poured their lives into the band, logging many miles in a Ford Econoline van. Ferrer was then in Guns N’ Roses, Bottke was a proud father of a cellist, and Lacey himself was fronting an R&B party/show band, still singing about "the dangers of powders and women." He directed fans to the Johnny Tone fan page on Facebook, noting, "It ain't the Beautiful but I ain't 25 either."
An official Facebook page for the band launched in March 2014. Later that year, *Storybook* ranked number two on Alternative Nation’s "Top 10 Underrated 90's Alternative Rock Albums" list.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- New York City, United States
- Genre
- Alternative rock, alternative metal
- Years Active
- 1988–1993
- Label
- Giant Records (Warner)
- Current Members
- Jonathan Lacey / Perry Bottke / Frank Ferrer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Beautiful consisted of Jonathan Lacey (vocals, guitar), Perry Bottke (bass), and Frank Ferrer (drums). They signed to Giant Records, a Warner Bros. subsidiary, and issued a five-song self-titled EP in September 1990, followed by the full-length album Storybook in May 1992, produced by John Fryer. The group received media coverage, including a feature article in Rip Magazine and a video clip for the song 'John Doe' aired on MTV's Headbangers Ball. Despite this, the band split up in 1993.
After the Beautiful, drummer Frank Ferrer played for The Psychedelic Furs, Perry Farrell, Wyclef Jean, and Tool, among others. In 2006, he joined Guns N' Roses, replacing Bryan Mantia, and contributed drums to five songs on their 2008 album Chinese Democracy. Ferrer remained with Guns N' Roses through 2025, including the Not in This Lifetime... Tour.
In 2012, Lacey posted a YouTube update stating that Bottke was a father of a cellist and that Lacey himself fronted an R&B party/show band. An official Facebook page for the band was launched in March 2014. Later that year, Storybook ranked number two on Alternative Nation's 'Top 10 Underrated 90's Alternative Rock Albums' list.
Reader's Guide
The Beautiful represents a brief but notable entry in early 1990s alternative rock, primarily remembered for their connection to drummer Frank Ferrer, who later achieved international fame with Guns N' Roses. Their music, produced by John Fryer, gained modest exposure through MTV and rock magazines, but the band disbanded before building a larger following. The album Storybook later received retrospective recognition, placing second on a list of underrated 1990s alternative rock albums. The band's legacy is largely carried by Ferrer's long tenure with Guns N' Roses, while Lacey and Bottke moved on to other pursuits. The group's official Facebook page, launched in 2014, and Lacey's 2012 YouTube update provide rare firsthand accounts of the members' post-band lives. Though short-lived, the Beautiful offers a snapshot of the era's rock scene and the career trajectories that can follow from a small-band start.
Did You Know?
- The Beautiful's drummer Frank Ferrer replaced Bryan Mantia in Guns N' Roses in 2006.
- Their album Storybook was produced by John Fryer.
More in American alternative metal musical groups 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced