(AP) AP Interview: Slash mum on Guns N’ Roses reunion
By LOUISE DIXON and HILARY FOX
Associated Press
LONDON
Will Guns N’ Roses reunite for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Behind his dark glasses, hat and big hair, the group’s former guitarist Slash is staying noncommittal on the subject.
The million-selling hard rock group enters the Rock Hall in Cleveland on April 14, an event at which honored acts often perform as part of the celebration. But the group’s original lineup fell apart in 1996, so fans hoping to see the band reunite may be disappointed.
“It’s definitely an honor and I have no idea what’s going to happen on that day,” Slash told The Associated Press in an interview. “It’s more like going into it with blinders on and just see what happens.”
Guns N’ Roses blazed onto the rock scene in 1987 with their official debut “Appetite for Destruction.” Fronted by bandana-wearing singer Axl Rose, the band also featured Slash and Izzy Stradlin on guitars, plus bassist Duff McKagan and Steven Adler on drums.
Since leaving, Slash has had success with various solo projects, such as Slash’s Snakepit and the group Velvet Revolver. He’s also appeared alongside artists like Michael Jackson, Rihanna and Bob Dylan.
That’s not to say the 46-year-old doesn’t have some fond memories of his time in Guns N’ Roses: his favorite time was when they formed and recorded their debut album.
“The first tour, all that stuff, was really a great experience. I was in my early twenties and it was just a great adventure,” he said. “That was all a lot of fun, and then it got crazy in the ’90s and obviously (I) left the band and parted ways.”
Slash was amazed at how quickly the years have flown.
“It’s been 25 years since the album came out, doesn’t seem like a long time ago but at the same time … so much has happened,” he said.
Another reason Slash isn’t thinking about the Rock and Roll Hall ceremony right now is that he’s in the U.K. to promote his new solo album, “Apocalyptic Love,” which comes out May 21.
Slash claims recording this new album is the happiest he’s been since the early days of Guns N’ Roses.
“I had a really good time, the whole process, from the inception of the record, you know the creating, the writing and so on all the way up through the recording,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to the tour.”
His U.S. tour starts May 3 in Baltimore and finishes up in Albuquerque on May 26, taking in Orlando, Minneapolis and Columbus on the way.
Slash will also play the U.K.’s Download Festival in June.
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