Axl Rose and Slash haven’t spoken to each other since 1996, with little to no chance of the former Guns N’ Roses bandmates ever reconciling, let alone reuniting for a tour. In 2009, Rose said, “What’s clear is that one of the two of us will die before a reunion, and however sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it, it is how it is.” The reasons for their fall-out are many, although most involve massive egos, but according to GNR’s ex-manager Doug Goldstein, Michael Jackson may have played a part in Slash’s split from the band.
Here he is, speaking to Rolling Stone Brazil (note: the text is translated):
“In 1991, we were on the road, Slash came to my office and said, ‘I’m leaving tomorrow to play with Michael Jackson in a tribute show.’ I told him not to do it because Axl was molested by her father when he was two years and believed in charges against Michael Jackson. Everyone knew that Eddie Van Halen was paid $1 million for participating in “Beat It.” So, I asked Slash, ‘As you will get, I trade it for you?’ and he said, ‘I’ll just get a big screen TV.”
“When Axl found out he was going to play with Michael Jackson and that payment was a big screen TV, was devastated. He thought that Slash would support it and would be against all the abuse. From the point of view of Axl, that was the only problem. He could ignore the drugs and alcohol…but could never ignore child abuse.” (Via)
Goldstein said that Slash “would have to apologize” for the MJ “episode” if he ever wants to rejoin GNR, which means he’s never going to rejoin GNR. That’s probably best for everyone involved.
