Guns N’ Roses fans were thrilled when Slash rejoined the band in 2016, 20 years after he’d exited the legendary hard rockers. In a recent interview with Abe Kanan of the Tampa, Florida-area radio station 98 Rock, the guitar great shared how he felt about mending his long contentious relationship with GN’R frontman Axl Rose.
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“[I]t’s a long story, but it was great when Axl and I started talking again,” Slash admitted. “You know, ’cause I missed him. We had developed so much animosity that it just got worse and worse as time went on. So when we finally spoke and I started talking about playing, God, it was a huge kind of weight lifted off of our shoulders.”
Slash also noted that “it was exciting to get back together.”
The 58-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer explained that once he and Rose started playing together again, “there was that chemistry that happens that you sort of forget about—how intense that is when you get on stage together or just working together.”
He added, “So, yeah, it’s really cool, and I’m really happy that we managed to get past all that.”
Since Slash rejoined Guns N’ Roses, the band has played multiple tours with him, and also has released several new singles. In a recent episode of the Loudwire Nights podcast, Slash revealed that 2025 will be devoted to Guns N’ Roses, but his current focus is the recently launched S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival tour in support of his new blues-inspired solo album Orgy of the Damned.
About S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival Tour
The trek, which kicked off on July 5 in Bonner, Montana, features Slash playing with the members of the backing band with whom he recorded Orgy of the Damned. The tour also offers various opening acts, including Warren Haynes Band, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Samantha Fish, Robert Randolph, Eric Gales, Keb’ Mo’, Larkin Poe, ZZ Ward, and Jackie Venson.
During the 98 Rock interview, Slash shared details about what fans can expect from the tour.
“It’s a festival so [the opening acts] and us are playing one after the other over the course of the day,” he pointed out. “So, it’s gonna be a great gig. … It’s just gonna be a blast. You know, summer festival, outdoors, and a bunch of great music.”
More About the Slash’s Current Tour
S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival tour is mapped out through an August 17 show in Grand Prairie, Texas. Slash’s band for the trek features Slash’s bassist Johnny Griparic, keyboardist Teddy “ZigZag” Andreadis, drummer Michael Jerome, and singer/guitarist Tash Neal.
Tickets for the tour dates are available now via various outlets, including StubHub.