2001.12.31 - ABC News - Slashed Turned Away

Slashed Turned Away

Former Guns N’ Roses Guitarist Barred From Old Band’s Gig

By Al Mancini

L A S  V E G A S, Dec. 31 — Guns N' Roses made a rare concert appearance, but former member Slash wasn't allowed to see it.

Saturday night's sold-out show at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino was only the second U.S. gig that Guns have performed in eight years. Former guitarist Slash was in town for the show, but was turned away at the door.

Speaking briefly with ABCNEWS Radio, Slash said he tried to get in, but couldn't. A security guard confirmed his account, blaming band frontman Axl Rose for the exclusion.

Rose, the only member remaining from the group's classic Appetite For Destruction lineup, reportedly told the venue he would walk offstage if he saw any of his former bandmates in the audience.

European Tour? What European Tour?

Most of those who made it into the venue, however, seemed pleased with the show, despite technical difficulties that appeared to aggravate Rose.

"I couldn't really hear Axl's voice," one fan said. "But you know what? I've been waiting to See Guns N' Roses my whole life, so it was good times."

According to those who saw it, the band kicked off the set with "Welcome to The Jungle." Axl dressed in a Rich Gannon Oakland Raiders jersey and performed new material as well as classic Guns songs.

"It's not the old lineup," another fan said. "I mean, the guys weren't into it … It just wasn't Slash."

Rose spoke directly to the crowd about the technical problems as well as the band's twice-aborted European tour, and their new lineup.

Rose blamed unresolved legal issues for the fact that he no longer performs with former members of the group and said he had never committed to play the much-publicized European tour, which was postponed this summer, rescheduled, and then canceled. In fact, he told the crowd that he learned about it on the Internet.

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It had to hurt Slash's pride to be turned away at The Joint's door by former pal and bandmate Axl Rose.
On New Year's Eve the former Guns N' Roses guitarist was blocked by security guards specifically assigned by Rose to keep Slash from crashing the Hard Rock Hotel gig.

So much for old time's sake. Or auld lang syne. Or whatever.

Slash, the top-hat-wearing, snake-loving, powerhouse behind the popular late '80s/early '90s hair band, just happened to be in Las Vegas over the weekend, according to reports. He wanted to see Rose's "new and improved" incarnation of his old group.

With the exception of Dizzy Reed and Rose, the current members had nothing to do with taking fans to Paradise City.

Rose, who turns 40 next month, played Vegas on New Year's Eve 2001 at the House of Blues -- it was his first public concert in seven years.

This time around Rose apparently threatened to walk off the stage if he spotted Slash or any former Guns N' Roses members in the audience. One insider said the diva-esque request applied to both Sunday's and Monday's sold-out shows.

No big deal for Slash. Witnesses say he went to the bar after his banishment.

Following a brief photo free-for-all with fans and a few drinks, Slash went elsewhere -- undoubtedly to a jungle where he would be welcomed.