2009.03.17 - Metal Sludge/GN'R Daily - GN'R Guitarist Rumors Add DJ Ashba of SIXX AM

GN'R Guitarist Auditions

According to Metal Sludge, both Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper), and Michael Lee Firkins have recently auditioned for Robin Finck's guitar spot in Guns N' Roses.

Sludge Rewind with Cacophony guitarist Jason Becker

[...]

6. Axl recently put out the long awaited “Chinese Democracy” CD. What are Jason Becker’s thoughts and opinions on the release, and/or the Axl Rose story over the last decade?

Well, I hadn’t heard any of it when I read this question, so I just went to itunes and bought the two most popular songs, “Better” and “Chinese Democracy.” I liked “Better” a lot. “Chinese Democracy” didn’t do anything for me. It usually takes me two or three listens to a song before I know if I like it or not though. I don’t know enough about Axl’s story to comment on it. Michael Lee Firkins told me he auditioned for GNR. Axl was sitting in the dark. He told Firkins that he used the whammy bar too much. HA HA! That made me lose a lot of respect for Axl. He obviously has no ear for brilliant and unique guitar playing. I think he blew it by not hiring Firkins.

When I was staying in Roth’s condo off of the Sunset Strip, right above Tower Records, I guess Axl was staying there too, because I ran into him on the elevator. He had a huge body guard with him. Axl and I nodded to each other, but I felt like he would prefer that I didn’t say anything, so I kept my trap shut.

8 Year Old Guitarist Auditioned For GN'R?

According to certain rumors 18 year old guitarist Nick Sterling was rehearsing with Guns N' Roses yesterday, Friday 13th.

He started learning guitar at the age of 7 years old. By the age of 10, he had released his first album, Ten. At age 10, he shared a stage with Alice Cooper at a New Year's Eve concert.

Nick has played with quite a few famous rock musicians and bands, including: Aerosmith, Axl Rose, Kid Rock, Cheap Trick, Cinderella, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Gary Hoey, Peter Frampton, Gavin Degraw, BTO, and Jackyl.

DATE: Feb. 14, 2009

SOURCE: Nick Sterling Youtube interview

Apparently 18-year old Nick Sterling, a guitarist and songwriter from Mesa, Ariz., will be sitting in on some rehearsal sessions with GNR. He is rumored to be auditioning for a part in the band's touring lineup.

"Yeah, I'm going to play with them and see what happens," said Sterling, during an interview with 65 Amps.

Here's the youtube vid where he mentions it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L-kzk7ArL8...feature=related