Slash Kicks Off Guitar Center Shows With Blistering L.A. Set

Slash and his cohorts Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators recently rocked large amphitheaters on their summer tour with Aerosmith, but there's something about their brand of full throttle rock that just makes any club appearance truly special. On Tuesday night (Sept. 23) in Los Angeles, Slash and company set the tone for what promises to be a memorable three-night run through Los Angeles' most historic venues as part of Guitar Center's 50th Anniversary celebration.

The hometown hero started his journey at the legendary Troubadour for a sweaty, packed, no holds barred performance that left those in the crowd rocked to the core and wanting for more. The night began with a brief, but audience engaging set from Hillbilly Herald before Slash and his band took the stage. The headlining act was welcomed with a carnival-like soundtrack before launching into the show opener 'You're a Lie.' 'Nighttrain' followed, giving audiences their first of several Guns N' Roses classics of the night, while 'Halo' and 'Standing in the Sun' kept the momentum going and the energy high.

It was six songs in before Slash and his band tackled the new material, but 'Stone Blind' was a solid choice to lead off with as the track was met with a rousing reaction and no noticeable drop off from the crowd. After 'You Could Be Mine,' Kennedy turned the vocals over to bassist Todd Kerns for a pair of tracks -- 'Doctor Alibi' and the GN'R classic 'Out Ta Get Me.'

The band chose this night in West Hollywood to provide the live debut of 'Wicked Stone' off the 'World on Fire' album and this blistering song turned into an all-out jam with the crowd responding in kind. '30 Years to Life,' 'Bent to Fly' and the current single 'World on Fire' also provided a great live representation of the newly released Slash album as well.

As for the remainder of the set, it was populated with GN'R favorites like 'Rocket Queen,' which featured an epic Slash guitar solo, 'Sweet Child O' Mine' and the encore favorite 'Paradise City.' Other standouts included the Velvet Revolver favorite 'Slither,' with Kennedy leading the crowd in fist-pumping and singing along, and Slash's own standouts 'Starlight,' 'Anastasia' and 'By the Sword.'

The band was greeted with friendly faces throughout the night, as they pointed out some of the key audience and family members. As Kennedy stated toward the end of the set at the response from the electrified crowd, "This is really fantastic for us." And the fun is just starting as Slash will take over The Roxy on the Sunset Strip Thursday night for a show that will be taped for later airing on DIRECTV's Audience Network on Nov. 9. The Guitar Center 50th Anniversary celebration featuring Slash With Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators concludes Friday night at Los Angeles' Whisky a Go Go.

Exclusive Photos of Slash With Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators:

Kathy Flynn, WickedGoddessPhotography.com