Slash Believes Hall of Fame Gig Closed the Book on Guns N’ Roses Reunion Speculation

Now that the drama of the Guns N' Roses Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction is behind him, Slash reflected on the turmoil and publicity leading up to the induction, and the ceremony itself.

Slash tells Rolling Stone that he truly wanted to play with Axl Rose at the event. "I really, in my heart of hearts, wanted to have the whole original band get together and actually perform, which I sort of knew was wishful thinking," says Slash. "I thought Axl was still going to go, and it wasn’t until the last minute that I heard that he wasn’t coming, and that’s when we all decided we were just going to go ahead and play anyway."

Guns N' Roses were inducted in the hall of fame by Green Day. Following their speeches, Slash, Duff McKagan, Gilby Clarke, Matt Sorum and Steven Adler along with singer Myles Kennedy then performed three classic GN'R tracks:  'Mr. Brownstone,' 'Sweet Child o' Mine' and 'Paradise City.'

Slash adds that the induction and performance proved to be a defining moment in Guns N' Roses' history. "I didn’t have any illusions or delusions of GN'R getting back together for anything," explains Slash. "I maybe tried to see it happen for this one particular event but having done this one gig ... it really felt like closing the book on the whole thing."

In the same he interview, the guitarist also disclosed that Kennedy, who now sings in Slash's band along with Alter Bridge, was twice considered for the vacant Velvet Revolver singer position. Asked whether Kennedy would be considered again, Slash explained that it wouldn't be fair for either Alter Bridge or Velvet Revolver. "Working with me, it’s a little bit more flexible, we juggled the whole Alter Bridge thing, but with Velvet Revolver, it would have been one or the other."

Slash's latest CD 'Apocalyptic Love,' with Kennedy on vocals, will be released May 22.