Glam and metal rock had their time in the limelight. However, all good things have to come to an end, and when the 80s came to an end, so did a couple of rock bands. The rock bands that made glam and metal the main genres of rock in the 80s include White Snake, Mötley Crüe, WASP, and of course, the king of them all, Guns N’ Roses. However, like all kings, they too were dethroned and their genre thrown to the side. Consequently, lead guitarist Slash adapted, and lead singer Axl Rose was devastated by this transition.
In the music business, musicians have to fight to stay relevant. That being said, some acts of survival can come across as disloyal, selfish, and foolish. Though, to an outsider’s perspective, it’s just business. However, that is seemingly not how Axl Rose viewed Slash’s official departure from Guns N’ Roses in 1996.
As stated previously, when the 80s closed out, the 90s and grunge rolled in. As a result, bands started to break up, and the airwaves no longer relied on the voices of Axl Rose and Nikki Sixx. So, Slash figured he would adapt, as anyone would do in this situation. After all, we are human beings, and in times of distress, we adapt in order to survive and then hopefully thrive.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Rose divulged exactly why he believed Slash was squandering his career away for the sake of staying above water.
“I never said that I was bitter,” said Rose. “Hurt, yeah. Disappointed. I mean, with Slash, I remember crying about all kinds of things in my life, but I had never felt hot, burning tears… hot, burning tears of anger. […] Basically, to me, it was because I am watching this guy, and I don’t understand it. Playing with everyone from Space Ghost to Michael Jackson. I don’t get it, I wanted the world to love and respect him. I just watched him throw it away.”
Following Slash’s departure from GNR in 1996, Rose remained as one of the only original members in the band. Rose is quite warranted in his comments, but at the end of the day, a man has to do what a man has to do. Did Slash perform some grand act of betrayal? Not really. Rather, he was doing what he needed to do to keep his music career and likeness alive and well.
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