LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ MSO PR) SLASH and classic
Guns N' Roses bandmates Duff McKagan, Steven Adler, Matt Sorum and Gilby Clarke stunned the 27th Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame crowd this past weekend by delivering blistering versions of GNR gems "Mr. Brownstone,""Sweet Child Of Mine," and "Paradise City," on which they were joined by vocalist Myles Kennedy. He has been the lead vocalist for SLASH's band for over two years and co-wrote all of the songs with SLASH on his much-anticipated second solo studio album APOCALYPTIC LOVE which drops on May 22 via Dik Hayd International, distributed through EMI.
"The rest of the guys/inductees suggested we get Myles to sing," says SLASH, "and I thought it was a great idea." SLASH then joined in with fellow inductees past and present for the night's all-star finale jam of Stevie Wonder's"
Higher Ground" which included the Red Hot
Chili Peppers, Ron Wood and Kenney Jones (Faces), Billy Joe Armstrong (Green Day),
George Clinton and Funkadelic guitarist Michael Hampton. "It turned out to be a very special evening," says, SLASH. The 27th Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame will air on HBO Saturday, May 5 at 9:00pm EDT/PDT.
APOCALYPTIC LOVE was recorded like a live performance record where the band was all set up in a big room at Barefoot Studios in Los Angeles.The liberated feel of APOCALYPTIC LOVEis evident throughout the LP's 13 songs, as is the genuine chemistry between SLASH and MYLES.
The evolution of their creative relationship went full throttle since the two first joined forces on SLASH's 2010 debut solo release where the
Alter Bridge front man lent his pipes to the cavalcade of venerable guest vocalists which included Iggy Pop, IanAstbury and Ozzy Osbourne. SLASH's debut landed on the Billboard Top 200 chart at #3(#1 on the Rock chart, #1 on the Independent chart, and #1 on the Hard
Music chart). Digitally, it became the #1 overall digital album and hit #1 on iTunes in 13 countries. "I contacted him out of the blue, sent him one of the songs I was working on which turned out later to be 'Starlight'. After MYLES contributed his ideas and sent it back to SLASH, creative forces congealed. "I went, 'Wow, that's really good," recalls SLASH. "We flew MYLES out to track it and this unassuming mild mannered guy shows up, similar in demeanor to me, sort of quiet, not really explosive in personality. He then nailed "Back from Cali" and it was like, 'Would you like to do a tour with me?' I was so happy when he accepted the offer." For the Spokane-born lead singer, the gig was an opportunity to expand his personal portfolio while exploring some musical synergy with an artist he'd long admired. Over the next 18 months, SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators-Myles Kennedy (vocals), Brent Fitz (drums) and Todd Kerns (bass)-toured the world on the album evolving into the tight-knit rock group they are today.
On Sunday, May 13, fans will get an early glimpse of the thunderous power of the band by celebrating the U.S. premiere of the concert special
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy Live: Made in Stoke airing on HDNet at 8:00pm EDT. SLASH and his band tear through cuts spanning his 20-year career with
Guns N' Roses (nine GNR songs will be featured) as well as songs from
Velvet Revolver, Slash's Snakepit and SLASH's first solo album. Songs performed include "By The Sword,""Back From Cali,""Slither,""Sweet Child 'O Mine," "
Paradise City" and more that reverberate through the rafters of the sold-out
Victoria Hall in Stoke-on-Trent, England, SLASH's hometown. Watch the trailer here: https://www.hd.net/blogs/hdnet-is-your-ticket-to-slash/ and see the group perform "
Paradise City" from Made In Stoke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q02ewL00LE&feature=related.
On Saturday, May 19, the group will appear on DIRECTV's The Audience Network for the season premiere of "Guitar Center Sessions" airing at 8:00pm ET. For the first time ever, SLASH and the band will perform an acoustic set spanning new songs and classics. SLASH and Myles Kennedy also sit down for an intimate behind the scenes interview with renowned music journalist and "Guitar Center Sessions" host, Nic Harcourt.
L-R: Frank Sidoris, Todd Kearns, Myles Kennedy, SLASH and Brent Fitz (not pictured, drums) performing on "Guitar Center Sessions."
In radio news, "You're A Lie," the powerful first single off APOCALYPTIC LOVE,is already #6 at Rock
Radio and #11 at Active Rock radio. The group performed "You're a Lie" on ABC TV's Jimmy Kimmel Live! on April 3.Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzwwHKwm9cc.
SLASH performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
In touring news, SLASH and the band will kick off a headlining U.S. tour May 3 in Baltimore. The trek will encompass three festival appearances: Saturday, May 5 at Carolina Rebellion, Saturday, May 19 at Rock On The Range and Friday, May 25 at Rocklahoma. Also on tap is a special CD release show set for Tuesday, May 22-the day the album streets-in New York City at Irving Plaza. Tickets are available now on www.slashonline.com.See the full itinerary below, with more dates to be added.
