Slash Said Collaborating With This Legendary ’60s Classic Rock Icon Was a Drag
Photo by Edvill, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A Collaboration That Didn’t Go as Expected
Slash has played guitar on countless songs across many styles, working with artists ranging from Michael Jackson to Lenny Kravitz. But there is one partnership the Guns N’ Roses guitarist now wishes had gone differently. In a recent conversation, he talked about recording with Bob Dylan in the 1990s and described the experience as “a drag,” adding that he “really regrets” how it turned out.
The studio session was rare because both musicians have shaped rock in their own way. Yet when they finally met in the studio, the pairing showed that even major artists sometimes struggle to connect.
A Lost Solo That Slash Still Remembers
Their work together began when producer Don Was reached out to Slash shortly after the guitarist finished recording with Iggy Pop. Growing up, Slash listened to Dylan’s music and admired his songwriting, so he immediately accepted the offer to help on the track.
“I did one of the best one-offs that I can remember doing,” Slash said as he looked back on that day. He recorded a guitar solo he felt proud of, adding a sharp, expressive sound he believed fit the song well. But the excitement was short-lived, and things changed just before the track was finished.
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Dylan’s Decision at the Last Minute
When the final mix came together, Slash discovered that Dylan had removed his entire solo. The reason was direct: it “sounded like Guns N’ Roses.” Though surprised, Slash understood that Dylan always followed his own musical instincts, even when that meant undoing something another musician valued. Still, the moment stayed with him, and he admitted that the experience left him disappointed.
Dylan’s choice reflected his deeply personal approach to sound. He has long carried a reputation for making bold studio decisions, often ignoring conventional rules in favor of something he feels matches the emotion of the moment.
Two Different Creative Styles
The collaboration didn’t work because their styles approach music from different angles. Dylan is known for his unpredictable process. He might change the key of a song without warning or move away from ideas that are too refined. He prefers to keep his work loose and natural, even if it feels unusual to others.
Slash, meanwhile, is known for precision and intensity, crafting parts that highlight his guitar tone. The contrast between Dylan’s freeform method and Slash’s more defined style made the partnership harder than expected, leading to a session that neither artist pursued again.
