The Story Of The Song That Broke Slash and Axl Rose’s Relationship

In the saga of Guns N’ Roses, the rift between Axl Rose and Slash reached its breaking point over a single song, marking the beginning of their infamous split.

From the outset, tensions simmered within the band, with Rose’s assertive nature clashing against Slash’s preference for avoiding conflict. As fame and addiction took their toll in the late ’80s and early ’90s, the band saw drummer Steven Adler fired and guitarist Izzy Stradlin depart, leaving only Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan from their original lineup.

By the mid-’90s, legal battles, substance abuse, and creative differences intensified. The final straw came with a Rolling Stones cover song and contractual disputes, culminating in Slash’s departure in 1996.

Reflecting on the aftermath, Slash expressed his frustration in an interview, recalling how Rose continued with new musicians, including a guitarist whom Slash openly disliked. This move further strained their relationship, with Slash feeling marginalized in the band he helped define.

In that interview, Slash recalled:

“Axl went on to do the vocals and brought in another guitar player with him, who’s a guy from Indiana who I can’t stand time. You’ll hear my guitar, and then you’ll hear this tingy little thing in the background. So that pissed me off.”

Amidst years of public sparring through interviews, Rose and Slash eventually reconciled in 2016, a decade after Guns N’ Roses’ turbulent split. Their reunion, which also included McKagan, marked a significant moment for fans who had long hoped for a return to the band’s original glory.

Catch the latest installment of Behind the Feud series where we delve deep into the complex dynamics between Rose and Slash, tracing their journey from the meteoric rise of Guns N’ Roses to their eventual reconciliation.