There is no disputing the fact that Slash is legendary, iconic, renowned…(I’m stopping before this all goes to his head). He’s as part of the history of West Hollywood as the Sunset Boulevard street sign itself and as a result is this year’s Sunset Strip Music Festival official honoree. Tonight at the House of Blues, photographers and press crammed like cattle behind a velvet rope to await the arrival of the man himself to his very own tribute party. As we waited for Slash, a stream of important people began to trickle down the red carpet to occupy our time. Carpet walkers included Lemmy Kilmister, Billy Boy from Poison, Warner Drive, Cherry Bomb, Twilight’s Boo Boo Stewart, Blowing up the Moon, Dan Black, Nic Adler, Franky Perez, Acidic, Kenny Aronoff, The Shrills, Juke Kartel, Kevin Brown, Diamond Lane, David George Band and more. After much anticipation, Slash made his way out of a black SUV and through the mob of press, fully done up in true Slash style – the hat, black clothing, a t-shirt with a bikini girl standing in front of a luxury car, dark shades, etc… Speaking of shades, I laughed as several photographers tried to haggle people like Kenny Aronoff into taking off their sunglasses for a photo opp and were very unsuccessful. Most of these refusers must have shared Kenny’s reason for rockin’ their shades, which was, as he laughed and explained, “I don’t want to take my glasses off, I look like shit.”
Slash did his red carpet thing and signed his 10-foot custom-designed Gibson guitar from the Sunset Strip’s GuitarTown project before making his way inside for the festivities. As the mainly industry-infused crowd munched on complimentary quesadillas and fried crab balls, 95.5 KLOS DJ Jim Ladd took the stage to introduce the evening. After some kind words about Slash, a video screen dropped down and played a video of nostalgic rockers paying homage to the curly-haired guitar player.
Joe Perry, Jimmy Page, Conan O’Brien, Ron Wood, George Lopez, and some of Slash’s other media friendly friends said some kind words about the man. Dave Navarro dished out his compliment by saying it was hard for him to even play on the same stage with Slash because “he is so mesmerizing.” Nikki Sixx came out as the next guest speaker and said, “Me and Slash have killed a lot of Jack Daniels. I had to make notes because I now have the memory of a guppy.” He went on to call Slash the “salt of the earth” and ended his speech with, “It’s kind of ironic that we both have the same hairstyle that we did 25 years ago.” Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead was up next with a short but sweet, “I’m proud to know him…proud to be his friend…and proud that I’ll die before him.”
Jerry Cantrell had a great story about how influential Guns ‘n Roses was to Alice and Chains and said when his band was first getting together, he went to see Guns ‘n Roses perform. Jerry said, “I brought a demo tape to give to Axle after the show and then I saw him walk by a trash can and throw it away.” Mikael Maglieri, owner of Rainbow Bar and Grill told stories of Slash sneaking into the bar underage and being thrown out. On one occasion, according to Mikael, Slash dressed up in his mother’s clothing and successfully got in without ID on Ladies’ Night. West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman and councilmen came onstage and Slash was then presented with an award while the mayor declared Thursday, August 26 as Slash Day in city of West Hollywood.
Slash was extremely gracious and seemed a bit choked up at as he took the mic and opened with, “I’m speechless and I didn’t prepare a speech.” He went on to explain that he moved with his family to West Hollywood when he was younger and was “raised on the Troubadour, Roxy, Whiskey, and Rainbow.” “I picked up guitar in West Hollywood. I started a band in West Hollywood. I got a record deal at Geffen on the Sunset Strip.” Slash explained that everything in his life has revolved around the Sunset Strip and explained that the title was a huge honor and very humbling. After Slash’s speech, The Head Cat performed with special rock-friends and of course, Slash himself.
What a great night for Slash! The highlight of my night was seeing a man walk by the red carpet with a hot pink poodle and older than cougar (is there a word for that yet?) Slash groupies.
Words by Nicole Pajer. Photos by Dustin Downing
