2012... the year of Slash !!!

well to start it off it was Slash's 47th birthday this monday ... the last few years had been amazing for the top-hat wearing, jack daniel's drinking rocker. starting from his much awaited self-titled debut solo album in 2010 that featured an array of guest appearances from Ozzy to Fergie,  Slash followed up the success with his second album 'Apocalyptic Love' this year. although this was more of a band effort consisting of Myles Kennedy (alterbridge) and The Conspirators (the backup band Slash put up initially for touring), Slash's first album was a rare concept where he composed each and every song and brought in guest singers for the vocal duties. Myles was also featured in his first album and later Slash had invited him to tour with him in support of the album. the touring experience led to the development of the second album and the duo ended up forming a real band with the rest of the crew.

however, Slash is always expected to rock and his work outside GNR had always proved the fact that he still has much more to offer to the world. apart from the musical endeavors, there were two other milestones that Slash had achieved this year - first, GNR was inducted in the Rock Hall of Fame and secondly, Slash received his own star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame. There were much talks regarding the GNR Hall of Fame induction as the original lineup never got back after they had broken up. although Slash had formed the hugely successful Velvet Revolver with Duff and Matt, Axl's version of GNR went no where within the last decade. Axl lived up to his reputation and declined the Rock Hall of Fame induction and announced that he would not be attending the event. but the rest of the crew did not disappoint. Slash, Duff, Matt, Gilby and Steven Adler decided to show up and once again Myles Kennedy filled in for the singing role. it was great to see Steven get inducted and play with the rest of the bunch as he really didn't have much going on in his life for all these years. this was the key moment of Steven's life! it would have been great if Izzy was there as well, but that was his thing .... he was never fond of the whole publicity thingy. all in all, it was a great show and in my opinion the right slap on Axl's face.

Slash was handed over the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by actor Charlie Sheen, his long time friend. part of Sheen's speech was -

"It's quite fitting that Slash is getting a star on the very street Axl Rose will one day be sleeping on," quipped Sheen. "This star is going to be stepped on more than the coke we did in the Eighties."

Slash is the reason why i listen to rock. i still remember the first time i listened to sweet child o' mine and how i was blown away by the guitar solo. it remains my favorite guitar solo to date and although my music taste has evolved over the years, Slash and the old GNR would always be my first love when it comes to music. there isn't much to write on my part on such an icon but i believe that after all these years Slash has finally earned the greatness that he was destined for. rock on Slash!!!