Not only did Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash not help Michael Jackson create the single “Black Or White,” he doesn’t even like the song. ‘Cause it’s GAY.
At Canadian Music Week last week, Slash delivered the keynote speech, addressing the urban legend that he was providing the guitar riffs on the Jacko anthem. His choice of words: “I never played on [Black or White’]. If you listen to [the hook], that’s gay. I’d never play that.”
Not all Jackson songs were too gay for Slash; he did play on “Give In To Me.” But now he’s v. v. sorry he said such a nasty thing. “I thought about that afterward ’cause really that just came right out… now I think it sounded a bit too derogatory. What I really meant was that the sound of the guitar is very happy. It just doesn’t sound like me, anyone would know that. It’s not the guitar sound you would expect from me, but somehow I got pigeonholed as the guy who played on that song.”
Haha. He meant to insult “Black Or White” by calling it “happy.”
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Mr. Enemabag Jones
I’m so sick and tired of heterosexuals. For every one that’s alright, there’s a dozen that are shit.
Nickadoo
I’m inclined to give Slash a pass on this one and assume his apology is sincere. While this doesn’t excuse what he said, by any means, he was one of many celebrities that came out against Prop 8 a year and a half ago.
http://www.prefixmag.com/media/slash/on-proposition-8-video/23128/
Enron
If he didn’t like the song, why did he always commit to doing it in live performances with MJ? He is an example of people who never cared about Michael, but just saw it as an opportunity for exposure and lime light (look at me, I am on stage with a legend). I remember watching the 1995 MTV Music Awards when Michael performed a medley of his greatest hits including B&W and Slash did his guitar piece. When Michael wanted to move on to the next song (Billie Jean), Slash kept playing this unnecessary ad-lib piece, Michael even went up to him saying something like get off and he wouldn’t. Michael just went ahead with Billie Jean until he (Slash) eventually came off the stage.
AlwaysGay
I love the riff in “Black or White” and the song.
I don’t buy his explanation nor do I accept what he said. In order for someone to say something derogatory it has to be in their vocabulary. He’s said “That’s gay” a million times before in a derogatory manner, I have no doubt.
Marvin
ENRON – I remember what you’re talking about… Although I don’t think I saw it the way you did. I got a huge kick out of that whole thing. Obviously Slash and MJ came from a different place. For Slash that was very “rock n roll” while MJ was more of a “performer” … Anyway, I think it worked out great, I liked it when Slash started playing the Billy Jean riff on his guitar at the end… I thought it rocked.
On topic, I think it’s clear that Slash didn’t mean “gay” as a derogatory comment towards homosexuals… and I think him backtracking on it shows that he didn’t want it to be seen that way…
Saying “gay” like that is something that’s just hard wired into a lot of people’s minds, they don’t see it as something against homosexuals.
Jerry
I thought it was long established in the MJ fan community that Slash’s “refusal” to get off stage was part of the performance.
Rudi
The fact that Slash kept playing, while MJ wanted to go on with his BillieJean-part was part of the show!
It was obvious. And who thinks something else should watch Michaels performance during the “MichaelJackson&Friends”-concerts for the red cross & the UNESCO in 1999 in Munich and Soul. Though Slash played another kind of guitar-riff there his featuring appearance with Mike was just the same: Slash pretended not wanting to go off the stage 😉
By the way Slash had much more to do with Mike then most people know.
Songs they did toghether:
Black or White (Video, concerts, special gigs)
Give In To Me
They Don’t Care About Us
D.S.
Privacy
In my eyes the 10year-anniversary of mtv-gig of mike and slash from 1991 (Black or White) is their best gig BY FAR. Awesome. Pure Power!
Enron
Well, I never saw it that, I just saw a very annoyed Michael who just said, f this, I am moving along. Its also part of who Michael is as a professional performer. For instance when a fan climbed on the Cherry Picker and nearly fell off and MJ held him and continued his performance. That’s basically the same situation, he was just being professional.
Isabel
Slash is a little bitch
Jadis
That’s an awfully flamboyant Les Paul he’s got there.
Nick
Slash is blacker than MJ
rickhfx
@Mr. Enemabag Jones: I so agree