As one of the greatest living rock guitar legends, Slash (Saul Hudson) is instantly recognizable from his top hat, long hair, and dark glasses.
Ironically, the former lead guitarist of best-selling rock act Guns N' Roses (GNR), has publicly stated that what he dislikes most about his own appearance is his "unmanageable" hair.
So, how about his first appearance on the Chinese mainland? In an interview with the Global Times Slash said that his expectations were "pretty high."
"We were thinking of playing in China, and the offer came in from Shanghai," he said. "I believe Shanghai is going to be a pretty wild and fun gig and I couldn't be more excited about doing it."
Slash's (right) Shanghai concert is part of a world tour with Myles Kennedy (middle), and Slash's own band, The Conspirators.Photo: Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Arena
Solo career
The 48-year-old is now developing a solo career and has released two albums in the past three years: Slash in 2010 and Apocalyptic Love in 2012. And this Shanghai concert is part of a world tour being undertaken with fellow American musician and singer-songwriter Myles Kennedy, and Slash's own band, The Conspirators.
The gig takes place on Tuesday at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Pudong New Area. At the time of going to press, Slash said that the set list for the concert had yet to be finalized, but that he never repeats the same set from one show to the next.
Although he was a main contributor to the musical style that made Guns N' Roses so famous in the 198os and 1990s, Slash, is reluctant to dwell on past achievements. He did, however, discuss his views about the current music industry and about his collection of guitars.
GT: How would you describe your career before and after leaving GNR?
Slash: I was 19 when I joined GNR, so I didn't have what you would call a career at the time. I was just a young guitarist in various bands looking for opportunities to play. In fact, there were many versions of Guns N' Roses before it became the Guns N' Roses we all know.
I played with original members Steven (Adler), Axl (Rose) and Duff (McKagan). I even played with Izzy (Stradlin) in another band for a while. And I played with other bands in high school. And since then I've just been doing the same things I was doing before GNR, only on a very different level.
GT: Do you have any regrets from your days with GNR?
Slash: I don't have any regrets at all. The original band was awesome. The first nine years of that band were the coolest "young adult" experiences that anyone could ever ask for, and I have no regrets about it. And I think I left at a time that kept me from ever having any serious regrets about it.
GT: Your grandmother gave you your first guitar. How big is your guitar collection now and are you still acquiring new ones?
Slash: Actually, I don't have that guitar, and I don't know where it is. I'm not a big guitar collector, but I do acquire guitars and I never really get rid of them so I have about 100 at this point. There's no particular guitar I'm in pursuit of, per se, but I'm a huge guitar fan so if I see something really cool I'll try and pick it up if it's not astronomically priced. As for custom guitars, there are a few Gibson Les Pauls that are actually "Slash" models. Those were custom-made to my own specifications.
GT: Do you think you are a born guitarist?
Slash: A good guitar player, like any good musician, should have the ability to move the listener in some way, shape or form. For a lead guitar player, it's the ability to truly express one's own personality through their music.
GT: What do you think about the technological changes happening in the music industry?
Slash: Technology is a healthy thing and advancements in technology, in most cases, are a good thing. However, I think that too much of it is not necessarily a good thing. You have to use it sparingly, and use it for the things that are truly convenient. As it relates to music, you have to rely on your own talent and abilities, and use technology to help you express that. Using technology as a crutch is not a healthy thing at all.
GT: Compared to the stars of yesteryear, what qualities do you think current pop idols possess, and what do they lack?
Slash: I wouldn't recommend this business for any sane person! But for someone who is really aspiring to make it in the business, you just have to be prepared for a lot of really hard work and perseverance; tenacity is going to be a good quality to have. You've got to be ready for disappointments and sacrifice and anything else that you can think of. But then the luxury of being able to do what you love for a living does make it worth it.