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Slash Calls Michael Jackson Guitar Riff 'Gay' at Canadian Music Week Keynote

Slash, Canadian Music WeekGuitar hero Slash has revealed his distaste for the signature hook from one of his old pal Michael Jackson's biggest hits.

Speaking with CNN personalities -- and real life couple -- John Roberts and Kyra Phillips for his celebrity interview keynote during Canadian Music Week, the former Guns 'n' Roses guitar slinger took the opportunity to clear up the long-standing rumour that he played on Michael Jackson's 1991 hit, 'Black or White.'

"I never played on [Black or White'],' the guitarist explained. "If you listen to [the hook], that's gay. I'd never play that."

Regardless of the sexual orientation of the chord sequence, Slash did admit he could see where the confusion arose. "I played on 'Give in to Me' [also off 'Dangerous'] and in the 'Black and White' video, when Macaulay Culkin was trashing around, that's me playing."

The legendary guitarist, who played live with Jackson several times though out his career and appeared on all of the King of Pop's official releases from 1991 onwards, also took the opportunity to speak publicly about the singer's tumultuous life and the circumstances surrounding his untimely demise.

"Michael Jackson was f--king amazing to watch," Slash told the CNN twosome. "The one thing that Michael really wanted was for somebody to like him and those [child molestation] accusations just sorta just killed him.

"The fact that he was doing downers really makes sense for his lifestyle."

Of course, the interview wasn't just about the guitarists' relationship with the late star. Roberts and Phillips -- who admitted that she could relate to Slash's rebel side and seemed to take great pleasure in using the vernacular 'ridin' high' -- also managed to get the axe-man to discuss some of the wilder high jinks he outlined in last-year's self-titled autobiography as well as his strained relationship with former bandmate Axl Rose.

"I try not to sit there and say derogative things about his personality, because that is what makes him so great. It's just hard for me to deal with," he told the packed Royal York Hotel Ballroom which included his Canadian metal heroes -- and recent documentary superstars -- Anvil sitting in the front row. "And for some other people to deal with, too," he added with a smirk.

Slash was in Toronto to promote his upcoming eponymous debut solo record, which features contributions from Chris Cornell, Dave Grohl, Ian Astbury, Kid Rock, Lemmy Kilmister, Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, Andrew Stockdale of Wolfmother, and Fergie.

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Luciana

Hey!!! Give in to me is great and the video is so hot... Mike was, is and will be the best forever. Did Slash call "Black or white" gay??? Ha!!! He is really crazy... That song is great too!!!

March 16 2010 at 3:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mi

He has played that hook with MJ in live performances and that hook is not gay it's fire. The whole Black or White song is Fire.

March 12 2010 at 8:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
norah

this is sensationalism again.the media once again cannot get it.Yes Slash is right-the one thing MJ wanted was to be liked- it will seem stupid to some ppl but he wanted to be liked not for his $$$ but for himself.I do think his fans love him for himself-not the $$$$-but in the everyday life the ppl who was around Michael only cared about $$$$$- mismanaging that and him for years..It is a very sad thing -very very sad.

March 12 2010 at 4:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Luke

Once again, Slash should get a new look.

March 12 2010 at 3:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mary zwahr

His remark of the riff being "gay" is a way of saying it was lame, not the sexual orientation of it!

March 12 2010 at 12:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John

All very mild mannered, considering what he might have said!

March 12 2010 at 10:05 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
scw101

I'am still wondering what happened during the event when Slash tried to overpower MJ when they were performing Give In To Me. MJ looked pretty pissed at the whole thing. Anyone know?

March 12 2010 at 3:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
LovingMJtiltheend

HE will always be the BEST! The only Michael Jackson for all time!

March 12 2010 at 3:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sc341

You could have put a better Headline for this article as per Joyce's comment. I think that Michael Jackson and Slash are both pretty ###### amazing. May he r.i.p.

March 11 2010 at 10:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tom

Wait a minute. Why didn't the headline say "Slash calls Michael Jackson f**king amazing to watch"? Not sensational enough?

March 11 2010 at 9:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply