This was the e-mail I received from Slash’s publicist, 15 minutes before the interview:

“Please make note to speak all about the Les Paul & Friends Tribute release and questions can be also asked about his relationship with Gibson and his solo project, his newly released paperback book.

I have been asked to make sure there are no questions about Chinese Democracy, Axl or Scott Weiland.

Thanks again and let me know if you have any questions.”

Well, yeah.  I do have some questions but apparently I can’t ask them.  I’ve always been more of a Slash guy.  He always seemed to be more real than Axl.  I enjoyed his book and his Snakepit stuff.  But this was a little disappointing.  Axle Rose basically called him a liar in several Guns N’ Roses chat rooms.  I don’t know about you, but when someone calls me a liar I get pissed.  Maybe Slash is taking the high road.  Maybe “high” is a poor choice of words.  I was given the same request by the press people twice before i actually got on the phone with him.

Look, I love the work of Les Paul.  The man was a pioneer in guitar innovation and playing.  He was way ahead of his time in the 50′s when it came to the recording process.  Gibson named a line of guitars after him.  At 93 the guy still plays a weekly residency in Manhattan.  For more info you can go to http://www.lespaulonline.com/.  The guy is amazing.  But I would hazard a guess that Slash’s fans want to know what he thinks of the forbidden queries.  There are probably an army of lawyers involved.  Maybe he’s preparing for a more spectacular response?  Maybe a half time “fuck You” at the Super Bowl?
Overall, he was very polite.  He brought up Scott Weiland on his own.   I’m sure we’re not getting the entire story, but I was hoping the side I’m routing for returned fire.