While Myles Kennedy and Slash have successfully worked together in their band the Conspirators (who are currently working on their fifth studio album) since 2012, Kennedy had previously turned down working with Slash on another project: Velvet Revolver.
Before Scott Weiland ever joined the band, Kennedy was offered to audition for lead vocals, but turned the opportunity down. Instead, a year later, he went on to join forces with former Creed members to form Alter Bridge.
In a recent interview with Jamey Jasta, Kennedy explained why he turned down working with Slash over 20 years ago.
“The first time was when they were looking for singers for what would become Velvet Revolver. That was in 2002. Long story short, [Slash] sent, like, four demos, and I spent about two weeks with it. But, keep in mind, this is right after Mayfield Four, and I was pretty spent… I was just kind of… I don’t know, man. For lack of a better phrase, I was kind of damaged goods,” he said.
“I was really, really disillusioned with the business, with the industry and I was kind of at a point where I was questioning myself. Like I [thought I] lacked certain things that you needed to step into something of that magnitude. So, I got the demo, I put some vocals to it, and I sat back and listened to it, and was like, ‘You know what, man? You’ve got to be honest with yourself. This is the opportunity of a lifetime.’ You may never get an opportunity like this again, being in Spokane, Washington. But you know what? You’re not gonna send this in.’
“And I didn’t send it in. Slash reached out later, and was like, ‘Hey, man, are you going to send that back?’ And I was like, ‘Man, I’m so honored you reached out to me. You guys made some of the greatest music ever. But I just don’t think I’m the right guy right now.’ And so, that was hard. And then, I got married, and went back to teaching guitar, but it was the right thing to do.”
