Los Angeles, CA — In an exclusive interview with Kerrang! magazine, Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash offered a rare glimpse into his brief but unforgettable collaboration with Michael Jackson during the recording sessions for Dangerous in 1991.

His reflections paint a vivid picture of two towering musical icons whose paths crossed amidst the dazzling highs and hidden lows of superstardom.

A Call from the King

Slash recalls the moment with awe: “I got a phone call from my manager: ‘Michael’s trying to get in touch with you.’ I was like, ‘Wow.’”

Within days, he was at the legendary Record Plant studio in Hollywood, standing face-to-face with Jackson—and an equally surprised Brooke Shields. “That was very surreal,” Slash admits. “These were two people I’d sort of grown up with, in a way.”

Fluidity and Professionalism

Left alone with a demo track, Slash laid down a scorching guitar part that earned Jackson’s enthusiastic approval. “He kept asking, ‘Would you be into doing this? Or that?’” Slash recalls.

Despite his larger-than-life persona, Michael Jackson proved to be a consummate professional and musical virtuoso. “He was such a f—ing talent from on high,” Slash said. “Such a treat to be around.”

The Other Side of Stardom

Yet beneath the flawless production and chart-topping hits, Slash glimpsed a more somber reality. “When he wasn’t working or in production, you could tell he was at the mercy of his own success,” Slash explained.

Surrounded by yes-men and sycophants, Jackson seemed painfully aware that most were “full of s—.” During a later stint in Tokyo, Slash witnessed Jackson navigating an overwhelming wave of fan frenzy—a spectacle so massive it bordered on tragic. “The only time he was in any kind of comfort zone was when he was actually onstage,” Slash observed.

A Tale of Two Trajectories

Not long after, Guns N’ Roses arrived for their own headline shows. Their success was “massive,” Slash noted, but “wasn’t as overwhelming as what Michael was going through.” This contrast led Slash to reflect on the double-edged sword of fame—the very spotlight that elevates an artist can also imprison them.

Legacy of Artistry and Loss

Jackson’s untimely death in 2009 cast a poignant shadow over those early studio memories.

For Slash, the Dangerous sessions remain a lasting testament to Jackson’s boundless artistry and a cautionary tale of the burdens of superstardom. Observing two icons at different poles of fame taught Slash to be “careful about what you wished for.”

In this fleeting, surreal alliance of genius and glamour lies a powerful reminder of the price paid by those who live in the relentless glare of global adoration.