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YOUR QUESTIONS: For Duff McKagan
Ask the GN'R/Velvet Revolver bassist anything
Tom Porter, Thu 16 Oct 2008, 2:07 pm UTC
Duff McKagan's bass-playing resume is as impressive as they come. Not only is he a fully paid-up member of Velvet Revolver, he was one fifth of the 'classic' Guns N' Roses line-up. Fans of Appetite For Destruction will know that this fact alone deserves some serious respect.
McKagan survived 13 years of GN'R, before quitting in 1998, a few years after his pancreas exploded due to acute alcohol and drug-induced pancreatitis.
On a lighter note, not many people could claim that their profanity-filled acceptance speech forced all future 'live' awards shows to be broadcast with a delay. You can watch a video of Duff and Slash making history while collecting the gong for Favourite Heavy Metal Band at the American Music Awards in 1990.
Your questions
While the search to find a new Velvet Revolver singer marches on, Duff took the opportunity to revisit his side project: Loaded. Fresh from a European tour, he's taking time out to talk to MusicRadar and we're giving you the chance to ask the questions…
Simply add one to the comments below (you'll have to be registered and logged in to do so). We'll pick the best and ask them during the interview.
User comments (23)
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Hey Duff!
I'm so gutted i missed your Loaded gig last year, seriously, my parents did'nt let me go because i set fire to my bed, no joke. I still haven't forgiven them for that. But i WILL See you next time! Even if it kills me!
You're a huge inspiration to me, but i wont go on about how much of an idol you are because you'll probably get enough of that, and you're probably starting to get scared.. ahaha.
So my question is
What advice would you give to a 14 year old female, who all she want's to do, is get a band together and stick at it til' they succeed. Did you have any regrets when you dropped out of school? Do you regret not finishing school now? I know you now have a finance digree now, but would to advise me to stick at school and go through to collage? I'd love to get famous the hard way, playing at clubs and getting gradually bigger by word of mouth (Abit like Guns N' Roses.) But i guess that does'nt work out for alot of people and there's a chance i could end up with a crappy job?
Ahh sorry too many questions. Just to let you know, stick at what you're doing, you're a true legend. -
Yo Duff whazup i just wanted to know why you, Slash and Matt (and Gilby) aren't talkin' to Axl? i mean sure he was an idiod but that doesn't stop Izzy or Steven Adler to talk to him... And yea i saw in some interview with Matt that Steven Tyler offered to be a singer in Velvet Revolver and you guys had been all like "no way man you're not leaving Aerosmith" and in another interview Matt said that you were in a negotiation with big named singer. Was that "big-named" singer Steven Tyler? i've noticed that Aerosmith hasn't been doing anything big in the past few months....
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Hi Duff. Just finished reading Slash's autobiography and I thought it was a great read. Is a book something that you have ever considered doing?
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Hi Duff!
With your vast and impressive muscial resume (too massive to fully list) which includes playing with Steve Jones, Iggy Pop, ZZ Top, Ozzy, Elton John, just to name a few, who are the musicians that are on your "wish list" to work with?
You know I'm a HUGE Loaded fan (haha!) (and steering away from the numerous GNR and VR related questions which have already been posted) In other interviews you have discussed the differences within the band between the two records (Dark Days being primarily you and G-Geoff writing and Wasted Heart/Sick a true collaboration among you, J-Jeff, G-Geoff, and Squires) but from a purely individual level how do you feel you have progressed as a singer/songwriter between the Dark Days album and the Wasted Heart EP/Sick LP? What caused or contributed to the progression?
Thanks!
MB -
What's it like being named after Homer Simpson's favourite Beer?
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Hi Duff
I'm in a rock band and finally achieved my long term dream of getting the 'ultimate' rock guitar - a Gibson Les Paul Custom. However, our bass player doesn't quite know what the 'ultimate' bass would be. Obviously you play the Fender Precision/Jazz - what is it that makes that one your favourite, and what other basses would you recommend we go try?
Thanks!
Marcus -
Hi Duff
Don't know if you remember but I met you and the rest of the band after the Loaded Liverpool gig, I had my arm in a sling after a mountain biking accident in Whistler. You signed the back of my neck and I got it tattooed so it's there permanently now. The gig was amazing and I'm looking forward to both the next Loaded and the next VR tours.
I've got a question for you but it's not music related (sorry):
[1] Do you and any of the other guys in VR and Loaded want to come out and try some downhill biking in Britain next time you are over. I know Slash used to BMX so maybe he would be up for it? It's a real blast and a great way of using up some adrenaline when you are on tour. If you do let me know! -
Hey Duff, your the greatest by the way! Saw you in Liverpool was amazing, I was the kid to your left in the black top with you on from the Freddie Mercury concert :D Dark Days/Wasted Heart are amazing by the way
1: Any chance Loaded are going to tour the UK again for the new album?
2: Would you consider taking over on vocals for VR?
3: What is the favourite gig you have played?
4: Was there any GNR songs you wanted to sing? (From Slash's book it says you wanted to sing Its So Easy)
5: Do you still have your white bass with red skull and bones sticker on, you used during the Ritz concert and the Welcome to the jungle video?
love ya dude, keep up the good work! -
Hey Duff,
Who are your main influences as a bass player? Also, do you have any specific warm-up exercises that you do, either at home or before a show?
Also, do you think girls like the sound of the bass? Is there something about that fat bottom that does the trick...you know what I'm getting at, right? -
Hi Duff
MY QUESTION IS WILL GUNS AND ROSES EVER REGROUP AND PLAY ?
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RocketQueen_
Sat 17 Jan 2009, 12:46 am UTC