THE BEAST

April 13, 2025 – West Hollywood, CA – In a night that felt like a time machine back to rock's sleaziest, loudest, and most glorious era, former HANOI ROCKS frontman Michael Monroe was joined on stage by GUNS N’ ROSES guitarist Slash at the legendary Whisky A Go Go. The two rock legends tore through the STEPPENWOLF classic "Magic Carpet Ride" and Monroe’s signature anthem "Dead, Jail Or Rock 'N' Roll", delivering a high-octane set that had the crowd screaming for more.

Adding to the night’s star power, Jim Dandy, the flamboyant frontman of Southern rock pioneers BLACK OAK ARKANSAS, made a surprise appearance to jam with Monroe on a gritty, down-and-dirty rendition of his band’s classic "Rock 'N' Roll". The intimate setting of the Whisky provided the perfect backdrop for this celebration of glam, grit, and guitar-driven glory, and fan-filmed videos of the unforgettable performances are already making the rounds online.

A Longstanding Rock Brotherhood

Monroe and Slash’s chemistry on stage was no fluke. The two have a history that goes back decades, with Slash appearing on Monroe’s 2022 solo track "I Live Too Fast To Die Young", delivering a blistering guest guitar solo.

“Slash is one of the nicest guys I know and one of rock's greatest guitarists,” Monroe said at the time. “He’s maintained the spontaneity, the human touch, and the heartfelt kick-ass attitude in his playing.”

Slash’s admiration for Monroe runs just as deep. GUNS N’ ROSES have long credited HANOI ROCKS as one of their biggest influences, with Monroe appearing in GN’R projects over the years, including a sax performance on their albums and the haunting duet "Ain’t It Fun" for the Coneheads movie soundtrack.

Honesty About the Past

In a 2015 interview just before the GN’R reunion was confirmed, Monroe gave his candid take on the band’s legacy: “Reunions suck,” he said on Eddie Trunk’s podcast. “It wouldn’t make any sense unless Slash and Axl [Rose] would reconnect and really get into a new kind of thing and start creating something new.”

He also made sure to highlight the importance of original GN’R drummer Steven Adler, saying that Adler's raw energy and ahead-of-the-beat style were integral to the iconic Appetite for Destruction sound. “He had a kind of vibe… He was an integral part of that.”

Never Bitter, Only Grateful

Despite HANOI ROCKS never reaching the same commercial heights as GN’R, Monroe has never harbored jealousy. “No, I never felt that! Not at all!” he said in a 2007 interview. “I was always happy for their success and they definitely earned it. I’m thankful for them recognizing the HANOI ROCKS influence and talking about it in the press.”

He added that he was honored by their homage, including the reissue of HANOI’s catalog in the U.S. via GN’R’s Uzi Suicide label. “I was part of it,” Monroe said. “Slash played the right kind of guitar because he grew up with HANOI.”

Monroe also recalled meeting Axl Rose during the shoot for his "Dead, Jail Or Rock 'N' Roll" video. Axl, a self-professed NAZARETH fan, ended up guest-starring in the clip after connecting with Monroe over shared musical tastes. “He’s always been cool with me,” Monroe reflected.

The Legacy Continues

Saturday night at the Whisky A Go Go wasn’t just a gig – it was a full-circle moment celebrating decades of mutual admiration and shared rock history between Michael Monroe, Slash, and the broader GN’R camp. With Monroe still living fast, performing hard, and proving why he’s one of glam punk’s enduring icons, nights like these are a testament to rock ‘n’ roll’s undying spirit.

Watch fan-filmed footage from the show below and relive the magic.