Alter Bridge singer/guitarist Myles Kennedy recently explained why he declined the opportunity to audition for Velvet Revolver. He shared his reasoning in a statement covered by Louder Sound.
Kennedy opened up about the difficult decision to turn down what many would consider a career-defining opportunity with the supergroup.
“It was very difficult to turn that opportunity down,” Kennedy said. “Though my friends might have thought that I was crazy, I knew that I wasn’t mentally prepared, at least at that stage, to jump into something of that magnitude and do it justice.”
The guitarist went on to contrast this decision with his later choice to join Alter Bridge. He explained how timing and circumstances had changed.
“Enough time had passed,” Kennedy continued about accepting the Alter Bridge gig. “There was a limited amount of music written at that point, but I could recognize from the beginning, this was potentially something that would be appropriate for my voice and songwriting approach.”
Kennedy’s decision was influenced by more than just mental readiness. Health concerns played a significant role in his career choices during that period.
Louder Sound reported that Kennedy had been diagnosed with tinnitus, which led him to withdraw from the music industry temporarily. This health challenge was a major factor in his decision to reject the audition invitation from Velvet Revolver’s drummer Matt Sorum.
The supergroup was formed by former Guns N’ Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum along with Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Dave Kushner. They eventually found their vocalist elsewhere. Wikipedia noted that Velvet Revolver ultimately brought in Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland to fill the role Kennedy had declined.
Kennedy’s path would later intersect with the Velvet Revolver legacy in an unexpected way. Louder Sound revealed that years after declining the Velvet Revolver opportunity, Kennedy contributed vocals to Slash’s self-titled solo album in 2010 and became his touring vocalist. This collaboration continues to this day.
The timing of Kennedy’s decision to join Alter Bridge in late 2003 proved to be pivotal for his career trajectory. His candid reflection provides insight into how health challenges and strategic career decisions ultimately led him to his current success with both Alter Bridge and his ongoing collaboration with Slash.
