Slash has explained the concerns that arose when Guns N’ Roses first toured with Aerosmith in 1988. The guitarist shared his memories of that tour in an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock.
The tour almost did not happen at the time because Aerosmith was newly sober, and the band’s management had concerns about the influence that Guns N’ Roses might have on them.
“You know, Aerosmith is one of my all-time favorite rock and roll bands and they had a huge influence on me,” Slash said. “[It] was really integral to me picking up the guitar in the first place.”
“We got the tour, which almost didn’t happen because Aerosmith was freshly sober at that time. Their management was scared that we were going to go and muck that up. But when we got that tour, one of the things that sticks in my mind, our first show was [at Poplar Creek Music Theater on July 17, 1988].”
Slash recalled the impact of watching the band prepare for those shows. “I remember sitting out in the seats and watching those guys sound check. That in and of itself was just a learning experience. You know, as a kid, you have this weird idea of how things work. So it was really great to sort of see these guys starting a song and trying to get into a groove and all that kind of sh*t.”
“[I found out] they just don’t come in and like, wham bam, they’re f*cking awesome. They’re just guys doing their thing. It was really an eye opening experience. I mean, they sounded great, but they were just feeling sh*t out and jamming, and it was cool.”
The 1988 tour marked the start of a relationship between the two bands that would shape Slash’s understanding of how professional musicians work.
Aerosmith’s recovery from addiction provided the context for the management’s protective stance during this tour. The Permanent Vacation Tour ran from October 1987 through September 1988 and was Aerosmith’s first tour after all five band members completed drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Geffen Records had required the rehab program before funding the recording of Permanent Vacation. Guns N’ Roses joined the tour from July 20 through September 15, 1988, performing at arenas and amphitheaters across North America.
The band’s commitment to sobriety was serious enough that they made specific requests of their touring partners. Steven Tyler told the younger band not to use drugs in their presence, explaining that seeing such behavior could trigger a relapse. Guns guitarist Izzy Stradlin acknowledged the importance of this boundary, noting that meeting people who were sober was a positive experience.
For Slash, the tour represented more than just a professional opportunity. Aerosmith had been a major influence on his musical development, particularly in shaping his blues-driven guitar style through the work of Joe Perry. Songs like “Nobody’s Fault” from Aerosmith’s 1976 album Rocks had inspired Slash when he first picked up the guitar. By 1988, Slash and Guns N’ Roses were developing into a confident arena rock band, and the tour allowed the younger musicians to learn directly from the artists who had shaped their musical foundation.
