GUNS N' ROSES drummer Frank Ferrer, who has been a member of the Axl Rose-fronted outfit for over a decade, spoke to Music Radar about his approach to playing some of the band's classic songs. He said: "I really try to keep the spirit of the way the song was played. When we play the 'Appetite…' stuff, I try to have the push and pulls. Steven's [Adler] punk rock bits are great.

"Adler's playing was one of the greatest rock drumming performances in the history of music. You can put it in the top ten. His playing on 'Appetite…' is perfect. Then with [Matt] Sorum, it's a little more tight and more reserved kind of playing. I do try to keep that spirit, though.

"I have tremendous respect for the drummers in GUNS N' ROSES. I love Brain [Brian Mantia] so much. What Brain told me was to try and make the songs my own. I never forget that. Obviously my own personality comes through, especially on some of the funkier stuff. I might give a more New York hip-hop kind of feel to it."

GUNS N' ROSES' "Not In This Lifetime" summer stadium tour kicks off on June 23 in Detroit, with dates booked through August 22 in San Diego.

Only singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan from GN'R's "Appetite For Destruction"-era lineup took part in the first Las Vegas gig and the five official reunion shows that followed (one in Las Vegas, Nevada and a pair each in Mexico City and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. They were joined by Ferrer, keyboardist Dizzy Reed and guitarist Richard Fortus. Also appearing with them was second keyboardist Melissa Reese.

GUNS N' ROSES got a reported $8 million for its two appearances at Coachella and will make an average of $2.75 million per show on the "Not In This Lifetime" tour.

GUNS' second Coachella set in April featured the live debut of two classics, "Out Ta Get Me" and "Used To Love Her", that Slash, McKagan and Rose had not performed live together in over two decades.

Rose launched his stint as guest vocalist with AC/DC on May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal. Axl is also slated to perform ten rescheduled North American shows with AC/DC.

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During a brand new interview with Argentinean rock journalist Lucas H. Gordon, former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Gilby Clarke was once again asked for his thoughts on the reunion of long-estranged GN'R singer Axl Rose and guitarist Slash for a handful of comeback shows in April and a full U.S. tour during the summer. Clarke, who was not an original member of the group, said: "In all honesty, I haven't seen [any of the recent GN'R shows], so I don't have an opinion yet."

He continued: "First of all, I'm happy that the guys are back together. I think it's really important to music, especially rock and roll music, that GUNS N' ROSES is a viable band that's out performing right now. I know Axl has been out there with his band playing, but it doesn't get any better than having Slash back in the band. So with Slash and Axl back together, I really think they can have some great shows and hopefully write some good music together and keep the band name and legacy alive."

Regarding whether he thinks the GN'R reunion will last, Gilby said: "I was a part of the band twenty years ago, and a lot has happened in that amount of time. I don't know… I honestly don't know. People were asking me questions last year: 'Do you think GUNS N' ROSES are gonna get back together?' And I kept saying, 'No.' I didn't. I honestly didn't. So I'm surprised, just like a lot of people are, that the band's back together. But I think it's a great thing for music."

Asked if he would rejoin GUNS N' ROSES if he was asked to take part in the band's reunion tour, Gilby said: "You know, I don't really wanna answer that, because I don't know. I honestly don't know. It's a hypothetical question, it's a hypothetical situation. So I really don't know. I mean, before all this happened, people [would] say, 'Would you be a part of the reunion?' And I always said, 'Absolutely!' Look, I love the music of the band, I love the band and the performance, but this GUNS N' ROSES isn't the GUNS N' ROSES that I was a part of, so it's a hard question to ask right now."

Clarke replaced founding guitarist Izzy Stradlin in the GUNS lineup in 1991, during the "Use Your Illusion" tour, and stayed with the band for three years.

He has continued as a producer and solo artist since then, while also playing in ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA, HEART and other acts.

Clarke reunited with GUNS members Slash, Steven Adler, Matt Sorum and Duff McKagan at the band's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction in April 14, 2012, although he himself was not inducted as part of the band.

Gilby is currently recording a new solo album that will feature guest appearances by drummers Stephen Perkins (JANE'S ADDICTION) and Matt Starr (ACE FREHLEY) along with members of Clarke's solo band, EJ Curse (bass/vocals) and Troy Patrick Farrell (drums/vocals).

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Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) says that he "couldn't think of a better choice" than Axl Rose to front AC/DC for European dates in May and June.

The legendary Australian rock band postponed the last ten dates of its recent North American tour after doctors told Brian Johnson he faced "total hearing loss." AC/DC has since announced that it will use the GUNS N' ROSES singer as a "guest vocalist" when it resumes its tour next month, with Johnson apparently not returning to the band at all.

Wylde, who has performed a cover version of AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie" with GUNS N' ROSES in 2011 when BLACK LABEL SOCIETY opened for GN'R (see video below), says that while he certainly wants to see Johnson return to AC/DC, he believes that Rose will be the perfect guy to step in and do the job.

"We all want Brian to get better, as far as his hearing," Zakk told Metal Wani in a new interview (hear audio below). "That's terrible. I've met Brian, and he's the sweetest guy on the planet. I mean, obviously, everybody's rootin' for Brian to get better. But in the meantime, while Brian's recovering, I couldn't think of a better choice. And Axl's such a huge fan. [Late AC/DC singer] Bon Scott is, like, his guy."

He continued: "When me and Axl would always talk about our favorite musicians and singers and guitar players… you know, whatever… We both love Elton John and everything like that. Whenever we talk about all the bands and musicians, Bon Scott was his… As far as singers go, he was, like, 'That was my guy.' So, for Axl, I'm sure he's beyond honored that he could actually… you know, he's gonna sing with the guys. It's like Ozzy [Osbourne] playing with THE BEATLES, 'cause of Ozzy's love for John Lennon, and they're gonna ask him to sit in for John Lennon's parts. You know what I mean? Ozzy would be beyond… he'd be speechless. So, yeah, Axl's gonna be beyond honored, and I think it's gonna be awesome, 'cause, I mean, Axl loves that stuff. So in the meantime, until Brian gets better, I couldn't think of a better way to do it."

Classic Rock magazine recently posted a story on its web site as to why Axl Rose is the "worst idea" to replace Johnson in AC/DC. Its sister publication, Metal Hammer, has since countered with why it is a "brilliant idea," and here are some of their reasons:

1) "Various singers from bands ranging from KROKUS to THE HIVES have thrown their hat in the ring, but all along, there was only one viable direction, and that was pulling in a high-profile singer who knows the material, who has the range and who's got the time."

2) "Anybody who's watched GUNS N' ROSES' version of 'Whole Lotta Rosie' on YouTube must grudgingly admit that he riotously delivers the punch and snarl of the original. There is no debate that Axl has the style and the range to handle the band's current set list."

3) "Say what you will about Axl, but he’s possessed of high intelligence and his own keen survival instinct; he acutely understands that before him lies a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to elevate his stature among his fans and peers and to carve his name on the wall of the AC/DC legacy for all time. No way will Axl blow this..."

4) "Finally, think about the ticket holders. If you had a ticket to one of these shows and word comes down that the band have hired the guy from KROKUS to front them, are you going to go? But put Axl Rose and now you’ve got something to see."

AC/DC's European tour kicks off on May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal and runs through June 12 in Aarhus, Denmark. Following that, Rose will head out on his previously announced summer reunion tour with GUNS N' ROSES. AC/DC's ten postponed U.S. dates will take place later in the year, also with Rose as frontman.

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