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Former Guns N' Roses Members Reunite At Randy Castillo Benefit
05/01/2002 7:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Mark Armstrong
(5/1/02, 7 a.m. ET) -- Hollywood rock 'n' rollers got a special treat Tuesday night (April 29) during the Randy Castillo benefit show at the Key Club when the '90s-era Guns N' Roses lineup, sans Axl Rose, reunited onstage with guest vocalists including Buckcherry singer Josh Todd, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, and Cypress Hill's Sen Dog.
The band--consisting of ex-Guns guitarist Slash, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Matt Sorum, plus Buckcherry guitarist Keith Nelson--played a short but blistering set that included Guns classics and some choice cover tunes under the name Buck N' Roses (and/or Cherry Roses depending on who you asked).
The set opened with GN'R's "It's So Easy," followed by the Sex Pistols anthem "God Save The Queen," Rose Tattoo's "Nice Boys Don't Play Rock 'N' Roll" (a GN'R live staple), and Buckcherry's hit "Lit Up."
Sen Dog, who also fronts a metal band called SX-10 on the side, joined in for a roaring version of Guns' smash "Paradise City," rapping the second verse and bouncing around the stage with glee.
For the final number, the band introduced Tyler, who lead them through a spirited rendition of Aerosmith's "Mama Kin," another Guns live staple. Tyler hugged the former Gunners as they left the stage with smiles.
This was probably as close to a full-scale Guns N' Roses reunion as can be expected, though the former bandmates have shared stages together in recent times in various configurations.
Duff's band Loaded jammed with Slash on "It's So Easy" a couple months back at its Los Angeles House of Blues show, and Gilby Clarke's weekly jams at the Cat Club have attracted the likes of Slash, Duff, and even reclusive frontman Axl Rose (though not at the same time). Duff also played bass on former Guns guitarist Izzy Stradlin's last three solo albums and has rounded up Slash to join in for the next one.
Also on the bill at the Castillo benefit was Nicklebag, featuring Rolling Stones backing vocalist Bernard Fowler and fill-in guitarist Ritchie Kotzen, guitar legend Ronnie Montrose, comedians Andy Dick and Charles Fleisher, and several all-star jam bands. Slap featured Toto guitarist Steve Lukather, former Ozzy bassist Phil Sousann, and drum legends Kenny Aronoff and Simon Phillips, while the night ended with an all star drum-off that featured just about every skinsman in town.
The concert was a benefit show and served as a celebration of the life of drummer Castillo, who passed away from cancer on March 26. Castillo was a rock veteran who played with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crue and was well liked and respected in the hard rock community. The benefit was to raise money for his family in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the efforts continue at http://randycastillo.com/.
Those who'd like to contribute to the funeral expenses can contact the following address: Christine Castillo, P.O. Box 4434, Albuquerque, NM 87196. Contributions can be deposited at any Wells Fargo Bank under the Randy Castillo Memorial Fund.
-- Frank Meyer, Los Angeles
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