It’s not easy to get Axl Rose into a recording studio, as many members of can attest, but managed it without even trying. The former and guitarist was in Frankfurt recording a new version of UFO’s 1975 classic , featuring a guest appearance from Axl’s GN’R bandmate Slash. The track was being worked up for , an album of new versions of songs from the five studio albums Schenker made during his first glorious run with the venerated British rock band in the 70s.
When Slash rocked up at the studio, he told Schenker that he’d mentioned what he was doing to Axl. “Axl said: ‘Oh, I wish you’d have told me! I would have done some vocals!’” says Schenker, a voluble 69-year-old whose dial is stuck on ‘permanently enthusiastic’. He leapt into action.
Calls were made, and Axl agreed to try out three UFO songs to see how they fit: and from 1977’s album, and from the following year’s . “Axl is a perfectionist,” says Schenker. “He puts everything under the microscope.
He was not happy with his performance on and , but he did such a great version of .” Even then it was a slow process. “He would go back into the studio and do something else: ‘It’s not right yet, it’s not right yet!’ We waited and waited, and eventually he got it.
It’s a really good song for Axl to sing.” The Axl-sung version of is a highlight of . But Schenker must realise that he’s probably delayed the new Guns N Roses album even further? Sign up below to get the latest from.