2015.10.09 - Times Of India - Gilby Clarke: I’ve always been a big Cheap Trick fan

Gilby Clarke: I’ve always been a big Cheap Trick fan

Reagan Gavin Rasquinha

He was best known as one of the axe-men in legendary band Guns n Roses. Gilby Clarke was with the group for three years after replacing Izzy Stradlin in 1991. He now has forged a solo career. On the music front, he has been up to a lot.

“I’ve been playing a lot of shows, mostly in the US, but also South America. Besides playing shows with my solo band, I also have the band Kings Of Chaos with Matt Sorum and Duff McKagan from Guns n Roses. We have had many guest singers and guitar players perform with us. Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Slash, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Gene Simmons (Kiss) have all played with Kings Of Chaos.

Who then does he enjoy playing with the most?

“I like playing with my band. We always have a good time. I also enjoy the Kings Of Chaos shows with Robin Zander of Cheap Trick. I’ve always been a big Cheap Trick fan and to be able to play guitar with Robin, singing those incredible songs was real treat. It all boils down to his early influences too.

Which are decidedly top-notch.

“I liked Kiss, Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith. Then later, I listened to the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie. I enjoyed 70s rock when I first started playing guitar in bands.

“My favourite guitar players are Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Mick Ronson (who played guitar for David Bowie) and Rick Derringer."

He also has great respect for Slash as a musician.

"I love his tenacity. He loves playing guitar and he finds a way to do it. He doesn’t care about trends or fashion. He knows who he is and what his talents are. I have jammed with Slash and his band many times. It feels very familiar and natural."

The burning question that all GnR fans want to know. If the original GnR could reunite, would he join them?

“Of course, it was a great band. If Slash and Duff came back it would be special. I would hope I could be a part of it if that ever happened. I had a great time during those years. We were young and didn’t give a shit what anybody thought. Most people’s memories are of the drama and negative shit. I remember being a part of a very powerful musical unit. Everybody cared deeply about the live shows and the music that was recorded. I enjoyed that. I really felt we were on the same page musically and were passionate about our performances.”

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