1994.07.14 - The Newcastle Journal - Slash after wor Spike

by **Blackstar** Fri Jul 26, 2019 8:02 am

Transcript:
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Slash after wor Spike

North rock singer lined up to appear on megastar's new solo album

By ANDREW SMITH

HEAVY metal megastar Slash is lining up a North rock singer for his solo album.

Slash, wild man guitarist with the band Guns N' Roses, has asked former Quireboys vocalist Jonathan "Spike" Gray to sing on the record, SVO Snakepit, due to be released soon.

But sources close Guns N' Roses have dismissed rumours that Spike is being lined up to replace singer Axl Rose after reports of a split in the band. Spike's father Frank speaking from the family home near Haltwhistle, Northumberland, confirmed his son had been approached for a solo project.

"Slash contacted him in Los Angeles and he is considering the offer at the moment. He is still undecided as he is in the process of writing his own album and hasn't made a firm commitment."

Spike, 28, and about to become a father for the first time, was born in Peterlee and raised in Gateshead then Corbridge, attending the Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham. He sprang to fame as the flamboyant head-scarfed frontman with the Quireboys and the band's debut album A Bit Of What You Fancy went to Number Two in the charts on the back of a string of hit singles.

They also supported Guns N' Roses, Aerosmith and The Rolling Stones at their gig at St James's Park two years ago. But last year, the, band split.

Now he has formed his own band, God's Hotel, in Los Angeles where he lives most of the tune.

Guns N" Roses record label Geffen and Phil Alexander, editor of the heavy metal magazine Kerrang confirmed the move would be for the solo project and not as a replacement to Axl.

"Spike is one of about six candidates being considered by Slash."