In a new Appetite for Distortion podcast interview, former Metallica guitarist and current Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine confirmed that he offered Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash a job in Megadeth.
“Yes, we’re most definitely friends. [But] he didn’t try out [for Megadeth]. But he had an invitation. He and [Megadeth bassist] David Ellefson had played together several times, so that was fun. And he liked playing with Dave, and he liked the idea of playing with me, and I thought it was a great idea too. That’s probably where we became such great friends. Although we don’t see each other a lot, whenever we see each other, it’s [like], ‘Hey, what’s up, man?’ And there’s, I think, a deep, deep, deep mutual respect for each other.”
He was also asked if he likes being called a ‘guitar’ and ‘metal’ god.
“I don’t fancy being called a god. That makes me uncomfortable, ’cause I’m just a guy. But I love my job, and I take pride at being good at it. But I also know that there’s guys that are so much better than me… Zakk [Wylde], for example — Zakk’s an amazing guitar player. But then, who else is there [on the ‘Experience Hendrix’ tour]? Eric Johnson — one of my personal favorites. And Joe Satriani, one of the best in the world. And Dweezil Zappa, who is probably, to me, the biggest surprise — a great guitar player and a sweetheart of a guy. He’s been helping me with my sound. I went to the show the other day, and Dweezil is working on my amp and Eric Johnson is playing my guitar, and I’m thinking, ‘Man, I died and went to heaven. Look at this.'”
