Slash: "Stop asking if I will rejoin GNR"

Velvet Revolver and ex-Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash told the U.K.'s BBC 6 Music that he wishes people would stop asking him if he's ever going to rejoin Guns. Slash explained, "I just feel for people that don't seem to get it. All things considered, it's been a really long time, and everybody's moved on. At the same time, I appreciate that I was part of a band that had such a huge impact and touched so many people, and I feel bad for them that it's not around -- but it is what it is."

The guitarist is gearing up for the early 2010 release of his new solo album, tentatively titled Slash & Friends, and said he's deliberately kept a lid on the guest singers appearing on the record: "I've been very low key on this, because I was waiting for all the releases for all the different singers, but some of the cats are out of the bag. There's a lot of people on the record."

Confirmed singers on the disc include Ozzy Osbourne, Chris Cornell, Fergie and M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold.

Other musicians contributing to the album include ex-Guns drummer Steven Adler, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, former Nine Inch Nails drummer Josh Freese and more.

Slash added to the BBC, "It's just nice to be in charge of my own destiny, even if it's just for one record. Just not to be in a group situation, and at the mercy of what everybody as a whole feels, but being responsible for my own decisions and having the final say . . . I needed to get it out of my system."

Velvet Revolver has yet to find a new lead singer, despite dismissing frontman Scott Weiland more than 18 months ago.

Guns N' Roses released its long-delayed Chinese Democracy album last November, with singer Axl Rose as the sole original member, but it failed commercially. The band is prepping a Canadian tour.