Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash and bassist/vocalist Duff McKagan are featured on a new benefit single titled “I Can Breathe“. The pair of hard rock royalty joined forces with Gibson President & CEO Cesar Gueikian on this track, the proceeds from which will go towards the National Alliance on Mental Illness via the Gibson Gives initiative.
Kagan commented of contributing to the song:
“It was such a pleasure to work with Cesar and his whole crew on this tune. The musical slant and progressive rock-ness of this huge epic pushed me in a whole new direction. I love a challenge and Cesar killed it! Most importantly, to be of service for mental health issues and awareness is super important to me at this time. Let’s rock!”
Slash added, “Cesar and Duff came to me with a really cool piece of music. I loved the riff idea, and Duff’s vocal, so I felt right at home on the track.” Gueikian also shared his thoughts, offering:
“Guns N’ Roses had a profound influence on me and my guitar playing, so having the opportunity to write and record this song with Slash and Duff is a dream come true, and it’s an honor to call them friends and partners.”
Slash himself is not only a Gibson player, but also signed to the musical instrument and equipment maker’s label arm for his solo output. Around this time last year, Gueikian released a benefit track with Black Sabbath‘s Tony Iommi and System Of A Down‘s Serj Tankian titled “Deconstruction“. Like this song, all proceeds also went to charity.
Almost as a callback to that past collaboration, the artwork for this new single is based on an original painting done by Tankian dubbed ‘They’re Coming’. That piece is currently set to be auctioned alongside a one-of-a-kind Gibson Les Paul to raise funds for the National Alliance on Mental Illness as well.
