Pop Quiz: Velvet Revolver

Pop Quiz: Velvet Revolver

Aidin Vaziri | When the ramshackle cast of Velvet Revolver was first announced -- Duff McKagan, Slash and Matt Sorum of Guns N' Roses, singer Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots and Dave Kushner -- people hardly expected the rock super group to make it past the gates of the rehab clinic, let alone onto the concert stage. Yet, so far, the band's first album, "Contraband," which debuted at No. 1 on the album charts, has sold 1.62 million copies in the United States. Last month, the band graduated to playing arenas.



Duff McKagan of Velvet Revolver
Q: How weird is it to go through all this again?
A: Oh, there are times when Slash and I look at each other onstage and the crowd is going crazy and it's like, "F -- , dude. We did it again." It doesn't happen very often. But it's pretty great. People tell us we saved rock 'n' roll..
Q: I just wish your pancreas was here to enjoy it.
A: No, it's here. That's why I'm here. My pancreas expanded and burst, but I made it through that and realized I was given a second chance. I saw myself from above the bed. I realized I'm here for a reason. There's a lot out there that I haven't even come close to experiencing yet.