Cause of 20-Year Axl Rose-Slash Feud Finally Uncovered?

The mystery behind why Axl Rose and Slash have been on the outs since 1996, when Slash quit Guns N' Roses, may have finally been solved. And it all comes down to ... Michael Jackson and a big-screen TV? Vulture picks up on this tidbit from former GNR manager Doug Goldstein's interview with Rolling Stone Brazil this week: As Goldstein tells it, Axl was molested by his dad when he was a toddler and believed that Jackson was also a child molester. So when Slash agreed to perform with Jackson at a tribute concert, Goldstein warned him not to do it.

"I asked Slash, 'How much are you receiving?'" Goldstein recalls. "And he said, 'I’ll just receive a big-screen television.' When Axl found out Slash was going to play with Michael Jackson and that the payment was a big-screen TV, he was devastated. He thought Slash would support him and be against all abuse." Goldstein, for his part, believes all Slash may have to do to mend fences after nearly 20 years is apologize. (Axl is one of 18 male divas rounded up by Radar, thanks to his feud with Slash.)